WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - NDAA includes a Booker-led provision to help military spouses obtain professional licensing * * * The U.S. Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a provision authored by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to help military spouses, who face a 24 percent unemployment rate, obtain professional licensing. The bill now awaits President Trump's signature. "Our mili  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - In bicameral letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, lawmakers question the use of facial recognition in public housing, highlight possible threats to residents' safety and civil liberties * * * U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Wyden, (D-OR), Sherrod Brown, (D-OH), Edward Markey, (D-MA), and Kamala Harris, (D-CA), and U.S. Representatives Yvette Clarke, (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley, (D-MA), and Rash  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Several provisions championed by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, that will unlock critical resources for New Jersey transportation priorities, such as the Gateway Program, were included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 spending bill that was passed by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 19. The measure contains spending bills for the Departments of Agricultur  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Malinowski voted to pass the bipartisan United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). After months of re-negotiation, House Democrats reached a deal with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on a series of significant improvements to the Trump Administration's proposed agreement that will set the highest standards for enforcement and enforceability. Specifically, House Democrats have secu  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Bill to Address Rising Rate of Youth Suicide Introduced Alongside Report * * * Following months of listening events and meetings in Washington, DC and across multiple Congressional districts, The Congressional Black Caucus's Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health released a report, "Ring the Alarm: the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America." outlining the state  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Last Saturday, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- 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), Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Brett Guthrie (R-KY) applauded the passage by voice vote in the House of Representatives of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (HR 4998), their bipartisan bill to help secure America's telecommunication  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sens. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, Benjamin Cardin, D-Maryland, Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, issued the following statements after the committee voted to approve the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act: Adopted in a vote of 17-5, the comprehensive, bipartisan bill significantly increases the political, diplomatic, and   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, Rep. Michael Doyle, D-Pennsylvania, chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and Ranking Member Robert E. Latta, R-Ohio, after the Senate passed the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, otherwise known as the TRACED Act: The Hous  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Keeping Health Care Costs Down, Protecting Our Water, Supporting Law Enforcement, Securing Houses of Worship * * * U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer voted to pass a package of vital federal investments to benefit all North Jersey families, including a 3.1 percent pay increase for all military service members; repeals of the "Cadillac" Tax, the Medical Device Tax, and the Health Insurance Tax;  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a telephone town hall with thousands of North Jersey residents, which included discussions about clawing back more of our federal tax dollars to fix our crumbling roads, bridges, and tunnels, especially the Gateway Tunnel; fighting to protect carpool discounts; and fighting back against higher tolls and congestion taxes. Fixi  more

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Standing in solidarity with Jersey City's Jewish community and Greenville neighborhood * * * U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer, joined by U.S. Congressman Donald Payne (NJ-10), U.S. Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-8), Elan Carr, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the U.S. State Department, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Jewish Federation of Northern New   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Gottheimer Releases Model of Tax Cut Benefits at All Income Levels - Bipartisan bill fights back against Moocher States, repeals SALT deduction cap, saving Fifth District families $5.6 billion total each year New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Realtors backs tax cut legislation, will help * * * U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer released a model for the massive tax cuts Fifth Distric  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate Democrats, Led by Sen. Schumer and Menendez, Urge President Trump to Renew Efforts to Develop Workable Diplomatic Process to Structure Real, Serious, and Sustainable Negotiations with North Korea. Senate Democrats Emphasize that North Korea's Nuclear Weapons and Ballistic Missile Capabilities Have Advanced and Pose Seri  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez applauded Senate passage of the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act that cracks down on illegal, unwanted robocalls. The bill now heads to the President for his signature. Sen. Menendez co-sponsored the original TRACED Act, passed by the Senate in May. In July, the House of Representatives passed New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone's Stopping Ba  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez voted in favor of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and applauded several inclusions that will benefit New Jersey's military installations, including the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Picatinny Arsenal. The bill now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. "I'm proud that this bipartisan and comprehensive bill supports our brave women and  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - According to LGBTQ advocates, recent ads in the platform have spread misinformation about HIV prevention drugs * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg blasting the social media company for their continued complacency regarding the spread of dangerous health misinf  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: US. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this morning sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo following reports that the Trump Administration is currently planning to recall U.S. Ambassador William Taylor from his post in Kyiv, Ukraine. Recalling Ambassador Taylor would leave a critical vacancy at a time when the U.S.-Ukraine relationship rema  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - More than two years after Hurricane Maria Devastated Puerto Rico, 9,000 U.S. citizens still lack access to a functioning health care facility on Vieques * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Representatives Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the Departm  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced that the New Jersey Department of Health was awarded $1,954,028 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support their mission of providing care to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. "We must do all we can to help ensure individuals living with HIV/AIDS have access to the critical treatment and services they need to  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - The legislation would directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and a group of colleagues in introducing new legislation directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for fir  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators Call on CEO Jamie Dimon to Demonstrate Commitment through Action * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Senate Banking Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) were joined by Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), demanding answers from JPMorgan Chase for their continued patterns of racial discrimi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - For the past two years, the Bureau has failed to conduct supervisory examinations of student loan servicers' handling of loans owned by the federal government * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Senate Banking Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) were joined by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) along with Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced legislation that would help parents protect their children against dangerous counterfeit toys and products purchased online. The Stop All Nefarious Toys in America (SANTA) Act would require online marketplaces like Amazon to clearly publish the origin, seller name, location and contact  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) issued the following statements after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee overwhelmingly voted to approve the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (DASKA) of 2019. Adopted in a vote of 17-  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Spending bill includes investments in key health care priorities, gun safety, Gateway, election security, education & environment * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) applauded passage of a bipartisan federal funding package for Fiscal Year 2020 that provides significant new investments in gun safety, election security, child care, and higher education. The Senator also secured key fundi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that two Haddonfield Memorial High School (HMHS) students have won the 2019 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey's First Congressional District. Senior Julian George and Junior Pierre Yan created their app "Market Royale" to educate players on finances through teaching them skills such as investing, saving, basic economic patterns and financial ca  more

TEANECK, New Jersey, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Gottheimer honors North Jersey's everyday heroes: veterans, first responders, students, search and rescuers, teachers, and community leaders * * * U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored local first responders, veterans, students, search and rescuers, life-saving bystanders, volunteers, teachers, community leaders, and residents who have made outstanding contributions to the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on articles of impeachment against President Trump: "From its inception, I promised to follow the facts of this inquiry to the end, not prejudge its outcome, and render a decision driven by the Constitution, not partisan politics. In the subsequent weeks, I listened to testimony, reviewed all available evidence, including the Intelligence and Judiciary Committee reports and transcripts, listened to my cons  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. John Joyce, R-Pennsylvania, issued the following statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Dec. 18, entitled "Saluting Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Santay": I rise today to salute the many accomplishments of Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Santay, who has served our nation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania admirably for more than 30 years, including 16 years in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. After enlisting in the Army Reserves   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced that his office has successfully assisted Burlington and Ocean County residents with more than 1,500 issues with federal agencies such as Medicare, Social Security or the Department of Veterans Affairs. "Some of my proudest moments of the last year don't have anything to do with legislation passed in Washington, but the people our office has been able to help back home   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The House of Representatives passed all twelve Fiscal Year 2020 government funding bills, which contain several provisions championed by Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) that will benefit New Jersey families. "New Jersey families pay more than their fair share to the federal government, and in my first year, I'm proud to have fought to bring critical funding back to our communities," said Congressman Kim. "Worki  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement announcing the intention to vote in favor of articles of impeachment: "The presidency is a sacred position in our nation; one that we should all feel humbled by, and one that is bigger than any individual. As someone who had the honor of working in the White House and stepping foot in the Oval Office and the Situation Room, I've seen the awesome power of the presidency, but I also came away from that experience a  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to pass H.R. 5377, the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would provide much needed tax relief for New Jersey families by restoring the state and local tax (SALT) deduction for 2020 and 2021. "Acting to restore the SALT deduction is long past due," said Congressman Kim. "New Jersey families know that our taxes are too high because it's a reality they  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to allow the implementation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which improves elements of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that will help grow jobs and strengthen worker and environmental protections. "American businesses can out-innovate and the American people can outwork anyone in the world when the rules are fair," said Congressman Kim. "The USM  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Tom Malinowski introduced the Fairness for Landowners Facing Eminent Domain Act, which reforms the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to protect property owners facing eminent domain for the construction of pipelines. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) joined as original co-sponsors. The  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the articles of impeachment against President Trump: When I was running for Congress last year, I often recounted a memory from when I was five years old in Poland, of my mom pushing a pile of cash across a table to a corrupt Communist functionary so that he would give us a passport to come to America. At that age, I didn't understand exactly what was happening, but I still felt it wasn't right. I see   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Malinowski kept his promise to New Jersey's 7th District by passing the bipartisan H.R. 5377, the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act. Last week Congressman Malinowski led a group of 81 colleagues urging Speaker Pelosi to bring this legislation to the House Floor before the end of the year. He led the debate on behalf of House Democrats urging final passage of the bill. Wa  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: At Representative Malinowski's request, the Budget deal announced last night restores funding for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Programs to prevent domestic terrorism, including by white supremacists, that the Trump Administration cut in 2017. On December 3rd, Representative Malinowski led a letter signed by 13 colleagues to the Appropriations Committee requesting new funding for the Office   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement announcing the intentions to vote in favor of the articles of impeachment: "This is a time of grave concern for all Americans. Over two years ago, I was one of the first Members of Congress to vote to advance an impeachment inquiry. "Since then, I have withheld final judgement as I reviewed the facts and heard testimony from each witness. "I believe there is overwhelming evidence to conclude well beyo  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today voted in favor of both articles - Article I: Abuse of Power and Article II: Obstruction of Congress - of impeachment against President Trump. "Today's events are a solemn reminder of our duty as Americans to protect the great democracy that our founders built. "This past weekend, I traveled with a bipartisan delegation to Belgium and Luxembourg for the 7  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the Energy Department's announcement that it is finalizing a rollback of lightbulb efficiency standards: "It saddens me to see that Dan Brouillette's first major action as Secretary is perpetrating President Trump's senseless, backwards efficiency policies. "The facts on this are indisputable, and Secretary Brouillette knows as well as I that light  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal for the disposal of coal ash: "Once again the Trump Administration is prioritizing coal industry interests over Americans' health and environment. "With this announcement, the Trump EPA is continuing its rollback of critical coal ash protections to benefit the few at the expense of the many. "The coal  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Texas vs. U.S. striking down the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and throwing the rest of law into jeopardy: "Republicans took another step forward in their grand scheme to strike down the ACA, eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions and take health insurance away from tens of million  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the House impeachment of President Trump: "My colleagues on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees presented a clear case to the American people that was supported by evidence and facts. It's clear that the President used his immense power for personal gain and then obstructed a lawful Congressional investigation into his wrongdoings. "The President's actions put our democracy and national   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on House passage of the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act: "The Republican tax scam was a bad deal for New Jersey and all working families trying to make ends meet. "It's unacceptable that the GOP tax plan fills the coffers of the wealthy and big corporations as thousands of people in my home state pay for it. "I voted in favor of repealing the cap on the state and local tax deductio  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement: "I voted against the original NAFTA because it was a bad deal for American workers. There has been a steep decline in U.S. manufacturing jobs over the past 25 years as a result of NAFTA's lax enforcement rules that encouraged corporations to outsource jobs to Mexico. "Unfortunately, NAFTA 2.0 does little to improve upon this corporate giveaway that fails to prioriti  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- 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. (NJ-06), Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03),Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Az  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Democratic House and Senate Committee leaders sent a letter (https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/HHS%20Letter%20re%20CMS%20Contracts%202019.12.17.pdf) to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar reiterating their March 2019 request for information and documents concerning Centers for   more

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - In New Jersey, the average annual cost of prescription drugs rose nearly 58 percent between 2012 to 2017 * * * Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and Tom Malinkowski (NJ-07) celebrated the House of Representatives' passage last week of landmark legislation that will lower prescription drug prices, add vision, hearing and dental coverage for Med  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following floor remarks in favor of the impeachment of President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction: We are here today because of the failure of so many to cast aside narrow ambition to confront the threat standing before us. Offered the chance to investigate this government together, the other side stonewalled and obstructed. We are here today because they choose comfort over courage and avarice over republic. This  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following floor statement: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), New Jersey's only member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, announced on the House floor he would vote against final passage of H.R. 5430, implementing legislation allowing the revised North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico to be enacted. Pascrell also opposed reporting the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee's subcommittee on Trade, issued the following statement on the China trade agreement: "This trade agreement made between the United States and the China must be a dead letter, a longtime critic of Trump's trade policies. "The chaos of Trump's trade war has battered Americans so badly that the Trump administration resorted to full-blown socialist payoffs to farmers to curry electoral favo  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding the House vote to approve the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158) and Further Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1865): "Today the House considered two spending bills to fund our government for the next fiscal year. Both bills contained several of our shared priorities and wins for New Jersey and the American people, including increased funding for the National Institutes of Health a  more

PATERSON, New Jersey, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) commended the resolution to permanently shutter the Keegan Landfill in Kearny. The hydrogen sulfide-emitting landfill, which is operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), will now be transformed into a public recreation space for Hudson County residents. "Today is a great day for Kearny and Hudson County residents who are enti  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Critical middle-class tax relief passes House 218 to 206 * * * Longstanding efforts led by U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) to provide tax relief to millions of Americans by repealing much of the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction paid off with House approval of H.R. 5377, the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act. Today's bill was modeled after Rep. Pascr  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Federal, state, county, local officials highlight devastating impact of Republican tax scam, urgent need for reform * * * U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), and other officials spoke at the Saddle Brook Police Department to discuss legislation passed in the House Ways and Means Committee last week that will lift the onerous cap on the state and local tax (SALT  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. visited the site of the Jersey City shooting December 16 before he attended the wake for Jersey City Det. Joseph Seals, one of the victims of an attack that killed four people December 10. The Congressman's visit comes a day after he paid a Shiva call to the Ferencz family to mourn the death of another victim, Mindy Ferencz. Law enforcement officials have called the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. cast the historic vote to support House Resolution 755 (H.Res.755), which contains two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. The two articles stated that Trump abused the power of his office to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election and obstructed Congressional investigations into his conduct. President Trump's actions   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Legislation Eliminates the Marriage Penalty, Provides Additional Tax Relief for Teachers and First Responders Nationwide Follows Sherrill's 12 Days of SALT Campaign Demanding a Vote on the House Floor * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) fulfilled another key pledge to residents in New Jersey by delivering House passage of a state and local tax (SALT) deduction bill. The bipartisan Res  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the articles of impeachment against President Trump: "I have served this country most of my life, both in uniform and out, here at home and abroad, in wartime and in peace. I have been honored to enter into service once again in the United States House of Representatives. "My military service taught me to put our country -- not politics -- first, and my time as a federal prosecutor taught me about the i  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan Appropriations Package Includes Funding for NJ Highways and Transit, Manufacturing Jobs in NJ-11, Fighting the Opioid Epidemic * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) applauded the House passage of the two bipartisan legislative packages that included all 12 fiscal year 2020 bills, fully funding the government and preventing a shutdown. "These bipartisan funding bills include   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding the vote on articles of impeachment against President Trump: "Tonight, I cast my vote in favor of two articles of impeachment, Article I: Abuse of Power and Article II: Obstruction of Congress. "The duty to impeach was granted to the House of Representatives as the final check on a leader who has violated his oath to faithfully execute the Office of President and preserve, protect, and defend the Co  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: H.Res.754, a bipartisan resolution introduced by Chairman Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Francis Rooney (R-FL) to support human rights in Nicaragua and condemn the abuses of the Ortega government, was unanimously passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "This resolution highlights the severe human rights violations carried out by the Ortega government in Nicaragua and conveys bipartisan suppo  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The House passed 2 funding packages that averted another painful holiday shutdown. While the packages were not perfect, they funded vital programs that will help Americans across the country and include landmark funding for essential initiatives. Included in those funding bills was $25 million for gun violence research at the CDC and NIH, this is the first time money has been dedicated to this desperately  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressional Taiwan Caucus co-chairs, Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL.), led a bipartisan letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer encouraging him to work toward beginning negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan. They were joined by 157 members, over a third of the membership of the House of  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Smith bill would recognize American & Allied GIs * * * On the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a bipartisan resolution, H.J.Res. 81, to commend the veterans who fought in one of the most pivotal battles in World War II, which lasted from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. "The Battle of the Bulge was a critical turning point i  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following statement on his vote against the impeachment of President Trump in the House: "The U.S. Constitution is clear and unambiguous--impeachment of any president is permitted only for treason, bribery, high crimes and misdemeanors. "Undoing the will of the people expressed in a free and fair election with the proposed articles of impeachment, totally fails to meet the legal standard prescribed by the U. S. Constitution. "D  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Married couples see SALT relief in 2019; added tax relief for 1st responders & teachers * * * Legislation to eliminate the State and Local Tax deduction (SALT) cap for tax year 2020 and 2021 was passed by the House of Representatives. The bill also raises the cap for married joint filers for 2019. "I have cosponsored legislation to get rid of the arbitrary, unfair SALT caps and the unacceptable  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Two major health bills authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) were attached to an end-of-year, must-pass spending package and will become law by the end of the week. The first bill--the TICK Act--creates a "new whole-of-government national strategy to combat Lyme" and other tick borne diseases. It authorizes $150 million in federal funding for Centers of Excellence and important Lyme initiatives at the local  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Bill to Address Rising Rate of Youth Suicide Introduced Alongside Report * * * Following months of listening events and meetings in Washington, DC and across multiple Congressional districts, The Congressional Black Caucus's Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health released a report, "Ring the Alarm: the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America." outlining the state  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: As 2019 comes to an end, Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) reviewed the Subcommittee's oversight work of the last year. In total, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held 15 hearings and the Committee sent 150 letters to the Trump Administration,  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: As we approach the end of 2019, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) highlighted the Subcommittee's work to protect Americans from dangerous consumer products, promote travel and tourism and combat fraud, safeguard consumer privacy both online   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: With the first year of the 116th Congress coming to a close, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) highlighted the Subcommittee's work to restore net neutrality, combat the robocall epidemic, secure America's telecommunications supply chain, fix fau  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- 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 the House passed the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services Act (H.R. 4227) and Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (H.R. 4229) by voice vote: "The House passed two important bills designed to fix our nation's fau  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Lowering Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs in America * * * As the first session of the 116th Congress comes to a close, Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) highlighted the Health Subcommittee's work to lower the soaring cost of prescription drugs, expand ac  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- 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 Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) sent a letter (https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/FCC.2019.12.16.%20Letter%20re%20Sprint-T-Mo.CAT_.pdf) to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai concerning  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, after the House passed three bills by voice votes: "By passing these bills, the House is taking a strong step in protecting Americans--especially our children--from dangerous products and safeguarding consumers from overseas scams. "These bil  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: With the first year of the 116th Congress coming to a close, Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) highlighted the Subcommittee's work to combat the climate crisis, protect Americans from toxic substances, protect clean air and water, and more. In total, the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the New Jersey legislature passed measures to restore criminal justice system: "As the legislative year comes to a close, New Jersey has been hard at work reforming our criminal justice system so that it will treat incarcerated women with dignity, restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, and put a stop to hair discrimination. All New Jerseyans  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Legislation would crack down on monopolistic practices, place a moratorium on large factory farms, create level playing field for family farmers, ranchers * * * U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) unveiled legislation to revitalize independent family farm agriculture and ensure a level playing field for all farmers and ranchers. The Farm System Reform Act of 2019 would, among other things, strengthe  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: US. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this morning sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo following reports that the Trump Administration is currently planning to recall U.S. Ambassador William Taylor from his post in Kyiv, Ukraine. Recalling Ambassador Taylor would leave a   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement applauding Senate and House appropriators after they announced a bipartisan deal on federal government spending: Comprised of 12 separate appropriations bills, the legislation includes key priorities championed by Menendez: legislation to reshape U.S. strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean; the largest assistance package to date in response t  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement after the House voted to approve the articles of impeachment against the President Trump: "I hope that all Americans appreciate the true gravity and solemnity of this moment. Tonight, the House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment charging the President with abusing his power to extract political favors from a foreign power and then obstructing congressional investigations by refusing to p  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - The Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development Act, also known as the VERDAD Act, reaffirms U.S. support for Interim-President Juan Guaido and the democratically elected National Assembly, provides a major increase of U.S. humanitarian assistance, strengthens tools to combat kleptocracy and human rights abuses, and establishes U.S. policy in support of negotiated solution  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Fair Chance Act, included in NDAA, would give formerly incarcerated individuals a fairer chance at finding a job * * * A bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) to give individuals with past convictions a better chance to find employment passed the U.S. Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Last week, the U.S. House of Repres  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following joint statement with Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, after Gov. Phil Murphy, D-New Jersey, signed legislation (A-4743 and S-3229) that expand access to driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants in New Jersey: "A driver's license is not only a matter of public safety, but also a matter of economic opportunity and keeping families together. "New Jersey is one of the most productive and diverse states in our countr  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sens. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio, R-Florida, issued the following statements after the Congress approved the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, which was included in a bipartisan legislative package to fund the government through September 2020: The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Easte  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sens. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, and Marco Rubio, R-Florida, issued the following statements after the Congress approved their Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, which was included in a bipartisan legislative package to fund the government through September 2020: The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean and a strong and prosperous alliance between th  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- 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, was joined by Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in requesting Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire formally conduct a National Intelligence Estimate on how Russia and China will react if the United States allows the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) to expire  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- 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, was joined by Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in requesting Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire formally conduct a National Intelligence Estimate on how Russia and China will react if the United States al  more

MIAMI, Florida, Dec. 21 -- Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statements after Congress approved their Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, which was included in the appropriations bill to fund the government through fiscal 2020: The legislation is a comprehensive recalibration of American diplomatic, military, and economic policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean and a strong and prosperous alliance between the United States  more

MIAMI, Florida, Dec. 21 -- Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statements on the passage of the Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development Act, which was included in the fiscal 2020 appropriations bill and awaits President Trump's signature. The VERDAD Act seeks to address the political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela: Rubio said: "I am proud to have led this push for the VERDAD Act, a comprehensive legislative  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Sherrill (NJ-11) voted to pass H.R. 5430, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act. The USMCA makes critical improvements to the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by strengthening enforcement, labor, and environmental provisions and ensuring that any changes put forward in the implementing legislation do not harm U.S. businesses, consumers, or work  more