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Louisiana Veto Override Session Fails to Overturn Governor’s Vetoes

Published July 23, 2021

In June 2021 Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed several bills in the 2021 legislative session. Some Louisiana GOP lawmakers later voted for an override session to override several of the governor’s vetoes. Though there were other bills in the Louisiana override session the expressed purpose of the highly publicized override session was to override the vetoes for Senate Bill 156 and Senate Bill 118.

Republicans failed to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ vetoes of not only SB 156 and 118 but also all other vetoes being challenged in the session.

SB 118 would have allowed anyone 21 years of age and older to conceal carry a firearm in public with no permit or training.

SB 156 would have required that schools designate intercollegiate, interscholastic, or intramural athletic teams according to the biological sex of the team members. The bill also provided immunity protections for schools from certain adverse actions.

Lousiana Democrat Chairwoman Katie Bernhardt issued the following statement after the failed 2021 Louisiana Veto Override Session:

“Louisiana Democrats represent working families across this state. We’re grateful to have a principled, effective Governor and a unified, talented group of legislators that are willing to fight to protect our values and move our state forward. On the other hand, Louisiana Republicans have spent more time peddling wedge issues meant to divide our state than trying to overcome distrust in life-saving vaccines and bring this pandemic to a conclusion.
“I’m confident that Louisiana voters see the sharp contrast. Voters recognize that Democrats share their values and fight for their priorities, and that will be reflected on election day. Democrats will gain seats and restore the Capitol to a place where the people’s business is conducted, not political theater.”

Louisiana GOP Chairman Louis Gurvich issued the following statement after the failed 2021 Louisiana Veto Override Session:

“Louisiana Republicans are profoundly disappointed and deeply angered by the events that occurred in the Louisiana House of Representatives today. Louisiana Republicans insist that there must be consequences for the Democrats, Independents, and the one Republican who voted to sustain the Governor’s veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

I am calling on Speaker Clay Schexnayder to immediately replace all Democrat House Committee chairs with Republicans who are members of the Conservative Caucus. If this does not happen, then a broader conversation about how the House of Representatives is run will become necessary.

We would like to point out to the voters that 67 of 68 House Republicans voted for the override of the veto of the Fairness in

Women’s Sports Act today. The only Republican who voted against us is Representative Joe Stagni of Kenner, who is being targeted for recall. Additionally, 26 of 27 Senate Republicans successfully voted to override the Governor’s veto of the same bill. Only Senator Ronnie Johns failed to show up and vote. We encourage the voters to hold them accountable as well.

Republican voters expect more.”