Posted on 12/02/2021 7:55:56 PM PST by lightman
In a surreal and chaotic scene Thursday, a number of Republican lawmakers publicly defied new rules requiring people at the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.
At one point, there was a 15-minute standoff as State Police troopers tried to block a group of non-compliant legislators from entering the state Assembly chamber. But the lawmakers eventually walked past them to their seats.
The episode brought heavy drama to the state Legislature’s first voting session of the already hectic lame-duck period. It came one day after the new vaccine policy took effect as New Jersey continues to deal with a pandemic that has already killed more than 28,400 residents and as statewide cases and hospitalizations are rising again.
Republicans repeatedly cried the policy is unconstitutional and illogical. Democrats who control state government denounced the lawmakers’ actions as “political theater,” while Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said there was a “colossal failure in security here at the Statehouse.”
“This is something we cannot tolerate,” Coughlin added.
The scene unfolded when a half-dozen Republicans tried to enter the Assembly chambers for their 1 p.m. voting session and they were stopped by a line of uniformed state troopers. The legislators repeatedly declined to present either proof of a vaccine or a negative test.
“This is tyranny, folks!” Assemblyman Erik Peterson, R-Hunterdon, said, raising his voice, as the legislators packed together at the door. “America, see what’s happening here!”
Lawmakers were given the chance to take a rapid test before the session and those who still refuse to comply with the policy are allowed to vote remotely. But the Republicans at the door — many of whom hail from conservative districts in northwestern Jersey — said they had a constitutional right to be in their seats.
“Liberty is dying right here on the floor,” Assemblyman Hal Wirths, R-Sussex, said, arguing this is the latest example of Democratic legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy being too restrictive during the pandemic.
Wirths said the State Police are “the best in the world” but report to Murphy’s executive branch of government.
“This is about denying the minority their right to speak out against policies Phil Murphy and his minions in this house think that they want to shove down your throats, whether you like it or not,” Peterson added.
After a few minutes, another Republican, Assemblyman Brian Bergen, R-Morris, announced the troopers told him they would not “physically restrain us.”
“We can just walk past them,” Bergen said.
Many Republicans proceeded to enter the chamber.
The State Police did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Troopers just stopped a few Republican members from entering the Assembly floor when they wouldn’t show proof of a vaccine or test.
“This is tyranny,” Erik Peterson said. pic.twitter.com/gGgyoA7SlN — Brent Johnson (@johnsb01) December 2, 2021
In the end, a majority of Republican members of the Assembly did not show vaccine or testing documents to get in to the chamber. A number did comply.
Coughlin did not kick any Republicans out of the session but delivered a speech chastising them and ended the afternoon after voting on only a few of the bills on the agenda.
“The only thing that was asked of legislators here today to do is care about the people in the chamber,” the Assembly speaker said from his podium, adding that Republicans “could not be bothered to exhibit common decency and humanity all because they would rather have a couple of minutes on TV news.”
Across the hall in the state Senate, Republicans grumbled about the policy but complied.
“I know you’re just doing your jobs. But this is horseshit,” state Sen. Holly Schepisi said as she showed troopers her vaccine card while walking into the Senate chamber.
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, thanked Republicans in his chamber for not taking part in “theatrics,” saying the policy is necessary because the pandemic is “getting bad” again and lawmakers are voting indoors.
“We could have cancelled the in-person voting sessions and done them virtual,” Sweeney said. “That’s not what we wanted to do. But the political theater is, like I said, it’s sad.”
Alyana Alfaro, a spokeswoman for Murphy’s office, said in a statement that “legislators who prefer to play politics instead of following simple proper health protocols, including taking a rapid test made available to them, are allowed to vote remotely” under the policy.
DiMaio shot back: “Standing up for the people is not political theater. It is our job.” From D.C. to Trenton to your town, the N.J. Politics newsletter brings the news right to your inbox. Sign up with your email here:
This all comes one month after an election in which Republicans flipped seven seats in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Republican turnout surged, which experts say was partially because of anger over New Jersey’s COVID-19 policies.
The new policy stems from the little-known State Capitol Joint Management Commission, a panel made up of four people appointed by Murphy’s administration and one member each by the Senate and Assembly Democratic and Republican caucuses. The commission voted 5-2 on Oct. 26 to approve the policy.
It applies not only to lawmakers but legislative staff members, members of the press, and anyone from the public who wants to testify during a committee hearing or protest legislation inside the building. Assemblyman defies Statehouse COVID policy
A sign at the Statehouse on Thursday outlining the new vaccine policy.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
On Wednesday, Republican leaders in both the Senate and Assembly filed a lawsuit in State Superior Court seeking to stop the policy.
Republicans argued in the motion that the policy is an “unprecedented overreach by a state agency,” that it violates how state lawmakers are allowed to vote under the state Constitution, and that it prevents a portion of the public from participating in the legislative process.
Bergen also argued the policy doesn’t make sense because even vaccinated people can carry COVID-19.
“They’re discriminating against people based on vaccine status,” the Republican lawmaker said. “This is not about vaccination status. This is about equal opportunity to access the Statehouse.”
The judge in the case has set a court date for Dec. 13.
The nonpartisan state Office of Legislative Services recently issued memos saying the policy is “not unconstitutional or unlawful on its face” but that it may not be “enforced in a way” that prevents a lawmaker voting or acting “on behalf of constituents.”
Plus, OLS says lawmakers can’t be arrested for not following the policy, but the Democratic leaders of the Legislature can exclude members from being physically in the building.
All lawmakers, regardless of vaccination status, were able to enter the Statehouse itself Thursday morning because state troopers initially said they were directed to check documents form visitors yet not employees.
But Sweeney and Coughlin then released a joint letter saying lawmakers would not be allowed to enter the floors of the Senate or Assembly if they don’t follow the vaccine-or-testing policy.
That’s the kind of GOP open defiance i like hearing about. More!!
NJ ping.
Wait till somebody explains to AOC what just happened. She’ll have a cow!
Tell me again about how we need to “back the blue no matter what”.
Northeast Republicans showing brass, I like it.
Now walk in armed, and really show a set of brass balls.
The second amendment to United States Constitution doesn’t stop at New Jersey’s border, no matter how badly the Democrats want it to.
I’m betting we never see a sign like that to vote next year.
Quote
Across the hall in the state Senate, Republicans grumbled about the policy but complied.
“I know you’re just doing your jobs. But this is horseshit,” state Sen. Holly Schepisi said as she showed troopers her vaccine card while walking into the Senate chamber.
Across the hall from some of those Northeast Republian brass, Northeast Republican surrender monkeys on display..
This is Pharmafacism!
This is all a prelude to attempting to enforce this type of horseshit statewide. We already know it’s coming.
I haven’t backed the blue since Trump was running for president. They showed their hate towards us over and over. Just look at any rally where Trump supporters were being attacked, and the cops just watched it happen
Thumbs up for them! People have got to start resisting this insanity, and it would be great if it started with our legislators.
We’re all waiting and hoping for leadership.
But Sweeney and Coughlin then released a joint letter saying lawmakers would not be allowed to enter the floors of the Senate or Assembly if they don’t follow the vaccine-or-testing policy.
00000000000000000000000
The last sentence tells you all you need to know about republican lawmakers in NJ.
And that, friend, is the REAL NJ REPUBLICAN PARTY.
They’ll check with the Teachers Union in the morning to see what their next move will be.
Again, thank Heaven we are no longer in NJ.
Agreed.
Law enforcement herded rally-goers straight into gauntlets of ANTIFA/BLM thugs. It was intentional and planned. There’s even a term for it. It’s called “kettling”.
Republicans with gonads. That’s what we need.
Gonads of Platinum!
Valid ID? Is that racist?
Too many words for this late at night, but isn’t it illegal to prevent a legislator from joining the session?
I seem to remember something years ago about not even being allowed to issue a speeding ticket.
Maybe a myth.
The cops and whoever sent them should be charged with interfering with the function of the state congress.
If it’s a crime for the J6 people (except Ray Epps of course), it’s a crime for the cops.
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