Democrats Save Republicans' Transgender Surgery Ban
newsweek.comRepublicans' ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth in a close vote this week.The state's House of Representatives passed the ban on Thursday, weighing in on a cultural issue that has divided Americans in recent years.
Proponents of these bans argue that transgender individuals should have to wait until they are adults to undergo surgery to aid in their gender transition.
Critics, however, say that these bans unjustly target the transgender community and that the government should not be involved in these medical decisions.The bill passed 199-175, and if it becomes law, it would ban gender-affirming care for anyone under 18 and living in the state.
It still must pass the Republican-led Senate and be signed by GOP Governor Chris Sununu, who has not said whether he will sign the legislation.Republicans, who hold a very narrow advantage—just three votes—in the House, were forced to rely on Democratic votes to pass the bill after three Republicans voted against it and 11 others either did not vote or were absent.Democrats saved the bill from failing, as just enough of their members bucked their party to pass it.In total, 184 Republicans, 14 Democrats and one independent voted for the legislation, while 172 Democrats were joined by three Republicans in opposing it.