Rantz: Washington Democrats abused power to cut debate on ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’

For the party that claims President Donald Trump threatens democracy, they sure do like to subvert it. Washington Democrats cut debate short on their effort to gut the Parents’ Bill of Rights. That’s how tyrants work.

After Washington Democrats grew sick of Republican efforts to save the voter-back Parents’ Bill of Rights, they moved to stifle debate. This procedural move was a result of a move to end a 132-year-old rule allowing representatives to voice the positions of their constituents. But when one party doesn’t care what one side has to say or fears the argument will gain traction, they can abuse their majority and shut everyone up.

House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary condemned the move, saying it “marked a dark day for representative government in Washington state.” He’s understating how serious this was.

Why did Washington Democrats subvert democracy in the House?

Washington Democrats first invoked the rule to end debate on an amendment removing the “emergency clause.” Democrats added the clause because it would prevent voters from undoing the legislation via a referendum. It was added because the Parents’ Bill of Rights became legislation precisely because voters demanded it via Initiative 2081 and would have passed it as an initiative.

Democrats didn’t care what parents thought when they pretended to support the legislation; they certainly don’t care that voters don’t want them to gut the legislation.

“Sadly, this is part of a much larger pattern,” Stokesbary continued in a statement. “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.”

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