New Jersey GOP lawmakers defy vaccine mandate

By MIKE CATALINI
Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Disorder and confusion erupted outside the New Jersey Assembly as Republican lawmakers defied a requirement to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test. Ten lawmakers were blocked for several minutes by state troopers from entering the chamber. Lawmakers compared the situation to something that might happen in a dictatorship. The standoff ended when troopers permitted some of the legislators to enter, although they hadn’t shown the required documents. Troopers stationed at the doorway declined to provide an explanation.