Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) is pushing back against the notion that conservatives should use the government to address so-called culture war issues.
On Sunday, NBC Newsâ Chuck Todd, host of âMeet The Press,â noted that Republican lawmakers in several states have introduced âculture war bills.â Specifically, he noted one bill which was withdrawn that would have banned schools from incorporating The New York Timesâ â1619 Projectâ in educational material.
He asked, âWhy do you think there is so much focus among some members of the legislature⌠Is this really bubbling up in Arkansas schools?â
âWell, itâs not,â Hutchinson responded. âThe fear is about the future, and the fear is also that weâre losing our culture.â
He continued, âAnd the case I make, though, is that just because you want to keep things as they have been perhaps, you donât need to use the instrument of the law, you donât need to use the state to accomplish that purpose in every instance. There is the church, there is society, there is your community, and thatâs where the culture is impacted or reflected in the future.â
âAs the Republican Party, itâs the principles of limited government, and itâs pushing freedom and choice in the free market. Thatâs what the party is about. Weâve got to apply those principles even when it comes to the social war,â he added.
Watch the video below:
Hutchinson recently received criticism for his decision to veto a bill that would ban healthcare providers from performing transition-related surgeries or providing treatments to transgender youth.
Former President Donald Trump called him the âlightweight RINO Governor of Arkansasâ for vetoing the bill. He added, ââBye-bye Asa,â thatâs the end of him!â
Hutchinson told NPR he vetoed the bill because of âmy own personal view that this is too extreme, it was too broad and did not grandfather in those young people who are currently under hormone treatment.â
âThis puts a very vulnerable population in a more difficult position,â he added.
The Arkansas legislature voted to override his veto, and the new legislation is set to go into effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which is April 30.
