Arkansas Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson has just vetoed a bill that would ban physicians and other medical professionals from providing treatment to transgender minors.
Calling the legislation "off-course," Hutchinson suggested the legislation is not "necessary and defensible" in the culture war battle.
"Government under a conservative philosophy should be restrained. This is an example of where restraint is better than overbroad actions that interfere with important relationships in our society," Hutchinson said in a press conference, according to Slate's Mark Joseph Stern.
But he also acknowledges the legislature could override his veto. In Arkansas just a simple majority is needed to override a veto.
The ACLU's Chase Strangio:
Gov. Hutchinson recognizes that General Assembly will likely override. This is not over. Arkansas has a simple majority override. We have to flip a lot of votes. Keep up the pressure folks. We need to protect trans kids!
— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) April 5, 2021
Hutchinson has recently signed several other anti-LGBTQ bills into law, including sweeping legislation that would allow medical professionals, hospitals, insurance companies, and other medical providers – including students – the "right" to refuse service to LGBTQ people based on their religious beliefs.
He also signed in to law a bill banning transgender girls from playing women's or girls sports
Hutchinson says his veto today is for a bill that would make the state "the definitive oracle of medical care, overriding parents, patients, and healthcare experts."
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) calls HB 1570 a “vast government overreach":
“While in some instances the state must act to protect life, the state should not presume to jump into the middle of every medical, human, and ethical issue." pic.twitter.com/2wGvm4KwtN — The Recount (@therecount) April 5, 2021
