Governor Murphy has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overrule the Chevron Doctrine, expressing significant concern about the implications of this ruling.
"Once again, the Supreme Court’s far-right majority is proving why the American people’s trust in our highest court is at an all-time low," Governor Murphy stated.
He emphasized that overturning the Chevron Doctrine eradicates four decades of legal precedent and significantly reduces the federal government's capacity to safeguard public health and welfare. "With today’s decision overturning the 'Chevron Doctrine,' the majority has wiped out four decades of legal precedent and severely diminished the federal government’s ability to protect the health and well-being of our nation’s families."
Murphy warned that this decision empowers unelected judges to override decisions made by experts within federal agencies, potentially affecting various critical issues such as climate change, workplace safety standards, and gun safety. "This ruling will allow un-elected judges across America to single-handedly overrule the science-informed, evidence-based decisions made by experts working within our federal agencies. It will have a vast, and potentially disastrous, impact on a wide range of issues – from climate change to workplace safety standards to gun safety and beyond."
He further criticized what he views as an encroachment on powers designated to other branches of government. "It is yet another instance of the far-right majority ripping away the powers entrusted to the Legislative and Executive Branches — as well as State Governments — in order to proclaim itself as the final decisionmaker on issues that directly impact the daily lives of American families."
Despite his disapproval of this ruling, Governor Murphy assured New Jersey residents that state policy would continue to be informed by scientific data and expertise. "Despite this morning’s ruling, here in New Jersey, we will continue crafting policy based on science, expertise, and data. At this pivotal moment, the people of New Jersey are counting on our state’s leaders to push back against ideologically-driven power grabs by leading with restraint and reason."
