Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, District 2 | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, District 2 | Official U.S. House headshot
Today, Congressman Van Drew called for the immediate cessation of a New Jersey state mandate requiring hospitals to inquire about newborns' sexual orientation and gender identity shortly after birth.
"This mandate is beyond outrageous," stated Congressman Van Drew. He emphasized that the policy targets newborns just minutes old, claiming it imposes a "radical narrative" on them. According to Van Drew, this detracts from parents' ability to bond with their newborns without having to fill out forms regarding their child's gender and sexual orientation.
Van Drew reflected on his personal experience as a father, expressing disbelief at the notion of receiving such a form when his children were born. "It is inappropriate and wrong on every level," he asserted.
He criticized New Jersey's focus on this policy instead of addressing issues like healthcare improvement or family support. The congressman announced plans to introduce legislation that would impose consequences on states implementing similar policies. "We need to get back to common sense," he urged, advocating for parental autonomy without state interference.