New Jersey euthanasia bill still moves ahead, Chris Christie silent
Religious groups and New Jersey’s right to life organization are issuing warnings about an “aid-in-dying” bill delayed by legislators late last year that one leader said might be voted on this month.
“The Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act [S382,] which would legalize physician-assisted suicide, may be listed for a vote in the State Senate in January,” said Donna Goodwin, Respect Life Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of Trenton. Addressing the March for Life crowd.
NVVE is an “End of Life” group offering assisted suicides and euthanasia in the Netherlands photo http://www.nvve.nl/
Goodwin said that “The March for Life in Washington and the Rally for Life in Trenton play important roles in the Diocese of Trenton’s work to promote human dignity at every stage of life. The march gives encouragement to those supporters of the pro-life movement who may feel they are the only ones who hold pro-life views.”
“The march and the rally allow our legislators both on the state and national level to see the large numbers of their constituents who care passionately about human rights and the right to life from conception to natural death,” continued Goodwin.
“This is especially important right now in Trenton where the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act [S382,] which would legalize physician-assisted suicide, may be listed for a vote in the State Senate in January.”
While critics point out that GOP Presidential hopeful Chris Christie has been silent on the measure, back in 2014 he “has not changed his position on Assisted Suicide, that he would veto it if it came to his desk and that as long as he was the Governor of New Jersey this was not going to become law.”
Last year the Ashbury Park Press published an article supporting “Euthanasia. Assisted suicide. Death with dignity,” as they described it and Christie taking a call on a local Jersey radio show on the topic.
This is from their post (Feb, 2015):
Jan feels so strongly she called in to an “Ask the Governor” 101.5 radio show in January to urge Gov. Christie to reconsider his views on the proposed law.
Christie thanked her, expressed concern about a “slippery slope,” and said he felt no life disposable. He vowed to keep an open mind but had “grave concerns” and didn’t want to give her false encouragement. He didn’t say he would oppose the bill.
The Asbury Park Press asked the governor’s office for more, but they were reticent. Christie’s spokesman said the governor’s public comment speaks for itself, and beyond that, his office doesn’t generally comment on pending legislation.
“I don’t think he should veto it,” Jan told the Press. She added: “I don’t think he should stand in the way of somebody’s wishes on life and death.”
The topic was absent from his 2016 State of the State address (Full transcript HERE), but his “life is precious” message was loud and repeated throughout the speech.
donkeyhotey [email protected]
