WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: A bipartisan group of Energy and Commerce Committee leaders sent a letter (https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/GAO.2019.08.06..pdf) to Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting an examination of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new biodetection t  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Proposal calls for funding voluntary farm stewardship on >100 million acres, planting >15 billion trees, restoring >2 million acres of coastal wetlands * * * U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today released a climate change bill focused on voluntary farm and ranch conservation practices, massive reforestation, and wetlands restoration. The Climate Stewardship Act of 2019, inspired by measures imple  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Request Comes in Response to Administration's Failure to Incorporate the Latest Science Regarding the Use of Chemical Dispersants in Responding to Oil Spills * * * Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Cha  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a decision denying in part and dismissing in part a bid protest filed by Centre Market Buildings of Chicago, Illinois. According to the GAO, Centre Market Buildings "challenges the amended terms of request for lease proposal (RLP) No. 4NJ0222, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA) for a fully-serviced lease of office and laboratory space for the Department of Homeland Security, United States Customs and Border P  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on issues regarding the approval of generic drug applications in the first review cycle. The report (GAO-19-565) is titled "Generic Drug Applications: FDA Should Take Additional Steps to Address Factors That May Affect Approval Rates in the First Review Cycle". The report was sent to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, an  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the status of selected states' implementation of Medicaid third-party liability changes. The report (GAO-19-601) is titled "Medicaid Payment: CMS Has Not Overseen States' Implementation of Changes to Third-Party Liability". The report was sent to Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman, and  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the prevalence of obesity and the use and insurance coverage of obesity drugs. The report (GAO-19-577) is titled "Obesity Drugs: Few Adults Used Prescription Drugs for Weight Loss and Insurance Coverage Varied". The report was sent to Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman, Sen. Patty Murray,  more

WARREN, New Jersey, Aug. 2 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: This week, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined North Jersey families, farmers, artisans, and local businesses at the 82nd annual Warren County Farmers' Fair, to take part in the farm exhibits, tractor pull, and the hot air balloon festival. The Fair began informally in 1859 as a gathering of farmers, mechanics, and manufacturers, and then incorporated in 1937. The Fair has continued   more

WALDWICK, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Gottheimer and Bergen Sheriff Cureton Visit Walgreens to Highlight Efforts to End Opioid Abuse in Communities * * * Today, Monday, August 5, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the Walgreens pharmacy in Waldwick with Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton and Walgreens Area Healthcare Advisor Jim Ward to discuss how North Jersey communities are fighting back against  more

WILDWOOD, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator listened to local concerns, discussed efforts to reform the National Flood Insurance Program * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, chair of the Sandy Task Force and a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee that oversees the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), today held a roundtable discussion on the need for comprehensive flood insurance reform with local mayors, res  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 9 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Despite policies banning their sales, gun accessory listings available on Google, Amazon and eBay in days following mass shootings * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is leading colleagues today in calling on the CEOs of Google, Amazon and eBay to close the gun shopping loopholes which, in the days following mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, reportedly allowed listings for the purchas  more

VINELAND, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - America's Promise Act would make community college tuition-free * * * During a swing throughout South Jersey today, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez visited Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) Cumberland Campus to talk with students and administrators about the rising costs of college and legislation he is co-sponsoring to make community college tuition-free. "We have a real crisis in th  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 7 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Trump's EPA reversed Obama-era recommendation to ban brain-damaging chemical * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today joined a group of colleagues in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban chlorpyrifos, a toxic pesticide linked to brain damage in children and known to cause serious harm to human health. The letter comes in response to a  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 8 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, the Ranking Member of the Senate's transit subcommittee, and Cory Booker and Congressman Albio Sires (N.J.-08) today announced the awarding of $5,900,000 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) to make upgrades and improvements to the ferry docks at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (CRRNJ) located at Liberty State Park. The updates  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 6 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Colo), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.) today called on Congress to pass their bicameral legislation to ban high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds. Over 30 people were killed in mass shootings that involved high-capacity magazine guns this past weekend. "A shooter with a high-capacity ma  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 9 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - El Paso attack being treated as domestic terrorism * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today joined First Lady Tammy Murphy and the New Jersey Latino Coalition of Pastors and Ministers in rejecting the recent hate-driven mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton that resulted in 31 people dead and dozens injured, while also calling on Congress to pass commonsense gun safety reform legislation.  more

WAYNE, New Jersey, Aug. 7 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Sherrill's Team Provides Residents Help with Navigating Federal Agencies * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) launched Office Hours today at the Wayne Municipal Building. Representative Sherrill's casework staff will be at the Wayne Municipal Building every other week offering assistance to residents who need help navigating federal agencies. "Navigating federal agencies is comp  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Mikie Sherrill celebrated National Night Out yesterday across six towns in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. National Night Out is an annual nation-wide event that promotes police-community partnerships to improve relationships and make our neighborhoods safer. Representative Sherrill visited Chatham Township, Florham Park, Morristown, Denville, Parsippany, and Pompton Lakes. "E  more

CHERRY HILL, New Jersey, Aug. 7 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Following a weekend of violence fueled by white supremacy, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today announced $4,303,262 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding aimed at strengthening state and local government port security, terrorism prevention, emergency preparedness and transit security efforts. "This week, we were once again tragically reminded that our communit  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressmen Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the National Child Identification Act, H.R. 4172, which aids law enforcement by encouraging parents and guardians to proactively collect and store their children's sensitive identification information at home. When DNA samples are stored safely at home, law enforcement officers can spend the crucial first hours duri  more

CAMDEN, New Jersey, Aug. 9 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, on the final day of National Health Centers Week, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that two federally-qualified health centers in South Jersey will receive $305,795 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Center Program. CAMcare Health Corporation, which has serviced Camden and Gloucester counties since 1978, will receive $167,000 to provi  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Decaying Bergen-Essex transportation artery critical to regional infrastructure * * * U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, Jr., and local officials met today to tour the Kingsland Avenue Bridge. The local, state, and federal leaders discussed their joint efforts to obtain full funding to fix or replace the bridge. "The  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - U.S. Army Corps Awards $7.6 Million for Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project in Cape May City * * * The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' awarded $7.6 million to complete recurring nourishment of the Cape May Inlet to Lower Township (Cape May City) Coastal Storm Risk Management project. This project is made possible by Army Corps' Philadelphia District, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and th  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D-New York, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to the steps India has taken to revise the status of Jammu and Kashmir: "As the world's largest democracy, India has an opportunity to demonstrate for all its citizens the importance of protecting and promoting equal rights, including fr  more

GLEN ROCK, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - More than $2.4 million back to NJ-5 in two years - Eight temples and churches to receive federal investment for security, preparedness from FEMA - First rural temple to win grant * * * On Friday, August 2, 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that eight temples and churches throughout New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District received new Nonprofit Security Gran  more

MODESTO, California, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Joshua Harder, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * - Tom Dimperio, Modesto Native, Was Awarded Three Purple Hearts, Bronze Star for Service in WWII * * * Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) is encouraging Americans to send birthday cards to Tom Dimperio, a WWII hero who will turn 100 years old on August 18th. Dimperio is originally from Hoboken, New Jersey served in Italy during the war and went on to work for the United States Postal Ser  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-07) and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led a letter signed by 46 of their Democratic colleagues spanning a diverse ideological cross section of the caucus. The members called on House and Senate leadership to take immediate action to address the rising threat posed by white supremacist terrorism. "In the wake of the El Paso shootings, it is clear that terr  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the shooting in El Paso, Texas: "After yesterday's shootings in El Paso, it is beyond question that terrorists motivated by a common white supremacist ideology are committing deadly attacks against Jewish, Muslim, African-American, Hispanic and other non-white communities in the United States and around the world, and pose a clear and present danger to our national security. There is legislation pending  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement in response to the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report on climate change and land use: "Today's IPCC report confirms what we are already experiencing: food and water systems are extremely vulnerable to climate change. If we don't take action to protect these resources, the climate crisis will quickly translate into a food   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the 54th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act: "Today we celebrate the anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The most important right for citizens of every democracy is the right to choose their leaders. The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy and one of the moral pillars of our country. "In 1965, it was possible to pass bipartisan legislation to better the country.  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio: "My condolences and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims in two more horrific mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton this weekend. "I'm horrified and heartbroken that these events occur with such regularity. There have been 251 mass shootings already this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, that have needlessly kill  more

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, Aug. 6 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) is excited to announce that her office is hosting the 2019 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for students in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, and the submission portal is now open. "The technical skills and innovation highlighted by the Congressional App Competition are crucial not only to the competitiveness of our future workforce, but to solvi  more

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Universal Background Checks, Closing the Charleston and Boyfriend Loopholes Stalled in the Senate * * * In the aftermath of two mass shootings this weekend in Texas and Ohio, Representative Sherrill (NJ-11) renewed her call for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring commonsense gun safety legislation passed in the House up for a floor vote. "It's been half a year since th  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding the shooting incidents in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio: "Our nation is reeling from two devastating attacks this weekend. In El Paso, a man driven by hatred, fueled by racist and dehumanizing language that has permeated our society, brought violence to a community that rightly celebrates its diversity. In Dayton, a man had the capability to kill 9 and injure so many more in 30 seconds because our   more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 9 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Albio Sires (N.J.-08) along with U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, the Ranking Member of the Senate's transit subcommittee, and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of $5,900,000 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) to make upgrades and improvements to the ferry docks at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (CRRNJ) located at Liberty State Park. The upda  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: On Friday, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a bill named in honor Braeden Bradforth, a college football player from Smith's district who died a year ago this week from "exertional heat stroke" after a football practice. The legislation, "Braeden's Commission--Protect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke," HR 4145, would establish a commission to conduct a study on exertional heat stroke among student   more

HAMILTON, New Jersey, Aug. 4 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following statement in response to the two shootings that took place in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio: "Words are inadequate to convey my profound sadness and empathy to the grieving families and friends over the loss of their loved ones in El Paso and Dayton--and deep gratitude to law enforcement for their selfless heroism. "Comprehensive background checks and an assault weapons ban are likely to make people safer   more

RED BANK, New Jersey, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - The fight to bring home American children unlawfully held abroad goes on with the Goldman Act * * * At a press conference marking the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (P.L. 113-150), U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) was joined by David and Sean Goldman of Monmouth County, the father and son reunited after a f  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Van Drew has introduced the Promoting Renewable Energy with Shared Solar (PRESS) Act to increase access to affordable, renewable energy through community solar projects. The PRESS Act would add new federal standards for states to consider, not require, enacting policies that allow community solar projects up to 2 megawatts in size to be connected to their power distribution system an  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) sent a letter (https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/USTradeRep.2019.8.6.%20Letter%20re%20Section%20230%20in%20Trade%20Agreements.pdf) today to United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer  more

CAMDEN, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today condemned this weekend's mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, that killed over 30 people and injured dozens more. Speaking to reporters following an unrelated event in Camden, the Senator outlined several common sense gun safety measures that Congress could immediately take action on if President Trump and Republicans would be willing to take on the  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D-New York, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to the steps India has taken to revise the status of Jammu and Kashmir: "As the world's largest democracy, India has an opportunity to demonstrate for all its citizens the importance of protecting and promoting equal rights, including freed  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep. Eliot L. Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to the steps India has taken to revise the status of Jammu and Kashmir: "As the world's largest democracy, India has an opportunity to demonstrate for all its citizens the importance of protecting and promoting equal rights, including freedom of assembly, acce  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Aug. 6 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced $57,621,214 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for the State of New Jersey. The grants will bolster state and local government port security, terrorism prevention, emergency preparedness and transit security efforts. "Because of our state's proximity to New York and Philadelphia, as well as our major ports, airports a  more