Delaware Governor John Carney Vetoes Controversial Euthanasia Bill Amid Ongoing National Debate on Physician-Assisted Suicide

In a significant move, Delaware Governor John Carney decided to use his executive power on Friday to veto a bill that aimed to legalize euthanasia in the state.

This decision comes at a crucial time, as Carney, a Democratic governor nearing the end of his term, rejected House Bill 140 just a week after it reached his desk.

What the Bill Proposed

The controversial bill, often referred to as a physician-assisted suicide law, would have permitted terminally ill individuals with six months or less to live to request medication to end their lives.

It passed both chambers of the Delaware State Assembly earlier this spring, with the House of Representatives voting 21 to 16 in favor on April 18, and the Senate narrowly approving it 11 to 10.

Governor’s Reasoning

After vetoing the bill, Carney shared his thoughts in a statement, expressing his long-standing opposition to physician-assisted suicide.

He stated, “I am fundamentally and morally opposed to enabling someone, even under tragic and painful circumstances, to take their own life.”

Carney also highlighted the lack of consensus on this challenging issue, both in Delaware and nationwide.

As he prepares for a new chapter—having secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for mayor of Wilmington—Carney referenced the American Medical Association’s stance that such laws contradict the physician’s role as a healer.

Support from Religious Leaders

Bishop William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Wilmington applauded the governor’s decision.

He expressed gratitude to Carney for vetoing H.B. 140 and acknowledged the efforts of many individuals, including thousands of Catholics, who supported the cause through their prayers.

The bishop emphasized the belief that “all human life is created in the image and likeness of God and must be protected, especially the most vulnerable.”

Wider Implications

During a panel discussion in July 2024, Matt Vallière from the Patients’ Rights Action Fund noted the significance of Delaware and Massachusetts rejecting assisted suicide laws.

He pointed out that if both states did not pass such legislation, it would mark three consecutive years without any new states legalizing physician-assisted suicide.

Massachusetts’ attempt to pass a similar bill also fell short in the latest legislative session.

Evangeline Bartz from Americans United for Life added that several states—Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin—have also rejected euthanasia, while ten states, along with the District of Columbia, have enacted “medical aid in dying” (MAID) laws.

A Broader Perspective

Earlier this year, Pope Francis reiterated the Catholic Church’s condemnation of euthanasia during an interfaith symposium on palliative care.

He stressed the importance of authentic palliative care, stating that it stands in stark contrast to euthanasia, which he described as “never a source of hope or genuine concern for the sick and dying.”