May 29, 2015
McCrory Vetoes Discriminatory SB2
MEDIA CONTACT: Jonah Hermann (920) 860.1416, jonah@equalitync.org
McCrory's statement accompanying his veto signature.
Raleigh, N.C. – Late Thursday, Gov. Pat McCrory formally vetoed Senate Bill 2, the magistrates recusal bill. The legislation would exempt certain public officials from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and others. The official veto message was posted Friday morning, one day after the House voted 67-43 to pass Senate Bill 2.
The bill now returns to the Senate and House, which can override the veto if three-fifths of both chambers vote in favor of the legislation.
Equality NC, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, responded Friday with a statement from Executive Director Chris Sgro, applauding McCrory's action and calling on both legislative chambers to sustain the governor's veto.
"We applaud Gov. Pat McCrory's action to veto this discriminatory legislation and call on our legislature to follow their own oath to protect all North Carolinians by sustaining that veto. Both actions will send a strong message that no public official is exempt from the constitution they themselves have sworn to uphold and that all North Carolinians deserve equal access to state services under the law," said Sgro.
This is only the fourth bill veto McCrory has issued since taking office in 2013.
It remains unclear whether both chambers have enough votes to override the governor’s decision.