Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 4, 2024 / 17:40 pm
Republican lawmakers in Ohio plan to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill that would prevent doctors from performing transgender surgeries and providing gender transition drugs to children.
The legislation would prohibit all “gender reassignment surgery” performed on minors and prohibit puberty-blocking drugs for children.
DeWine, a Republican and a Catholic, broke from his party and vetoed the bill but could face an attempt at a veto override as early as next week. House leadership moved up the start date of their next session to Wednesday, Jan. 10, to consider a vote. The Senate is scheduled to meet on Jan. 24 unless the chamber’s leadership also moves up the date.
Republican lawmakers appear to have the votes necessary to override the governor’s veto if most lawmakers who initially backed the legislation vote for the veto override. The bill passed the Senate 24-8 and the House 62-27. To override the veto, Republicans would need to secure a three-fifths vote in both chambers, which requires 20 votes in the Senate and 59 votes in the House.