What to "Veto" When There Aren't Any Vetoes?
Senate President Don Harmon.
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As the annual fall veto session kicks off Tuesday in Springfield, there isn’t much direction on what lawmakers may be taking up over the two week return to the Capitol.
Governor JB Pritzker did not completely or partially veto any pieces of legislation this spring and has stated recently he didn’t have a policy priority for veto session.
When asked what Democratic priorities may be during veto session, House Speaker Chris Welch insinuated big action may be put off until 2025.
“The House that is returning [this] week and the House that will take office in January [is] committed to defending the rights of Illinoisans,” Welch said. “We're committed to controlling costs for families, rebuilding our fiscal house, and ensuring everyone who wants to work hard has a chance to get ahead.”
The pressing question is if Democrats will pursue legislation to build a further progressive firewall against potential actions of President-Elect Donald Trump’s next administration.
Some Democrats have privately mused they may attempt to advance legislation to further protect abortion rights, the rights of transgender individuals, and protections for those in the United States illegally, though, we’re told, the Democratic caucus hasn’t been fully briefed on plans.
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) told the Chicago Tribune she doesn’t believe the Democratic supermajority needs to take any action in relation to Trump.
“I don’t know any legislation that would be necessary as a reaction,” McCombie said. “I think the Democrats have to be careful.”
Welch did tell the Tribune a January “lame duck” session to push back on potential Trump policies.
“We could call a lame duck session and do some things when it comes to workers’ rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, we have an opportunity that we can do some things before Donald Trump takes the oath of office,” Welch said. “We’re going to be a check on Donald Trump. As a state, we have rights. And we did it in his first term and we’ll do it again.”
The House has not posted any committees for the week.
The Senate, meanwhile, has posted nine bills for committee hearings this week, signaling Democrats in that chamber may be interested in making some legislative moves.
One bill, sponsored by Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign), would ban carbon capture technology under underground water sources like aquifers. The safety of water in the Mahomet Aquifer, which covers much of East Central Illinois, has come into question after the General Assembly approved legislation this spring to allow carbon capture and storage deep underground.
A sub-minimum wage repeal and tax incentives for battery storage facilities are among other bills on the Senate schedule.
“I don’t think [Democrats] even know what they want to do,” one top Republican source said. “I think they’re shellshocked after Trump won.”
