Ohio House Votes To Limit Health Director Amy Acton's Power

COLUMBUS, OH — In a vote along party lines this week, Ohio House Republicans voted to limit the power of Dr. Amy Acton, the director of the state's health department. Gov. Mike DeWine and House Democrats lambasted the vote.

“What happened today wasn’t about Dr. Acton or Gov. DeWine. It’s about 14 days in an emergency and having some type of legislative oversight so everyone gets to participate and understand what’s going on," said state Rep. Larry Householder, the speaker of the Ohio House, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

When Ohio issued its multiple stay-at-home orders, it was Acton's signature which put them into effect.

An amendment was tacked onto Senate Bill 1 to change Acton's power. The legislation was moved through committee along party lines. The bill will move to the Ohio Senate for a vote before heading to Gov. DeWine's desk. The governor has already indicated he would veto any such bill.

"Creating more uncertainty regarding public health and employee safety is the last thing we need as we work to restore consumer confidence in Ohio's economy," DeWine said in a statement.

The governor found unlikely allies among the state's Democrats.

“Checks and balances were already in place to oversee the actions being taken by Ohio Health Director Amy Acton; it was the legislature. The provision included in this piece of legislation today made a hard job of protecting Ohio’s citizens during this pandemic, future epidemics, pandemics or unforeseeable emergency situations a much harder job for Director Acton,” said state Rep. Mike Skindell, echoing many of his colleagues.

Acton has been the focus of several protests at the Ohio Statehouse and at her suburban home. One Ohio lawmaker was embroiled in controversy after his wife publicly compared Acton's actions to Nazi Germany.

Acton, who is Jewish, has also been the subject of anti-Semitic signs displayed during protests in Columbus.