Efforts to override the Governor of New Jersey‘s  veto in regards to a new casino bill have failed, with Senate President Steve Sweeney unable to come up with enough support for the measure.

On February 6, Gov. Chris Christie put his veto on a bill that would have disqualified any casino applicant for five years  if they closed a casino in the state. The bill was created after Carl Icahn decided to shut down the Trump Taj Mahal in October and would have applied only to him. The casino was shut down after employees spent months on strike due to pension and health insurance benefits having been taken away once Icahn became the new owner.  Employees thought that Icahn would reopen the casino with a non-unionized work force.

Christie vetoed the measure, stating that the bill was legislature at its worst. With the new bill in place, Icahn would have been punished for closing the Atlantic City Casino. Senate President Steve Sweeney made an attempt yesterday to override the veto by Christie but was unsuccessful. Sweeney did not get the support he needed for the measure and pulled the bill before a final vote would take place.

In the veto letter, Christie stated that the measure was a transparent attempt to punish Icahn for making a business decision to close the gaming venue after the union employees when on strike and refused to negotiate in good faith.

The bill passed with ease in the Senate and Assembly with votes of 28 to 7 and 60 to 17. To override the veto, Sweeney would have needed a two-thirds vote. Even though the veto occurred, Icahn still has plans to sell the gaming property.