In a striking display of political theater, nearly every Democrat in the Georgia House staged a dramatic walkout Wednesday to protest legislation aimed at halting taxpayer-funded sex change procedures for inmates. But their absence did little to stop the bill’s momentum — it passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 100-2.

Senate Bill 185, which now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk, would prohibit the use of state funds for gender reassignment surgeries, hormone therapy, and cosmetic procedures intended to alter sexual characteristics for individuals in Georgia prisons. Two Democrats, Reps. Regina Lewis-Ward and David Sampson, stayed behind to vote against the bill. The rest of the party left the chamber in protest, signaling their commitment to radical gender ideology over taxpayer concerns.

Republican Rep. Scott Hilton, who introduced the bill, was blunt in his justification. He said his constituents are furious that inmates are receiving a higher standard of care — and in this case, elective procedures — than law-abiding Georgians can afford for themselves. “It’s outrageous,” he said, pointing out that this is about fiscal sanity, not discrimination.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Tanya Miller, however, called the bill an “extreme agenda” item and tried to downplay its impact, claiming that only five inmates have requested such procedures. She accused Republicans of wasting time on “culture war” politics during the final days of the legislative session.

But Republican Rep. Trey Kelley called out the stunt for what it was. He said walking out of the chamber instead of voting on responsible budgeting was “disgraceful.” GOP House Majority Whip James Burchett reminded Democrats that “elections have consequences,” and added that the vast majority of Georgia taxpayers do not want their hard-earned dollars funding gender reassignment surgeries behind bars.

Despite the media narrative, the bill includes exemptions. Treatments deemed medically necessary — such as those for chromosomal abnormalities or specific congenital conditions — will still be permitted. Inmates currently undergoing hormone therapy prior to incarceration will be allowed to continue treatment on a temporary, transitional basis.

Still, Miller insisted that the bill is a “direct assault” on the transgender community and claimed it sends a hostile message to vulnerable populations.

Georgia now joins states like Idaho and Texas in drawing a line on taxpayer funding for gender transition procedures in prisons. Meanwhile, progressive strongholds like California have spent over $4 million on such surgeries since 2017 and have seen a surge in inmate applications for the procedures.

The sharp divide on this issue reflects the broader clash between fiscal conservatism and progressive ideology. For Republicans in Georgia, the bill represents a win for common sense. For Democrats, it’s a hill to die on — and they made that literal by walking out on their job instead of standing up for constituents with a vote.