WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged the Bureau of Prisons to allow phone calls and videoconferencing free of charge for all people behind bars, in the wake of the BOP's prudent decision to temporarily cancel in-person visits in order to help contain the spread of Coronavirus. In a letter to BOP Director Michael Carvajal sent today, Booker wrote:   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators Propose Bold Plan to Lift Up Families Hurt by Crisis * * * As the economic fallout of the novel Coronavirus outbreak escalates, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), along with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine), and a group of their colleagues sent a letter to Senate Majority   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Following bipartisan congressional requests, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will now be extending this year's federal tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020, in direct response to the impact that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on American taxpayers and businesses. U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NH-5), along with U.S. Congressman Paul  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 17: Following U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer's (NJ-5) request, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would extend this year's tax deadline by 90 days in direct response to the impact that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on American taxpayers. On March 13, 2020, Gottheimer, along with Congressman Paul Mitchell (MI-10), asked the IRS   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the weapon system sustainment. The report (GAO-20-316) is entitled "Weapon System Sustainment: DOD Needs a Strategy for Re-Designing the F-35's Central Logistics System". The report was sent to Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, chairman, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Missouri, ranking member of the House Armed Services subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, and Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, on March 16, 2020  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: As New Jersey grapples with the COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09) led the state Congressional delegation in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to deliver much needed medical supplies, including personal protective gear, to assist frontline healthcare   more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called upon Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately rectify the State Department's slow and deficient response to the coronavirus pandemic. Citing specific examples of leadership mismanagement and shortcomings around the Department's resp  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to the announcement that U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green will step down from his post in April: "Administrator Green has worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people to promote thoughtful, sensible, and comprehensive policies to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives. "Faced by an Admin  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named New Jersey a declared disaster state in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This declaration will allow small business owners in North Jersey impacted by the outbreak to apply for resources to help them pay employees, accounts payable, and other bills that cannot be paid b  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 20: On Friday, March 20, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined state and local officials to open a new Community-Based COVID-19 Testing Site at Bergen Community College, to help announce increased COVID-19 testing capacity in New Jersey, and outline steps at the federal level to ensure New Jersey's first responders and front-line medical professionals will get the equipment, sup  more

HACKENSACK, New Jersey, March 16 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 15: U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) stood with Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, Holy Name Medical Center President & CEO Michael Maron, Holy Name Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adam Jarrett, Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin, and Teaneck Township Manager Dean Kazinci to update North Jersey residents on joint efforts to combat the coronavirus, including self  more

MAHWAH, New Jersey, March 17 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) met with Mahwah first responders to discuss what supplies and resources they need to help the community combat the coronavirus. "While we deal with this virus, we must continue to make sure that the people on the front lines, like our firefighters and first responders, have the supplies they need to protect themselves and our community," said Congressma  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced that his Washington, D.C. office will be closed until further notice due to a confirmed case of Coronavirus on the floor where his office is located. Washington, D.C. staff will telework until the office reopens. Last week, the Congressman's New Jersey staff adopted a minimal risk policy of not accepting walk-ins or in-person meetings until further notice. All staff wi  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) named New Jersey a declared disaster state in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. The declaration will allow New Jersey small business owners impacted by the pandemic to apply for financial assistance to help support their businesses. Earlier this month, Congressman Kim voted to provide $7 billion in low-interest loans that  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced that he will self-quarantine for two-weeks following direct contact with a member of Congress who has tested positive for COVID-19. "Now is the time to be safe and to take all precautions for each other," Congressman Kim. "In the past few hours, I've received word that a Member of Congress, who I was in direct contact with, tested positive for COVID-19. The health of o  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 19: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) called on President Trump to immediately use the powers outlined within the Defense Production Act to address the crippling shortage of personal protective equipment (PPEs), ventilators, and test kits needed by frontline first responders to contain the Coronavirus outbreak. Yesterday, President Trump announced that he would invoke the Defense Production Act, but woul  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) called for any new spending bills aimed at stabilizing and revitalizing the U.S. economy in the wake of damage done by the Coronavirus pandemic to focus on infrastructure investments. "The Coronavirus crisis isn't just a health care issue, it will have a drastic impact on our nation's econ  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) introduced the Microloan Emergency Assistance Act, H.R. 6291, a bill that would strengthen the Small Business Association's (SBA) Microloan program to help small businesses impacted by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying economic crisis. "In times of crisis, our small businesses are always the first to feel the pain, and the last to recover. It's why we need to  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) voted to pass H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a bill that provides bold action to protect those most vulnerable to the Coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this month, the Congressman voted to pass emergency funding to help respond to the outbreak crisis. Information about the funding passed in the supplemental package can be found here. Of those funds, $14 milli  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09) led the New Jersey congressional delegation in a letter urging the Trump Administration to approve the State's March 16 request for needed flexibility in its Medicaid program to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. A1135 waiver allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Chil  more

SOMERVILLE, New Jersey, March 21 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) led 56 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to prioritize the security and continuity of our nation's election system in the next coronavirus relief package. "Upcoming coronavirus legislation should include provisions mandating no excuse early voting and vote by mail options  more

SOMERVILLE, New Jersey, March 17 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Malinowski hosted a call with healthcare labor leaders in New Jersey to better support their ongoing efforts to confront the COVID-19 epidemic. Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of this public health crisis, and Representative Malinowski is working hard to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely. Representatives from 1199 SEIU, Bergen-New Bri  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Physical Locations Temporality Closed to Visitors * * * To continue to serve you effectively the office of Congressman Tom Malinowski will be implementing the following new operating procedures, consistent with guidance from public health and safety officials and directives from the House Sergeant at Arms. Our teams in Washington, D.C. and in Somerville will continue working full-time for  more

SOMERVILLE, New Jersey, March 19 -- Rep. Tomaz Malinowski, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-7) and Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) sent a letter to Alphabet and its subsidiary Verily seeking clarity on the data privacy protections in place for Verily's COVID-19 website. Representatives Malinowski and Porter urged that any collection and dissemination of information from the site be strictly limited to what is necessary to protect public health d  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: * * * - Discusses Next Steps to Mitigate Outbreak * * * U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) met with Jefferson Hospital leadership to discuss the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and to discuss the measures Jefferson has taken to fight the virus as circumstances continue to change rapidly, including their firsthand experience. Norcross also briefed the f  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) met with a ShopRite executive in South Jersey to discuss the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and to discuss the impact it's had on ShopRite's business and the measures they have taken to help keep employees and patrons safe. Norcross also briefed the faculty on Congress' actions in protecting workers and families, including passing   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following newsletter: In light of the ongoing global outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), many veterans have been asking questions about what the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its medical facilities are doing to protect and care for veterans during the outbreak. The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is in daily communication with VA leadership and would like to share the following inform  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) met with Cooper University Health Care officials today to discuss the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and to learn about the steps Cooper has taken to keep their patients and staff healthy and safe. Norcross also briefed the faculty on Congress' actions in protecting workers and families, including House passage of the Families Firs  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) was welcomed to Inspira Health's corporate headquarters to discuss the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and to learn about Inspira's robust readiness and response planning. It was the first hospital visit in the state by Norcross since the House passed COVID-19 legislation late Friday night. "We in Congress have already approved $8.  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 17: * * * - Discusses COVID-19 Preparedness and Response * * * U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) met with Virtua Health leadership to discuss the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and to learn about the steps Virtua has taken to keep their patients and staff healthy and safe. Norcross also briefed the faculty on Congress' actions in protecting workers and f  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 14: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a bill that strengthens the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak and addresses the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans' personal safety and financial security. "The coronavirus not only threatens our health as Americans, it also threatens the economic secu  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following statement: Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted in favor of passing H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Pallone is an original co-sponsor of the bill and helped draft key provisions, including a guarantee that all Americans have access to coronavirus testing free of charge, and an increase in the Federal Medical Assist  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration's efforts to include a multi-billion dollar bailout for the oil industry as part of a coronavirus stimulus package: "This is a thinly-veiled attempt by the Trump Administration to use the coronavirus outbreak as justification for protecting the profits of its oil industry allies - and it is both unconscionable a  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on March 18 after the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201): Pallone is an original co-sponsor of the bill that passed in the House last week and helped draft key provisions, including expanding access to coronavirus testing free of charge and an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) that the fede  more

PATERSON, New Jersey, March 21 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) joined U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-RI-01) and 43 other members of Congress in calling on the nation's largest credit card companies to stop collecting interest and waive all late fees until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. "The COVID-19 pandemic will present many hardships for Americans across the nation," the members wrote. "We believe that you,  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 19: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) convened mayors from Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties for a call to discuss efforts to combat the coronavirus epidemic. The mayors asked Pascrell several questions regarding federal support for small businesses, first responders, and individuals experiencing financial hardships. "This morning I was fortunate to speak with mayors from our distric  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. will suspend all in-person meetings temporarily to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease. His offices will remain open to help constituents if they need assistance with a federal agency, particularly if they call the office with their requests. But interactions with people will be kept to a minimum in the interest of public safety. Rep. Payne, Jr. said he wa  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act early this morning to help Americans handle the economic effects of the coronavirus. The bill would provide billions in financial assistance to all 50 states, including $810 million in additional Medicaid funding to New Jersey. Rep. Payne, Jr. said the country needed the funding to support Americans who are suf  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) joined a letter signed by 56 House colleagues urging President Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 for the production of vital medical supplies to meet the extreme demand during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is a key issue for our local medical providers and hospitals throughout the 11th District of New Jersey, and Repres  more

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, March 17 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) joined a letter signed by 56 of her House colleagues urging President Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 for the production of vital medical supplies to meet the extreme demand during the coronavirus pandemic. This is a key issue for our local medical providers and hospitals throughout the 11th District of New Jersey, an  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) led members of the New Jersey delegation in a successful request for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. New Jersey submitted its full application to the U.S. Small Business Administration and was awarded a declaration this evening. The letter was signed by Representative Sherrill, Senator Co  more

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, March 17 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Physical Locations Temporarily Closed to Visitors * * * Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced her offices will begin serving residents remotely and physical locations will be temporarily closed to visitors in order to protect the public health and prevent the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The office has instituted procedures to ensure constituent services  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on March 18 in response to the Senate's passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201): "This bipartisan bill is a tremendous step in the right direction - it provides paid sick leave and paid family leave, strengthens unemployment benefits, makes COVID-19 testing free for all, and provides food and medical aid to those in need. "But so much more needs to be done. We need to make sure   more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) delivered a strong, bipartisan package for New Jersey's families tonight to take action and address the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act will give families flexibility to stay home from work when they are sick and food security for their children. Crucially, it will also make the coronavirus test free for   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) joined a bipartisan, bicameral majority of the New Jersey congressional delegation in urging the Department of Health and Human Services to fulfill New Jersey's request for medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. "New Jersey has seen a rapid increase in the number of presumptive positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases" said Rep. Sires. "Our health care system   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement about the need to put workers and neighborhood businesses first in future coronavirus emergency funding packages: "As we work on future stimulus and emergency funding packages, I need to make one thing clear. I will not support legislation that bails out massive corporations and does not support the needs of workers. "We have to focus on the needs of families and those who have lost their jobs due to the out  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Albio Sires, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Early this morning, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) voted to pass H.R. 6201 the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which passed by a vote of 363 to 40 and now awaits action by the Senate. "The rampant spread of coronavirus jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans and their families, and Congress needs to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure that our constituents have the resour  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: At the recommendation of federal public health officials and the attending physician of the House of Representatives, the full U.S Capitol complex--the House of Representatives, the Senate and all office buildings--are now closed to visitors and non-essential personnel as part of the national effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with the tenor   more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Monmouth County Freeholders Sue Kiley and Nick DiRocco, joined by County Administrator Teri O'Connor, briefed Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on the work being done in Monmouth to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus, as well as to help County residents deal with the stressors the pandemic may bring. Smith said that though the County is limiting visitors to all offices, all golf courses, parks and open space  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) continues reaching out to public health officials in his district including Dan Regenye, Ocean County Public Health Coordinator to offer "absolutely any advocacy and assistance necessary on the federal level" to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Smith said Regenye briefed him on the "mutually reinforcing aggressive steps" Ocean County has undertaken including the push to identify a  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release: As the House on Saturday passed its second comprehensive bipartisan bill to combat the coronavirus (COVID 19), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said that "containing the outbreak, finding a cure and a safe and effective vaccine must be our highest priority--no matter the cost." "We must contain the coronavirus pandemic and protect all people, especially those most vulnerable to the disease such as the elderly and  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Van Drew announced his support of the proposed Coronavirus relief package and the initiatives he would like to see included in a deal. "The American economy is driven and maintained by the exceptionalism of the women and men who make up our workforce; we must do everything we can to protect them. In the upcoming Coronavirus legislation, I would like to see: * Financial support directl  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Van Drew voted to support an additional $8.3 billion funding supplemental bill to help prepare America for the Coronavirus pandemic. The bill includes: * Free Coronavirus testing for every individuals deemed medically necessary. * Paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave, and up to three months of paid family and medical leave. * Increased Medicaid spending to support s  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 19: Last night, President Trump signed into law the second phase of the Coronavirus relief packages. Included in this legislation are billions of dollars in assistance to small business owners for low-interest loans. Businesses in all counties in New Jersey are eligible for disaster relief funds. We are expecting a much larger funding package over the next few days to address the financial  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) applauded the acceptance of New Jersey's disaster declaration by the Small Business Administration (SBA), a move that will allow New Jersey businesses and non-profits hit by the coronavirus to apply for disaster assistance loans with deferred repayment and low interest rates. "We're focused on the health and wellbeing of Americans in this crisis, and  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) led a bipartisan group of 14 Members of Congress to take a stand to support small businesses, gig workers, independent contractors, and freelance workers in direct response to the impact that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on the American economy, local communities, and families. The Members are calling on Senate leader  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law Chairman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, u  more

EWING, New Jersey, March 20 -- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressmembers Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL-05) and Steve Cohen (TN-03) urged leaders in the House and Senate to include protections for workers and consumers in any financial assistance aimed at supporting the airline industry as part of further economic stimulus to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Recommendations include: * Rules to prohibit consumer abuses  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called upon Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to immediately rectify the State Department's slow and deficient response to the coronavirus pandemic. Citing specific examples of leadership mismanagement and shortcomings around the Department's response to the outbreak, Menendez called on Secretary Pompeo to incre  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 17: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, called on Vice President Mike Pence, Chair of the Coronavirus Taskforce, to immediately implement a nationwide public education campaign to inform Americans on what they can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although many states, like New Jersey, have taken extraordinary steps t  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement statement calling on President Trump to invoke the Civil Reserve Airfleet readiness program and the authorities contained within in order to begin chartering commercial flights to evacuate stranded American citizens unable to return to the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic: "As commercial airlines come under increasing stress and border   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - The legislation would allow the Federal Reserve to buy state and local debt, providing immediate relief for state and local governments * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, introduced the Municipal Bonds Emergency Relief Act (MBERA), which would allow the Federal Reserve to buy municipal debt to help local and state governments finance t  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators Propose Bold Plan to Lift Up Families Hurt by Crisis * * * As the economic fallout of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak escalates, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker wrote Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlining a bold new proposal to provide Americans with direct cash payments. "Over the course of just  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez led the entire New Jersey congressional delegation in urging President Trump to support Governor Phil Murphy's request for assistance from the United States military and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to aid the state's ongoing effort to increase hospital beds and intensive care unit capacity. New Jersey has reported over 400 positive cases of COVID-19 and five deaths.   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following statement on March 18 regarding the Senate passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: "I'm encouraged that today the Senate was able to put partisanship aside and pass the House Democrats' Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This legislation is the latest of many steps we must take to combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect the financial security of the American people in the midst of this cris  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on March 18 on the 6th anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea: "As we mark the sixth anniversary of Russia's illegal occupation and annexation of Crimea, we are unwavering in our condemnation and outright rejection of Russia's ongoing violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Today, as it was six years ago, Crimea remains Ukrainian   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- 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, wrote to the CEO's of leading ventilator manufacturing companies across the country, asking them to immediately determine their ability, capacity and timeline to ramp up production of new ventilators, and to provide an assessment of what is needed from the Administration and Congress in order t  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez urged President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) and the authorities contained within in order to expand national production of needed medical supplies like masks, ventilators and respirators, and to expand hospital capacity to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus. "In the midst of a pandemic, state and local governments should not be left on their own scrambling   more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate's housing subcommittee, and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined several colleagues in opposing a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that would roll back important efforts to make access to housing fair and equitable, and fails fulfill the Fair Housing Act's mission to "affirmatively further fair housing" (AF  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Under Trump, HHS has repeatedly sought to undermine HIV, LGBTQ anti-discrimination protections for HHS-funded programs, services * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, led a group of colleagues in expressing serious concerns to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar about the impact of the coro  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: * * * - The Administration announced last week that Google would be developing a website to help Americans access testing clinics, determine if testing is needed * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, led a group of colleagues in sending separate letters to the Trump Administration and the tech giant Go  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Only a fraction of what the state requested to protect frontline healthcare workers, treat patients has been delivered * * * As New Jersey grapples with the COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09) led the state Congressional delegation in urging the U.S. Depar  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09) led the New Jersey congressional delegation in a letter urging the Trump Administration to approve the State's March 16 request for needed flexibility in its Medicaid program to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. A1135 waiver allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, a  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 20: * * * - Delegation pushes CMS to approve state's second request * * * U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09) led 11 other members of the New Jersey congressional delegation in urging the Trump Administration to approve the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) March 19th request for needed flexibility in its Medicaid program to respond to the COVI  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: As New Jersey grapples with the COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) led the state congressional delegation in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deliver much needed medical supplies, including personal protective gear, to assist frontline healthcare workers in their response. The letter was signed by Sens. Menendez   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 19: * * * - HBCUs and other MSIs face unique challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic * * * U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Doug Jones (D-AL) urged Senate Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate appropriators to direct $1.5 billion in emergency funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs)   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 20: U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), along with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), pressed Amazon on workplace safety, following disturbing reports that the tech company was continuing to implement practices that could be hazardous to workers - and by extension, all of its consumers - in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. The letter comes on the h  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - Community health centers are on the frontline in combatting COVID-19 outbreak * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced a total of $24,655,479 in continued funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the operations of 13 of New Jersey's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs are trusted providers for many in lower-income communi  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 20: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced they are cosponsoring legislation that would ensure Americans are still able to vote, despite the public health emergency, by expanding early in-person voting and no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail to all states, and allowing voters who did not receive an absentee ballot to use a printable ballot currently only provided for military and ove  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * - 'It will be up to you whether to use DHS's limited resources to deport these young immigrants who have benefitted America in countless ways through their talents, hard work, and service' * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined a group of 125 lawmakers in pressing the Trump Administration on reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing mas  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 16: * * * - JFK, Dallas-Fort Worth, O'Hare airports experienced massive crowds after Trump announced travel restrictions from Europe * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today pressed Vice President Mike Pence, Chair of the Coronavirus Task Force, to provide clear guidelines and all necessary resources to our nation's airports so they can quickly and efficiently sc  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 18: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew T. Albence, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan requesting information about the policies and procedures their respective agencie  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker joined colleagues in pressing the Coronavirus Task Force on their preparedness and response plans for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Senators sent three letters to the Trump Administration regarding the safety of people living in nursing homes, the ability of seniors living in the community to maintain critical services including delivered mea  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 17: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with their Senate colleagues urged the president to invoke the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), which authorizes the president to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and supply in extraordinary circumstances, and to dire  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) urged President Trump to exercise authorities used in the wake of natural disasters to provide direct emergency assistance to individuals and families and waive local cost sharing in order to pump more federal resources into states and communities responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. "Now, as the entire nation faces the challen  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on March 19: * * * - NJ has over 800K small businesses, many struggling to stay open or pay staff during the outbreak * * * U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) yesterday introduced legislation that would help small businesses recover from the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. In an effort to slow the spre  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- 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, led a group of nine Democratic Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising serious concerns about Americans struggling to return home after being stranded abroad due to the COVID-19  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement marking Saint Patrick's Day: "I extend my warmest wishes to the members of the Irish American community in New Jersey and around the world and join them in celebrating St. Patrick's Day, an important opportunity every year to honor Ireland's rich cultural heritage. It also provides an opportunity to renew our attention and focus on the Good  more