COLUMBUS — The Ohio House has voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of the SAFE Act with a 65-28 vote.
The SAFE Act would have banned gender transition treatment for minors and barred transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
“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,” DeWine said in a statement following the vote to overrule his veto.
Several Republican representatives have also issued statements following the vote, including Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana County.
“Today, we’ve taken a vital step towards protecting children and upholding the integrity of women’s sports in Ohio,” she said in her statement. “I voted to override the Governor’s veto on House Bill 68, which includes the SAFE Act and the Save Women’s Sports Act. I commend my fellow members in the House for their unwavering commitment to advocating for the well-being of children and families. I look forward to our colleagues in the Senate doing the same.”
The ACLU of Ohio released a statement condemning the veto override, saying they were disappointed.
“This state-sponsored vendetta against some of Ohio’s most vulnerable young people is beyond cruel,” the statement reads. “The ACLU of Ohio stands in solidarity with all transgender youth and their families. This measure may force families to leave the state, disrupting communities and other deep ties to Ohio’s history and economy.”
On the other side, the Center for Christian Virtue’s policy director, David Mahan, issued a statement thanking those who supported the legislation.
“Ohio and the entire nation have spoken,” he said. “It’s not okay to chemically sterilize and mutilate children, and no clinic can transform little girls into little boys with pills and scalpels. Additionally, HB68 will protect women’s and girls’ privacy rights and guarantee them a fair playing field and the opportunity to win athletic scholarships.”
The fate of the legislation now rests in the hands of the Senate, which is expected take up their own override vote on Jan. 24.