Republican Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson joined NBC’s “Meet the Press” with Chuck Todd Sunday morning and accused fellow Republicans in the state of “misusing the instrument of the law,” following Republicans recently overriding his veto of a “controversial” transgender bill.
Known as House Bill 1570. the law prohibits access to gender-affirming care for minors without parental consent, and block puberty blockers and hormones as well. The bill was vetoed last week by Governor Asa Hutchinson following threats of boycotts from big business and the NCAA, a tactic used to pressure conservatives and Republicans from passing legislation on the state level.
HB 1570 originally passed the Arkansas state House and Senate, but Hutchinson vetoed the bill last week, however, the Arkansas House was able to override the veto with a 71 to 24 vote on April 6, 2021.
What they said:
- “I am being attacked by some of my Republican colleagues for not being pure enough on social issues, and for vetoing a bill that limited access to healthcare for transgender youth,” Hutchinson said.
- Host Chuck Todd asked, “Why do you think there’s so much focus only a month after some members of the legislature among issues, you tell me, is this really bubbling up in Arkansas schools?”
- Hutchinson replied: “Well, it’s not, but the fear is about the future, and the fear is, also, that we’re losing our culture. The case I make, though, is just because you want to keep things as they have been. Perhaps, you don’t need to use the instrument of the law. You don’t need to use the state to accomplish that purpose in every instance. There is the church. There is society. There is your community, and that’s where the culture is impacted or reflected in the future. So again, there’s too much. As a Republican Party, it’s the principles of limited government, and it’s pushing freedom and choice in the free market. That’s what the party is about. We’ve got to apply those principles even when it comes to the social war.”
Other Republican-led states have faced boycotts and pressure from big business and cable news channels for passing what the left sees as “controversial” laws on social issues.
