FREEHOLD, New Jersey, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today met with District Commander Lt. Colonel Park and other key officials from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) in Bay Head to take a closer look at the severe beach erosion after the recent coastal storm (Winter Storm Orlena, January 31 - February 2, 2021). Requested by Rep. Smith last week, the   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 16, 2021: * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in observance of Lithuania's Restoration of the State Day, February 16: "I send my best wishes to the Lithuanian people as they celebrate Restoration of the State Day. Lithuania has a long history of standing aga  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) was joined on a telephone town hall by public health leaders to provide an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Burlington County. The telephone town hall, the first of two this month to provide updates on vaccines, was the Congressman's 30th since being sworn into Congress. "Every day we're seeing great progress from more vaccine doses coming to New Jersey," said Congressm  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: During Valentine's Day weekend, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) teamed up with students from Pemberton School District in Burlington County and Brick School District in Ocean County to deliver Valentine's Day cards to New Jersey's health care heroes. "Our health care heroes have done so much for our country, and in these tough times it's important to remind them how much their service means," said Congressman K  more

SOMERVILLE, New Jersey, Feb. 17 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The Biden Administration announced it rescinded a Trump-era policy that made it harder for states to finance their portion of much-needed transit infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new Hudson River Tunnels. The rescinded guidance, which the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) first announced in June 2018, stated that federal loans would count as part of the federal share  more

SOMERVILLE, New Jersey, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: Representative Tom Malinowski hosted a 2020 taxpayer virtual Q&A for filers in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. Representative Malinowski was joined by representatives from the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service and from United Way of Northern New Jersey who answered participant questions and reviewed the tax preparation and filing process. "Tax season can be a stress  more

SOMERVILLE, New Jersey, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Tom Malinowski hosted a Paycheck Protection Program Loan Application and Forgiveness Webinar for small business owners in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. Representative Malinowski was joined by Al Titone, the New Jersey District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. You can watch a full recording of the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced today that the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has awarded Norcross' 2020 Defense Legislative Fellow, Major Craig A. Overholt, the Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award, an award that honors congressional staffers who have made significant contributions to the military community. The award comes following  more

CAMDEN, New Jersey, Feb. 18 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) joined New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kevin Corbett, Mayor Frank Moran and local and county officials today to celebrate the first major step of a $250 million redevelopment of the Walter Rand Transportation Center, the   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 19, 2021: * * * Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement on President Biden's nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): "Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is a fantastic addition to the outstanding health care team President Biden   more

LONG BRANCH, New Jersey, Feb. 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today held a virtual roundtable on veterans issues with advocates and veterans in New Jersey. During the roundtable, Pallone discussed the COVID-19 relief package and how it would help the veteran community. "I'm grateful to everyone who joined us today for my update on what Congress is doing to help the veteran community during the coronavirus pan  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks on Feb. 17, 2021, at a Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing entitled "Connecting America: Broadband Solutions to Pandemic Problems": * * * Right now, struggling families that lack internet connectivity have been shut out from school, work, telehealth, and other vital connections. Across the country, children are unable to attend v  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks on Feb. 18, 2021, at a hearing on the pathways to a clean energy future: * * * The Energy Subcommittee begins its work for this Congress, renewing our efforts to chart a path to a clean energy future. Last Congress was particularly productive for the Subcommittee, culminating in enactment of the Energy Act of 2020. I commend Chairman Rush along   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging the Biden Administration to strengthen the United States-Armenia strategic relationship. The lawmakers urged the Biden Administration to use every diplomatic and economic tool available to hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for their aggressions, provid  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 15, 2021: * * * Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today on the first day of the special enrollment period to sign up for coverage at HealthCare.gov, which President Biden reopened to expand access to quality, affordable health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: "The importance of health ca  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2021: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) announced today that the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a fully remote hearing on Wednesday, February 24, at 12:30 p.m. (EST) entitled "Fanning the Flames: Disinformation a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced today that the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommit  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2021: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) wrote to Texas Governor Greg Abbott today demanding answers for the life-threatening wint  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 16, 2021: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) announced that next week's fully remote Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers will be held on Tuesday, February 23, at 10:30 a.m. EST. The hearing is entitle  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: Ways and Means Democrats, led by Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to explain the extent to which partners who provide free tax preparation services through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs will off  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: Ways and Means Democrats, led by Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), requested that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extend the tax return filing season beyond April 15, 2021, given the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, the lawmakers refe  more

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, Feb. 19 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) hosted a virtual roundtable discussion yesterday with Black community leaders focused on the disparate impact of COVID-19 on our communities of color, and how we can most effectively address the barriers that exist in terms of access to healthcare, support, and opportunities for COVID relief. "Communities of color continue to be disprop  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement after the United States Senate failed to convict Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection: "The House Impeachment Managers have built a strong case, brick by brick, that leaves no doubt that Donald Trump is guilty of inciting insurrection against the United States government. "Donald Trump lied for months about the election,  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: Representatives Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Tom Reed (R-NY), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) introduced legislation today to further investigate both the January 6 domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol and the federal government's failure to more broadly respond to the threat of domestic terrorism over the past two decades. The Commission on Domestic Terrorism Act   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The Democratic Caucus of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held an organizational meeting to elect a Vice-Chair, Subcommittee Chairs, and to select subcommittee assignments. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, "It is an honor and a privilege to welcome our new and returning Members to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and to begin a second term as Chairwoman.  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) announced that Hackensack Meridian Health received a $5,500,000 grant from the Department of Defense for their work on a convalescent plasma treatment for COVID-19. "Hackensack Meridian Health plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in the 8th District and across New Jersey," Said Rep. Sires. "Their research into treatments for COVID-19 patien  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Sires (D-NJ) released the following statement regarding his support for Congressman Jerrold Nadler's (D-NY) Safe and Quiet Skies Act, H.R. 389, that would mandate strict regulation of commercial air tour operations: "The residents of New Jersey's 8th District should not be subject to the constant noise and environmental pollution caused by commercial helicopter tours," said Rep. Sires. "These   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: * * * Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) released the following statement to correct the record regarding his conversation with Ambassador Milena Mayorga of El Salvador: "Tonight, I learned about comments issued from Ambassador Mayorga's official Twitter account that misrepresented the substantive conversation I had with the Ambassador earlier in the day. I am perplexed and disappointed that the Ambassador's of  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on Feb. 13, 2021: * * * Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) released the following statement after the Senate voted 57 guilty to 43 not guilty, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict former President Trump: "On January 6th the Capitol was attacked in an effort to usurp the results of free and fair elections and tear down our democratic institutions. "Former President Trump is responsible for   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The new 18-foot vertical sand dune cliffs in Bay Head caused by beach erosion from recent Winter Storm Orlena pose significant safety concerns--especially for children who are at grave risk of plunging over and suffering serious injury or death. Mayor Bill Curtis, Army Corps Commander Lt. Colonel Park, NJDEP's Bill Dixon, Ocean County Commissioner Joe Vicari, Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano, a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Legislation to end the "excruciating suffering and physical pain of unborn babies" from abortion at 20 weeks or older was introduced today by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and 142 Members of the House of Representatives. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would bar most abortions after 20 weeks gestation. "We know that by twenty weeks unborn babies killed by abortion experience excruciating suffering  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, and Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI-09) and Katie Porter (D-CA-45) unveiled the Carried Interest Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 1068), legislation to close one of the most egregious loopholes in the federal tax code. "Over the last four years, our tax system has continued to become more unfair. Our two-tie  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: With an eye toward a post-COVID easing of restrictions and a return to economic normalcy, a group of bipartisan lawmakers are determined to establish timely and much-needed safety protections for Americans who will be using rideshare companies to help them get to work, school, appointments or social events. Authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with lead Democrat cosponsor, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Sami's La  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2021: U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led a letter sent to the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients urging the Biden Administration to take action to expand vaccine access for farm and food chain workers. The letter comes in the wake of some state and local governments excluding farm and food chain w  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2021: U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) announced the re-introduction of their bicameral bill to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. The Confederate Monument Removal Act would remove all statues of people who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from the National Statuary Hall Collection within 120  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 16, 2021: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today applauded the Biden Administration's decision to reverse a Trump Administration Federal Transit Administration (FTA) policy that prohibited states and local entities from using federal loans as part of their local funding match when applying for federal transportation grants. The move was one of many obstacles the previous administration  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 16, 2021: * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to last night's rocket attack on a U.S. facility in Iraq's Kurdistan region: "I strongly condemn yesterday's attack in Erbil and send my condolences to the families of the U.S. contractor who was kill  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today called for swift passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan making its way through Congress that will deliver billions for New Jersey to fight the pandemic, help struggling families and communities, and stimulate the economy. The bill provides federal funding to ramp up vaccinations, increase last year's stimulus checks to $2,000, extend u  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) released the following statement after voting to convict former President Donald Trump: "Today, I voted to convict President Donald J. Trump for inciting an insurrection against the United States. The proceedings of this trial made clear that President Trump spurred a violent attack on Congress and then betrayed his duty as Commander-in-Chief by failing to deploy  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on Feb. 16, 2021: * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to last night's rocket attack on a U.S. facility in Iraq's Kurdistan region: "I strongly condemn yesterday's attack in Erbil and send my condolences to the families of the U.S. contractor who was killed and the U.S. service member and other con  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2021: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest ranking Latino in the Congress, and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (Calif.-38) today introduced the bicameral U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, President Biden's bold, inclusive, and humane framework for the future of the United States immigration system. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie   more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 16 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 16, 2021: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today joined a letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) calling for additional emergency relief for both public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the COVID-19 relief proposal. They also urged the Senate leaders to ensu  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2021: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today wrote Senate leadership to underscore their support for increased federal funding to support Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in the final COVID relief package. "This targeted relief funding is essential for older Americans and people with disabilities who live and receive services in their homes, and the   more