California Gov. Gavin Newsom has addressed Halle Berry's accusation that he "devalued women" by vetoing menopause care legislation.
On Thursday (December 4), as reported by People, Newsom told reporters that Berry isn’t aware that his administration is looking to fund the proposal in next year’s budget. "We have the ability to reconcile that, so we're reconciling," Newsom said. "I've included it in next year's budget. She didn't know that."
On Wednesday (December 3) at The New York Times' DealBook Summit, Berry slammed Newsom for vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act again. The governor was scheduled to speak at the same event.
"Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row," Berry told the crowd.
"But that's okay, because he's not going to be governor forever, and with the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us in midlife, he probably should not be our next president either."
Berry has championed the legislation, which would make it easier for women to get medical treatment for the effects of menopause. Newsom vetoed the bill most recently in October, marking the second consecutive year he rejected the measure.
Newsom previously responded to Berry's comments with a statement, telling People he has a "deep admiration for Ms. Berry's advocacy" on women's issues and that he "looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this critical issue."
Earlier this year, Newsom made headlines for pushing back against the Trump administration after Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration protests.
In an interview for MSNBC, Newsom taunted Trump's "border czar," Tom Homan, who said at the time that he would arrest anyone — even Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass — if they interfere with immigration operations and the presence of federal personnel in LA.
"Come after me, arrest me," Newsom told MSNBC in a clip he shared to X. "Let’s just get it over with, tough guy. I don’t give a damn. But I care about my community — I care about this community."
"The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up, they need to stop, and we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let's go."
