NEW: Ohio Republicans Override Governor’s Veto On Bill Banning Trans Surgeries For Kids

In a firm rebuke to Governor Mike DeWine, the Republican supermajority in the Ohio House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to override his veto, forcing into effect a law protecting children from the mutilation of so-called ‘gender transition surgery’ and the damaging, permanent effects of hormonal modification and ‘puberty blockers.’ The law additionally prohibits male participation in female-only sports.

As reported by Law Enforcement Today, DeWine vetoed House Bill 68 in December drawing wide criticism from conservatives, only to turn around and issue an executive order restricting the surgical component but not the hormonal modifications or cross-gender sports participation.

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire criticized DeWine expressing his doubts with the observation, “DeWine is trying to find an incoherent compromise position by banning surgeries but still allowing chemical castration of children. Not nearly good enough. His veto must be overridden and he should still be run out of Republican politics forever.”

DeWine is trying to find an incoherent compromise position by banning surgeries but still allowing chemical castration of children. Not nearly good enough. His veto must be overridden and he should still be run out of Republican politics forever. https://t.co/Fqt5IV8sui

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 5, 2024

The Columbus Dispatch reports that following what it called “an emotional debate” the Ohio House voted with an authoritative 65-28 majority to override DeWine’s veto along party lines.

Republican Rep. Tracy Richardson commented,

“We need to ensure that we are able to protect our children. We want them to have the chance to grow up before making decisions to permanently change their bodies, changes that will impact them forever.”

However, Democrats have continued to push the unsubstantiated narrative that the law will be harmful to children and result in increased suicides. This narrative persists despite the most thorough follow-up study of sex-reassignment patients over a 30-year period showing that 10-15 years after surgery the patient suicide rate jumps to 20 times the typical rate. This study resulted in the restriction of medical intervention for so-called ‘trans’ minors in Sweden, France, Norway, and the UK.

DeWine reportedly defended his failed political tightrope act after the vote in the House saying, “I continue to believe it is in the best interests of children for these medical decisions to be made by the child’s parents and not by the government.”

The Ohio Senate is scheduled to take up the veto override on Jan. 24th and they are expected to concur with the House. In a podcast interview, Republican Senate President Matt Huffman chided DeWine, “The governor is saying two different things at the same time: This should be up to the parents, except I’m going to take away the parents’ right to make this decision. It’s clearly a conflict with what he’s arguing.”