LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Republican-controlled Kentucky General Assembly overrode nearly all of Gov. Andy Beshear's vetoes Tuesday, clearing the way for controversial legislation including a statue of Sen. Mitch McConnell in the Capitol Rotunda and significant budget bills that the Democratic governor had opposed on constitutional and financial grounds.

The Republican supermajority voted to override 29 of 32 vetoes, with only three small line-item vetoes to the executive branch budget surviving. The veto override votes occurred during the penultimate day of the 2026 legislative session, with lawmakers controlling at least 80 percent of seats in each chamber making the overrides a straightforward matter requiring only a simple majority.

Among the most contentious measures cleared for final passage was House Bill 757, which designates a spot in the Capitol Rotunda for a privately funded statue of McConnell, the longtime Republican senator. Beshear had argued that the legislature previously established a rule against naming things after living people and questioned whether McConnell could have prevented current national turmoil.

The General Assembly also overrode Beshear's vetoes of the judicial and legislative branch budgets, along with the two-year executive branch budget outlined in House Bill 500. Beshear had vetoed a $25 million annual cap on disaster response funding, citing concerns that limiting financial resources would prevent timely lifesaving actions. He also opposed a provision shifting control of the Capitol Annex Renovation project from the executive branch to the legislative branch.

Other bills cleared for passage include measures targeting Jefferson County Public Schools board reform and legislation that strips the governor's power to appoint a U.S. Senate replacement, requiring special elections instead. Additionally, lawmakers overrode vetoes of bills that extend concealed carry rights to 18-year-olds and shield gun manufacturers from liability.

Republican leaders argued the veto overrides reflected the will of the supermajority and responsible governance. However, the judicial branch has warned that its approved budget could create significant financial strain, with mandated spending increases including 2 percent employee raises and health insurance costs rising 24 percent over two years.