Democratic News

COLUMBUS— In the dark of night while most Ohioans were sleeping, the Republican Supermajority on three separate occasions utilized the rarely used House Rule 101 to move the previous question, cutting off debate for controversial bills on Stand Your Ground a.k.a Kill at Will, abortion and curbing the power of the public health director. House Democrats had been prepared to offer multiple amendments to the controversial bills and deliver floor speeches that lifted up the voices and concerns of their constituents, but they never got the chance. Also silenced was the radical faction of GOP lawmakers who had floor amendments ready to be offered. 

Late Thursday, House Democrats delivered impassioned floor speeches against a last-minute, unvetted amendment to House Bill 175, Shoot First legislation that would permit the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered in any space, something Democrats say goes too far, and would threaten Black lives and make all Ohioans less safe. Then, in a move to silence more Democratic opposition, Republicans employed a rarely used parliamentary procedure to prematurely end debate, and voted to ram the bill through along party lines.

State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) late Thursday night spoke on the House floor and voted against an amendment to Senate Bill (SB) 175, which grants civil immunity to handgun licensees who are responsible for injury, death, or other loss as a result of carrying a handgun. The proposed amendment mimics “Stand Your Ground” laws and permits the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered. This type of legislation is dangerous for Ohioans and disproportionately impacts the Black Ohioans.

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) introduced two House Resolutions to allow House committees and/or session to be conducted virtually amid worsening conditions of the coronavirus pandemic as “Lame Duck” session occurs in the Legislature.

Ohio Democratic lawmakers Reps. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) todaysent a letter to 42 Republican House members who last week, without evidence, urged the Ohio Attorney General to join the Texas Attorney General’s attack on the democratic presidential election result. 

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong-Sykes (D-Akron) sent a letter Friday to Gov. Mike DeWine urging him to veto Senate Bill 27, saying the extreme legislation would add an undue burden on Ohio women and those seeking surgical abortions in the state.

Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today issued a statement in response to the Ohio Attorney General's comments indicating he is considering joining on behalf of Ohio a lawsuit by Texas officials to subvert democracy and overturn the will of this nation's voters. 

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) announced today that House Bill (HB) 1, her bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, was passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 1 prioritizes rehabilitation by expanding access to drug treatments, and it allows record-sealing of convictions for low-level, non-violent, non-sex offense felonies.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong-Sykes (D-Akron) and Minority Whip Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) today issued statements after House Republicans rejected their floor amendments to repeal House Bill (HB) 6 and to require facemasks at the Statehouse.

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Health Committee Ranking Member Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) and House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) todayissued statements in opposition to Senate Bill (SB) 260, the latest Republican attack on women’s healthcare access that would ban abortion-related care via telemedicine.