WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Rep. Gallego (D-AZ) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives * * * U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would prevent the Trump Administration from deporting the immediate family members of U.S. soldiers and veterans. Specifically, the Protecting Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families Act would prohibit the deportation of the spouses, parents, childr  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Tom Carper (D-DE) reintroduced a bill to protect the North Atlantic right whale, one of the most endangered species of whales. The Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered (SAVE) Right Whales Act establishes a grant program to promote collaboration between states, nongovernmental organizations, and members of the fishing and shipping industries  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Legislation would provide states with financial flexibility to advance pressing drinking water infrastructure projects * * * Late yesterday, the Senate unanimously voted to pass legislation authored by New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez that could help communities across the country, including Newark, remove lead from drinking water. Specifically, the Water Infrastructure Funding   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) introduced the Protect Our Military Children Act, H.R. 4295, a bill that will require the Department of Defense to carry out testing of children living at military facilities to track levels of Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. "The health risks of PFAS impact e  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced today that the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday, September 19, at 10:30 am in Room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building on product hopping in the pharmaceut  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) announced today that the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday, September 19 at 10 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building entitled, "Protecting Unaccompanied  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) announced today that the Health Subcommittee will hold a field hearing on Thursday, October 3, in Chicago, Illinois on the public health threat posed by gun violence. The hearing will be held at the University of Chicago Medical Center.   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) announced today that the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, September 25, on the public health impacts and regulatory authorities related to e-cigarette manufacturing, sales and us  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) announced today that the Energy Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Friday, September 20, at 9 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building on using energy efficiency measures to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution att  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and Climate Change Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) announced today that the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, September 18, at 10 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building on the need to significantly curb industri  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Florida, issued the following joint statement with Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado, Dina Titus, D-Nevada, and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, after the House Judiciary Committee passed gun violence prevention legislation, including the Keep Americans Safe Act (H.R. 1186): "Today's votes by the House Judiciary Committee make clear that Democrats are serious about advancing the kind of common-sense gun safety measures the American people are demandin  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the U.S. government's implementation of conventional arms transfer policy. The report (GAO-19-673R) is titled "Conventional Arms Transfer Policy: Agency Processes for Reviewing Direct Commercial Sales and Foreign Military Sales Align with Policy Criteria". The report was sent to Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Sept. 9. Here are excerpts of summarie  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on actions taken to facilitate access to investigational drugs. The report (GAO-19-630) is titled "Investigational Drugs: FDA and Drug Manufacturers Have Ongoing Efforts to Facilitate Access for Some Patients". The report was sent to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on funding and projects the U.S. has provided under the Merida Initiative. The report (GAO-19-647) is titled "U.S. Assistance to Mexico: State and USAID Allocated over $700 Million to Support Criminal Justice, Border Security, and Related Efforts from Fiscal Year 2014 through 2018". The report was sent to Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Se  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the status of U.S. Agency for International Development's reform efforts. The report (GAO-19-609) is titled "USAID Reform: Efforts Address Most Key Practices but Could Improve in Performance Assessment and Strategic Workforce Planning". The report was sent to Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Ho  more

RIDGEWOOD, New Jersey, Sept. 9 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Gottheimer announces bipartisan FASTER Act to freeze assets of ISIS-inspired, white supremacists & other homegrown domestic terrorists - Stresses need for greater civility * * * Today, Monday, September 9, 2019, both U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9) stood together, on the heels of the eighteenth anniversary of the September 11t  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 9 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Hundreds die, thousands sickened each year from carbon monoxide poisoning * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate's housing subcommittee, visited the N.J. Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJPIES) in Newark today to outline bipartisan legislation to protect families living in public and rural housing from the "silent killer" by requirin  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator says GOP Leader McConnell should quickly bring CO ALERTS Act up for vote in Senate * * * A day after visiting the New Jersey Poison Control Center to discuss his bipartisan legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors in federally subsidized residences, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate housing subcommittee, applauded unanimous passage of the CO ALERTS Act   more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 9 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today called on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Republicans to do their jobs and bring common-sense gun legislation to the floor for a vote, including his bill to ban high-capacity magazines, instead of waiting for President Trump to tell them what he might sign into law. Sen. Menendez made these in response to a reporter's question followin  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and the ranking Democrat on the housing subcommittee, today received a direct commitment from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson to "do what is necessary" to assist Newark and the surrounding New Jersey communities following elevated lead level tests in drinking water. "As you know, the City of New  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and Cory Booker today announced a $500,000 federal grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to ensure Atlantic County first responders are properly trained to administer emergency treatment to individuals experiencing an opioid overdose. The grant  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced the expansion of the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to include Gloucester County, which has experienced a sharp rise in both heroin and opioid use and trafficking. The designation will allow Gloucester County to receive federal resources to further the coordination and development of drug con  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 9 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of a combined $9,834,002 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) to support the revitalization of communities across New Jersey. "Investing in our communities spurs economic development, creates jobs, increases safe and affordab  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Legislation would provide states with financial flexibility to advance pressing drinking water infrastructure projects * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of their bill that would help communities, such as Newark, remove lead from drinking water. The Water Infrastructure Funding Transfer Act would give states facing public health cri  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today called on the Trump Administration to rethink its proposed tariffs on food products imported from Europe though New Jersey ports--including cheese, pasta, olive oil, meats and wines--that would severely hike prices on everyday groceries and cost thousands of New Jersey jobs in importation, distribution, sales, marketing, and local retail. "The proposed  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously approved their bipartisan Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (S.178). The bill was introduced to counter the totalitarian Chinese government's widespread and horrific h  more

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators urge FAA to close safety loophole allowing chopper company to continue dangerous behavior * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today stood at the site of a deadly 2018 tourist chopper crash in the East River that originated in Kearny, N.J., and killed five passengers to call for federal action to close a legal loophole that allows a tourist chopper comp  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - The Keep Americans Safe Act would prohibit the transfer, importation, or possession of magazines able to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and the Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), were joined by two dozen colleagues in calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to act on their Keep Americans Safe Act (S.447), whic  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * As the Brazilian Amazon continues to be ravaged by tens of thousands of fires, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led a group of his Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to intensify U.S. support and diplomatic engagement with Brazil to better address the environmental crisis. In two separate letters  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Cites economic, environmental & national security reasons for keeping oil & gas rigs away from the Atlantic Coast * * * Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted for the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, H.R. 1941, which blocks new offshore drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. The bill is a direct rejection of the Trump Administration's attempts to o  more

LONG BRANCH, New Jersey, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act * * * Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced two federal grants totaling nearly $1 million for legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence and children who are exposed to domestic violence, as well as a new prevention program and public awareness campaign. Pallone also called on Senate Republi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today reacted to a report that upon his return from an overseas trip, Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah was held by authorities at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York for three hours, where he faced hostile inquiry and was forced to give authorities his phone. "Mayor Khairullah's account describes profiling against Muslims. If he was targeted by authoriti  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Federal homeland security grant will fund the hiring, retention of firefighters * * * Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced the awarding of $675,058 in federal aid to the fire departments of Englewood and Lyndhurst. With the $607,658 allocated for Englewood, the city will use these   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Payne, Jr. Welcomes Homeownership Opportunities for District Residents * * * - Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.'s Welcomes Homeownership Opportunties for District Residents * * * Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. issued the following statement in support of Wells Fargo's Essex County Neigh  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Forty-seven percent of 18-34 year olds in New Jersey are living with their parents - the most in the nation - Gottheimer Fights to Combat $1.5 Trillion Student Debt Crisis to Boost Homeownership, Lower Debt, Protect Borrowers * * * Today, Tuesday, September 10th, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), during a Financial Services Committee hearing with student loan experts, called fo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Van Drew announces the award of the competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) totaling $435,433.56 to fire stations in New Jersey's Second Congressional District. The award will be split between four fire departments throughout the district in South Jersey. "Our first responders perform invaluable work for their community each day. They risk their lives to protect, save,   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Van Drew announces the award of the competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) totaling $194.290.46 to fire stations in New Jersey's Second Congressional District. The award will be split between three fire departments throughout the district in South Jersey. "The AFG program continues to help our first responders in South Jersey to get the protective equipment and traini  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks: "Today's anniversary of the horrific terror attacks on 9/11 isn't just a time to mourn those lost, but a reminder to rededicate ourselves to honoring their memories and those left behind. "This will be the first 9/11 anniversary since the permanent reauthorization of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. This means our first responders who are still struggling   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to pass the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, H.R. 1941, which blocks new offshore drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines and protects communities like those in Ocean County from the negative impact of expanded drilling. "Our shore communities aren't just famous for their beaches as a destination for tourists and their economic importance for   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the 18th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks: "On this day 18 years ago nearly 3,000 people were taken from us in the September 11th terror attacks. In the 7th district of New Jersey, where so many commute into New York, many of us lost family, friends or neighbors. "These attacks showed us the worst side of humanity, but we continue to find hope in the bravery of those who responded t  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following testimony: Today Congressman Tom Malinowski testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee about the need for greater investment in innovative solutions to address the mental health crisis in the veterans' community. "We often pause to thank veterans for their service in uniform; we don't often enough appreciate their service to us out of uniform. When I was growing up, I was privileged to have WWII and K  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, the House passed H.R. 1941, The Coastal and Marine Economics Protection Act, which prohibits future leases and preleases for oil and gas development in the Atlantic and Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning areas, including off the coast of New Jersey. In January 2018, the Trump administration published a draft offshore gas and oil leasing plan that would open up more than 90 percent  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Pallone advocated on House Floor for permanent moratorium on oil and gas exploration * * * Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) applauded House passage of a permanent offshore drilling ban along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, would place a permanent moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocea  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 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) blasted news that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is launching an investigation into the fuel economy deal four automakers recently brokered with the state of California: "This is a desperate intimidation campaign against those working to support clean air protections for all America  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing entitled "Legislating to Connect America: Improving the Nation's Broadband Maps": "This year, our Committee has focused on improving telecommunications services for consumers. In July, the House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, and earlier this year the   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at the Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled "Improving Maternal Health: Legislation to Advance Prevention Efforts and Access to Care": "Today we are examining the often-tragic reality of the maternal health system in our nation, and a number of policies that could dramatically improve health outcomes for new mothers and their children. "Ever  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks at the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change hearing entitled "Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks": "Today, on the 18th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, we are here to discuss important security legislation that could help prevent another attack. "We will never forget 9/11 and its longstandin  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the Food and Drug Administration's announcement that it would soon act to remove flavored vaping products from the market: "FDA's announcement that it will ban flavored vaping products is long overdue and I hope it's implemented swiftly in order to begin to reverse the sharp increase in youth nicotine addiction, including the 78 percent increase in  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Reps. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Bobby Rush, D-Illinois, chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, issued the following joint statement after the House passed three energy bills to improve energy efficiency and security: "Secure and efficient energy infrastructure is absolutely critical to combatting the growing climate crisis, keeping electricity bills low, and ensuring our communities are safe. "Collectively,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Reps. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Paul D. Tonko, D-New York, chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, issued the following joint statement on House passage of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (H.R. 1768): "Clean diesel engines and equipment play an important role in the American economy by transporting goods across the country and creating good, local manufacturing jobs nationwide. "Si  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today reacted harshly to published reports that in May 2017, U.S. intelligence services removed a high-level source in Russia out of fear that Donald Trump's actions may have been endangering the source's life. "These reports are nothing short of a national security crisis. The damage this breach causes is incalculable and the accompanying treachery could be o  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 9, recognizing the centennial of the American Legion: I rise today to recognize the centennial of The American Legion, which was founded in Paris, France, on March 15, 1919 by delegates from combat and service units of the American Expeditionary Force. For those who do not know this history, the United States Congress granted a national charter to t  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. issued a resolution today to promote more education and awareness activities about Peripheral Artery Disease (or PAD) to support September as PAD Awareness Month. The disease is a life-threatening, chronic circulatory condition. It causes blood vessels that lead from the heart to the limbs to narrow and slows or blocks blood flow. If left untreated, it can kill th  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. Aids Bottled Water Distribution at Two Facilities * * * Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. handed out bottled water and discussed Newark's water crisis with residents at two local facilities Sept. 6. The Congressman spent more than two hours at the Bo Porter Sports Complex and the Boylan Street Recreation Center, where he helped residents get the clean wat  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) participated in the Pentagon's September 11th Observance and released the following statement on the 18th anniversary of the 2001 attacks: "For eighteen years, we've celebrated and mourned the members of our community we lost in 2001, and the bravery of the first responders who ran towards the burning buildings in Lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and Shanksville  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted this week to protect New Jersey's 130 miles of coastline and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Coastal Marine Economics Protection Act (H.R. 1941) passed in the House last night with bipartisan support. It would establish a permanent moratorium on oil and gas leasing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain P  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs' subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade, issued the following opening remarks at a hearing on the fires in the Brazilian Amazon: "I convened this hearing because protecting the Amazon is vital for the health of our planet. The Amazon Rainforest is the most biodiverse region in the world. It also contains approximately one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply. The water r  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding House passage of coastal protection legislation: "Today the House finished voting on three bills: H.R. 1941, H.R. 205, and H.R. 1146. These bills would ban oil and gas drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "I voted for the anti-coastal drilling bills because I don't believe we need to thre  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to allow the Trump administration's policy restricting asylum to take effect: "I am disappointed at the Supreme Court's decision to allow the Trump Administration's asylum ban to be fully enforced. "It is contrary to American values to arbitrarily turn away those  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Cong. Smith, NJ State Assemblyman Dave Wolf (right to left) and other officials, business owners and residents listen to USACE Project Manager Keith Watson, standing at right in background. Congressman Chris Smith held a community meeting in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Monday to discuss the impact of the 22-foot dunes recently built by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) along the commercial areas di  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 9, honoring scientist, educator and innovator Walter S. McAfee: As a result of legislation I introduced (H.R. 3655) which was signed into law (P.L. 115-151), more than 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Post Office located on Main Street in Belmar, NJ at a ceremony to rename the building in honor of Dr. Walter S. McAfee--an extraordinary scientist, educ  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 11, remembering the victims of 9/11: Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing--I was here in Washington chairing a Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing--when a group of cowards hijacked 4 airliners in order to perpetrate the worst act of terrorism in American history. Nearly 700 New Jerseyans lost their lives that day. No-one remembers  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: At the request of Rep. Van Drew, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold an oversight hearing titled, "Examining the Benefits and Potential Challenges for New Jersey's Growing Offshore Wind Industry," in Wildwood, NJ. "Offshore wind is critical to meeting our clean energy goals to create good-paying jobs and to reduce the threat of climate change. However, our fishermen wh  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Van Drew voted to pass H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, a bill that blocks new offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines and protects communities from the negative impact of expanded drilling. Congressman Van Drew was an original co-sponsor of the bill, continuing his fight for the coastal and marine economies  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. participated in a roundtable on September 4 for the House Committee on Homeland Security in Pittsburgh. He issued the following statement about what he learned from city officials regarding how they have dealt with mass shootings and domestic terrorism one year after a domestic terrorist killed 11 worshippers at a local synagogue. "We have to get the American people a  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Reps. Richard E. Neal, D-Massachusetts, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to appeal U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross's decision approving the sale of Hahnemann University Hospital's medical resident training program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for $55 million: * * * - Urge C  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Reps. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Richard E. Neal, D-Massachusetts, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following joint statement urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to appeal U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross's decision approving the sale of Hahnemann University Hospital's medical resident training program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for $55 million: * * * - Urge C  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Booker bill would create national gun licensing program * * * Following a series of fatal mass shootings across the country, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Federal Firearm Licensing Act. The ambitious legislation would require individuals to obtain a firearm license from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before purchasing or recei  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Kamala Harris (D-CA), introduced a bill that promotes equitable access to parks, green spaces, and public lands and waters. The Transit to Trails Act creates a grant program to fund projects that make transportation to green spaces and public lands more accessible for critically underserved c  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Booker bill will create a three-year pilot program in up to 15 high-unemployment communities across country * * * U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), today reintroduced ambitious legislation to create a three-year pilot program at the Department of Labor to test the promise and impact of a federal jobs guarantee in up to 15 communities and  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), requesting that the agency analyze the consequences of President Trump allowing the 2011 New Strategic Arms   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement commemorating 18 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks: "Eighteen years ago, countless New Jerseyans watched in horror as the New York skyline was pierced by terror and the course of our nation's history was forever changed. On this solemn anniversary, we once again take pause to remember the 2,974 victims - including more than 700 New Jerseyans - who perished on September 11th, 2001. It is our r  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: Following reports that the Trump Administration will refuse to grant temporary protections to Bahamians affected by Hurricane Dorian, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today was joined by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-Mass.),  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 9 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke at length after President Trump called off a summit at Camp David that he had secretly scheduled to include representatives of the Taliban. In response to a reporter's question during an unrelated press conference in Newark, Menen  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: As the Brazilian Amazon continues to be ravaged by tens of thousands of fires, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led a group of his Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to intensify U.S. support and diplomatic engagement with Brazil to bette  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sens. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio, R-Florida, issued the following statements after the Senate unanimously approved their bipartisan Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (S.178): The bill was introduced to counter the totalitarian Chinese government's widespread and horrific human rights abuses in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, including the mass internment of over one million Uyghurs and other pr  more