On Tuesday the Religious Liberties Act of 2013 passed the Alabama House of Representatives by a vote of 67-28. Liberal Democrats came out in strong opposition to the bill which allows “religiously motivated employers” to opt out of the ObamaCare mandate that forces them to provide contraceptive coverage and abortion-inducing agents to their employees. As a result of the Religious Liberties Act, Rep. Patricia Todd, a self-identified “Obama Democrat” from Birmingham, labeled Tuesday as “Attack Women’s Reproductive Rights Day.”

But there were a few surprising turns during the debate and vote on the Religious Liberties Act that caught my attention.

Several Democrats from some of the most conservative areas of the state chose to break with the wishes of their districts and oppose the bill. The most notable examples were Marcell Black from Colbert county, Johnny Mack Morrow who represents Colbert and Franklin counties, and Greg Burdine from Lauderdale county, all of whom voted against the religious liberty bill.

As you can see from the map to the left, Romney easily won each of the northwest Alabama counties these men represent. In years past, Democrats like these three would be able to talk one way in their district, then go to Montgomery and and vote the way they wanted, because they knew they wouldn’t be held accountable for their actions.

Not anymore.

But there was also a group of Democrats who couldn’t even bring themselves to go on record in support or opposition of the bill. The following members voted “present” —

Barbara Boyd (D-Anniston)
Dexter Grimsley (D-Newville)
Joe Hubbard (D-Montgomery)
Richard Lindsey (D-Centre)
Joseph Mitchell (D-Mobile)
Demetrius Newton (D-Birmingham)

As a matter of fact, one of those Democrats tried to avoid voting on the bill all together. Rep Joe Hubbard of Montgomery went to the mic prior to the vote and made a motion for the House to adjourn for the day so he wouldn’t have to vote at all.

A lot of progress was made in the 2010 election cycle, but there is clearly more work to be done in 2014.

Congrats to bill sponsor, Rep. Lynn Greer, and the rest of the Republican caucus for their work on the Religious Liberties Act. Well done.