No Pride in Mary Miller’s proposal

By SHIA KAPOS 

06/09/2026 08:00 AM EDT

With an assist from Desiree Luo.

Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. This newsletter brought to you by caffeine and summer rain.

TOP TALKER

Congresswoman Mary Miller speaks at a news conference Jan. 10, 2024. | Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP

FAMILY FEUD: Congresswoman Mary Miller is wading back into a culture-war fight.

Last week, the Illinois Republican introduced legislation that would end federal recognition of Pride Month and replace it with “Family Month.”

The proposal, which aligns with the views of a Republican Party increasingly skeptical of gay marriage, landed as Pride Month celebrations were getting underway across Illinois and the country.

Her Democratic challenger, Jennifer Todd, argues Miller is focused on the wrong things. “If Mary Miller really wants to honor families she should be fighting to lower the prices of gas, and groceries, ensuring we have access to health care, making sure our kids can get a good education, and help family farmers survive. That’s what honoring families really means,” Todd said in a statement to Playbook.

Equality Illinois echoed that. “The diversity of our nation, including LGBTQ+ people and families, is one of our greatest strengths. We are strongest when we recognize the richness of our communities and affirm that everyone belongs. We can celebrate the many kinds of families that exist while also honoring the resilience of LGBTQ+ people,” the advocacy group said in a statement to Playbook.

She’s not the only Archie Bunker. Miller is following the lead of Indiana and Tennessee governors who have issued proclamations recognizing “Nuclear Family Month.” And there’s Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, who recently drew criticism — including from fellow Republicans — after his social media post declared that “Homosexuality has no place in America.” The post was later deleted, with Ogles saying the “stupid” and “harmful” post was made by a member of his team who was reprimanded.

True colors: Miller’s legislation is just the latest example of her courting controversy. Days after taking office in 2021, Miller drew criticism for quoting Adolf Hitler. In 2022, while celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision overruling Roe v. Wade, she called it a “historic victory for white life,” which her office later said was a slip of the tongue, with the wording of the prepared remarks purportedly terming the ruling a victory for “the right to life.” Last year, she came under fire for a xenophobic post identifying a guest House chaplain as Muslim when he was Sikh. Miller said at the time the man “should never have been allowed” to lead the prayer.

She’s MAGA: Miller also objected to certifying the results of the 2020 election and has referred to a trans colleague, Sarah McBride, as “the gentleman from Delaware” on the House floor. Those positions and others have made her a close ally of President Donald Trump, who endorsed her reelection bid.

Back home, though, constituents have complained that she’s difficult to reach and rarely holds public town halls. (She’s also known to dodge reporters’ calls, including your Playbook host’s.)

Losing patience: Miller has won reelection comfortably, but she also drew challengers in the March primary — a sign that criticism of her combative style isn’t limited to Democrats.