New Jersey GOP Lawmakers Briefly Blocked From Assembly After Failing to Show Vax Proof
Several Republican members of the New Jersey Assembly who failed to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test were temporarily blocked from entering the chamber Thursday, the Associated Press reported. The requirement to present vaccination proof or a negative test went into effect Thursday, and though uniformed state troopers prevented the GOP lawmakers from entering for about 10 minutes, the officers ultimately allowed them inside.
A voting session was scheduled to take place as a group of at least 10 Republicans approached the door. In the commotion and confusion that ensued, the troopers stationed at the door halted them and the lawmakers vehemently protested what they described as an affront to their rights.
"You have no right to stop us," Assemblymember Erik Peterson said.
"You see this? You see this, folks? Denying us entry into our house," Peterson said.
"This is America," Assemblymember Hal Wirths added.
A few of the Republican legislators were able to enter the chamber without showing proof of vaccination or a negative test after Assemblymember Brian Bergen questioned the troopers about why he couldn't enter the chamber, the AP reported. Another group of lawmakers who again did not show either of the entry requirements were able to enter unblocked moments later.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin called it "a colossal failure of security" in a speech from the floor that chastised Republicans, saying that people throughout the state had made similar concessions throughout the pandemic.
"I'm outraged that in the midst of the sacrifice 28 members of the minority caucus could not be bothered to exhibit common decency and humanity all because they would rather have a couple of minutes on TV news," Coughlin said.
https://www.newsweek.com/new-jersey-gop-lawmakers-briefly-blocked-assembly-after-failing-show-vax-proof-1655606
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...What do you expect from a pig but a grunt. 
