Republicans in Ohio effectively overrode the Republican governor on Wednesday by passing a bill that aims to prevent transgender children and trans athletes from participating in school activities. Governor Mike DeWine had vetoed the bill.
Chants of “Shame” could be heard from the House gallery as the override was approved by the Ohio House with a 65-28 vote. According to NBC News, the chants briefly halted the video feed of the House voting.
The Ohio Senate will now vote on the bill, and a three-fifths majority is required for a complete veto override.
If the override is successful, Ohio will become the 23rd state to impose restrictions on trans-related healthcare, and the 25th state to limit the rights of trans athletes.
Senate President Matt Huffman has indicated that the Senate has the necessary votes and is likely to review the veto override.
During Wednesday’s House proceedings, the Republican sponsor of the ban, Rep. Gary Click, argued that “no family has the legal right to harm their child.”
He continued, “The same government that mandates sending your kids to school, prohibits giving them illegal drugs, and has the power to accuse parents of neglect and abuse, also has a duty to prevent parents and doctors from chemically sterilizing and castrating their kids.”
Democratic Rep. Anita Somani, a cardiologist with over 30 years of experience, stated that her office received over 1,500 emails opposing the bill.
Somani said, “Trust science, trust the families, parents, patients, and experts who have repeatedly testified that gender-affirming care is a continuum designed to help individuals achieve their true selves. We need to stay out of the exam room because it’s not up to the government to make these decisions.”
Governor DeWine surprised many when he vetoed the bill late last month after a series of meetings with physicians and families of transgender children. DeWine stated at the time that decisions should “be made by parents and informed by teams of doctors who are advising them,” and that signing House Bill 68 would imply that the state knows better than the child’s parents what is medically best for the child.
