NC Black Caucus members committed to backing up Stein’s vetoes of anti-DEI bills
Legislative Republicans moved quickly last month while lawmakers were back in town to override eight of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes, thanks to defections by Democrats whose support helped ensure the GOP had the votes they needed.
After that string of eight overridden bills being enacted into law, the momentum has slowed down as Republicans appear to be left with fewer bills that can attract Democratic support.
Republicans control a veto-proof majority in the Senate, and are shy of one in the House by just one seat. But that one-vote gap may be too much for Republicans to bridge when it comes to the three bills the GOP has championed targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies in government and public and higher education.
That’s because Democrats are banding together to demonstrate their commitment to upholding Stein’s vetoes of the three bills: House Bill 171 and Senate Bills 227 and 558.
The N.C. Legislative Black Caucus, made up of 41 members from both chambers, all of whom are Democrats, released a statement on Tuesday saying that all of its members had formally committed to voting to uphold Stein’s vetoes of the bills if they come up for additional votes.
Two of the bills that originated in the Senate were taken up last month by the upper chamber, where Republicans voted to override Stein’s vetoes after meeting the required three-fifths threshold, even as all Democrats who were present voted to sustain the vetoes. Those two bills have yet to be taken up by the House. The third bill, which originated in the House, hasn’t been taken up again yet either.
The Democrats who are members of the Black Caucus and reaffirmed their opposition to the bills on Tuesday include powerful party leaders like House Minority Leader Robert Reives and Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch, and top Democratic whips Sen. Jay Chaudhuri and Rep. Terry Brown.
In Tuesday’s statement, the Black Caucus said it “stands united to defend the freedoms, responsibilities, and opportunities that belong to every person in our state, especially those from communities that have been historically excluded or marginalized.”
The caucus said its “unified stance” against the three anti-DEI bills “reflects the deep responsibility we carry and the trust our communities place in us to protect their rights, their dignity, and their future.”
“As lawmakers who represent North Carolinians in every region of our state, we know how deeply these proposals would harm the people we serve,” the caucus said. “We also know that these bills are not about strengthening our institutions, but part of a national campaign to divide, distract, and roll back generations of progress building toward fairness and inclusion.”
Even with all members of the Black Caucus publicly committing themselves to trying to uphold the vetoes, it’s possible the GOP could find support from other Democrats in the House.
But it’s not likely.
Who are members of the Black Caucus?
The Black Caucus’s membership also includes the most prominent and influential Democratic swing voters — often who the GOP looks to when it needs support on veto overrides or other major legislation like the state budget.
Many of these swing voters recently sided with Republicans on overrides of controversial bills dealing with immigration, guns, and regulations, the auditor’s powers, and the environment. Reps. Carla Cunningham, Shelly Willingham and Nasif Majeed all drew significant attention and generated backlash within Democratic circles after they each helped ensure various GOP bills would be enacted over Stein’s vetoes with their votes.
That’s what makes the Black Caucus’s announcement noteworthy.
Another frequent swing voter in the House, Rep. Garland Pierce, joined several caucus members during a press conference in February slamming the House GOP’s anti-DEI measure, saying, “There’s no way Democrats could break on a bill like this.”
It’s hard to say where this show of opposition by the Black Caucus ultimately leaves the three anti-DEI bills. It’s also unclear when GOP lawmakers may act on any pending veto overrides.
Under the adjournment resolution the House and Senate agreed on last month, lawmakers reserved a few dates every month or so through next year when they can return for legislative business, including veto overrides. The next set of dates are this week, between Tuesday and Thursday, but lawmakers weren’t in town on Tuesday, and aren’t expected to be around for any sessions this week.
The next window during which lawmakers could return is Sept. 22-25.
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This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
