Sarah Sanders said that she would have supported an Arkansas bill banning transgender medical intervention for minors that was vetoed by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Sanders, previously the press secretary for President Donald Trump and now running for governor as a Republican, said one of the first jobs of the state is to protect its residents. For that reason, she said during Friday's Arkansas gubernatorial debate, she would have signed into law legislation banning certain "gender-affirming" treatments for youth under the age of 18.
Hutchinson vetoed the bill in April 2021 when it crossed his desk; it was then overridden by the GOP-controlled legislature.
MIDTERMS 2022: LIVE UPDATES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AHEAD OF CRUCIAL ELECTION
"One of the most important, and, frankly, one of the most basic roles of government is to protect the citizens, particularly those who can't protect themselves, like kids," Sanders said. "I would have supported this legislation, and I would have signed it, because we have to do a better job of protecting the kids in this state, and frankly across the country. Kids are not capable of making life-altering decisions like that."
Sanders cited laws barring those under the age of 16 from driving or under 21 from consuming alcohol to argue that minors should not be able to make decisions that could permanently alter their bodies, including the use of puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones as well as irreversible surgical intervention.
Both of Sanders's opponents, Democrat Chris Jones and Libertarian Ricky Harrington Jr., said they would have vetoed the legislation. The bill is currently the subject of a first-of-its-kind court case in Little Rock after a district judge blocked it from going into effect.
Trump endorsed Sanders in the race and blasted Hutchinson for his rejection of the bill last year.
“Asa Hutchinson, the lightweight RINO Governor of Arkansas, just vetoed a Bill that banned the CHEMICAL CASTRATION OF CHILDREN,” Trump said in a statement at the time. “‘Bye-bye Asa,’ that’s the end of him! Fortunately for the Great State of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders will do a fantastic job as your next Governor!”
During Friday's debate, Sanders emphasized her readiness to lead Arkansas after Hutchinson exits the governor's mansion due to term limits, despite her lack of experience in elected office.
"The real test of a leader is when they're challenged with things that they never see coming. I've been tested at the highest level of government under the most intense criticism you can possibly imagine, and never once backing down from who I am, or what I believe, but always rising to the moment facing every challenge head-on," she said, recalling her two years as White House press secretary.
Sanders is expected to win the governorship in the Nov. 8 election because Arkansas tends to vote heavily Republican. She is the daughter of Mike Huckabee, who was governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007.
No comments:
Post a Comment