Editorial: Votes of conscience should sustain Cooper's veto

CBC Editorial: Tuesday, May 16, 2023; editorial #8848

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

When the North Carolina House of Representatives votes on whether to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 20 – the 12-week abortion ban -- it will define at least one legislator and label two others.

For state Rep. Tricia Cotham, she will decide with her vote whether she’ll be known either as a person of integrity and conscience or a hypocrite who is exploiting circumstances for momentary partisanship and false affection.

Does she really want to be known – and become the epitome in North Carolina politics – as the phony opportunist, abandoning what she’d emotionally and fervently espoused for an act of curious political vengeance?

No spiteful act of revenge, no disingenuous words of explanation, will ease a restless conscience.

If Tricia Cotham truly believes what she has been saying for her entire life in public office, she will vote to uphold Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto. If her colleagues in the Republican Party caucus are true to their word, they may not be happy, but they should respect her for her integrity.

As for the other Republicans, Reps. John Bradford of Mecklenburg County and Ted Davis of New Hanover County – they’ve been clearly exposed for the opportunists they are. They said one thing on the campaign trail and now are acting to the contrary. They too have to deal with their own conscience.

More to the point, their constituents – regardless of where they stand on this particular issue – should be wary of promises they make in the future. What makes abandoning one’s word on this issue different from others? Integrity matters, regardless of the issue.

These are legislators, who as matters of integrity, need to vote to sustain this veto.

They should think of the health of North Carolina’s women, the ability of medical care professionals to offer the best advice and treatment to their patients without fear of government overseers.

Sustain this veto.

Capitol Broadcasting Company's Opinion Section seeks a broad range of comments and letters to the editor. Our Comments beside each opinion column offer the opportunity to engage in a dialogue about this article.

In addition, we invite you to write a letter to the editor about this or any other opinion articles. Here are some tips on submissions >> SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR