Selling Out His Values: Gov. DeWine’s Veto Endangered Ohio’s Children, but Ohio Legislature Likely to Override It

In a stunning display of political cowardice, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike recently vetoed House Bill 68, a bill that would have protected Ohio’s children from the dangerous and deadly “transgender” agenda. This veto is not only a betrayal of conservative values and Ohio’s families, but it also raises serious questions about the influence of pro-trans hospital associations on the governor’s decision-making process.

The background of House Bill 68, also known as the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, is rooted in the growing concern among Ohio’s citizens about the rapid and unchecked spread of the transgender agenda in schools and communities. If enacted, the law would ban transgender surgeries and hormone therapies for minors, as well as prevent biological males from participating in girls’ sports. These measures would provide much-needed protection for Ohio’s children and ensure that they were not subjected to harmful and irreversible medical procedures.

The Ohio legislature, in a rare show of bipartisanship, overwhelmingly passed House Bill 68. Gov. DeWine’s veto, however, has put a stop to this common-sense legislation and left Ohio’s children vulnerable to the whims of a radical and dangerous ideology.

One of the most alarming aspects of Gov. DeWine’s veto is the revelation that he received over $40,000 in campaign contributions from pro-trans hospital associations. This raises serious questions about the governor’s motives and whether he is truly acting in the best interests of Ohio’s children or simply following the money. It is deeply concerning that a politician would prioritize the interests of a few powerful organizations over the well-being of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

Daily Caller reported that “A review of donations from 2018 to 2023 found that the governor received $40,300 from the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA), Cincinnati Children’s, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and ProMedica Children’s Hospital, all of whom support transgender medical care.”

The Ohio legislature signaled that they would take swift action to override Gov. DeWine’s veto and ensure that House Bill 68 becomes law. And that is exactly what they appear to be doing. On Wednesday, January 10, the Ohio House of Representatives voted to override the veto.

Next up, the Ohio Senate will have to pass the veto override, but it is anticipated to prevail there, too. This veto override will serve as a much-needed rebuke to Gov. DeWine and send a strong message that the state will not be held hostage by radical special interest groups beholden to the transgender agenda. The legislature is rightfully standing up for the rights of parents and children and ensuring that Ohio remains a safe place for its young citizens.

As Christians, we know the purpose of government as instituted by God is to punish evil, commend good, and enact justice (Romans 13:1-7). Gov. DeWine’s veto inverts this God-given order, allowing evil to spread unchecked in Ohio. Our elected officials are called to rule in such a way as to protect the most vulnerable among us, and that includes our children. The transgender agenda is a direct assault on the sanctity of life and the God-given differences between men and women. By vetoing House Bill 68, Gov. DeWine not only failed to protect Ohio’s children but he turned his back on the very Christian principles that must undergird conservative government.

It is a sad day when a politician chooses to prioritize political correctness over the well-being of children. Gov. DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68 is a clear example of his lack of courage and conviction, and it is a decision that will not be forgotten by those who believe in protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.

Thankfully his veto won’t hold, but this entire episode should serve as a warning to conservative Christians across America about the state of our political climate. Even so-called conservative governors and other lawmakers are caving to the insane transgender agenda.

It’s no longer enough to be in a “Red State” in America. We must instead ask: What kind of Red State? — one that protects children from life-altering mutilation sold as “medical care,” or one that offers its kids up on the altar of progress in return for some special interest payouts?

After the veto override, Ohio will still be the former — but it came dangerously close to being the latter. The dividing line in America could not be more obvious.

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