Congressman Van Drew Blasts Governor Murphy for Violating the New Jersey State Constitution

Van Drew Joins State Senate and Assembly Republicans in OPPOSING New Jersey’s Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates 

United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew released the following statement blasting Governor Phil Murphy after New Jersey State Troopers under his command attempted to prevent New Jersey State Legislators from taking their seats in the Senate and Assembly chambers in direct violation of the New Jersey State Constitution. 

“Governor Murphy took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of New Jersey which is crystal clear in denying him the authority to prevent duly elected legislators from being seated on the floor of their respective chambers,” said United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew. “As someone who previously served in the State Senate and State Assembly, I am absolutely disgusted by the Governor’s actions although it’s sadly no surprise coming from a guy who once said the Bill of Rights was ‘above his pay grade.’ The shocking images coming out of our State Capitol this afternoon of State Police under the command of the Governor attempting to physically block his political rivals from being seated in the legislature are reminiscent of Communist China, the former Soviet Union, or a damn third world country – not the United States of America.”

Congressman Van Drew has consistently opposed vaccine mandates and passports and has even sponsored legislation in Congress that would specifically prevent state and local governments as well as private companies from enforcing them. 

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Note: Congressman Van Drew is referencing Article IV, Section IV, Paragraph 9 of the New Jersey State Constitution which reads as follows, “Members of the Senate and General Assembly shall, in all cases except treason and high misdemeanor, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the sitting of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any statement, speech or debate in either house or at any meeting of a legislative committee, they shall not be questioned in any other place.”