Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed an “emergency” executive order Friday. Prohibition of gender mutilation surgery on minorsjust a week after he vetoed a bill that would have done the same.
What is your background?
Last week, DeWine Killing House Bill 68Blaze News previously reported on the Saving Youth from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Gary Click.
Supporters of the bill say the bill strengthens parental rights, protects children from irrevocable so-called “gender-affirming care,” and prohibits male athletes from competing in women's sports competitions, which protects female athletes. claimed to protect.
Despite overwhelming support from Republicans, Mr. DeWine was ultimately dissatisfied with the bill, announcing last Friday that he “could not sign the bill as it is written.” But he said he agreed with some aspects of it.
DeWine made the decision after speaking with doctors and families of transgender children.
“I've listened to young people and parents who told me their children would have died without this treatment,” DeWine said. “I think ultimately it's about protecting human life.”
Mr. DeWine's veto sparked a fierce backlash from Republicans and activists.
Former college swimmer Riley Gaines called the governor a “spineless coward who needs to be removed from office.”
Even Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted distanced himself from DeWine's decision, posting on social media that unlike the governor, he supports HB 68.
Ohio Republican Congressman The plan was to override the governor's veto. A special session has been scheduled for January 10th.
DeWine retracts
On Friday, the governor signed the Executive Order 2024-01Dwhich would enforce rules similar to some of those proposed in HB 68.
”[A]I vetoed the replacement House Bill 68, but in my veto message I agreed with the General Assembly that sex reassignment surgery should not be performed on persons under the age of 18 and drafted regulations to prohibit it. I have clearly stated that I have instructed the agencies under my jurisdiction to: practice in Ohio,” DeWine's executive order states.
”[T]”The Ohio Department of Health has drafted a rule that prohibits gender reassignment surgery on persons under the age of 18 in Ohio's health care facilities, including hospitals and outpatient surgery facilities,” DeWine said. He said it was “necessary” to protect children. family.
But just last week, the governor stated why he refused to sign HB 68, saying, “Ohio recognizes that the state knows what is medically best for the child, not the two people who love the child most. You're going to say it's the government.'' My parents. ”
click answered In response to DeWine's executive order, he said he is “cautiously optimistic that the governor will ban gender reassignment surgery on minors.”
“We see the irony that Governor DeWine is issuing an executive order at the same time he is condemning government intervention,” he continued. “While I support his efforts as temporary measures, I cannot accept them as a replacement for the SAFE Act. The suggestion was insulting.”
Click added that he is working with the governor on “additional administrative efforts not included in the SAFE Act.”
He said Congress still “fully intends.”[s] Overrides the governor's veto starting January 10th. ”
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