House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary condemns Democrats for using new rule to silence debate
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House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary condemns Democrats for using new rule to silence debate
During floor action on Monday, House Democrats used a new rule to silence dissent, end debate, and adopt legislation that guts the parental rights law passed by the Legislature last year.
House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, issued the following statement, endorsed by every member of the House Republican Caucus:
“Yesterday marked a dark day for representative government in Washington state.
“Earlier this session, House Democrats voted to eliminate a 132-year-old rule that protected free and open debate in the House of Representatives. Since 1893, that rule required a supermajority to end debate on bills, ensuring both majority and minority voices could be heard before a vote. By dismantling this safeguard, Democrats granted themselves unchecked power to silence their political opponents—which they did yesterday to push through deeply flawed changes to the parental rights law they helped pass just last year.
“Senate Bill 5181 not only undermines the intent of Initiative 2081, but it erodes public trust in our schools, deepens the divide between parents and school districts, and sidelines families at a time when transparency and engagement are more critical than ever.
“Democrats have the votes to pass any bill they want. They didn’t need to silence us on the House floor, but chose to do so anyway. That tells you everything you need to know about how much they value the voices of the three million Washingtonians we represent.
“By rewriting the rules and weaponizing them against our caucus, Democrats have set a dangerous precedent. They’ve traded transparency for convenience, replaced honest debate with unilateral control, and turned the People’s House into a rubber stamp for those in power.
“Every representative, regardless of party, has the right to speak on behalf of their constituents. The silencing of dissent on the House floor isn’t just an affront to those of us in the minority party. It’s an affront to every Washingtonian who expects their voice to be represented in the Legislature.
“Sadly, this is part of a much larger pattern. Under one-party control, Washington has seen a growing disconnect between government and the people it serves. Crime is out of control, housing is unaffordable, schools are underperforming, and working families are being squeezed on all sides. Democrats are failing to lead—and they don’t want to hear about it. But House Republicans will not be silenced. We will fight every day, with every tool at our disposal, until transparency, accountability, and integrity are fully restored to the People’s House.”
