Lt. Gov. Bert Jones said in a news release that the Senate is “on the right side of common sense issues.” Jones is expected to seek the Republican nomination in next year’s gubernatorial election. Republicans have focused on regulating transgender people in recent years, claiming it is a winning issue among their base.
Jones launched a committee last summer to study transgender girls in sports, a day after Algerian boxer Imane Kherif’s gender was called into question after her loss to an Italian boxer at last year’s Paris Olympics. , said, “Biological males do not belong in women’s sports.” .
Kerif is not transgender, but the controversy surrounding her participation in the 2024 Olympics has led some Georgia lawmakers to take a closer look at transgender student-athletes.
“This is common sense to all but the most radical liberals in Georgia,” Jones said.
Civil rights groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia also held a rally and press conference at the Capitol on Monday to let lawmakers know they will fight back against anti-transgender legislation.
“We have so many other concerns for Georgians in our state, so many issues that people need their legislators to address, and this is… “It’s very unfortunate that it’s a priority.” rights groups.
Charles said 115 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in 25 states this year.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
“It sounds dark, but it should give us power and (knowledge) to fight against those who want trans Georgians and trans people in the United States to be sidelined and marginalized. “It’s not just us,” he said. “But what we’re saying here is, ‘We’re not monitoring.'”
Senate Democratic Leader Kim Jackson, of Pine Lake, said she was disappointed that these were the first two issues the chamber Republicans wanted to focus on.
“Fundamentally, we think the majority of the caucus has the wrong priorities,” she said. “In fact, instead of focusing on harassing a few people or rehashing the past, I would like to move forward and work to ensure that all Georgians have access to health insurance and child care. .”
The Senate then approved the continuation of the committee created to investigate Willis on a party-line vote of 33-23, with Republicans supporting the bill. Dolezal also sponsored the resolution.
The committee is under political pressure after Willis accused President-elect Donald Trump and 18 of his allies of trying to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in Georgia. He claimed he had a motive and targeted Mr Willis.
But political partisanship wasn’t the only topic of discussion that day.
Senators congratulated state Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, on his 50th Congress. Across the hall, members of the House of Representatives sing Ray Charles’ hit song “Georgia on My Mind” and observe a moment of silence in memory of the late Democratic President Jimmy, led by Republican House Speaker John Burns of Newington. This marked the beginning of the year. Carter passed away last month.
“In December, the state of Georgia and the American people came together to mourn the loss and, so to speak, celebrate the life of President Jimmy Carter, a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of our state, our nation, and humanity. ” he said. “His life as a public servant began in this very place, at this State Capitol, more than 60 years ago. Since then, President Carter’s leadership, statesmanship, kindness, loyalty, and commitment to our nation have been… ‘s love has made a tangible difference in the lives of countless people here at home and around the world.”
The Georgia Legislature will adjourn on April 4th and remain in session for 40 days. This year, lawmakers are expected to tackle bills on topics such as in vitro fertilization, gun safety and overhauling the state’s litigation process.
Staff reporter Adam Beam contributed to this article.
