Zephyr, Montana’s first openly trans lawmaker, later called the measure a “distraction from the work we were elected to do” and thanked colleagues who voted against it.

Some Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the measure, which would have restricted bathroom access. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana's first openly transgender legislator, won a second term last month.

Montana lawmakers, including several Republicans, voted down a measure to ban the state’s first transgender legislator from using women’s restrooms at the State Capitol Tuesday.