The Raleigh News & Observer reports:
The North Carolina Senate voted to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday amid protests, the latest example of Republicans using their supermajority power after election results indicated they will lose it next month.
There was no debate. Just before the vote was called, someone shouted from the packed gallery above the Senate chamber, and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who was presiding, asked that the entire gallery be cleared because of the disruption.
Democratic Sen. Natasha Marcus protested the move, but the gallery was cleared, and a few more people shouted as they left. There was then a 10-minute recess. Afterward, Robinson said he ejected the people to follow process and keep order.
As previously reported here:
Among several other changes, the Republican-drafted bill would strip the state’s next governor, Democrat Josh Stein, of the power to appoint members of the State Board of Elections and instead give the authority to the next auditor, Republican Dave Boliek.
It would prevent the state’s next attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, from taking positions on behalf of the state that are “contrary to or inconsistent with the position of the General Assembly,” which has Republican majorities in both chambers. The lieutenant governor and state superintendent would also lose some authority.
Republicans currently hold a supermajority in the state House as well and the bill is expected to become law shortly.
WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!
We showed up to the #NCGA to denounce #SB382 and within minutes of the hearing being started Lt. Mark Robinson, who presides over the Senate, kicked everyone out of the gallery. We will not let our ELECTED leaders silence the voices of… pic.twitter.com/siXNX2qJvR
— Democracy NC (@democracync) December 2, 2024
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson orders the North Carolina Senate gallery cleared as protestors disrupt session. Lawmakers move to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto on SB 382, the 131-page hurricane relief bill that makes a myriad of changes to state law.#ncpol pic.twitter.com/2Y9egEwAFI
— Christine Zhu (@christinezhu142) December 2, 2024