(Headline USA) Kansas lawmakers sustained a veto from the state’s Democrat governor this week on a bill that would have prevented transgender athletes from competing on women’s school sports teams.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” after both the state House and Senate passed it last month. But even though both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans, the state House voted on Thursday to sustain the veto, effectively killing the bill.
Compassion wins today. #ksleg
— Brandon Woodard (@Woodard4Kansas) April 28, 2022
State Republicans tried to pass a similar bill last year, but Kelly vetoed that one as well.
“We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete,” Kelly said earlier this month after vetoing the bill.
“However, this bill didn’t come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.”
The vote comes just one day after Republican Kansas state Rep. Cheryl Helmer said she feels uncomfortable sharing a restroom with a transgender representative, who is a biological male.
“Now, personally I do not appreciate the huge transgender female who is now in our restrooms in the Capitol,” Helmer said. “It is quite uncomforting. I have asked the men if they would like a woman in their restroom and they freaked out.”
Kansas House lawmakers also voted to sustain Kelly’s veto on House Bill 58, which would have given parents greater authority to review and challenge learning materials inconsistent with their “firmly held beliefs, values or principles,” including content with gender ideology and critical race theory messaging.
