TRENTON, NJ – It’s uncertain if New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is playing far-left politics against his arch nemesis, the U.S. Supreme Court, or if he seriously believes interracial marriage is at risk in the year 2023.
Keep in mind, that Justice Clarence Thomas, an African American on the Supreme Court is married to a white woman. He’s probably not about to make his own interracial marriage illegal.
Murphy signed legislation (A-4939/S-3719) that guarantees the right to interracial marriage in New Jersey, even if future United States Supreme Court rulings cease to uphold the practice as constitutionally protected.
The move is seen as a proactive measure, prompted by the Supreme Court’s recent trend of overturning federal precedents concerning liberty and equality where the court put the rights back in the hand of states. Last year, the Court reversed Roe v. Wade, leading to concerns over the future of other landmark decisions, including Loving v. Virginia, which in 1967 banned state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
Even if by some far-fetched scenario the Supreme Court did send interracial marriage back to the states, here in blue Jersey, it will not even be questioned, not even by the Republican party. Unless, Murphy is worried about his own Democrats who control all three levels of New Jersey government.
Governor Murphy stated that the law was enacted to ensure that “people have the freedom to marry the person they love” and described the current era as one of “uncertainty regarding the basic principles of equality and personal freedom.”
The legislation was sponsored by Senators M. Teresa Ruiz and Renee C. Burgess, and Assemblymembers John F. McKeon, Raj Mukherji, and Carol A. Murphy.
Senator Ruiz emphasized the necessity of the law, stating, “This legislation will safeguard our residents, should the US Supreme Court strike down Loving v. Virginia.” Senator Burgess added that the legislation makes clear that “interracial marriage is here to stay in New Jersey.”
Assemblyman McKeon pointed out that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has created a real concern that other federally protected rights, such as the right to interracial marriage, could also be at risk. “Through this law, we will ensure that a couple’s right to enter into a marriage of their choosing will remain their right,” said McKeon.
In January 2022, New Jersey also codified marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community, underscoring the state’s commitment to safeguarding personal freedoms regardless of future federal rulings.