WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) and Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), introduced legislation that prohibits the consideration of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation when calculating damages in civil lawsuits. The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act prevents courts from determining that t  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight issued the following statement by Chairwoman Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, at a hearing entitled "Online Imposters and Disinformation": "We're here today to discuss online imposters and disinformation. Researchers generally define misinformation as information that is false but promulgated with sincerity by a person who believes it is true. Disinformation, on the other hand, is shared wi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Del. Gregorio Sablan, D-Northern Mariana Islands, issued the following infomation: Lower prescription drug prices for the 2,500 people with Medicare insurance in the Marianas and for the thousands of others with insurance through their employer or an individual plan is the goal of H.R. 3. Chairman Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) introduced the Democratic drug price reduction legislation this week. And I am a cosponsor. The proposal also restructures the Medicare Part D  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- 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 Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) today announced that the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee will hold a markup on Thursday, September 26, at 10 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The subcommittee will m  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan legislation seeks to enhance investment for pediatric cancer research * * * Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), and Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) recently introduced the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to adjust federal investment for pediatric cancer   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on federal efforts to address marine debris. The report (GAO-19-653) is titled "Marine Debris: Interagency Committee Members Are Taking Action, but Additional Steps Could Enhance the Federal Response". The report was sent to Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-New Jersey, Sen.   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on issues related to alternatives to animal research. The report (GAO-19-629) is titled "Animal Use in Research: Federal Agencies Should Assess and Report on Their Efforts to Develop and Promote Alternatives". The report was sent to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-New Jersey, Se  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on cybersecurity of the grid. The report (GAO-19-332) is titled "Critical Infrastructure Protection: Actions Needed to Address Significant Cybersecurity Risks Facing the Electric Grid". The report was sent to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Illinois, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy, Rep. Jerry McNerney,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's management of the Foreign Military Sales fees. The report (GAO-19-678) is titled "Foreign Military Sales: DOD Should Strengthen Oversight of Its Growing Transportation Account Balances". The report was sent to GrijalvaSen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Risch, R-Idah  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- 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), 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 and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittees will hold a joint hearing on   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-214) on legislation (H.R. 2781) to amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to the health professions workforce. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on Sept. 24. Excerpts of the report follow: I. Purpose and Summary H.R. 2781, the "Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness for Health Ac  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-215) on legislation (H.R. 2296) to require reporting regarding certain drug price increases. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on Sept. 24. Excerpts of the report follow: I. Purpose and Summary H.R. 2296, the "More Efficient Tools to Realize Information for Consumers Act" or the "METRIC Act", was introduced in the House on April 12, 2019, by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) an  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-208) on legislation (H.R. 1618) to encourage States to require the installation of residential carbon monoxide detectors in homes. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on September 16. Excerpts of the report follow: I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 1618, the "Nicholas and Zachary Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2019", was introduced in the House on March 7, 2019,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-207) on legislation (H.R. 806) to require compliant flame mitigation devices to be used on portable fuel containers for flammable liquid fuels. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on Sept. 13. Excerpts of the report follow: I. Purpose and Summary H.R. 806, the "Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019", was introduced in the House on January 28, 2019, by Reps. Mike Thomps  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-205) on legislation (H.R. 3170) to prohibit the manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribution in commerce or importation into the U.S. of any crib bumper. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on Sept. 13. Excerpts of the report follow: I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 3170, the "Safe Cribs Act of 2019", was introduced on June 10, 2019, by Reps. Schakowsky (D-IL), Kelly (D-IL  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-206) on legislation (H.R. 3172) to prohibit the manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribution in commerce or importation into the U.S. of any inclined sleeper for infants. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on Sept. 13. Excerpts of the report follow: I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 3172, the "Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019", was introduced in the House on June 10, 2019  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 116-209) on legislation (H.R. 2211) to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a consumer product safety rule for free-standing clothing storage units to protect children from tip-over related death or injury. The report was advanced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, on Sept. 16. Excerpts of the report follow: I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 2211, the "Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Ri  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The House Judiciary Committee issued the following testimony by Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, at a member day hearing: "I appreciate the opportunity to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the 7th District of New Jersey. "I am here today to address the rising threat of white supremacist terrorism. "Over the past several years, we have done an extremely good job protecting the United States against terrorism committed by groups based outside   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator has cosponsored SAFE Banking Act, which includes key provisions he authored * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, applauded passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019 in the House of Representatives that contains key provisions authored by the senator to ensure cannabis businesses operating in states that   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stopped a Republican poison pill that would gut the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for all beneficiaries. Senator Menendez countered by requesting Unanimous Consent for the full Senate to immediately approve House-passed legislation (H.R. 549) that provides TPS for eligible Venezuelans in the United Stat  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate adopted Menendez's bipartisan resolution recognizing September 15th through October 15th as a month to celebrate and honor Hispanic culture in the United States * * * Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, continued the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing September 15th through October 15th, 2019 as a   more

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today held a media availability in Atlantic City to discuss his efforts to get answers from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the State Department's role in President Trump's coercion of Ukrainian President Zelensky to investigate a domestic political opponent. In a letter released this morning (https:  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today held a roundtable with Indian-American community leaders from across New Jersey to discuss his commitment to fostering the U.S.-India relationship, as well as his upcoming Congressional Delegation trip to the country. The roundtable was attended by elected officials, medical professionals, entrepreneurs,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor this afternoon in response to reports that President Trump and his Acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, withheld hundreds of millions in security assistance to Ukraine until they opened an investigation intended to bolster the President's 2020 election prospects. Menendez announced   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today demanded Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explain what actions he and the State Department took when they became involved in President Donald Trump's coercion of a foreign leader to investigate his domestic political opponents. In a letter requesting the Secretary immediately testify before the Senate Fo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced a combined $1,881,530 in U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding to upgrade the water distribution system in Woodbine, Cape May County. The funding includes a $924,530 grant and an additional $957,000 in federal financing through a low-interest loan. "This important funding will allow Woodbine to modernize its infrastructure   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced $851,358 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education's 'Project Prevent' to help Newark Public Schools reduce the rate of violence by offering students mental health services, social and emotional support to help address the effects of violence, and promote conflict resolution and other school-based strategies. "Breaking the cycl  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced a combined $949,523.78 in federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) funding to improve safety and operations in local fire departments across New Jersey. The AFG program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "The incredible men and women in New Jersey fire departments go  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Banking Committee colleagues Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-N.M.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve corporate trans  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: To address the teacher shortage in America and best prepare the 21st century workforce, U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-09) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16), members of the House Committee on Education and Labor, introduced H.R. 4422, the Graduate Fellowships to Prepare Faculty In High-Need Areas at Colleges of Education Act. The Act provides fellowships for graduate stud  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $229,090 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to the Fort Lee and Little Ferry fire departments. Established through Rep. Pascrell's FIRE Act, the AFG program provides direct support to eligible fire departments to help them m  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - New control tower will be landmark in increasing airport's safety * * * Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee who served for a decade on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award a contract for the con  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Since 2008, suicide has been a leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 34, second only to accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 1.3 million suicide attempts each year resulting in over 47  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. issued a resolution this week to express his support for the designation of September 2019 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The resolution would raise awareness about prevention and treatments of prostate cancer, the second most deadly form of cancer for men. Congressman Payne, Jr., co-chair of the Congressional Men's Health Caucus, wanted the resoluti  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on reports of a whistleblower complaint against the President Trump regarding Ukraine: "As your Representative, I believe it is my utmost responsibility to both fight for my constituents and protect the Constitution. "Without it, and the rule of law, our democracy cannot continue to thrive, as it has since our founding. "The serious allegations that have surfaced about communication between President Tr  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 24, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst: I rise today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The Joint Base, and the tens of thousands based there who serve our country, is a critical part of the fabric of our community, economy, and national security. Bases McGuire, Dix and Lakehurst have sto  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on President Trump: "During my time working at the White House National Security Council, I sat in the Oval Office for a number of phone calls with world leaders. I never could have imagined the Commander in Chief on a call putting personal and political gain above our national security. "I believe the Commander in Chief role is the most sacred responsibility of the Presidency, and it is the last place where p  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Representative Tom Malinowski (NJ-7) introduced the Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act, a bill to allow retired first responders--including police officers, firefighters, and EMTs--to buy into Medicare beginning at age 50. He was joined by lead original cosponsor Representative Harley Rouda (CA-48). Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio introduced the companion measure in the Senate.  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Tom Malinowski introduced the Higher Education Student Protection Act, a bill that will hold institutions of higher education--including predatory for-profit colleges--accountable for spending disproportionately on advertising, marketing, recruitment, and lobbying relative to actual instruction. "For too long, bad actors--particularly in the for-profit college industry--have used   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Representatives Tom Malinowski (NJ-7)) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5) introduced The Shareholder Protection Act, a bill that will require the shareholders of publicly listed companies to authorize, on an annual basis, any spending by that company on political activities. Senator Bob Menendez (NJ) introduced the Senate version of the legislation in May. Since the Supreme Court's Citizens United de  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement after the Labor Department published a final rule regarding the overtime salary threshold: "President Trump reversed a good policy and took away money from 8.2 million middle-class workers today. That's cruel. "Currently, Americans with modest salaries are working unlimited hours with limited salaries. "While President Obama set out to raise the threshold, today, thanks to Trump, millions will remai  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- 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 "Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable: Legislation to Negotiate a Better Deal for Americans": "Today, we are beginning the process of finally giving the federal government the ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the American people. For years, Americans have been subsidizing  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- 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 Secure America's Wireless Future": "Today, we are considering a series of bills to secure America's wireless future. They will ensure that the government manages federal and commercial spectrum more efficiently to promote innovation and better serve all America  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change markup of 15 bills: "Today's markup is a significant step forward in this Subcommittee's ongoing efforts to address serious threats to communities nationwide. The 15 bills before us represent the hard work of many of my colleagues, and I am pleased that we have the opportunity to move them fo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing entitled "Sounding the Alarm: The Public Health Threats of E-Cigarettes": "We are here today to examine the growing public health crisis involving e-cigarettes, and the proliferation of these products among kids and teens. "I am deeply concerned about the recent outbreak of lung illne  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: "For months, the President of the United States has failed to respect the authority endowed to Congress by the Constitution. He has directed members of his Administration and former campaign officials to show contempt for Congressional subpoenas and investigations. "The reports of a whistleblower complaint clearly call into question the oath the president took to protect and defend the Constitution of  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Communications and Technology Subcommittee Will Consider Legislation at Hearing Later This Week * * * Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Brett Guthrie (R-KY) introduced the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (HR 4459), a b  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- 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), Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) today released a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report outlining the cybersecurity risks facing the U.S. electric grid  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on House decision to open an impeachment inquiry into President Trump: "The House membership did not want to arrive at this moment. Our bar was high. But Donald Trump's decision to extort a stalwart ally to smear an American political leader and meddle in our elections is banana republicanism. If we allow it to stand unanswered, then we will render the Article I branch and our entire constitutional orde  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the release of a whistleblower's report on President Trump's pattern of corruption stemming from a July 25 phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky: "The brave whistleblower's letter will go down as one of the most explosive documents in our national history. The whistleblower details a chief executive operating as two-bit gangster, using his sacred office for personal and political profi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today signaled strong approval of a deal struck between the United States and other nations that will keep America in the Universal Postal Union (UPU) which helps maintain low postal rates between nations. "I am very pleased the United States has reached a deal to remain a member of the Universal Postal Union. This deal ensures American manufacturers, business  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today reacted to emergency meetings being held in Geneva today as the Trump administration threatens to pull the United States out of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which helps maintain low postal rates between nations. "Our postal service is world-class because we work hand in hand with the international community. Quitting the Universal Postal Union would  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. announced today that his district would receive more than $3 million in subsidies to support three critical low-income family, disabled and senior housing projects. The funds would come from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and the projects are located in South Orange, Jersey City and Newark. Congressman Payne, Jr. said he was excited about the grants becau  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following opening statement at a hearing entitled "Online Imposters and Disinformation": "We're here today to discuss online imposters and disinformation. Researchers generally define misinformation as information that is false but promulgated with sincerity by a person who believes it is true. Disinformation, on the other hand, is shared with the deliberate intent to deceive. "It turns out that these days, the concepts of d  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on Ukraine allegations: "I began serving my country when I was 18 years old and entered the U.S. Naval Academy. Part of the mission of the Academy is to imbue Midshipmen "with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty ... to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government." "I try to follow the lessons I learned there. Lessons of service to my country and to my fellow citize  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement calling for an impeachment inquiry against President Trump: "The Constitution gives Congress the sole power to impeach an official, including the President. In our system of checks and balances, this authority is one that must be used with careful deliberation to hold officials accountable for their actions. "I do not take this responsibility lightly, but the President's past obstruction of Congressional in  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on President Trump's reaction to whistleblower complaint: "After reviewing the whistleblower complaint, I believe that the contents are credible and alarming. "What is even more alarming are the President's not-so-veiled threats to those who report abuses of power. The whistleblower was doing his duty by reporting the information contained in the complaint, through the proper legal channels. President Trump  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security and Trade, issued the following statement after the Trump administration signed safe third country agreements with Honduras and El Salvador: "The latest agreements with Honduras and El Salvador, combined with the agreement signed with Guatemala in July, effectively eliminate the right of people from the Northern Triangle to seek asylum in the Un  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade, convened a meeting with Eliot Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Francis Rooney (R-FL), Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, wi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the whistleblower complaint: "Today I voted for legislation urging that the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community immediately transmit the August 12, 2019 whistleblower complaint to Congress, with the intent that Congress be given the opportunity to fairly evaluate the complaint in a bipartisan manner--consistent with statutes and processes to guard classified and sensitive information. "The ori  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: This morning Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) provided opening remarks via video at Seton Hall University's "2019 Forum on Modern Slavery: 21st Century Solutions." Smith, the prime author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, thanked the participants for their commitment to end this modern day slavery and urged them to continue their good work on behalf of victims--who are mostly women and ch  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The House of Representatives has approved a request by New Jersey U.S. Rep. Chris Smith directing the Department of Defense's Inspector General to determine whether the military experimented with ticks and insects as possible biological weapons between 1950 and 1975. The 4th Congressional District representative said he wants to know if such experimentation is connected with the growth of Lyme disease an  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Van Drew announces the award of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program totaling $6,104,877.00 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. Th  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ)), Congressman Jim Hagedorn (R-MN) Congressman Ron Estes (R-KS), and Congressman Paul Mitchell (R-MI) introduced American Workforce Empowerment Act, a bipartisan solution to address the growing shortage of skilled workers to fill job openings in the technical and skilled trades. Workforce development is key to sustaining jobs and economic growth. Trade unions, manufactur  more

SUMMIT, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- The Congressional Award issued the following news: Nearly 100 New Jersey student leaders were recognized by Congress for their personal goal setting and community service at a statewide Congressional Award ceremony held on Saturday, September 21, 2019. U.S. Representatives Tom Malinowski (NJ-07) and Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) presented the awards on behalf of Congress. "I want to congratulate all 98 recipients of The Congressional Award for New Jersey," said Con  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, and Paul D. Tonko, D-New York, chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, after Environmental Protection Agency external science advisors identified concerns with the agency's draft risk evaluation of Pigment Violet 29, one of t  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Michael Doyle, D-Pennsylvania, chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, after a ruling by the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Federal Communications Commission should have closely considered the impact its 2017 media ownership rules would have on minority ownership: "The Trump FCC has consistently pla  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- 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 attempted to unanimously pass new comprehensive legislation to ensure Congress and the American people get a full accounting of how President Trump leveraged security assistance to Ukraine for his personal gain. Full Senate passage of Menend  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today attempted to unanimously pass new comprehensive legislation to ensure Congress and the American people get a full accounting of how President Trump leveraged security assistance to Ukraine for his personal gain. Full Senate passage of Menendez's Ukraine Foreign Assistance Integrity and Accountability Act o  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Menendez-led, Whitehouse-led components pass separate committees * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) applauded passage today of two key components of Save Our Seas 2.0 by the SFRC and the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW). In June, the Senators introduce  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Educators would be eligible for up to $11,500 in tax credits * * * U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would put more money back in the pockets of educators and help diversify the teaching workforce. The compensation of educators in 30 states across the country is below a family living wage and after adjusting for cost of living, teacher salaries declined in New Jersey a  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the followign statement on House passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act: "As the SAFE Banking Act now heads to the Senate, we can and we must do more. With this legislation, we can both address the pressing need for cannabis businesses to access financial institutions and provide real restorative justice for those most harmed by the failed War on Drugs. It's simply not enou  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: Senate Banking Committee members, U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Doug Jones (D-Alabama), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), and John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve corporate transparency, strengthen national security, and help law enforcement co  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: The U.S. Senate unanimously supported a Senate Resolution designating September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) introduced the resolution, which aims to "educate people in the United States about prostate cancer and early detection strategies crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families." "I know first  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- 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, stopped a Republican poison pill that would gut the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for all beneficiaries. Senator Menendez countered by requesting Unanimous Consent for the full Senate to immediately approve House-passed legislation (H.R.   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- 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, this morning sent a series of letters demanding an urgent and full investigation into the Trump Administration's efforts to block nearly $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine and whether the Administration sought to extract commitments from  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this morning sent a series of letters demanding an urgent and full investigation into the Trump Administration's efforts to block nearly $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine and whether the Administration sought to extract commitments from the Ukrainian government to take action against President Trump's  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement applauding the Committee's passage of a Senate resolution (S. Res. 236) to reaffirm the U.S.-Tunisia partnership and to publicly support Tunisia's ongoing transition into a vibrant and stable democracy. "I am very pleased to see this important resolution reaffirming the strong partnership between Tunisia and the United States pass unanimously throu  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor this afternoon in response to reports that President Trump and his Acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, withheld hundreds of millions in security assistance to Ukraine until they opened an investigation intended to bo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today demanded Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explain what actions he and the State Department took when they became involved in President Donald Trump's coercion of a foreign leader to investigate his domestic political opponents. In a letter  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate unanimously approved his Ebola Eradication Act of 2019. The legislation directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to immediately provide assistance for global health and certain other actions necessary to respon  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today applauded the adoption of their bipartisan Senate Resolution declaring September 2019 as "National Prostate Awareness Month". S.Res.321 is aimed at increasing awareness of prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in American men, except for skin cancer, and encourages all Americans to take part in efforts to increase early dete  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- 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 Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved their bipartisan resolution in remembrance of the  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following joint statement with Sens. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, and Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vermont, in response to President Trump's reference to a letter they sent to the General Prosecutor of Ukraine in 2018 raising their concerns that the Trump administration could unduly pressure Ukraine into obstructing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation by withholding funding: "President Trump is desperate to divert attent  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vermont, issued the following joint statement with Sens. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, and Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, in response to President Trump's reference to a letter they sent to the General Prosecutor of Ukraine in 2018 raising their concerns that the Trump administration could unduly pressure Ukraine into obstructing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation by withholding funding: "President Trump is desperate to divert attention from   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following joint statement with Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vermont, in response to President Trump's reference to a letter they sent to the General Prosecutor of Ukraine in 2018 raising their concerns that the Trump administration could unduly pressure Ukraine into obstructing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation by withholding funding: "President Trump is desperate to divert attention fr  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement with Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vermont, in response to President Trump's reference to a letter they sent to the General Prosecutor of Ukraine in 2018 raising their concerns that the Trump administration could unduly pressure Ukraine into obstructing the Mueller investigation by withholding funding: "President Trump is desperate to dive  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statements after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved their bipartisan resolution in remembrance of the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina: The 25th anniversary marked the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina's history, having resulted in the death of 85 people and wounding more than 300 people. The res  more