Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson is defending his decision to veto legislation that would make his state the first to ban gender-confirming treatments or surgery for transgender youth in a heated exchange with Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
‘The Tucker Carlson Tonight’ host explained to viewers that the bill was passed almost with Hutchinson’s support until the governor rejected legislation that would ban doctors from giving sex reassignment hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18 years of age, or from to other providers for treatment.
Hutchinson accused Carlson of misrepresenting the bill, explaining: “If it was a bill that merely prohibited chemical castration, I would have signed the bill.”
Hutchinson added that he would support legislation restricting sex reassignment surgery only, which is not currently performed on minors in the state.
ARKANSAS GOV VETOES BILL GENDER HORMONES, TRANSGENDER YOUTH OPERATIONS
Instead, he said, the bill before him was “exceeded, it was extreme. It went much further than you just said.
“This is the first law in the country that the state calls for between medical decisions, parents who agree to it and the patient’s decision. And it’s going too far. And in fact, it does not even have a grandfather. young people who are under hormonal treatment, ”he argued.
Hutchinson’s veto follows pleas from pediatricians, social workers and the parents of transgender youth who said the measure would harm a community already at risk for depression and suicide. Hutchinson said he met doctors and transgender people when he considered signing the measure.
“With respect,” Carlson said. “It does not sound like you have studied it very deeply. I mean, it is an emerging field. There is not much research. But the existing research suggests that depression and the urge for self-harm and suicide are a component ., it is a side effect of the intake of these hormones. ‘
The host cited a British study which allegedly suggested that an overwhelming majority of children who were given puberty blocks felt the urge to harm themselves.
“Why is that responsible medicine, to do it to children? Why would you support something like that?” he asked.
Hutchinson admitted that there are ‘a lot of strangers here’, but insisted he ‘studied this bill, and contrary to what you just said, I spent a lot of time investigating cases, meeting people, after the experts to listen and also to also to faith leaders. ‘
The governor added that although he considers himself a person of faith, he believes in a limited role of the government.
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“I have signed pro-life accounts. I sign many accounts that will be considered very conservative. But this is one that crosses the line. There is no need for it,” he argued.
Carlson asked Hutchinson to provide information in support of his decision, arguing that ‘there is no single study I am aware of that shows an improvement in the mental health of children taking chemically castrated puberty blockers, and you could not name one.
“You are not known,” the host continues. “Doctors told you it was a good idea and you went along with it.”
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When Carlson asked if Hutchinson was in contact with corporate interests in the state of Arkansas over the bill, the governor responded forcefully: “I answered the question and I said, no, I did not. Do you have another question? “
Earlier Tuesday, Arkansas lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to overrule Hutchinson’s veto.