Ky GOP can still redeem itself as the party of Lincoln. Here’s how it could happen. | Opinion

At literally the last minute, on the last day to pass bills during the current legislative session, all of the anti-gay/transgender bigotry that had been under consideration was put into one omnibus bill, Senate Bill (SB) 150, which then passed both chambers.

Before the legislature votes to override the governor’s veto of this historically reprehensible bill, both Senate and House Republican caucuses will meet and here’s what I hope will happen in the House Republican majority caucus:

“David [Rep. David Osborne, Speaker of the House], you have the floor.”

“Thank you, Suzanne [Rep. Suzanne Miles, Majority Caucus Chair]. Friends, I asked for this meeting of our caucus because I want to tell you for the first time what I plan to do when we vote on overriding the governor’s veto of SB 150. After Steven [Rep. Steven Rudy, Majority Floor Leader] makes the motion to re-pass the bill the governor’s veto notwithstanding, I will vacate the chair and take my seat among you, allowing David [Rep. David Meade, Speaker Pro Tem] to preside. Then I will ask you to join me in voting against that motion and to sustain the governor’s veto.

“Since we went home, I have thought of little else but this bill. I have come to the conclusion that not only is there no demonstrated need for this kind of legislation, but to allow it to become law would constitute an indelible stain on the people’s branch of government, our beloved General Assembly. I really don’t care what other states are doing, my only concern is what we do here in Kentucky and how history will judge our actions. I simply cannot in good conscience support any longer a measure that so obviously discriminates against a group of people not because of who they are but because of what they are.

“Our Republican Party was co-founded by Abraham Lincoln whom we honor at Lincoln Day dinners in almost every county in our districts. Do we still believe in his ideals of ‘malice toward none and charity for all’? Lincoln once wrote a letter to a fellow right here in Frankfort in which he said ‘if slavery isn’t wrong, nothing is wrong.’ Ladies and gentlemen, if this bill before us today isn’t wrong, then nothing is wrong. Abraham Lincoln served four terms in the Illinois House of Representatives — he was once one of us! — could you imagine him sponsoring a bill like SB 150?

And speaking of one of us, did you see our former colleague Jerry Miller’s testimony before the Education Committee? I did and it still haunts me. Did you see the pain in Jerry’s eyes and hear the anguish in his voice as he described how a bill like this would devastate his family struggling to help his transgender grandson? I have a lot of faults but being totally indifferent to human suffering isn’t one of them. And Jerry is clearly suffering. If we would never pass a bill so hurtful to the family of one of our own, then why would we consider doing that to anyone else’s family?

“Now I haven’t asked Jason [Rep. Jason Nemes, Majority Whip] to pressure you to vote with me today. I’m only telling you what I intend to do because I take so seriously my responsibility to set a good example for our caucus. If you want a different Speaker after today, and it is because of this vote, then I will happily hand the gavel over to my replacement. I am so proud to serve with you — 80 strong! — we’ve gained 36 seats since 2016, no other state’s Republican Party has had that kind of success! But we must use our power responsibly, or else all those decades wandering in the political desert as the minority caucus was for absolutely nothing. [The Speaker pauses for a moment.]

“Well, any questions?”

Rep. Kevin Bratcher, the longest-serving Republican House member (27 years) stands up but, instead of asking a question, he simply claps his hands. Spontaneously, the other Republican House members rise as one, applauding. As the applause continues, there is cheering, and the cheering becomes a roar — so sustained and loud it is heard in the governor’s office — and the cheering becomes a celebration, call it a new birth of freedom. Brushing away a tear that he is embarrassed to feel on his cheek, the Speaker shouts above the tumult: “You people are amazing! I love you all and now let’s get back to work!”

Bob Heleringer served in Kentucky’s House of Representatives from 1980-2002. He is a lobbyist for the Fairness Campaign and can be reached at helringr@bellsouth.net.