Maine state budget vote descends into debate over trans athletes and Laurel Libby's censure

Republican Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby spoke with OutKick contributor Riley Gaines about her recent lawsuit after being censured for a social media post that sparked a trans athlete inclusion battle. (Credit: Gaines for Girls Podcast on OutKick)

The Maine state legislature voted on its biannual budget Thursday night, but the session was delayed by a prolonged debate over transgender athlete inclusion and the censure of Republican Rep. Laurel Libby. 

Libby, who was censured by Maine's Democratic majority and Speaker Ryan Fecteau for a social media post identifying an underage trans athlete, proposed several amendments to the state's budget via a loophole in the state legislative policy. 

Libby submitted 10 floor amendments to the budget Tuesday before the deadline to do so, which isn't prevented by a censure. So, Libby was permitted to speak and present those amendments during Thursday's session. One of those amendments was not related to the budget, but was a proposal to keep trans athletes out of girls sports. 

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However, when Libby did speak to present her amendments, multiple Democrats protested, instigating a debate with Republican representatives.

"During that four-minute presentation process, there ended up being a floor debate … between the Republicans and Democrats regarding my censure. So, there was essentially a second vote regarding the censure, reaffirming the Democrats' commitment to silencing my voice and my vote," Libby said. 

The Maine State House at dawn, Jan. 3, 2024, in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

In addition to Libby's proposal to ban trans athletes from girls sports, she proposed multiple budget bills that would have lowered taxes