Gov. Chris Christie has followed through on his promise to reject a bill allowing same-gender marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday.
The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-gender marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk.
In returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. His veto also proposed creating an ombudsman to oversee compliance with the state’s civil union law, which same-gender couples have said is flawed.
“I am adhering to what I’ve said since this bill was first introduced — an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide,” Christie said in a statement. “I continue to encourage the Legislature to trust the people of New Jersey and seek their input by allowing our citizens to vote on a question that represents a profoundly significant societal change. This is the only path to amend our State Constitution and the best way to resolve the issue of same-sex marriage in our state.”
Democrats who had pushed the bill forward said they were disappointed, but not surprised, by Christie’s action.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
2 Responses
It is IMPERATIVE that we make sure anyone who voted for this horrendous bill is ousted in the next election.
Yasher Koach to the frum community of Lakewood who supported Chrisrtie over Corzine in the last election, even though the leadership told them to do otherwise.
Leaders of community institutions are very dependent on the goodwill of the politicians who are in office. Therefore, they are not free to choose whomever they really believe is the better choice. They are obligated to support the politicians who have helped them.