California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have required the governor to reject extradition requests from states seeking to prosecute people who perform or assist with abortions and gender transition procedures banned in those states. In a statement published Sunday, Newsom, who continues to be seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, announced his veto of Assembly Bill 2164.
The measure passed the Democratic-controlled California Assembly in a 57-14 vote and the Democratic-controlled California Senate in a 30-10 vote. The votes fell largely along party lines. All opposition came from Republicans, while one Republican Assembly member broke with his party to support the bill.
The legislation sought to clarify protections for those who “aid or encourage, attempt to aid or encourage, any person in the exercise and enjoyment, or attempted exercise and enjoyment, of rights to reproductive health care services or gender affirming health care services.” Under the bill, the governor could not honor another state’s request to extradite someone charged there with performing or assisting with an abortion or gender transition procedure.
The bill stated that “no demand for the extradition of a person subject to criminal liability” in such cases “shall be recognized by the Governor.” “This bill would prohibit future governors from recognizing a request for extradition of a person subject to criminal liability based on allegations that the person engaged in specified healthcare activities,” Newsom wrote.
“While I share the author’s views on the importance of protecting these important healthcare services, extradition is an entirely executive function.” “When discretionary, that discretion is appropriately placed with the Governor,” he wrote. Newsom said he was “troubled by the precedent that would be set if an outgoing administration agreed with the Legislature to erode the executive authority of an incoming governor based on their shared