New Jersey State Capitol Building in Trenton

Trenton, N.J. – In a move that has ignited sharp backlash, New Jersey Democrats advanced a $128 million spending bill behind closed doors late Wednesday night, approving the measure without Republican participation or public comment. The bill, introduced and passed within hours, directs $25 million toward a program established by First Lady Tammy Murphy aimed at supporting Olympic athletic initiatives. The program’s funding source and oversight have already drawn criticism from fiscal watchdogs who question transparency in the state’s budgeting process.

Republican lawmakers, excluded from the session, denounced the late-night vote as an abuse of legislative procedure. They say the majority party deliberately scheduled the session to minimize public scrutiny, bypassing normal committee reviews and public hearings. Several legislators said the bill’s passage was announced only minutes before the vote, effectively shutting out debate.

Democrats in New Jersey just secretly passed a $128 million dollar spending bill in the middle of the night with no Republican representation or public comment

“$25 million of it is going to go to the governor's wife for the program she has set up for the Olympics. I'm sure… pic. /lBFbGyfqWr
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 18, 2026

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Democratic leaders defended the move, calling the spending package a necessary step to allocate funds ahead of the fiscal deadline. They said the inclusion of the First Lady’s initiative reflected the state’s commitment to promoting athletic opportunity and international representation.

The funding dispute follows the recent introduction of Assembly Bill A1701, which seeks to extend comprehensive health care coverage to undocumented immigrants. That proposal, sponsored by Democratic lawmakers, would make New Jersey one of the first states to guarantee such coverage at the state level.

Republicans say the combination of these actions demonstrates a pattern of one-party control in Trenton that excludes bipartisan discussion on high-cost programs. Debate over the spending bill and A1701 is expected to intensify as budget negotiations continue in the coming weeks.

New Jersey Democrats approved a $128 million budget bill overnight without GOP involvement, sparking controversy over transparency and spending priorities.

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