![\"Democratic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/892d1667-a18a-404a-ac56-fea7751e4b3c.JPG\" "\\"Democratic")
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Democratic State Rep. Angie Nixon, of Jacksonville, speaks into a megaphone in protest of Florida\u2019s newly drawn congressional map on April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n
Lawrence Mower<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay Times<\/p>\n
Tallahassee<\/p>\n
Rep. Angie Nixon was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee on Thursday for her loud protest on the House floor last month that disrupted a vote on new congressional district maps<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat, was not given an opportunity to speak before the panel before it approved the formal reprimand on a voice vote, but she did issue a statement to the committee.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile every member has the right to vigorous debate and dissent, that right does not extend to the active disruption of the legislative process,\u201d the reprimand states. \u201cIntense personal feelings on an issue are never a justification for conduct on the floor that violates House rules. Legislative decorum must be maintained, as it is the foundation upon which civil governance rests.\u201d<\/p>\n The reprimand from the committee, which stops short of a censure from the entire House, is a rare disciplinary action for a member.<\/p>\n Nixon defended her actions, which included using a pink megaphone \u2014 matching her bright pink outfit \u2014 to shout about the \u201cillegal\u201d and \u201cunconstitutional\u201d new congressional maps ahead of the April 29 vote.<\/p>\n Democrats decried the move to new districts, which could see their party lose as many as four seats in the U.S. House after the midterm elections. They claim it is a violation of Florida\u2019s constitution, which prohibits partisan gerrymandering.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a slap in the face of voters. It\u2019s a slap in the face of all Floridians. This is slap in the face of the blood of my ancestors that\u2019s running through my veins and it is boiling right now,\u201d Nixon told reporters after the vote. \u201cIf I had to do it over again I would and I probably would have a bigger pink megaphone.\u201d<\/p>\n At least two Democrats, Reps. Allison Tant of Tallahassee and Marie Woodson of Hollywood, inadvertently voted for the new maps. Woodson cited Nixon\u2019s protest as the reason.<\/p>\n \u201cI inadvertently voted yes because of the commotion with the bullhorn on the floor; I thought it was a quorum call. I debated against the bill and would not have voted yes,\u201d Woodson wrote on a memo explaining her vote.<\/p>\n The use of the megaphone was cited in the reprimand issued by the committee, because props aren\u2019t allowed on the House floor. The reprimand also stated Nixon violated House rules for speaking on the floor and promoting \u201cpublic confidence in the integrity and independence of the House and of the Legislature.\u201d<\/p>\n House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell spoke out against the decision from Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, chairman of the committee, to not allow Nixon to speak.<\/p>\n \u201cThe right to be informed of the charges against you and confront the evidence against you is ancient. That kid of due process interest goes back to Magna Carta,\u201d Driskell said.<\/p>\n