What to Know
- Gov. Christie was photographed with his family on a beach shut down to the public amid New Jersey's government shutdown earlier this month
- He faced immediate backlash but consistently defended the outing
- On his radio show Thursday night, the governor said the backlash hurt his children "more than anything else" since he's been in office
New Jersey lawmakers have approved a series of measures in response to this month's government shutdown and Gov. Chris Christie's beach trip.
The Democratic-led Legislature approved a measure Monday to pay state workers furloughed during the budget dispute. That now goes to the Republican governor's desk to approve.
The Assembly on Monday also approved two bills created because of the backlash to Christie's use of the governor's beach house, which is in a public park that was closed during the three-day shutdown.
What talent! A "topical" sand sculpture on the Seaside Heights beach today. (Photo: Dave Bobal) pic.twitter.com/RGrRjpi4D9
— JSHN (@JSHurricaneNews) July 4, 2017
Inspiration in SeasideHeights from @GovChristie stay at a closed state park beach house during budget crisis @NBCNewYork @JSHurricaneNews pic.twitter.com/MViaOTlDrh
— Brian Thompson (@brian4NY) July 4, 2017
One measure would force the governor's beach house to close during a shutdown. A second would keep state parks open during a shutdown.
Those bills still need to be debated in the state Senate.
Christie made international headlines after he was photographed enjoying the beach with his family.
