“This is politics, this is a Republican civil war and I reject that this is something we need to be down here doing today” – Democratic Sen. Jean Breaux 

IndyStar: “It’s the third time this legislative session that lawmakers have voted to override one of Holcomb’s vetoes, just the latest sign of tension plaguing the party.”

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized the Indiana Republican Party for invoking another chapter of its civil war by voting to override Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto on Senate Bill 5. Holcomb’s veto would have prevented partisan elected officials from blocking local health officials from responding to a public health crisis – like the COVID-19 pandemic. Now because of the Indiana Republicans’ extreme partisanship, Hoosier families and communities across Indiana are further exposed to the coronavirus at a time when health officials are working to administer as many vaccines as possible. 

This is the third time in a calendar year where the Republican supermajority at the Indiana General Assembly disregarded one of its own in favor of a form of partisanship that’s harmful to the future of Indiana. This includes the GOP’s votes to strip Governor Holcomb from some of his emergency powers and eliminate policies that protect Indiana’s renters. 

The Indiana Democratic Party is ready for the partisan politics to stop, and it’s why elected leaders in state and federal offices have delivered for Hoosiers. Through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, $250 million has been budgeted for broadband expansion projects across the state, more than $5.8 billion was delivered to the state and its cities and towns for pandemic relief, and about 91-percent of Hoosiers received a $1,400 stimulus check to help make ends meet. This kind of record is what responsible government looks like, and it’s Democrats that are getting it done. 

Here’s how the Indiana Republican Party’s civil war is playing out across the state:

Associated Press: Indiana lawmakers override veto on local health rules

“It is the second time in less than a month that the Republican-dominated Legislature has rejected GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto on measures limiting the broad authority that he and local health officials have used to impose restrictions around the state during the coronavirus pandemic.” […]

“Democrats argued that Republicans were responding to a vocal minority complaining about actions taken to stem the coronavirus spread.

‘This is politics, this is a Republican civil war and I reject that this is something we need to be down here doing today,’ said Democratic Sen. Jean Breaux of Indianapolis.

Several medical and health organizations opposed the limits on county health orders, arguing against shifting authority away from public health professionals to local elected officials who largely don’t have such experience. Supporters of the new law say it doesn’t apply to orders issued against businesses or residents over matters such as health code violations.”

Indianapolis Business Journal: Legislature overrides Holcomb’s veto of bill that weakens some local COVID restrictions

“The veto override is part of an ongoing battle between the governor and fellow Republicans over who should have the most control during public health emergencies.”

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Legislature overrides governor’s veto on health authority bill

Indiana Public Media: Local Emergency Health Rules Voided Without Local Body Approval After Veto Override

The Elkhart Truth: Indiana legislature votes to override Gov. Holcomb’s veto to limit power of local health departments

IndyStar: Lawmakers void all local COVID-19 restrictions with override of Holcomb’s veto

“It’s the third time this legislative session that lawmakers have voted to override one of Holcomb’s vetoes, just the latest sign of tension plaguing the party.”

WPTA (Fort Wayne): Legislature overrides Holcomb veto to enact measure restricting local health officials

WANE (Fort Wayne): Holcomb to reimplement work-search requirement for unemployment

WEHT (Evansville): Indiana lawmakers vote to override governor’s veto of bill that limits local health orders

WTHI (Terre Haute): Indiana Legislature overrides Governor Holcomb’s veto of Senate Bill 5

CNHI: Lawmakers override Holcomb’s veto

WISH (Indianapolis): Indiana legislature overrides Holcomb’s veto of bill to limit powers of local health officials

WTHR (Indianapolis): Lawmakers override Gov. Holcomb’s veto of local health authority bill

WRTV (Indianapolis): Indiana General Assembly votes to override Holcomb’s veto of Senate Bill 5

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