Lawmakers were called back to the state capitol today to vote on a special oversight committee and on bills to curb the Governor’s emergency powers.
Democrats were livid about the session they called a “political stunt” giving fiery floor speeches against the bills that aim to limit the Governor’s emergency powers, and Republicans countered with passionate speeches describing the Governor’s actions as a power grab.
Senator Tom Barrett, a Republican from Charlotte was a sponsor of the bills.
"This bill removes any doubt as to the proper roles of government in our state. We can both grieve for the loss of life and still protect our system of government. Those two are not mutually exclusive.”
The bills passed out of the senate on party lines and both chambers approved an oversight committee into the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers will return again next week to vote to extend or limit the Governor’s emergency powers.