New Hampshire’s parental bill of rights, HB1431, didn’t have to fail. Yes, there were 15 Republicans who voted to kill it. There’s no excuse, but there are also those Republicans who were not excused and did not vote at all.
Twenty-Two Republicans in the NH House did not cast a vote on HB1431. Of those, thirteen were absent for legitimate reasons. The Speaker is listed as presiding (not voting), but seven other Republicans were present and refused to cast a vote.
The bill failed by seven votes.
In the event of a tie, the Speaker can then cast the tie-breaking vote which would have been to reconsider and pass the legislation. Given that leadership advanced the bill, passage would have likely been assured.
This does not absolve the fifteen republicans who voted no of any blame. They stabbed parents in the back. But this list of cowards deserves special attention. And yes, they could have voted no, and then they’d be on the previous list.
By refusing to support or oppose parents rights get their own list.
So here they are.
| Kelsey, Niki(R) Hills. 7 |
| Not Excused |
| Kilanski, Ben(R) Ches. 13 |
| Not Excused |
| McKinney, Betsy(R) Rock. 5 |
| Not Excused |
| Nelson, Jodi(R) Rock. 6 |
| Not Excused |
| O’Hara, Travis(R) Belk. 9 |
| Not Excused |
| Umberger, Karen(R) Carr. 2 |
| Not Excused |
| Vandecasteele, Susan(R) Rock. 8 |
| Not Excused |
