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TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senators Raymond Lesniak and Joseph Vitale, and co-sponsored by ten Senators including Senate President Stephen Sweeney, which urges Governor Christie not to join in a lawsuit to block federal health care reform, was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 21-16.

Citing Governor Christie’s recent remarks on the public television call-in-show, “Christie: On the Line,” that he is considering joining in the lawsuit to overturn the recently-enacted federal health care reform law, the lawmakers said that the Governor is putting conservative ideology ahead of sound public policy and may jeopardize increased funding for State health care programs.

“The Governor has told seniors to expect federal funding to restore needed prescription drug assistance,” said Senate President Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Instead of considering a legal challenge to the law enabling additional federal funds, the Governor should stand up for the people who would benefit from federal health reforms. You can’t plan for a funding bump from a law you’re working to overturn, and the Governor’s contradictory messages could jeopardize our chances of successfully pursuing additional federal support.”

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senators Raymond Lesniak and Joseph Vitale, and co-sponsored by ten Senators including Senate President Stephen Sweeney, which urges Governor Christie not to join in a lawsuit to block federal health care reform, was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 6-3.

Citing Governor Christie’s recent remarks on the public television call-in-show, “Christie: On the Line,” that he is considering joining in the lawsuit to overturn the recently-enacted federal health care reform law, the lawmakers said that the Governor is putting conservative ideology ahead of sound public policy and may jeopardize increased funding for State health care programs.

“The Governor has told us that the federal health reform initiative will help shore up programs that people depend on, including access to care for the economically-disadvantaged and prescription drug programs for senior citizens,” said Senate President Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “Based on this admission from Governor Christie, we believe he should be doing everything he can to support the health care reforms, not working to knock them down in the name of the conservative right. The mixed messages we’re getting from the Governor’s Office could ultimately end up costing us federal aid when it comes time to apply for those funds.”

TRENTON – Citing Governor Chris Christie’s recent remarks on NJ 101.5’s call-in-show, “Ask the Governor,” that he is considering joining in a lawsuit to overturn federal health care reform, a group of Senate Democrats yesterday introduced legislation urging the Governor to support the health care reform effort.

“This should be a matter of principle over ideology,” said Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “A few weeks ago, the Governor announced a plan to restore funding for senior prescription drug programs through an expected increase in federal aid due to the Affordable Health Care Act. Since these funds are so important to the Governor’s plan to protect senior programs, he shouldn’t be telling a Statewide audience that he is thinking about joining an ultra-conservative movement to overturn the law that appropriates those funds.”