Lawmakers to try to override Christie's women's-health veto

TRENTON - Senate President Stephen Sweeney has scheduled a vote Sept. 20 to try to override Gov. Christie's veto of legislation to fund women's health clinics.

If the Senate vote is successful, said Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D., Essex), her chamber will vote on an override Sept. 30.

Democrats hope to restore $7.5 million to family planning and women's health centers around the state that Christie, citing fiscal constraints, removed from the budget.

The funding needs at least four Republican votes in the Senate for an override.

The Senate initially approved the restoration with enough votes to override a veto, but six of the seven Republicans who voted in favor have said they now believe there is not enough money to pay for it.

Noting the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Sweeney (D., Gloucester) said: "We should be celebrating the day women were finally given equal access to the power of the ballot, not still debating whether women in New Jersey should have equal access to health care."