NH Lawmaker Banned from State House After Profanity Complaint

Rep. Ellen Read faces restrictions following incident outside Senate committee hearing

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:36pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic hallway in a government building, with a single chair in the foreground casting a long shadow. The scene conveys a sense of isolation and tension, conceptually representing the political divisions that can arise within state legislatures.The ban on a state lawmaker's access to legislative spaces highlights the growing challenges of maintaining civility and decorum within the political arena.Concord Today

State Rep. Ellen Read, a Democrat from Newmarket, New Hampshire, has been banned by House Speaker Sherman Packard from entering the House chamber, ante-room, and gallery on non-session days after an incident where she allegedly shouted and used profanity outside a Senate committee hearing on one of her bills.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between lawmakers and the challenges of maintaining decorum and civility within state legislatures, especially as partisan divides deepen. The ban on Read's access to legislative spaces raises questions about free speech and the ability of elected officials to advocate for their constituents.

The details

According to reports, the incident occurred after a Senate committee hearing on a bill sponsored by Read concerning sexual education. Read claimed the committee chairman had little understanding of the bill, leading her to raise her voice and use profanity outside the hearing room. Packard, the Republican House Speaker, subsequently banned Read from entering certain legislative spaces on non-session days, citing her 'shouting' and use of profanity.

  • The incident occurred outside a Senate committee hearing on April 12, 2026.
  • House Speaker Packard issued the ban on April 13, 2026.

The players

Rep. Ellen Read

A Democratic state representative from Newmarket, New Hampshire who was banned from certain legislative spaces after an incident involving shouting and profanity.

House Speaker Sherman Packard

The Republican Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives who issued the ban on Rep. Read.

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What they’re saying

“It was obvious the chairman had no idea what the bill was about.”

— Rep. Ellen Read

What’s next

Rep. Read stated she is considering her legal options in response to the ban imposed by Speaker Packard.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining civility and decorum within state legislatures, as partisan tensions continue to rise. The ban on Rep. Read's access to legislative spaces raises concerns about the ability of elected officials to effectively advocate for their constituents.