Alabama Senate GOP silences Democrats to pass ‘red meat’ bills without debate

Republicans invoke cloture, passing bills in both Alabama chambers

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Both chambers invoked clotures yesterday. It’s a way for lawmakers to limit how long a debate can go, and it requires a vote of 3/5. Some Democrats say, regardless of how those rules are used, they’re going to make their voices heard. Senate Democrats didn’t have an opportunity to speak after Republicans invoked a cloture and used up all the debate time on their own bills. One of those would require schools to play the …

House Democratic Leader Karen Camper Condemns Republican Leadership for Silencing Debate on Anti-DEI Legislation

NASHVILLE, TN – Today, Tennessee House Democratic Leader State Representative Karen Camper and several of her colleagues were denied the right to speak on the House floor as Republican leadership blocked debate on HB622, the so-called “Dismantle DEI Act.” The…

Senate GOP pushes porn filters, ballot security, and board transparency bills

With just seven legislative days remaining, Alabama Senate Republicans fast-tracked a slate of socially conservative bills Thursday—pushing measures they say defend “basic morals” and protect families from pornography, election fraud, and government overreach. The measures, placed on the General Order Calendar for April 17, drew coordinated praise from Senate leadership and the Republican Caucus, who framed the effort as a defense of Alabama’s v…

Tensions mount in Alabama Legislature as Republicans ram bills through

Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, speaking to reporters on April 17, 2025, after the Alabama House of Representatives adjourned in Montgomery, Alabama. Drummond and other House Democrats filibustered the House's agenda, saying it would not "move Alabama forward." (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)Tensions mounted in the Alabama Legislature Thursday as Republicans pushed through several bills dealing with religion and targeting LGBTQ+ Alabamians and…

Alabama Senate GOP silences Democrats to pass ‘red meat’ bills without debate

The Republican majority that controls the Alabama Senate took the unusual step of stopping debate on bills Thursday, forcing votes on the legislation and preventing Democratic senators from speaking at the mic.