The highly controversial so-called 'bathroom bill' is apparently dead for this year.

Backers of the bill coming up 2 votes short needed to stop a heated filibuster.

                                                                                                            [View our full report above]

“At the end of the day I doubt any minds will be changed.”

Even before lawmakers began debate on legislation that keeps biological boys out of girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms and biological boys from playing on girls’ teams, there was a warning.

Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly (R): “There will be no outbursts including clapping, heckling, or cheering.”

And then there was this.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth, Millard (R): “We need to put these protections into law so that girls are not forced to compete against boys and so that boys and girls are not forced to share that intimate space of a locker room or a bathroom.” 

State Sen. Megan Hunt, Omaha (I): “It’s not about protecting women its not about keeping women out of harm’s way. It’s about the danger and the power of the imagination of a bigot, Sen. Kathleen Kauth.”

State Sen. Loren Lippincott, Central City (R): “I don’t think it’s appropriate for her to call one or our members, names.” 

State Sen. R. Brad von Gillern, Elkhorn (R): “Senator Hunt if you want to judge me, get to know me and judge me by my actions and how I treat others.”

Sen. Hunt: “If you’d like to censure me, please go ahead.” 

State Sen. Brian Hardin, Gering (R): “The challenge was made earlier this week to give examples of where biological males are participating in female sports in Nebraska. To my knowledge that’s not happening in District 48 (Gering), but you don’t close the gate after the cattle are out.”

State Sen. Lynn Walz, Fremont (D): “Why would we create and pass policy when we already have sound policy established by experts, including physicians, educators, mental health practitioners and other educated stakeholders.”

Backers of the bill tried to cut off any more debate but couldn’t, those filibustering winning, leaving those supporting the bathroom bill to wait ‘til next year.