Kansas Republicans are poised to override Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of a foster care bill that would prevent state officials from forcing foster parents to affirm LGBT ideologies against their religious beliefs, following their successful override of a bill banning gender transition treatments for minors.
At a Glance
- Governor Laura Kelly vetoed HB 2311, which would protect foster parents from being required to affirm LGBT ideology contrary to their religious or moral beliefs
- The bill passed with strong Republican support in the Kansas Senate (31-9) and House (84-38), giving lawmakers the numbers needed for an override
- Republicans previously overrode Kelly’s veto on legislation banning gender transition treatments for minors under 18
- GOP leaders emphasize the bill protects First Amendment rights, while Kelly argues it undermines the “best interest of the child” standard
- Public opinion polls show most Americans oppose state mandates on gender ideology issues
Foster Care Bill Veto Sets Stage for Override Battle
Kansas Republicans are prepared to push back against Democratic Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of House Bill 2311, legislation designed to protect foster parents from being compelled to affirm LGBT ideology that conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs. The bill passed with overwhelming support in the Republican-controlled legislature, securing a 31-9 majority in the Senate and an 84-38 vote in the House – numbers that suggest lawmakers have the two-thirds majority needed to override the governor’s rejection.
Republican legislative leaders, including Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, have expressed their commitment to overriding the veto. They argue the legislation is necessary to protect the constitutional rights of foster parents while ensuring children in need can still access loving homes. The clash represents the latest in a series of confrontations between the Democratic governor and the Republican-dominated legislature over social issues, particularly those related to gender identity and parental rights.
Previous Override on Transgender Treatment Ban
The push to override Kelly’s veto comes after Kansas Republicans successfully overturned her rejection of a bill prohibiting gender transition treatments for minors earlier this year. That legislation banned hormone treatments, puberty blockers, and transition surgeries for transgender patients under 18 years old. Under the law, doctors providing these treatments to minors could lose their medical licenses and face lawsuits from patients or their parents for damages.
“Today, a supermajority of the Kansas Senate declared that Kansas is no longer a sanctuary state,” said Senator Ty Masterson.
The transgender treatment ban aligned Kansas with approximately half of U.S. states that have enacted similar restrictions. Governor Kelly had criticized the measure, calling it government overreach into private medical decisions. The successful override marked a significant legislative shift in Kansas and demonstrated Republicans’ ability to unite around issues related to gender ideology despite the Governor’s opposition.
Opposing Viewpoints on Foster Care Legislation
In vetoing HB 2311, Governor Kelly argued the bill would undermine the “best interest of the child” standard that guides foster care placement decisions and could potentially lead to frivolous lawsuits. Her administration has expressed concern that the legislation could make it more difficult to find appropriate placements for all children in the foster care system, particularly those who identify as LGBT.
According to the Governor Laura Kelly: “disappointing that the Legislature continues to push for government interference in Kansans’ private medical decisions.”
Republican supporters counter that the bill serves to protect foster parents’ First Amendment rights while ensuring that religious families remain willing to participate in the foster care system.
They maintain that without such protections, the state risks losing qualified foster families who might otherwise be deterred from offering their homes due to concerns about being forced to violate their religious convictions. Critics of the veto see it as part of a broader Democratic agenda that they believe infringes on religious liberty and parental rights.
Public Opinion Favors Religious Freedom Protections
Public opinion polling suggests Americans broadly oppose government mandates related to gender ideology. According to referenced polls, a majority of Americans oppose taxpayer funding for gender transitions and support limiting both athletic participation based on biological sex and transition procedures for minors. These trends indicate substantial public support for the type of protections included in the Kansas legislation, potentially bolstering Republicans’ resolve to override the governor’s veto.
Exit polling from recent elections further suggests that cultural issues, including transgender topics, have influenced voter decisions against Democratic candidates. This political backdrop may provide additional momentum for Kansas Republicans as they prepare for a veto override vote. The legislature’s previous success in overriding Kelly’s veto on the transgender treatment ban demonstrates their capacity to marshal the necessary votes on similar issues, making an override of HB 2311 appear increasingly likely.
