WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following floor remarks in support of a resolution (H.Res. 826) expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's actions towards Medicaid: I rise today to speak in support of H. Res. 826, Expressing Disapproval of the Trump Administration's Harmful Actions Towards Medicaid. Last Thursday, the Trump Administration continued its relentless campaign to sabotage the Affo  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a decision denying a bid protest filed by Community Education Centers of Boca Raton, Florida. According to the GAO, Community Education Centers Inc. (CEC), "protests the award of a contract to The Kintock Group, Inc., of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, under request for proposals (RFP) No. RFP-200-1360-ES, issued by the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), for residential reentry center (RRC) and home confi  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on aviation security. The report (GAO-20-125) is entitled "Federal Air Marshal Service Has Taken Steps to Address Workforce Issues, but Additional Actions Needed". The report was sent to Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey on Feb. 12, 2020. Here are excerpts of summaries associated with the report. What G  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the GAO audits involving Department of Defense. The report (GAO-20-391R) is entitled "Status of DOD's Efforts to Schedule and Hold Timely Entrance Conferences". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Alabama, chairman, Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of th  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Hearing Will Include Second Panel Focused on the Coronavirus With Azar & Other Top Public Health Officials * * * Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) announced that the Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26, with Health   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- 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 legislative hearing on Wednesday, February 12, at 10 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building on H.R. 2975, the Women's Health Protection Act of 2019. The   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Education and Labor subcommittee on Workforce Protections issued the following testimony on Feb. 11 by Anthony Sandkamp owner of the Sandkamp Woodworks, at a hearing entitled "Balancing Work, Health, and Family: The Case for Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act": The timing of this hearing, a week after the 27th anniversary of Family and medical leave enactment underscores the importance of comprehensive paid leave for businesses like mine. My name is Tony San  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Outlines eight pillars for Congress to reassert its oversight role, increase transparency, and provide enforcement mechanisms to hold the executive branch accountable * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered keynote remarks laying out a comprehensive series of reform proposals in the wake of President Trump's impeachm  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- 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, asked Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin about whether he could guarantee that the Treasury Department would remain free from political influence from President Trump. Confronted by Menendez at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Trump's FY  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- 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, asked Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin about whether he could guarantee that the Treasury Department would remain free from political influence from President Trump. Confronted by Menendez at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Trump's FY2021 budget proposal, Mnuchin refused to make a commitment that   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, today met with Vice President-elect William Lai of Taiwan. "It was a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan legislation would provide relief to American importers who have suffered under unfair tariff policies * * * U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) introduced the For Accurate Import Relief To Aid Retailers and Importers of Foreign Freights (FAIR TARIFF) Act. The bipartisan bill would alleviate some of the costs American importers incur from the unf  more

RIDGEWOOD, New Jersey, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 9: U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a vigil to remember the victims -- fourteen students and three faculty -- of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida. Gottheimer pushed for the Senate to act on legislation passed by the House nearly a year ago to require background checks and close loopholes. Gottheimer also highlighted his   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on the long-deserved upgraded rating to the portal bridge project: "With this long-deserved rating for the Portal Bridge, North Jersey will finally be able to begin moving forward with the most important infrastructure project in our country. Jersey has held up our end of the bargain, and now I'm hopeful that the federal government will hold up theirs. "Thousands of workers already face a grueling commute  more

FAIR LAWN, New Jersey, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Gottheimer joins second and third graders in making valentines at Westmoreland Elementary School * * * On Monday, February 10, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined second and third graders at Westmoreland Elementary School in Fair Lawn as they created Valentines cards to be sent to veterans across North Jersey. The Valentines for Veterans program connects student  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Following New Jersey cruise ship virus scare, Gottheimer urges emergency federal investment to prevent virus spread in U.S. * * * U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) pushed for a boost in federal investment to combat coronavirus and prevent the spread of the virus within the United States, by urging Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to request emergency supplemental app  more

GLEN ROCK, New Jersey, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 14: U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Bergen County Executive James Tedesco announced that eligible North Jersey veterans will now be able to receive referrals for care at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, following the hospital's approval as a VA Community Care Network (CCN) provider and support from Gottheimer and local veterans. This will provide North Jersey veterans wit  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Massive cuts to Social Security and Medicare * * * U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer sounded the alarm on the negative impacts a new federal government budget proposal would have on North Jersey's seniors, families' health care, infrastructure, and our clean air and water. This federal budget proposal seeks to massively cut critical federal investments: * Cuts to Social Security, Medicare,  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01), Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) introduced H.R. 5887, the Guard and Reserve Hazard Duty Pay Equity Act, which would create pay equity on hazard duty incentive pay for all Guard and Reserve service members. Representing tens of thousands of servi  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) joined Toms River Regional and North Hanover Schools to participate in Valentines for Veterans, an effort as part of the annual "Salute a Veteran Patient Week" to thank New Jersey veterans for their service and remind them of their special place in our communities. "Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, we owe them our thanks and gratitude," said Congressman Kim.   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced three Point Pleasant Boro High School students as the winner of the Congressional App Challenge from New Jersey's Third Congressional District. "I want to congratulate Caitlyn Kuhn and her teammates Nicolette Matthews and Kaila McDonald for winning the Congressional App Challenge and representing Burlington and Ocean Counties among the other national winners," said Cong  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Malinowski announced that Neighborworks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit, has awarded a $187,500 grant to the Housing Partnership of Morris County. This grant will support efforts to develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create jobs in New Jersey. The Housing Partnership of Morris County was founded in 1992, and focuses on boos  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) introduced the Natural Infrastructure and Resiliency Act. This bipartisan bill defines natural infrastructure in the FAST Act, and allows natural infrastructure projects to apply for Department of Transportation grants. Representatives Albio Sires (D-NJ), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Francis Rooney (R-FL) have signed on as original cosponsors. Natural infrastructure us  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 13: Representative Tom Malinowski voted to pass H.J. Res. 79, a resolution to remove an arbitrary deadline previously set by Congress for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This will help facilitate the timely ratification of the ERA as an amendment to the United States Constitution. Representative Malinowski is a cosponsor of this legislation. The ERA states: "Equality of righ  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: The Department of Transportation announced that the new Portal North Bridge will be eligible for grant funding in the FY2021 budget after years of being stalled. The existing Portal North Bridge is 110 years old, badly in need of repair, and a major source of delays for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains running between New Jersey and New York. Trains crossing the bridge must slow down due to its w  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) - a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee - introduced the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2020. "Military families face unique challenges during their service to our nation, and unfortunately deployments and frequent moves can often lead to financial insecurity," said Congressman   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) - a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee - led the New Jersey Congressional Delegation in writing a letter to Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor calling on the agency to more actively oversee the distribution of Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) funding, rather than abdicating that responsibility t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. held a roundtable to discuss his framework that would make transformative infrastructure investments in the U.S. He was joined by first responders, labor leaders, and environmental advocates. Last month, Pallone announced a $760 billion investment plan with other House Democratic leaders that would address some of the country's most urgent infrastructure needs, includi  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks on Feb. 12 at a Health Subcommittee hearing entitled "Protecting Women's Access to Reproductive Health Care": Today's hearing is on legislation to protect women's access to abortion care. This legislation is necessary today because states have passed an onslaught of ideological bans and restrictions intended to interfere with women's personal me  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing entitled "Vaping in America: E-Cigarette Manufacturers' Impact on Public Health": I am pleased we are holding this hearing so that we can shed more light on the youth tobacco epidemic and how we got here. The significant progress that was made to curb tobacco use has simply vanished. Last ye  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at an Energy Subcommittee hearing entitled, "Modernizing the Natural Gas Act to Ensure it Works for Everyone": Today's hearing is long overdue. For the first time in many years, the Committee will take a broad look at the Natural Gas Act and how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) implements its many provisions, not just those dealing   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks on Feb. 11 at the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on "Autonomous Vehicles: Promises and Challenges of Evolving Automotive Technologies": Last year, nearly 37,000 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Another 4.5 million were injured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), human factor  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks on Feb. 11 at the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee hearing entitled, "EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Proposal: Falling Short of Protecting Public Health": "Today's hearing focuses on a widespread and pressing public health crisis - lead contamination in drinking water. Safe drinking water is a fundamental right and duty of our federal government.   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks on Feb. 12 at the Energy Subcommittee hearing entitled "Saving Energy: Legislation to Improve Energy Efficiency and Storage": "I would like to begin by welcoming back to the Committee Undersecretary Menezes who served as a key staffer on the Committee on energy matters for many years. "Today the Subcommittee will review six bipartisan bills that  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following opening remarks at an Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee legislative hearing entitled, "Clearing the Air: Legislation to Promote Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage": I'm pleased to be here this morning to discuss H.R. 1166, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act. This is a bipartisan bill introduced by Represe  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the House passed a resolution (H.Res. 826) expressing disapproval of the Trump administration's actions towards Medicaid by 223-190 vote: "Today, we sent a clear message to the Trump Administration: Congress will not tolerate illegal attempts to take away Americans' health care by cutting Medicaid. "The Administration's block grant proposal woul  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 10 after the release of President Trump's fiscal 2021 budget: "President Trump's 2021 budget is an extreme and drastic step in the wrong direction. It continues the President's ongoing assault on the health care of millions of seniors and hardworking American families, while also gutting environmental protection when we should be combating the   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Ranking Member Greg Walden, R-Oregon, Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, and Ranking Member Patty Murray, D-Washington, on the surprise medical billing proposals from the House Education and Labor and House Ways and Means committees: "Surprise medical bills are the outrageous result of a broken system that takes ad  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 12: * * * - Backs measure to create greater industry transparency * * * U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) spoke out against private equity's growing influence in industries across America as the Ways and Means Committee considered H.R. 5826, the Transparency in Health Care Investments Act. The committee approved this legislation requiring greater transparency for private equity firms t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Following Trump Twitter temper tantrum, DOJ revises sentencing recommendation for convicted Trump crony * * * U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) reacted to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice that it would revise down its sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone, a former top Trump advisor who is facing prison for seven federal felonies including obstruction, making fals  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Trump government repeatedly changes number of troops harmed in attack * * * U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, reacted furiously to a report that the Pentagon would revise up to 100 the number of U.S. troops injured in a January 8 Iranian attack on Al-Asad airbase in Iraq, marking at least the sixth time the Def  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, voted in strong support of H.R. 5826, the Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act, legislation that will crack down on unscrupulous surprise medical billing. "Surprise medical bills top the list of expenses Americans worry about affording," Pascrell said Whether it's emergency care or   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. announces the launch of the federal government's new website dedicated to school safety. The website, www.schoolsafety.gov, is an easy-to-use online resource where K-12 school administrators, parents, and law enforcement officials can find information to prevent and protect students from harm. It contains guides, tools and links to help administrators handle threat  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. was extremely disappointed that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has refused to allocate federal funds for the Hudson Tunnel portion of the Gateway Project. The $12 billion tunnel project would fix the current 110-year-old Hudson Tunnel and build an additional tunnel to improve transportation between the New York and northern New Jersey corridor. The FTA has  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. praised the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for its decision to make the new Portal North Bridge project eligible for federal funding. The new $1.5 billion bridge would be built to support faster, safer and more frequent trains between Newark and Penn Station in New York City. The FTA would fund the project through the Capital Investments Grant Program. The c  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. praised his colleagues in the House after they voted to pass his Homeland Security for Children Act (H.R. 2932) with strong bipartisan support and a final vote of 374-11. The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to include feedback from organizations representing the needs of children in future department strategies, polices and plans. It would d  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 13: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. praised his colleagues for their votes to remove the Congressional deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA would establish that the "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex." Women's rights groups have sought the amendment for decades to achieve gen  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - New DOT Rating for the Portal Bridge Project, alongside funds already appropriated by Congress, represents significant step forward for key component of the Gateway Project * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced the new rating for the Portal North Bridge from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The medium-high rating, combined with funds already appropriated by Congress, re  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - House approves resolution to remove ratification deadline for constitutional amendment affirming women's equality under the Constitution * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted to remove the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution after Virginia became the 38th and final state needed to certify ratification last month. Representative Sherrill is a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced that for Valentine's Day, her office delivered more than 4,000 valentines for veterans written by residents from the 11th District of New Jersey. "My team and I are blown away by the fantastic response to our first Valentines for Veterans program," said Representative Sherrill. "I'd especially like to thank all the students from across our community who m  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following remarks: Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade, delivered the following opening remarks at the subcommittee hearing he convened on U.S. Security Assistance to Mexico: "In reading the news over the last few weeks, the shocking headlines from Mexico have been impossible to escape. Last week, I saw that kids as young as six years old are arming  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding Transportation's Department move to advance the Portal North Bridge Project: "The Department of Transportation has announced that the Portal North Bridge, part of the key rail infrastructure system connecting New Jersey to New York, has been approved for eligibility for federal financing and to advance to the Engineering Phase of project development. "This means that the project to replace this cent  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration's actions in the ongoing court proceedings involving President Trump's confidant Roger Stone: "The President's recent actions, as well as those of Attorney General William Barr, threaten to corrupt our court system and endanger the rule of law. "Even though the President claims he did not communicate with the Attorney General or the Department of Justice, his twitter tirades  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced a letter to the Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking that New Jersey receive critical funding for protection, mitigation and response efforts against acts of terrorism. The letter, signed by the entire bipartisan New Jersey Congressional Delegation, asks for FEMA to change the way the Urban  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D-New York, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the 9th anniversary of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty entering into force: "For nearly a decade, this treaty has constrained Russia's nuclear forces, provided strong and detailed verification measures to ensure Russia adheres to its commitments, and allo  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 10: U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) celebrated the awarding of a $45,000 federal grant to the Teaneck Fire Department for equipment to decontaminate firefighters' gear and help prevent cancer. Pascrell, Gottheimer, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) helped win this investment for the Teaneck Fire Department. "This federal investment is game-changer for T  more

TEANECK, New Jersey, Feb. 11 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 10: * * * - Clawing Back Federal Tax Dollars to New Jersey * * * U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) celebrated the awarding of a $45,000 federal investment to the Teaneck Fire Department for equipment to decontaminate firefighters' gear and help prevent cancer. Pascrell and Gottheimer, along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (NJ), all helped win thi  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and David Schweikert (AZ-06) introduced the bipartisan Joint Long-Term Storage Act yesterday to bolster our long-term renewable energy storage capabilities and strengthen our national security. This legislation establishes a joint program between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to integrate current federal e  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Bipartisan legislation recognizing February as American Heart Month was introduced in the House of Representatives. Congressman Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Heart & Stroke Coalition, along with fellow Co-Chair Joyce Beatty (D-OH), authored the resolution, HRes. 860, in honor of the approximately 647,000 Americans who die from some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, according to  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, and Ranking Member Patty Murray, D-Washington, on the surprise medical billing proposals from the House Education and Labor and House Ways and Means committees: "Surprise medical bill  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following statement after the Justice Department filed lawsuits against California, New Jersey, and King County, Washington for their sanctuary cities policies: "American cities should be sanctuaries for U.S. citizens, not criminal aliens. "I applaud the Justice Department for taking steps to enforce our immigration laws, despite resistance from local officials who value liberal immigration practices over the safety of their own c  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), and Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) introduced a resolution honoring the life of Dr. Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor who first identified the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in China late last year and sought to warn the government about the potentially devastating impact of the disease. Dr. Li succumbed to the coronavi  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Joins State Health Commish, Coronavirus Task Force to Provide Update on Current Situation in New Jersey * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, joined State Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli, chair of the New Jersey Coronavirus Task Force, to discus  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, joined Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and all Democratic members of the Committee in calling on the Trump administration to end its harmful attacks on the Medicaid program, which provides essential health care to more than 70 million Americans. The letter comes ahead of the committee's hearin  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - If the ACA is struck down, what's your plan? What are you waiting for? * * * During a hearing on the Trump Administration's proposed health budget, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, blasted Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar over the Administration's ongoing actions to dismantle the Affordable Care Ac  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Feb. 11: * * * - House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries delivers keynote address * * * Hundreds of New Jerseyans joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez on Sunday at Grace Temple Baptist Church in Lawnside, Camden County for his Ninth Annual "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" Black History Month Celebration, honoring State Senator Troy Singleton (LD-7), Lawnside Mayor Mary Ann Wardlow and the N  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following opening remarks on Feb. 12 at a committee hearing exploring the current state of U.S.-Libya Policy: "As I see it, the Administration's approach to Libya is emblematic of its overall approach to foreign policy: an absence of U.S. leadership, inconsistent public statements, and a seeming internal lack of clarity have left our partners and allies confuse  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following remarks on Feb. 12: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening remarks at a full committee hearing exploring the current state of U.S.-Libya Policy. "As I see it, the Administration's approach to Libya is emblematic of its overall approach to foreign policy: an absence of U.S. leadership, inconsistent public statements, and a seeming inte  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following remarks on Feb. 13: * * * - Outlines eight pillars for Congress to reassert its oversight role, increase transparency, and provide enforcement mechanisms to hold the executive branch accountable. Announces a Marie Yovanovitch Act to improve protections and resources for whistleblowers and diplomats, and measures to bolster the U.S. commitment to Ukra  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 11 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the White House released President Trump's budget for fiscal year 2021. For the third straight year, the Trump Administration is seeking to dismantle the United States' international affairs budget, maki  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate's transit subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that it upgraded its rating to medium-high for the Portal North Bridge replacement project--a key component of the Gateway Project--but maintained a low rating for construction of a new trans-Hudson River rail tunnel: "This is welcomed an  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report identifying businesses with ties in the Israeli West Bank settlements. "I strongly oppose the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) release of a blacklist of organiz  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump fired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Ambassador to the European Union Gordon D. Sondland: "Lt. Col Vindman represents the best of this country. We owe a debt of gratitude to him and all of the other career officials who honored their oath to the Constitution. "The administration's dismissal of Lt. Col. Vindman, his brot  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Chairman Powell says sustained failure of Portal Bridge or Hudson rail tunnels would put economy at risk * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate's transit subcommittee, pressed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on the economic impact of a failure on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) of either the Portal Bridge or Hudson River rail tunnels, and the urgency to complete th  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and Cory Booker joined several colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish clear guidelines for how state and local governments will be reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Coronavirus cases continue to rise around the globe * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker joined their colleagues in calling on National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien to appoint a qualified, dedicated, senior global health security expert to the White House's National Security Council (NSC) to address and coordinate administration efforts in response to the 2019 Novel Coronaviru  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Access to gun records will help local law enforcement solve gun crimes, crack down on traffickers, help Americans understand impact of gun violence on communities * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-13) introduced bicameral legislation to greatly enhance the ability of law enforcement to investigate and solve gun crimes, crack down on gun traffick  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sens. Patty Murray, D-Washington, and Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, ranking Democratic member and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following joint statement with Reps. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, and Greg Walden, R-Oregon, chairman and ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on the surprise medical billing proposals from the House Education and Labor and Ways and Means committees: "Surprise medical bills  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Ranking Member Greg Walden, R-Oregon, on the surprise medical billing proposals from the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee: "Surprise medical bills are the outrageous result of  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - "HUD's actions make it more difficult for our fellow Americans on the island to receive desperately needed assistance to protect their homes and communities from future disasters" * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.), joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio),  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced $1,776,000 in federal funding to support NeighborWorks America organizations that preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods and create jobs across New Jersey. "I applaud NeighborWorks America for their efforts in empowering New Jersey residents by providing affordable housing and building strong communities," said Sen. Menend  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced the awarding of $2,453,608 in federal funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support a flood mitigation project in Egg Harbor Township. "Storms like Superstorm Sandy have wreaked havoc on the flood-prone areas of our state and we need to ensure that we are prepared when the next storm hits," said Sen. Menendez. "This federal fund  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker joined their Democratic colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration for stonewalling critical benefits to Vietnam veterans suffering from health conditions associated with their exposure to Agent Orange. The Senators specifically called on the Administration to stop denying scientific evidence, and end the years-long delay of adding Bladder Cancer, Hypot  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 15 -- 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 joined 44 of their Democratic colleagues in urging President Trump to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect the law of the land, which provides health care coverage protections for people with pre-existing conditions. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2021 pro  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined colleagues in pressing Upstart and other lenders and service providers for answers following a report from the nonprofit Student Borrower Protection Center that found lenders may be charging higher interest rates to students who graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The Senators' le  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - The world's leading scientists have warned that humanity must limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and 31 other Democratic colleagues in introducing   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statements with Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Cory Gardner, R-Colorado: * * * - Recognizes the Chinese doctor who first identified the severity of the coronavirus outbreak and sought to warn the government about the potential devastating impact * * * Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D-New York, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement on the 9th anniversary of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty entering into force: "For nearly a decade, this treaty has constrained Russia's nuclear forces, provided strong and detailed verification measures to ensure Russia adheres to its commitm  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sens. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, and Jim Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to a dispute by President Nayib Bukele and the national assembly in El Salvador: "The United States and El Salvador enjoy a historic partnership, and we strongly support continued economic and security cooperation between our two countries. "However, we remain deeply concerned about President Buk  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to a dispute by President Nayib Bukele and the national assembly in El Salvador: "The United States and El Salvador enjoy a historic partnership, and we strongly support continued economic and security cooperation between our two countries. "However, we remain deeply concerned about President Bu  more