DeWine vetoed the SAFE Act on Dec. 29, saying: “Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life. Many parents have told me that their child would be dead today if they had not received the treatment they received from an Ohio children’s hospital.”
“Were I to sign [the SAFE Act],” DeWine said, “Ohio would be saying that the state, that the government, knows what is best medically for a child rather than the two people who love that child the most, the parents.”
After vetoing the bill, DeWine announced an executive order that banned transgender surgeries on children but did not stop hormonal gender reassignment treatments or keep men from playing in women’s sports.
The Ohio House’s vote to override the governor’s veto was celebrated by many conservative groups and leaders.
Ohio State House successfully voted 65-28 to override Gov DeWines veto ????????????????????????
The bill will now head to the Senate for a vote set for January 24th. Onward! pic.twitter.com/ObpIb1NeIC
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) January 10, 2024
Ohio State Rep. Gary Click, a Republican who introduced the SAFE Act, said that the vote “marks yet another victory for women and children in Ohio.”