Delaware Governor John Carney vetoed a bill that would have legalized doctor-assisted suicide in the state, citing his fundamental and moral opposition to the practice.
Carney acknowledged the divisiveness of the issue, noting that the legislation passed both the House and Senate by narrow margins.
He referred to the American Medical Association’s stance that physician-assisted suicide conflicts with a physician’s role as a healer.
Democratic lawmakers, including the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Paul Baumbach, criticized Carney’s veto, arguing that the governor was prioritizing his personal beliefs over the majority of Delaware voters who support the legislation.
Baumbach vowed to pursue a veto override, though this effort may face challenges, as he is retiring, and House Speaker Valerie Longhurst, who supports the override, recently lost a primary bid for reelection.
Supporters of the bill argue that it empowers terminally ill patients to make decisions about their own end-of-life care, while opponents, including Republicans and advocacy groups like the Patients Rights Action Fund, warn that such legislation could lead to societal pressure on vulnerable groups to end their lives.
The bill would have allowed terminally ill adults in Delaware to request lethal prescription drugs, following a stringent approval process that included multiple requests and evaluations by medical professionals.
Governor Carney’s decision ensures that the practice remains illegal in Delaware, but Senate Democratic leaders have expressed confidence that it will eventually become law, either through a veto override or future legislation.