Wisconsin GOP-led Senate votes to override nine Evers vetoes in mostly symbolic action

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to override nine vetoes of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in a mostly symbolic move that comes less than six months before the November election.

The overrides included bills combatting PFAS pollution, setting a population goal for gray wolves and requiring a new post-election audit.

But despite the Senate’s votes, all of Evers’ overrides are likely to stand.

To be successful, two-thirds of both the Senate and Assembly must vote to override a veto. Republicans have a two-thirds majority in the Senate, but they are short of that in the Assembly. There are no immediate plans for the Assembly to hold a vote and Republican leaders there did not return messages Tuesday.

Democratic Sen. Mark Spreitzer said lawmakers were “wasting time” on overrides that Republicans “know won’t be sustained.”

Even though the overrides appear ultimately to be doomed, the votes will give Republicans fodder for the campaign trail to use against Democrats.

One of the most contentious ongoing fights between Republicans and Evers was the focus of one override.

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