HOUSE DEMOCRATS FILE APPEAL IN FEDERAL COURT TO SEEK REMOTE ACCESS TO SESSIONS FOR MOST VULNERABLE H

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Last night, Democratic members of the House of Representatives filed a Notice of Appeal with the Federal Court asking the court to overturn Judge McCafferty's decision. Two plaintiffs in the appeal, Deputy Democratic Leader David Cote (D-Nashua) and Representative Paul Berch (D-Westmoreland), released the following statement:

“We have appealed because we believe the Courts should be available to protect the disabled from discrimination, especially when discrimination is used to gain an unfair political advantage by robbing 100,000 citizens of representation in what should always be the people’s House,” said Representative David Cote (D-Nashua).

Representative Paul Berch (D-Westmoreland) added, “I am pleased that the New Hampshire House Democrats are standing strong for the right of all Representatives to effectively do the job they were elected to do – to fully represent the interests of their constituents and the citizens of this State."

HOUSE REPUBLICANS DISPARAGE LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Today, the House Criminal Justice committee heard and attempted to vote on HB 238, a bill that would ban the “Gay Panic Defense” used to justify the murder of LGBTQ+ people. Before the vote could be taken, the Committee Chair abruptly adjourned the meeting in response to derogatory comments made by Rep. Dick Marston (R- Manchester). Sponsor of HB 238, Chair of the LGBTQ Democratic Legislative Caucus and Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Stonewall Democrats, Rep. Josh Query (D-Manchester) released the following statement:

“Today, the House Criminal Justice Committee heard and attempted a vote to kill HB 238, a bill that would ban the “Gay Panic Defense,” a measure used to justify the murder of LGBTQ+ individuals across the nation. This bill would prevent someone from using a person’s gender identity, actual or perceived gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation as an excuse for murder while still retaining existing self-defense statute and recognizing due process. The committee heard this bill simultaneously in combination with a bill on subject matter involving drug dealers. It is deeply disappointing that LGBTQ+ people in New Hampshire were not afforded the respect of a clear hearing on this legislation that aims to make the Granite State safer for all people. It is unfortunately not uncommon that the LGBTQ+ community is intentionally equated with unprotected classes and in this case was unfairly related to a conversation on drug dealers. LGBTQ+ people in New Hampshire deserve dignity and protection in statute and in the legislative process, just as much as all Granite Staters do.”

“I am incredibly disheartened by the use of derogatory and harmful language and body language by Republican members of the Criminal Justice committee. Rep. Marston’s referring to LGBTQ+ people as “sexual deviants” and other committee members laughing during testimony from LGBTQ+ people is unacceptable behavior by members of the House. New Hampshire has one of the largest populations of LGBTQ+ people in the United States and elected representatives harboring and displaying such hatred for their own constituencies is deeply disturbing.”

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER REACTS TO BULLYING AND SILENCING BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY DURING SESSION

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Today, at the end of a contentious two days of session, House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) released the following statement.

“What we expect when we go to session is for spirited, sometimes heated debate on policies that we all care deeply about. What we do not expect, and will not tolerate, is the outright bullying and silencing displayed by the Republican Majority this week.

Wednesday’s session culminated with a motion by the Majority Leader implying that an anti-choice bill was not deserving of anyone’s time and attention and should immediately “just be dealt with” with little debate and consideration. When some Democrats decided to leave session instead of supporting their partisan, radical games, the Speaker locked the doors, trapping members outside. Democratic Members were not allowed back in the chamber for numerous votes, even after the Speaker was informed multiple times that they were trying to get back in.

This morning, the Speaker claimed that when he became aware of the desire of members to return, he allowed them back in. This is not true, as the session video on the General Court website will clearly show when it is uploaded. The same week that the Speaker permitted Republican members who defy public health orders to attend session, he locked the doors and barred Democrats from entering the chamber and voting.

In his speech, the Speaker also implored everyone in the chamber to act with civility, pleading with us to not put hateful and incendiary content on social media. I completely agree with this request. The Speaker’s speech failed to address the communications sent out Wednesday night by his Majority Leader, Representative Jason Osborne (R-Auburn), that claimed Democrats would be “out for blood after their violent insurrection”. I find it hard to imagine any language that would be more inflammatory and dangerous than this, and by failing to address it this morning the Speaker effectively endorsed the words of the radical element of his party. I do not understand what Representative Osborne found so threatening about members deciding to peacefully walk out of the chamber. Maybe he was taken aback by all of the women in our caucus who continued to rise throughout the day and challenge the repeated attempts to silence and bully them.

The House Session yesterday was rife with Democratic members being silenced, ignored, and flat out intimidated by the Speaker, and concluded with the Speaker locking the doors and baring members from voting on a radical, anti-choice bill.”