Madison – Today, Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) expressed her disappointment at Governor Evers vetoing SB 420, ensuring legal and constitutional protections are reserved for human beings and not inanimate objects:
“Today, the Governor chose to veto Senate Bill 420, a decision that represents yet another step in a troubling pattern of undermining the fundamental rights and legal principles that form the backbone of our state and nation.
“This veto is not occurring in a vacuum. It follows a series of actions that collectively erode long-standing constitutional protections. From sidelining parental rights in decisions involving their own children, to advancing policies that shield those who have entered our country unlawfully, the Governor has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to place ideology above the rule of law. Now, with this veto, we see an extension of that same philosophy, one that elevates abstract concepts over the clear, time-tested framework of constitutional governance.
“Even more concerning is the broader ideological direction this signals. There is an increasing push to grant novel “rights” to non-human entities, concepts that have no grounding in our constitutional tradition, while simultaneously diminishing the very real, God-given rights of citizens. Our rights do not originate from government. They are endowed by our Creator and are merely recognized and codified in our founding documents, reinforced through generations of legal precedent.
“Senate Bill 420 was rooted in preserving clarity, accountability, and fidelity to those principles. Its veto sends the opposite message: that foundational rights can be reinterpreted, redefined, or disregarded altogether when politically convenient.
“Wisconsinites deserve leadership that defends, not dismantles, the constitutional order. I will not stand by as core liberties are chipped away under the guise of progress. The people of this state understand that rights flow from a higher authority than government, and they expect their elected officials to honor that truth.
“I remain committed to restoring balance, upholding the Constitution, and protecting the rights of every citizen against this continued overreach,” shared Rep. Goeben.
