It was veto override day in Raleigh, and the Republican-controlled General Assembly made it count.
In a string of big wins, the House and Senate overrode Democrat Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes on eight bills, including the headline-grabber: HB 805, which officially codifies the definition of “man” and “woman” in North Carolina law. That one drew predictable outrage from the Left — but what really stung Democrats? They lost because of their own members.
Override #5 Is Done.
The NC House has just overridden HB 805. The highlights of HB 805 include:
✅ Stating only two sexes (male & female)
✅ No taxpayer funded gender transitions
✅ Parental control in schools and libraries #ncpol pic.twitter.com/SZHTr92nSh— Rep. Brenden Jones (@BrendenJonesNC) July 29, 2025
In the House, where Republicans are short one vote of a supermajority thanks to the 2024 elections, Rep. Nasif Majeed (D) crossed party lines, helping override Stein’s veto on HB 805. His reasoning? “I had some moral issues about that and I had to lean on my values.” Translation: this wasn’t a political move — it was personal.
NC House Speaker Destin Hall has said the GOP would operate with a “functioning” supermajority — despite being 1 seat short.
He was right. Today, Republicans are overriding Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes with help from Democrats:
Carla Cunningham, Shelly Willingham, and Nasif Majeed. pic.twitter.com/ayPdAonoN2
— Andy Specht (@AndySpecht) July 29, 2025
And that wasn’t the only rebellion.
Rep. Carla Cunningham (D) also joined Republicans to override the governor’s veto of HB 318, a bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE and detain accused illegal immigrants for up to 48 hours. Cunningham didn’t just vote for it — she gave a fiery speech on the House floor that sounded like it could’ve come from a pro-border security Republican. That didn’t sit well with her colleagues. Democrats in the gallery tried to drown her out, and Rep. Deb Butler attempted to silence her. House Speaker Destin Hall stepped in, making sure Cunningham finished her remarks.
The controversial moment Rep. Carla Cunningham, a democrat from Mecklenburg County, votes to override Gov. Stein’s veto on HB 318, an immigration enforcement law.
In her speech, she said: “It’s time to wake up.” #ncpol @WCNC pic.twitter.com/0KdSocw6XS
— Julie Kay (@JulieKayTV) July 29, 2025
Predictably, Cunningham’s critics are now insinuating she’s a racist — a tired tactic she’s dealt with before for daring to side with Republicans on immigration enforcement.
NC Democrat Carla Cunningham was interrupted twice — by an audience member and by a colleague — in a speech criticizing US immigration policy.
“All cultures are not equal.”
“Turn the conveyor belt off.”She cast the deciding vote on a bill requiring sheriffs to work with ICE. pic.twitter.com/aO57bTPoRY
— Andy Specht (@AndySpecht) July 29, 2025
Other key overrides included HB 193, now law, which allows private schools to let teachers, parents, and volunteers carry firearms on campus as security. Democrats called it dangerous. Republicans called it common sense.
In total, seven of Stein’s 14 vetoes were overridden Tuesday, with the rest likely coming up later.
