NH House Leaders Comment on Override of Governor’ s Veto of Partial Birth Abortion Ban Legislation

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today released the following statement on the override of the Governor’s veto of House Bill 1679, legislation to ban partial birth abortions under state law.  The procedure has been banned under a federal law passed in 2003, a law that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007’s Gonzales v. Carhart decision. The House overrode the bill 240 to 118, within the necessary 2/3^rds of members present and voting.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“The American Medical Association has said there is never a medical necessity for partial birth abortion. It’s a heinous procedure and it is unfathomable that Governor Lynch would veto this responsible bill. We are pleased we were able to overturn the Governor’s veto today. There is a good reason why former liberal U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a Democrat, described the procedure as ‘infanticide,’ as the method repels most decent people. This is a bill that affirms life.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“The Governor has lost touch with the people and he has picked the right time to move on. Fortunately his veto was overridden and New Hampshire will now join the growing list of states that likewise prohibit this procedure. Partial-birth abortion is something that is so out of bounds that the U.S. Supreme Court vocally upheld the federal ban on this procedure.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Override of Voter ID Veto

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today released the following statement on the override of the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 289, requiring a voter present valid photo identification to vote. The House overrode the bill 231 to 112, within the necessary 2/3^rds of members present and voting.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“This voter ID bill is a well-structured approach to ensuring clean elections. New Hampshire now has one more tool to protect the integrity of the ballot box and guarantee that the ‘one person, one vote’ principle is not diluted by dishonest votes.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“Passing voter ID and strengthening voter laws in New Hampshire have been priorities of House Republicans and we are thrilled to finally pass this into law. Today, our citizens have to show an ID to get on a plane, on a bus, to pick up a package and to enter a federal building.  It certainly is not a major imposition to ask for a driver’s license or other ID in order to protect the integrity of voting.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Override of Governor’s Veto of Education Tax Credits

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today released the following statement on the override of the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 372, allowing education tax credits.  The bill allows businesses to receive business profits tax credits when they contribute to education foundations that fund school choice initiatives. The House overrode the bill 236 to 108, within the necessary 2/3rds of members present and voting.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“No parent should be forced to send a child to a school that does not meet the child’s needs. This is good legislation to allow parents to give their children the best chance possible to succeed.  It makes school choice a reality for many children who lack the ability to find an educational environment where they can thrive.  This legislation is good for New Hampshire’s future and will bring competition to our schools, which should improve their quality as well.  Candidates for governor should show voters they understand the difficulties that many poor and working class families face in getting a quality education for their children by discussing where they stand on choice in education. Are they for the children or are children’s interests subordinate to the monopoly status of public schools?”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“Unfortunately the Governor chose to stand with his teacher union buddies and Democrat education bureaucrats over the children of New Hampshire. Luckily we were able to hold up the legislative position and now this bill will give more options to students and parents, protect local property taxpayers and give businesses the chance to ensure a strong workforce in the future.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Override of Voter Registration Forms Veto

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today released the following statement on the override of the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 318, which modifies voter registration to pre-2007 forms and makes clear to voters that only domiciled New Hampshire citizens can vote in our elections. The House overrode the bill 232 to 110, within the necessary 2/3^rds of members present and voting.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“It is now clear that in order to vote in New Hampshire one must be a resident of New Hampshire. That’s both common sense and easy to understand. No explanation beyond a desire for non-New Hampshire voters to participate in New Hampshire elections can adequately explain why the Governor chose to veto this reasonable bill. We are pleased we were able to pass override the veto and uphold the House position today. Each candidate for Governor needs to clearly explain to voters his or her position whether voting in New Hampshire should be limited to New Hampshire residents.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“There is no reason we shouldn’t be informing voters that they can only be domiciled in one place and can only vote in one city, town or state in a given election. By overriding the Governor’s veto today we have ensured more information and transparency in our voting process which will help to deter voter fraud and support integrity in New Hampshire elections.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Override of Governor’ s Veto of Trust and Dividends Law

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today released the following statement on the override of the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 326, which updates New Hampshire’s trust laws. The House overwhelmingly overrode the veto 312 to 18, well within the necessary 2/3^rds of members present and voting.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“This legislation makes necessary updates to our trust laws and will make New Hampshire a destination jurisdiction for trust companies. Making our state a good place to locate to set up trusts will help grow the state’s economy, give us a more competitive business climate and help bring jobs here and expand the New Hampshire Advantage.”

House Majority Leader Pete Silva

“Fostering an environment for job growth and the creation of good, new jobs has been the hallmark of this Republican legislature. We will work hard to return to Concord to continue on the many accomplishments of this term—our priority being getting our friends and neighbors who are still looking for jobs back to work.”