Last month, when Nebraska state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh vowed to burn the legislative session to the ground over a bill to ban gender therapy for transgender youth, she was sick with strep throat and couldnt leave the capital because of an ice storm.

I was mad. I was activated. I was too sick to give a shit, she said.

The following day, Cavanaugh gave what would quickly become a viral speech promising to use every available tool to inflict pain upon this body, referring to the Nebraska Legislature. It would launch what is now a multi-week filibuster over Legislative Bill 574, a proposal to outlaw gender-affirming care, specifically surgery and hormonal therapies, for minors. The legislatures rules have allowed Cavanaugh, a Democrat, to essentially bring its 2023 session to a standstill over her opposition to LB574, using what has become a valuable bargaining tool for members of the Democratic minority.

And in the end, it almost worked.

After pledging to remove references to cross-sex and puberty-blocking hormones, LB574s primary sponsor, Republican Kathleen Kauth, was able to secure enough votes Thursday to end discussion on the bill and advance it to a review stage. Cavanaugh, who was optimistic earlier in the week about having reached a deal to kill LB574, seemed to suggest that her filibuster would continue since the bill was alive and progressing. Nebraska lawmakers have been unable to pass any bills so far this session, resulting in a backlog that has frustrated even members of Cavanaughs own party whove suddenly found themselves at the center of the nations culture wars.

People are trying to blame me for the outcome of today, Cavanaugh told her colleagues Thursday. I do not have control over your fingers. I do not have control over your buttons. You vote for it or you dont vote for it.