Nebraska State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh Uses Filibuster to Delay Gender-Affirming Therapy Bill Vote

Last week, Nebraska State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh took to the floor of the Legislature to offer her support for a mundane, unanimously supported bill on liquor taxation. However, instead of discussing the bill, she spent the next three days talking about her favorite Girl Scout cookies, Omaha’s best doughnuts and the plot of the animated movie “Madagascar.”

The reason for her filibuster was an unrelated bill that would outlaw gender-affirming therapies for those 18 and younger. The advancement of this bill out of committee led Cavanaugh to promise three weeks ago to filibuster every bill that comes before the Legislature this year, even the ones she supports.

Cavanaugh’s filibuster has been met with both praise and criticism. Supporters of the gender-affirming therapy bill have praised her for her dedication to the cause, while opponents of the bill have criticized her for using the filibuster to delay the bill’s passage.

The bill is now set to be voted on by the full Legislature, and it remains to be seen if Cavanaugh’s filibuster will have any effect on the outcome. In the meantime, Cavanaugh has vowed to continue her filibuster of any bill that comes before the Legislature this year, regardless of her opinion on the matter.