RALEY, N.C. (AP) — Civil rights advocates in North Carolina denounced changes to House rules on Tuesday. This allows Republicans to overrule vetoes on controversial bills with little notice, saying it undermines democracy and the will of the electorate.
Republicans this month enforced a temporary operating rule, omitting a longstanding requirement for congressional leaders to give at least two days’ notice before an override vote. The move would allow Republicans — who would need Democratic support to veto legislation if all lawmakers were present — to run for Governor Roy Cooper’s office during even the temporary absence of Democrats. You can override the right of veto.
Republicans in the Senate hold the 30 seats needed for a veto majority in the House, but Republicans in the House fell one seat short of a similar supermajority after the November election.
Gillian Reilly of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic called the change a “shameful power grab designed to thwart the will of the people,” and said that legislators would seek to protect access to abortion by making critical life decisions. He said he could be forced to miss the event. and Other Rights.
House Speaker Tim Moore “didn’t get the votes he needed to overturn Cooper’s veto on abortion bans during the midterm elections,” Riley said. “So what? He wants to change the rules, bypass the Democratic process and pass a tough abortion ban in the middle of the night.”
As a sign of unity, all Democrats in both houses signed as sponsors of the same bill that seeks to codify abortion protection into state law.Moore calls for further restrictions beyond current 20 weekshe said he did not expect the Democratic bill to be considered.
Moore tried to downplay any possible hoaxes by the Republicans with the previous rule being repealed. He told reporters last week that an attempt to revoke the denied measures would be on the chamber’s public written agenda.
He reiterated that he did not intend to “ambush” Democrats with a surprise vote. But given the small margin, the Democrat’s unexpected absence could be the one thing that could mean the difference between the bill becoming law or remaining blocked.
“I want to be clear about this. It is our intention to pass the bill and, if it is rejected, to override that veto,” Moore said, adding that attempts to invalidate “come out of nowhere.” It’s nothing,” he said.
As lawmakers prepare to debate legislation on abortion access, LGBTQ rights and immigration, Myles Beasley, a historically black college fellow in Common Cause, North Carolina, said the rule was being abused and We are concerned that it could further disadvantage vulnerable communities.
Beasley, a student at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, said: “These surprise votes cut us off from the legislative process by depriving us of the right to speak to representatives before important votes are taken.” said.
He urged House Republicans not to resort to “petty power plays” when voting for permanent rules in the coming weeks.
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Hannah Schoenbaum is a member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover hidden issues.
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Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson of Raleigh contributed to this report.
