{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"NJ\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-barragn-urge-epa-to-strengthen-standards-for-freight-pollution-sources", "Booker and Barrag\u00e1n Urge EPA to Strengthen Standards for Freight Pollution Sources", "2021-12-21", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n led 48 of their colleagues in encouraging the Environmental Protection Agency to update technology standards for freight-related sources of pollution to address the high levels of air pollution in communities surrounding our nation\u2019s freight shipping facilities and freight transportation corridors.\n\nIn a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Booker, Barrag\u00e1n and their colleagues also requested information regarding EPA\u2019s regulatory schedule for updating freight-related emissions standards, technology assessments for mobile and non-mobile freight sources, and opportunities available to streamline rulemaking to update several emissions standards by 2025.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the EPA\u2019s demonstrated commitment to combatting environmental racism and advancing equal access to clean air, land and water. We specifically applaud the steps the EPA has taken to set criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. We encourage you to expand these efforts to include other freight sources, including locomotives, ocean-going vessels, and aircraft,\u201d the members of Congress wrote.\n\nIn the 10-20 years since the EPA has updated emissions standards for mobile and non-mobile freight-related emissions sources, new control technologies have become available, including zero-emissions and electric options. There are significant opportunities for reducing toxic air pollution in environmental justice communities while addressing the climate crisis.\n\nSenator Booker and Congresswoman Barrag\u00e1n were joined on the letter by Senators Richard Durbin (Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Edward J. Markey (Mass.), Christopher Murphy (Conn.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Bernard Sanders (Vt.), and Congressmembers Alan Lowenthal (Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (N.Y.), Emmanuel Cleaver (Mo.), Yvette Clarke (N.Y.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Grace Napolitano (Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Doris Matsui (Calif.), Barbara Lee (Calif.), Karen Bass (Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Jimmy Gomez (Calif.), Sean Casten (Ill.), Jared Huffman (Calif.), Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (Ill.), Linda S\u00e1nchez (Calif.), Adam Smith (Wash.), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (Ariz.), Donald Payne (N.J.), Mike Quigley (Ill.), Henry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson (Ga.), Ro Khanna (Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) Ted Lieu (Calif.), Brenda Lawrence (Mich.), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.), Betty McCollum (Minn.), Janice Schakowsky (Ill.), Judy Chu (Calif.), A. Donald McEachin (Va.), Madeleine Dean (Pa.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (N.Y.), and Marie Newman (Ill.).\n\nThe letter was also supported by the following environmental and health organizations: Earthjustice, GreenLatinos, Pacific Environment, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-calling-on-us-department-of-education-to-suspend-wage-garnishment-of-student-loan-borrowers", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Suspend Wage Garnishment of Student Loan Borrowers", "2021-12-21", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to suspend administrative wage garnishment of student loan borrowers. The letter comes nearly a month before student loan and interest payments are set to resume on January 31, 2022.\n\n\u201cCurrently, over 9 million borrowers are in default on more than $180 billion in federal student loan debt,\u201d wrote the lawmakers to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona. \u201cA disproportionate number of these borrowers are people of color, first-generation college students, veterans, parents, people with disabilities, and students who will not complete college. Even before the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, these borrowers in default were subject to aggressive collection measures, some of which only the federal government can utilize to collect on student loans. In addition to having to pay exorbitant fees, borrowers in default could expect to see their wages, tax refunds, and even Social Security checks confiscated. Low-income families that had their Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund checks seized by the federal government were often left in worse situations with limited access to jobs and housing, and fewer resources to cover basic necessities.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continued by highlighting that the USDOE\u2019s \u201ccurrent intention to resume these collection efforts in a couple of months, as cash-strapped borrowers struggle to recover from a still-ongoing pandemic, will likely result in significant financial harm.\u201d As such, they asked the Department \u201cto automatically remove eligible borrowers from default status\u201d and \u201cto suspend administrative wage garnishment and other forced collections until of the end of the COVID-19 national public health emergency.\u201d\n\nFurthermore, the lawmakers urged the USDOE \u201cto conduct an analysis of the disparate effects of these practices on Black, Latino and Indigenous people with student debt as part of any comprehensive review of the student loan debt collection system.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers concluded that reforming the harmful wage garnishment process \u201cwould play a critical role in our nation\u2019s recovery efforts and would protect the most financially vulnerable student loan borrowers. We appreciate your prompt attention to our urgent request.\u201d\n\nThe letter follows Senators Booker and Elizabeth Warren\u2019s Ending Administrative Wage Garnishment Act of 2020, legislation introduced nearly a year ago that will suspend wage garnishments for those who have defaulted on their student loans and revise income-drive repayment plans.\n\nThe letter was co-signed by Senators Warren (D-MA), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-and-scott-introduce-comprehensive-legislation-addressing-sickle-cell-disease", "Senators Booker and Scott Introduce Comprehensive Legislation Addressing Sickle Cell Disease", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott(R-SC) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. This legislation would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a Medicaid demonstration program to improve access to comprehensive, high-quality, outpatient care - including clinical and support services - for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL 07) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess (R-TX 26) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act in the House last week.\n\nSickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that disproportionately impacts people of African descent. Among the most notable symptoms of SCD is severe, debilitating pain, but people with SCD also experience complications like stroke, acute chest syndrome, and organ damage. Sadly, individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population.\n\nWhile some advancements in the field have been made recently, many with SCD are not receiving the level of care needed to adequately manage the disease. A Medicaid demonstration program, such as the one outlined in the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, could significantly improve the quality of care SCD patients receive. Additionally, any improvements made as a result of this demonstration program would have the potential to meaningfully improve care for all SCD patients as approximately half of SCD patients in the U.S. are enrolled in Medicaid according to CMS data. Further, this demonstration program shows a lot of promise in saving money, as it aims to reduce patients\u2019 reliance on costly emergency room care.\n\n\u201cPeople with sickle cell disease have for too long suffered from an underinvestment in federal funding and attention,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act would improve access to high-quality, comprehensive care for SCD patients and would be the greatest investment in SCD patients and care since our Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that passed into law in 2018. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Scott.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. I\u2019m proud to support today\u2019s legislation that will help our medical community better treat individuals with this painful disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle Cell Disease Association of America welcomes the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act and hopes that this will improve access to quality medical care for more individuals with sickle cell disease,\u201d said Lewis Hsu, MD, PhDChief Medical Officer, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.\n\n\u201cWe applaud Senators Booker and Scott for acknowledging and addressing the problem of lack of comprehensive care for individuals living with SCD,\u201d said American Society of Hematology President Martin S. Tallman, MD. \u201cAs hematologists, we know that individuals living with SCD lack access to comprehensive care to manage their condition to avoid serious complications. Unfortunately, this means that these individuals \u2013 who are already burdened by a devastating disease \u2013 do not receive care that is holistic and tailored to their unique needs. The introduction of the new bill, which would provide an organized approach to primary and preventative care for individuals with SCD, is a crucial first step toward improving outcomes for the SCD community. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Senators Booker and Scott and other members of Congress to ensure that all people living with sickle cell disease get the care they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepresenting African-American physicians across the nation, the National Medical Association (NMA) continues to advocate for and find solutions to eliminate health disparities faced by individuals with Sickle Cell Disease. We proudly support the Sickle Cell Comprehensive Care Act, which authorizes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a program for Medicaid beneficiaries living with Sickle Cell Disease, particularly young adults and pregnant persons. This innovative policy improves access to comprehensive outpatient care, specialists and resources in an effort to combat this disease and address critical gaps in care. The NMA understands that passage of this legislation is a crucial step in improving health outcomes and quality of life for this underserved population, as we strive to achieve equitable health care for all,\u201d said Rachel Villanueva, MD FACOG, National President of National Medical Association.\n\nThroughout his time in the Senate, Booker has raised awareness for sickle cell disease and advocated for equitable funding, increased attention, and better access to treatments and care for people with SCD. The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act builds upon this work, including his bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that he introduced with Senator Scott and which passed and was signed into lawin 2018. Additionally, earlier this week, Senators Booker and Scott\u2019s resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month unanimously passed in the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cardin-sanders-introduce-legislation-to-create-special-envoy-to-monitor-and-address-islamophobia", "Booker, Cardin, Sanders Introduce Legislation to Create Special Envoy to Monitor and Address Islamophobia", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation that would require the Department of State to establish a Special Envoy for tracking and combatting Islamophobia globally. The creation of the Special Envoy will also help lawmakers and other government officials better understand anti-Muslim hatred and violence, allowing for the development of a comprehensive strategy that will establish U.S. leadership in addressing Islamophobia worldwide.\n\nThe legislation is the Senate companion to a House bill introduced by Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). The House is expected to consider Omar and Schakowsky\u2019s bill for passage as early as today.\n\nIn a recent survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), 69% of American Muslims responded that they have personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred toward Muslims had risen to \u201cepidemic proportions.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve witnessed in recent years an alarming rise in Islamophobia both in the United States and globally that has threatened the religious freedom, well-being, and lives of Muslims,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cEstablishing a Special Envoy at the State Department is an important step that we should take to develop a comprehensive plan to reverse this trend and position the U.S. as a global leader in combating hate.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor over a decade, we have seen a rise in Islamophobia around the country and around the world. The United States should be a global leader in fighting such intolerance. So I am proud today to be joining my Senate colleagues in introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This bill would elevate our commitment to freedom of religion and further protect the rights of Muslims everywhere, \u201d said Senator Cardin, who serves as the Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the 57-nation Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.\n\n\"The Council on American-Islamic Relations thanks Senator Cory Booker for introducing a Senate companion to the Combating International Islamophobia Act,\u201d said Nihad Awad, Executive Director of CAIR. \u201cIt is important to American Muslims, and Muslims around the world that Congress supports the creation of a U.S. Special Envoy at the Department of State to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia. Passing this act into law will equip our nation with the necessary tools to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Muslims here in the United States and abroad, given the transnational nature of Islamophobic hate.\"\n\n\"CAIR New Jersey thanks Senator Cory Booker for introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act,\u201d said Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director of CAIR-New Jersey. \u201cBy monitoring and confronting the rising tide of global Islamophobia, the U.S. can help ensure the religious freedom of Muslims around the world. The New Jersey Muslim community supports the creation of a special envoy position to monitor and combat this rising tide of anti-Muslim hate \u2013 and the Combating International Islamophobia Act would make this special envoy position a reality.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-norcross-celebrate-expansion-of-the-enterprise-center-into-new-jersey", "Booker, Norcross Celebrate Expansion of The Enterprise Center Into New Jersey", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) celebrated the New Jersey launch of The Enterprise Center, a nonprofit organization that has secured contracts to create two distinct entities: the New Jersey Minority Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center and the Camden Cares Business Center. Through these contracts, The Enterprise Center will help minority-owned businesses in New Jersey access capital, business development opportunities, and contracts to grow their operations as well as provide technical assistance, training services, and funding application support to COVID-impacted businesses in Camden.\n\nCiting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority small business and historical racial inequities within the financial system, Booker urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish a Minority Business Center in New Jersey earlier this year. Over the past years, he has also worked to ensure that the MBDA is permanently authorized, an effort that was recently signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.\n\n\u201cThe devastating economic effects of this pandemic have disproportionately impacted minority small businesses across America, with nearly half of Black and one-third of Latino small businesses being forced to shut down - some permanently,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cHowever, we know that minority businesses and entrepreneurs were struggling even before the pandemic, and historic inequities and barriers were merely exacerbated by this crisis. That is why I\u2019ve fought to make the MBDA permanent and fought to open the first Minority Business Center here in New Jersey so that our residents don\u2019t have to travel out of state to access these services. As it launches today, I know that The Enterprise Center will offer critical resources and assistance to our state\u2019s underserved small businesses for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that our financial institutions can and need to be better if we\u2019re going to expand equal opportunity to everyone in our community,\u201d said Rep. Norcross. \u201cI know I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today if it weren\u2019t for accessible education and career training, and I know that having The Enterprise Center in Camden will help level the playing field by opening doors to opportunity and increasing access to vital resources for local minority-owned businesses.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senate-passes-booker-scott-resolution-raising-awareness-of-sickle-cell-disease", "Senate Passes Booker, Scott Resolution Raising Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Tim Scott\u2019s (R-S.C.) resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month.\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, and yet research, treatment, and awareness efforts for the disease still lag far behind other chronic illnesses,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cMore work and research remains to be done, and we must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are largely affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health. I am proud to lead the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month resolution with Senator Scott and I will continue to champion federal initiatives to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. With this resolution, we commit to raising awareness and seeking out legislation that will help our medical community fight\u2014and one day, cure\u2014this painful disease.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-krishnamoorthi-lead-colleagues-in-calling-on-us-department-of-education-to-facilitate-student-civic-engagement-in-institutions-of-higher-education", "Booker, Krishnamoorthi Lead Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Facilitate Student Civic Engagement in Institutions of Higher Education", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8th) led a bicameral group of over two dozen colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to address student voter registration and participation as it formulates rulemaking for higher education accountability. The letter comes as states across the country pass legislation designed to curb the voting rights of Black, Brown, and young people.\n\n\u201cAcross the country, voting rights are under attack, and new laws restricting access to voting have been transparently intended to discourage students and people of color from participating in our elections,\u201d wrote the lawmakers to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona. \u201cThe Department can and should play a significant role in supporting democracy by creating additional nonpartisan opportunities for students to register to vote, keep their voter registration up to date, and participate in state and federal elections.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continued by highlighting that \u201cSection 487(a)(23) of theHigher Education Act requires each institution of higher education that receives federal financial aid funds to make a \u201cgood faith effort\u201d to distribute voter registration materials and to make such materials \u201cwidely available\u201d to students. A college\u2019s good faith effort to distribute voter registration information widely should reflect the most common methods by which individuals register to vote\u2014including, increasingly, online registration\u2014and the deadlines they must meet.\u201d\n\nGiven that the USDOE will only complete rulemaking for higher education institutions in early 2022, the lawmakers called on the department to\u201cswiftly issue sub-regulatory guidance that clarifies institutions\u2019 responsibilities under current regulations. This guidance should remind colleges of their existing requirement to distribute voter registration information to students well in advance of state deadlines to register to vote. And, such guidance should strongly encourage institutions to adopt best practices for providing links to voter registration online and through direct notifications to students, including links during course registration and campus-wide email reminders.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers concluded, \u201cParticipating in our democracy is consistent with the goals of federal financial aid, and the Department should take swift action to support access to voter registration and voting for students in this rulemaking process. Thank you for your attention to our request.\u201d\n\nThe letter follows Senator Booker\u2019s Help Students Vote Act, legislation introduced earlier this year that would strengthen student voter registration and civic participation on college campuses.\n\nThe letter was co-signed by the following Senators: Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-NM), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mark Warner (D-VA).\n\nThe letter was also co-signed by the following Representatives: Deborah Ross (NC-02nd), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07th), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18th), Terri Sewell (AL-07th), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07th), Stephen Lynch (MA-08th), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05th), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03rd).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-senate-judiciary-committee-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-privacy-safety-of-federal-judges-and-their-families", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of Bipartisan Bill To Protect Privacy, Safety of Federal Judges and Their Families", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-author of the bill, and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), lead and co-author of the bill, applauded the passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation comes after the fatal, targeted attack last year on U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas\u2019s New Jersey home. The bill, named for Judge Salas\u2019s son who was murdered during the violent home invasion last year, would safeguard the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate families that could leave them vulnerable to potential threats.\n\nThe bill passed through the Judiciary Committee today without opposition and with broad bipartisan support.\n\nWATCH MEDIA AVAILABILITY HERE\n\n\u201cI am grateful that Senators of both parties came together today to support the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act\u2014 urgently needed legislation that will help protect the privacy and safety of federal judges and their families,\u201d said Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. \u201cNo person who takes on the responsibility of serving as a federal judge should ever have to live in fear that they or their family could be targeted by someone who is able to access their personal information easily online. As we continue to grieve and stand with the Salas family in honoring the memory of their son Daniel, we must never forget that tragic day, and we must ensure that this legislation is passed by the full Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cI made a personal commitment to Judge Salas that I would push for legislation to better protect those who serve on our federal judiciary. Today, we are one step closer to fulfilling that promise with this important legislation passing the Senate Judiciary Committee,\u201d said Sen. Menendez, who recommended Judge Salas to President Barack Obama for appointment to the federal bench. \u201cOver the past several years, we have witnessed increased threats against the men and women who serve on our federal judiciary. To ensure the sanctity of judicial independence and to help prevent another devastating tragedy like the one endured by Judge Salas, I urge my colleagues in Congress to swiftly pass this commonsense, bipartisan bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy husband and I thank the Senate Judiciary Committee from our hearts,\u201d Judge Salas said. \u201cDaniel\u2019s death showed tragically that threats against federal judges are real, and they have dire consequences. I urge Congress to follow the committee\u2019s lead and ensure that judges can perform their duties without fear, for themselves or their families.\u201d\n\nIn July 2020, a man posing as a delivery driver went to the home of Judge Salas and opened fire, critically wounding her husband, Mark Anderl, and killing their 20-year-old son, Daniel. The gunman had previously argued a case before Judge Salas and used publicly available information to target the judge and her family. Since the attack, Judge Salas has made advocating for greater safety and privacy protections for federal judges a personal mission.\n\nThe Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act would shield the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate family who share their residence, including home addresses, social security numbers, contact information, tax records, marital and birth records, vehicle information, photos of their vehicle and home, and the name of the schools and employers of their immediate family members.\n\nThe legislation establishes guidelines for federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial data collectors to create safeguards to protect the personal information of active, senior, recalled, or retired federal judges and their immediate families by:\n\nProhibiting government agencies from publicly posting judges\u2019 personally identifiable information and allowing judges to request the removal of their information within 72 hours if it is already posted;\n\nCreating a federal grant program for state and local governments to help cover costs to prevent the release of judges\u2019 personally identifiable information from any agency that operates a database or registry that contains this information;\n\nAuthorizing funding for state and local governments to create or expand programs to protect judges\u2019 personally identifiable information, such as programs to redact information from tax, property, and state motor vehicle records, among others, or the hiring of a third party to scrub the information from the internet;\n\nProhibiting commercial data collectors from selling, trading, licensing, purchasing, or providing judges\u2019 personally identifiable information, and authorizing the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) to provide data brokers with a current list of federal judges and their immediate family members for the purpose of compliance and;\n\nAllowing injunctive relief and a private right-of-action for violations of the law.\n\nThe bill would also authorize funding for the AO and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to monitor and assess online threats, maintain records, investigate complaints, and address acts of aggression and violations. It would also allow the USMS to hire additional intelligence analysts, deputy U.S. Marshals, and other personnel to ensure the agency is able to anticipate and deter threats against federal judges.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-sullivan-introduce-world-aids-day-resolution", "Booker, Sullivan Introduce World AIDS Day Resolution", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced a resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day, including the goal to achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The resolution recognizes current efforts made by the United States and international organizations in combatting HIV/AIDS while also encouraging greater coordination between the global community to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. A companion resolution was introduced in the House by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n.\n\n\u201cEach year, thousands of Americans are newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, with Black and Brown communities being disproportionately affected by the disease,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cAs we commemorate World AIDS Day, this is also the time for us to recommit to finally eradicating HIV/AIDS in the United States and worldwide by scaling up support for prevention, treatment and research programs and improving access to life-saving medications, especially for vulnerable populations.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we continue to battle COVID-19, World AIDS Day is an important reminder of the millions of people living with another virus\u2014HIV,\u201d said Senator Sullivan. \u201cSince coming to the Senate, I\u2019ve been an ardent supporter of robust funding for PEPFAR, a federal program started by President Bush that has treated nearly 15 million people around the world. I\u2019m glad to join Senator Booker and our House colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize World AIDS Day and the critical work being done to prevent infections and save lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their struggle against this disease, their families and loved ones, and the millions more who continue to live with and fight against it,\u201d said Rep. Lee. \u201cThis is the moment that we must all enact the political and moral will to bring equitable care and services for the LGBTQI+ community, sex workers, racial and ethnic minorities, and women and girls. We will only end AIDS if we address the deep disparities in access to sexual and reproductive care, life-saving HIV services, and education.\n\n\u201cAs we mark the 33rd World AIDS Day, it is imperative that we address stigma,discrimination, and repeal punitive laws against people living with HIV. We must come together to protect lifesaving public health programs to realize our shared goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation. I\u2019m proud to be working with co-chair Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon on this effort and I stand with the HIV community, their families, advocates, and my colleagues, to recognize the progress we have made over the years, but to fully commit to the work that remains.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we commemorate World AIDS Day, I am proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing bicameral resolution to continue our efforts in spreading awareness about HIV and continue our efforts to prevention, care and treatment,\u201d said Rep. Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n. \u201cThis is a mission I care about deeply, as in my district, two people become newly infected with HIV every day. It\u2019s imperative we continue supporting those living with this virus and their families, as we continue working in crafting common sense policies and programs to improve research and treatment and end the HIV epidemic.\u201d\n\nThe resolution was endorsed by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, AIDS Alabama, the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, Friends of the Global Fight, The AIDS Institute, RESULTS, NMAC, and ONE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-durbin-introduce-legislation-aimed-at-increasing-membership-within-us-sentencing-commission", "Booker and Durbin Introduce Legislation Aimed at Increasing Membership within U.S. Sentencing Commission", "2021-11-30", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Sentencing Commission Improvements Act, legislation that would for the first time add an ex officio member with a public defender background to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.\n\nThe U.S. Sentencing Commission, an independent agency within the federal judiciary, was created to establish policies and practices to help reduce sentencing disparities. It specifically collects and analyzes information on federal sentencing practices to help develop fairer and more effective criminal justice policies.\n\nCurrently, the Commission consists of seven members from both political parties appointed by the President and two ex officio, nonvoting members, the Attorney General or a designee and the U.S. Parole Commission chair. However, unlike the majority of state sentencing commissions, the federal Commission lacks a representative from a public defender background who would provide an essential perspective on the criminal justice system.\n\n\u201cThe federal Sentencing Commission was created to be fair, impartial, and capable of providing evidence-driven improvements to our sentencing system, which is fraught with disparities,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAdding a statutory member to the Commission with a public defender background will ensure that the Commission\u2019s ranks include this distinct and essential perspective on our criminal justice system and, thus, bring us one step closer to a more balanced and just system.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Sentencing Commission is tasked with establishing practices and policies to promote transparency and reduce sentencing disparities, but the Commission is missing a crucial perspective from the federal public defender system. If we hope to improve sentencing policies in America, we must balance the Commission\u2019s membership by adding a nonvoting federal defender,\u201d said Senator Durbin. \u201cThe Sentencing Commission Improvements Act will remedy the Commission\u2019s blind spot and move us toward a fairer sentencing process.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe welcome Senators Booker and Durbin\u2019s support for a federal defender ex officio,\u201d said Jon Sands, co-chair of the Federal Public & Community Defenders Legislative Committee & Federal Defender for the District of Arizona. \u201cThe time is past due for Congress to ensure defender representation on the United States Sentencing Commission. As the Judicial Conference has long recognized, a defender ex officio would make federal sentencing fairer and more just.\u201d\n\nThe Sentencing Commission Improvements Act adds an ex officio, nonvoting federal defender member to the U.S. Sentencing Commission designated by the Defender Services Advisory Group, the body under the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that represents defender offices and advises the federal judiciary.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/as-thanksgiving-approaches-booker-khanna-announce-legislation-to-protect-meatpacking-workers", "As Thanksgiving Approaches, Booker, Khanna Announce Legislation to Protect Meatpacking Workers", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) announced the Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act which would provide stronger workplace protections for meat and poultry processing workers.\n\nOur nation\u2019s food system has long been broken, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on just how broken the system truly is for workers, farmers and ranchers, animals, and consumers. Unfortunately, the workers responsible for getting food from the farm to our table are often overlooked and underappreciated. It is clear that our food system is not safe for most farm and food chain workers including meatpacking workers that, due to the power and influence of large multinational corporations, have been forced to risk their lives, crowded into meatpacking plants that became hotbeds for COVID-19 outbreaks. In fact, recent reports indicate that over 59,000 meatpacking workers employed by JBS, Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill, and National Beef contracted COVID-19, and at least 269 died.\n\nThe Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act would provide much needed protections for meatpacking workers along with systemic reforms such as creating a fair market that allows independent farmers, ranchers and robust local food systems to thrive and ensuring that consumers can actually identify where their food comes from so that food giants cannot simply shift the burden of their unfair system to others in the supply chain or import more unsustainable meat from other parts of the world.\n\n\u201cAs we sit down with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let it also be a day of gratitude for the workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have food on our tables,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cUnfortunately, meatpacking workers, including those processing the turkeys on the plates of many Americans this week, often face exploitative and dangerous work conditions. We must end this era of abusive practices and begin to ensure that all workers, farmers, and ranchers have a safe and fair opportunity to earn a living. The Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act would provide essential protections to meatpacking workers and is a critical piece in transforming our food system to one that is rooted in resilience, fairness, and justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic publicly exposed the dangerous conditions that meatpackers employed by large multinational corporations face, but this has been a problem for a long time,\u201d said Rep. Ro Khanna. \u201cI\u2019m glad to join Senator Booker to establish enhanced protections and safety standards at these mega meatpacking plants. It\u2019s time to prioritize people over profits and implement real reforms that will keep workers safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s meatpacking and food processing workers have put their health on the line every day of this pandemic to ensure our families can put food on the table. These hard-working men and women on the frontlines of our food supply chain deserve safe workplaces,\u201d said Marc Perrone, International President, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s introduction of the Protecting American Meatpacking Workers Act by Senator Booker and Representative Khanna is a critical step toward strengthening protections in these plants, increasing consumer protections, and holding the industry accountable. Americans deserve to know that their food is safe, made here in the United States, and comes from American workers who are protected on the job.\n\n\u201cWith action to strengthen safety inspections, improve transparency and require more injury reporting, this bill would deliver the real reforms this industry needs. As America\u2019s largest union for meatpacking workers, UFCW is calling on both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to quickly pass this legislation which supports good American jobs and will keep our food supply chain secure for years to come.\u201d\n\n\"The members of Wisconsin Farmers Union stand in solidarity with food system workers seeking workplace safety through the \u2018Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021,\u2019\u201d said Lauren Langworthy, Special Projects Director at Wisconsin Farmers Union. \u201cAs both farmers and eaters, we depend on the laborers who process our meat products. Issues of workplace safety and abuse - especially in the most consolidated processing plants - have endangered the health and wellbeing of laborers and added to the fragility of our food system as a whole. Workers deserve the basic protections brought forth in this bill, better enforcement of existing workplace safety laws, and meaningful consequences for employers who neglect the safety and wellbeing of this important workforce.\"\n\n\u201cNELP applauds Senator Booker and Representative Khanna for this legislation that secures robust health, safety, and legal protections for meatpacking workers and our food system,\u201d said Rebecca Dixon, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project. \u201cThis legislation is a culmination of the fierce advocacy of workers, advocates, and policymakers to protect the meat and poultry workforce, a community that is critical to our nation\u2019s wellbeing as we continue to work towards an inclusive and just recovery.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe want to thank Senator Booker for leading this effort,\u201d said Suzanne Adely, Co-Director, Food Chain Workers Alliance. \u201cMeat processing workers have been organizing for safe working conditions and for a voice in their workplace for years, and the COVID pandemic showed us just how much these workers are at risk. While there is still much more to do to protect workers and support worker organizing in meat processing plants, we think the provisions in this Bill are a critically important step.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor too long, poultry companies have been exposing workers to inhumane working conditions while profiting from their labor,\u201d said Magaly Licolli, Executive Director, Venceremos. \u201cThey have failed to take full accountability for the abuse, injuries, illnesses and financial stress their workers are subject to. This bill will address some of the most urgent protections for workers who have been undervalued to ensure they have dignity as they work to put food on our tables.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act would do the following:\n\nProtect meat and poultry works by:\n\nPreventing the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing line speeds waivers unless meat and poultry plants agree to a USDA inspection which must show that an increase in line speeds will not adversely impact worker safety;\n\nEstablishing occupational safety and health standards to protect employees in meat and poultry plants;\n\nImplementing a regional emphasis inspection program for meat and poultry plants which will cover multiple aspects of worker safety including amputation hazards, ergonomics, and hazards related to line speeds, bathroom breaks, use of certain antimicrobials, and temperatures of work sites;\n\nAllowing meat or poultry plant employees the ability to authorize a representative, who may be a member of a worker-based community group, to accompany physical inspections;\n\nStrengthening existing protections against retaliation from employers when employees refuse to perform work duties under conditions of reasonable apprehension and sets up a system wherein employees may file a complaint in the event retaliation has occurred;\n\nEstablishing a standardized, publicly available, reporting process for use during pandemics, which will require meat or poultry plants to report the number of employees who have become ill, their racial demographics, and their employment status;\n\nReform the farm system by:\n\nRequiring that all grants funded under USDA AMS for Expanded Meat & Poultry Processing include labor peace agreements and prohibiting small processing plants that received a grant from being sold to meat and poultry packers with over 10 percent of market share for a period of 10 years;\n\nStrengthening the Packers & Stockyards Act to crack down on the monopolistic practices of meatpackers and corporate integrators;\n\nRestoring mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements\n\nCalling for GAO reports that would explore:\n\nThe fragility of our nation\u2019s food system with respect to meat and poultry;\n\nRacial and ethnic disparities in meat and poultry processing;\n\nThe actions taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the effectiveness of those actions in protecting animal, food, and worker safety.\n\nLast year, Senator Booker introduced the Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act, that suspended all current and future USDA waivers and regulations that allowed companies to increase production line speeds at meatpacking plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nA list of the organizations endorsing the Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act can be found here.\n\nThe following Senators co-sponsored this legislation: Gillibrand (D-NY), Blumenthal (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), and Warren (D-MA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-legislation-aimed-at-banning-dangerous-pesticides-from-our-agriculture-system", "Booker Announces Legislation Aimed at Banning Dangerous Pesticides from our Agriculture System", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) that would remove dangerous pesticides within our farm system. Specifically, this legislation would update the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) by banning the most damaging pesticides that have been scientifically proven to harm the safety of people and our environment.\n\nEach year, the United States uses over a billion pounds of pesticides \u2014 nearly a fifth of worldwide use. Once they\u2019re approved, pesticides often remain on the market for decades, even when scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows a pesticide is causing harm to people or the environment. In 2017 and 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency registered more than 100 pesticides containing ingredients widely considered to be dangerous.\n\nApproximately one-third of annual U.S. pesticide use \u2014 over 300 million pounds from 85 different pesticides \u2014 comes from pesticides that are banned in the European Union. The pesticide regulation statute, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA), contains many loopholes that put the interests of the pesticide industry above the health and safety of people and our environment.\n\n\u201cAs we sit down with family and friends for Thanksgiving, let this day also be one of gratitude for the workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have food on our tables,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cFarmworkers are often exposed to dangerous and toxic pesticides, risking their health as they work to provide our food. It is imperative that we address this issue directly by updating our laws in order to protect farmworkers, frontline communities, and our environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cPesticide hazards haunt farm workers, especially those that are parents. No parent should worry that hugging their children after a long day of work could expose them to brain-harming chemicals. No pregnant worker should have to wonder what the effects will be on a developing baby. Just living in an agricultural community places farm worker families at the front lines of exposure to dangerous nerve agents. This silent risk extends to every consumer who could unknowingly put food with toxic residue on their family\u2019s table,\u201d said Teresa Romero, President of the United Farm Workers of America.\n\n\u201cFor our union, at the heart of the fight against harmful pesticides are countless tragic incidents of workers who experienced pesticide poisoning, and of parents whose children are dealing with developmental injuries, learning disabilities or other health impairments.\n\n\u201cThe Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act recognizes that our nation\u2019s farm workers and consumers deserve better and puts an end to the unacceptable risks to our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFarmworkers and their families are exposed to highly toxic pesticides in the fields where they work and the communities where they live,\u201d said Iris Figueroa, Director of Economic and Environmental Justice, Farmworker Justice. \u201cThe reforms in this bill provide long-overdue protections for the essential workers who provide our food, facing significant risks to their own health as they do so.\u201d\n\n\u201cChildren and farmworkers should not have to risk suffering serious harm from dangerous pesticides, including many that are banned in other countries,\u201d said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. \u201cThese critical reforms are long overdue. They\u2019ll ensure that people\u2019s health comes before the pesticide industry\u2019s greed.\"\n\n\u201cExposure to paraquat increases risk for Parkinson\u2019s disease \u2014 as well as causes lung damage and other issues. This herbicide must be banned,\u201dsaid Todd Sherer, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research Strategy of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson\u2019s Research. \u201cIt is irresponsible to continue allowing a chemical on the market that is a known contributor to developing a neurodegenerative disease. In addition to the human toll, Parkinson\u2019s brings a high financial cost to the individual and the government. Banning paraquat will reduce the number of people who develop Parkinson\u2019s and ease the economic burden.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) would provide desperately-needed improvement to FIFRA that would better protect people and the environment, including:\n\nBans some of the most damaging pesticides scientifically known to cause significant harm to people and the environment:\n\nOrganophosphate insecticides, which are designed to target the neurological system and have been linked to neurodevelopmental damage in children;\n\nNeonicotinoid insecticides, which have contributed to pollinator collapse around the world (the European Union and Canada have significantly restricted or banned their use to protect pollinators and other wildlife) and have recently been shown to cause developmental defects, heart deformations, and muscle tremors in unborn children;\n\nParaquat, which is one of the most acutely toxic herbicides in the world \u2014according to the EPA, just \u201cone sip can kill.\u201d Science has shown that chronic exposure to paraquat increases the risk of developing Parkinson\u2019s disease by 200% to 600%. It is already banned in 32 countries, including the European Union.\n\nRestores balance to protect ordinary citizens by removing dangerous pesticides from the market by:\n\nCreating a petition process to enable individual citizens to petition the EPA to identify dangerous pesticides so that the EPA would no longer be able to indefinitely allow dangerous pesticides to remain on the market;\n\nClosing dangerous loopholes that have allowed the EPA to issue emergency exemptions and conditional registrations to use pesticides before they have gone through full health and safety review by the agency;\n\nEnabling local communities to enact protective legislation and other policies without being vetoed or preempted by state law;\n\nSuspending the use of pesticides deemed unsafe by the E.U. or Canada until they are thoroughly reviewed by the EPA.\n\nProvides protections for frontline communities that bear the burden of pesticide exposure by:\n\nRequiring employers of farmworkers to report all pesticide-caused injuries to the EPA, with strong penalties for failure to report injuries or retaliating against workers;\n\nDirecting the EPA to review pesticide injury reports and work with the pesticide manufacturers to develop better labeling to prevent future injury;\n\nRequiring that all pesticide label instructions be written in Spanish and in any language spoken by more than 500 pesticide applicators.\n\nSenators Gillibrand (D-NY), Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), and Padilla (D-CA) co-sponsored this legislation.\n\nA list of the organizations endorsing the Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-murray-menendez-maloney-kelly-and-porter-lead-over-100-democrats-in-introducing-the-access-to-birth-control-act", "Booker, Murray, Menendez, Maloney, Kelly, and Porter Lead Over 100 Democrats in Introducing the Access to Birth Control Act", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led the reintroduction of the Access to Birth Control Act in the Senate. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Katie Porter (D-CA) reintroduced the bill in the House. Over 100 Democrats are cosponsors of the bill.\n\nThe legislation\u2014which has been endorsed by 50 national and local advocacy organizations\u2014would guarantee patients\u2019 timely access to birth control at the pharmacy\u2014including by addressing pharmacies\u2019 refusals of contraception that prevent patients from obtaining their preferred form of birth control medication.\n\n\u201cBirth control is a vital part of reproductive health care and basic family planning,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAt a time when reproductive rights are under increasing attack throughout the country, protecting Americans' access to contraception is more important than ever. The Access to Birth Control Act would ensure that all people not only have autonomy over their health but also have affordable and timely access to birth control.\u201d\n\n\u201cBirth control is essential health care\u2014full stop. And it\u2019s health care that helps ensure everyone can control their own bodies, lives and futures,\u201d said Senator Murray. \u201cWith reproductive rights under attack from every angle, we\u2019ve got to stand up and make clear that no one should be able to come between a patient and the birth control they need\u2014including being turned away at the pharmacy.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to lead my colleagues in reintroducing the Access to Birth Control Act to ensure patients seeking birth control can access their health care without unnecessary barriers or delay,\u201d said Chairwoman Maloney. \u201cDuring the Trump Administration, some health care providers\u2014including pharmacists\u2014denied patients care simply based on their personal views. Health care providers must do their jobs based on science\u2014not ideology\u2014and we cannot let this dangerous trend continue. I\u2019ve been a fierce advocate for equitable access to reproductive health care for many years, and I won\u2019t stop fighting until everyone can access the care they need, when they need it.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to join Senators Booker and Murray in introducing this important legislation to ensure women are able to access their contraceptive of choice at the pharmacy of choice without fear of intimidation or harassment,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cThis is a critical step forward in making sure we protect a woman\u2019s settled right to access full and equitable reproductive care, including birth control.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccess to birth control is an essential part of women\u2019s healthcare, and a pharmacist\u2019s or provider\u2019s personal views should not factor into a woman\u2019s access to birth control,\u201d said Representative Kelly. \u201cWomen\u2019s healthcare is constantly under attack, and we must provide solutions to protect their access to care. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to ensure that every woman who wants to access birth control is able to easily obtain it.\u201d\n\n\u201cBodily autonomy is essential to social equality and economic security,\u201d said Representative Porter. \u201cEveryone ought to have the freedom to make their own health care decisions, including if and when they would like to have children. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues today in introducing legislation that will better protect patients seeking to make decisions about their own bodies.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople\u2019s access to birth control should never be restricted by a pharmacy employee\u2019s personal beliefs,\u201d said Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of National Women\u2019s Law Center. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to support this bill that will make sure everyone can leave a pharmacy with the birth control they need, without discrimination, harassment, or delay. At a time when extremist politicians are trying every way possible to take away our reproductive health care, it\u2019s urgent to secure federal protections like the ABC Act. We thank Senator Booker and Representative Maloney, Chairwoman of the Oversight Committee, along with Senator Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, and Representatives Kelly and Porter for taking action and urge Congress to pass it.\u201d\n\n\u201cContraception is a protected fundamental right and access to contraception is necessary for people to make and exercise decisions about whether and when to become pregnant,\u201d said Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, Founder and President National Birth Equity Collaborative. \u201cThe Access to Birth Control Act will especially aid in closing the disparities gap for women of color who historically have faced challenges accessing contraception and medication due to systemic racism. Establishing certain duties for pharmacies to ensure safe and equal access to contraception is a critical step in protecting women's sexual reproductive health and wellbeing. \u201d\n\n\"Birth control is a lifeline used at some point by 98% of U.S. Catholics to plan and support their families, manage health conditions, and achieve their educational and employment goals,\u201d said Jamie Manson, President of Catholics for Choice. \u201cIt is dangerous and wrong for a pharmacist to refuse essential care based on their personal religious beliefs, because refusal compromises a patient\u2019s health, economic security, and moral autonomy \u2013 all of which our Catholic social justice values compel us to protect. Catholics for Choice is proud to support the Access to Birth Control Act to ensure that people can get the care they need without delay, following their own individual consciences without obstruction or coercion.\"\n\nAccording to the National Women\u2019s Law Center, pharmacists have refused to fill prescriptions for birth control or provide emergency contraception over the counter to patients in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the ongoing coronavirus crisis has exacerbated barriers to contraception access, with one in three women experiencing delays in obtaining their birth control during the pandemic.\n\nThe Access to Birth Control Act ensures patients seeking FDA-approved contraception, including emergency contraception and medication related to contraception, are able to access it in a timely manner and not be prevented from doing so by a pharmacy.\n\nIf a contraception medication is out of stock, the bill requires pharmacies to either refer the patient to another pharmacy or order the medication, depending on the patient\u2019s preference.\n\nThe bill also protects patients from being intimidated, threatened, or harassed by pharmacy employees who personally object to the use of contraception.\n\nIn the event that a pharmacy violates one of these requirements, the bill establishes liability for civil penalties for the pharmacy and a private cause of action for patients to seek relief.\n\nClick here to read a summary of the Access to Birth Control Act.\n\nClick here to read the full legislative text of the Access to Birth Control Act.\n\nClick here to read the full list of Members introducing the Access to Birth Control Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-resource-handbook-for-new-jersey-veterans", "Booker Releases Resource Handbook for New Jersey Veterans", "2021-11-11", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a comprehensive resource guide for New Jersey veterans and their families. The handbook, accessible on Booker\u2019s website here, includes added information on COVID-19 resources and VA benefits for conditions related to toxic exposure as well as information on health benefits, crisis support services, federal and state education programs, and employment resources.\n\n\u201cAs a nation, we must make sure that our veterans are given the resources, care, and support they need to succeed as they return to civilian life,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cAhead of Veterans Day, I am proud to release this handbook that provides the 400,000 veterans who call New Jersey home and their loved ones information on accessing critical services - from healthcare benefits, employment programs, to COVID-19 assistance.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/on-eve-of-veterans-day-booker-klobuchar-announce-legislation-to-improve-access-to-mental-health-services-for-veterans", "On Eve of Veterans Day, Booker, Klobuchar Announce Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act, legislation that would expand access to mental health services for veterans and their families. The bicameral bill would allow 10 additional states, including New Jersey and Minnesota, to be eligible for at least one additional Vet Center which would provide mental health counseling to veterans, survivors of military sexual assault, and Gold Star families. Companion legislation was earlier introduced in the House by Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands-At-Large). This legislation has been endorsed by The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Service Women\u2019s Action Network, and New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group.\n\n\u201cVet Centers play a critical role in ensuring that our veterans and their families receive access to affordable and potentially lifesaving care, including vital mental health resources and gender specific services,\u201d said Sen. Booker.\u201cUnfortunately, as data shows, such centers are not always available in communities with high veteran populations. This bicameral legislation will help expand Vet Center services in several states, allowing more of our nation\u2019s veterans to receive the VA care they have earned and deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans have sacrificed for our country, and we need to repay this service by providing access to care that meets their unique needs, whether that be mental health needs or readjustment counseling,\u201d said Sen. Klobuchar. \u201cThe VA estimates that about 11 to 20 out of every 100 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been diagnosed with potential symptoms of PTSD, making it all the more crucial that we ensure every veteran has access to Vet Center services, regardless of where they live. I am proud to partner with Senator Booker on this legislation to prioritize the mental health of our veterans.\u201d\n\n\u201cVet Centers play a critical role in assisting veterans as they transition into civilian life and aiding those who are experiencing readjustment issues. Unfortunately, not all veterans have access to Vet Centers because of their geographic location, said Paul E. Dillard, National Commander of The American Legion. \u201cTo address this issue, The American Legion supports efforts to establish new Vet Centers that consider factors not measurable, but rather reflective of the unique characteristics of each state, its resources, and limitations to reach as many veterans as possible. Therefore, The American Legion is pleased to endorse the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act. Expanding the number of Vet Centers in certain high-population states that have high veteran to Vet Center ratios will help to reduce gaps in VA healthcare coverage and provide veterans the support they desperately need.\u201d\n\n\u201cVet Centers are vital community-based lifelines to mental health care and readjustment services for veterans, service members, and families,\u201d saidBrittany Dymond, Associate Director with the VFW\u2019s National Legislative Service. \u201cHowever, some communities lack access to a Vet Center while others experience demand that exceeds their Vet Center\u2019s capacity. The VFW supports the Veterans Census-Enabled National Treatment Equitable Resource Supplement for Mental Health Act of 2021 (Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2021), which would require VA to increase the number of Vet Centers. We applaud Senators Booker and Klobuchar for their attention to this issue in order to provide additional touch points to VA services.\u201d\n\n\u201cVET Centers are a critical lynchpin in VA\u2019s ability to support Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors and other veterans in need of services to support their mental health,\u201d said Lory Manning, Director Of Government Relations for the Service Women\u2019s Action Network. We need more VET Centers in more locations so more veterans can be helped by the healing programs and peer support they provide.\u201d\n\n\u201cCatholic Charities Veteran Services is proud to support this legislative effort to establish another Vet Center in New Jersey,\u201d said David Pearson, Assistant Director of Veteran Services for Catholic Family & Community Services in the Diocese of Paterson and Co-Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group. Access to local mental health services for our veterans is critically important, and is a benefit that they deserve. We thank Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for leading this initiative in the Senate to help fulfil our country\u2019s obligation to our veterans and service members.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholders Group is grateful for the support of Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for their advocacy on this very important issue,\u201d said AJ Luna, Co-Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group. \u201cOur veterans and their families have served and sacrificed for us all. We must continue to advocate for them so that they can have access to the resources and services that best support them during their transition to civilian life.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a veteran who recognizes the life-saving value of Vet Centers from firsthand experience, it is heart-warming to see legislation that would expand the number of Vet Centers across the United States,\u201d said Emerson Crooks,Co-Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council of the New Jersey VA Health Care System and Vice President of the Mental Health Association of North Jersey. \u201cVet Centers provide much needed mental health services for veterans and their families, especially for those who served in combat and require readjustment services upon their return home. I am thankful to Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for leading this initiative in the Senate, and for their continued advocacy to make this critical service available to more veterans. We must continue to advocate for our veterans and ensure that they have the support necessary during their transition into civilian life.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a recently retired Director of a Vet Center in New Jersey, I have seen firsthand the critically necessary support that Vet Centers provide to our servicemembers and their families,\u201d said David Cathcart, Retired Director of the Secaucus VA Vet Center. \u201cEspecially during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring our veterans can receive mental health services in a timely, local manner has never been more important in the fight to reduce veteran suicide. Adding additional Vet Centers across the United States, especially in New Jersey, will effectively reduce wait-times, decrease travel-times, and ensure providers are not overwhelmed with large caseloads. It is the least we can do for the men and women who have given so much to our nation.\u201d\n\nHistorically, different methods have been used to identify where the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) places Vet Centers, leading to unintended underinvestment in certain states and territories that have higher ratios of veterans to Vet Centers than the national average. This legislation modifies the criteria that the VA uses by leveraging results of the 2020 Census and the VA\u2019s own population data to ensure underserved areas are eligible for additional Vet Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-open-enrollment-resource-guide-for-new-jerseyans", "Booker Releases Open Enrollment Resource Guide for New Jerseyans", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Resource Guide for New Jerseyans. The guide, accessible here, includes information on health insurance plans available through the marketplace, financial assistance options, and the enrollment process.\n\nNew Jersey uses a state-based exchange, Get Covered New Jersey, to provide health insurance to residents. Also, as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden signed into law in March 2021, more New Jerseyans will have access to subsidies that will make their health coverage even more affordable in 2022.\n\nNew Jerseyans can enroll in a health insurance plan for themselves and their loved ones during the Open Enrollment Period that runs from November 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-celebrates-four-months-of-child-tax-credit-payments-to-nj-families", "Booker Celebrates Four Months of Child Tax Credit Payments to NJ Families", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) highlighted the transformative impact that four months of Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments have had on New Jersey families. Since monthly payments were first issued in July, nationally, the CTC has provided historic economic relief for nearly 39 million households, covering almost 90 percent of children in the country, and setting the U.S. on course to cut child poverty by half. Statistics from the Treasury Department and IRS show that $1,552,834,000 in CTC payments was awarded to New Jersey families from July to October, with more than 1.6 million New Jersey children being covered in October alone.\n\n\u201cFour months ago, families across the United States received their first child tax credit payments, a historic investment in the lives of working people that has helped struggling parents put food on the table, cover child care costs, and buy school supplies,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cIn New Jersey specifically, this transformative policy has been a lifeline for the 14% of children who lived in poverty prior to the pandemic, helping change life trajectories and positioning our state for stronger economic growth. I am especially encouraged to see President Biden\u2019s Build Back Better framework include an extension of these payments.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-colleagues-urge-dot-to-implement-regulations-to-detect-and-reduce-methane-leaks", "Booker, Colleagues Urge DOT to Implement Regulations to Detect and Reduce Methane Leaks", "2021-10-29", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a letter with 11 colleagues urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to issue strong regulations to help reduce methane leaks within our natural gas pipeline system. Specifically, the Senators urged DOT and PHMSA to require advanced methane leak detection technologies that effectively detect and address harmful greenhouse gas emissions, an important step in implementing the PIPES Act of 2020 which Congress passed last year.\n\n\u201cLeaks in natural gas gathering, transmission, storage, processing and distribution threaten public health and our environment and cost industry substantial amounts in escaped methane,\u201d the Senators wrote to DOTSecretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cMethane is more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide and drives near-term greenhouse gas emission trends. A 2018 study published in Science found that the volume of natural gas leaking from across the natural gas supply chain would be enough to fuel 10 million homes and isworth an estimated $2 billion per year \u2013 and these estimates do not include the significant air quality and climate benefits associated with abating these methane emissions.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cThe first step to fixing methane leaks is finding them. Fortunately, effective technologies now exist to detect, locate, and quantify natural gas leaks quickly and accurately. Enabling swift, broad deployment of this technology will keep our communities safer, our air cleaner, and our greenhouse gas emissions lower. That is why in December 2020, Congress reauthorized the PIPES Act and required PHMSA to create minimum performance standards for leak detection and repair that reflect the capabilities of commercially-available advanced leak detection technologies.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are urging the Department of Transportation and PHMSA to take quick action to complete this rulemaking process and issue strong regulations that will enhance pipeline safety and reduce harmful methane emissions throughout the United States,\u201d the Senators concluded.\u201d\n\nThe following Senators co-signed this letter: Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Angus King (D-ME), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Tina Smith (D-MN).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-peters-lead-21-senators-to-urge-interior-department-to-place-emergency-protections-on-gray-wolves", "Booker, Peters Lead 21 Senators to Urge Interior Department to Place Emergency Protections on Gray Wolves", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Gary Peters (D-MI) led 21 of their colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Interior to issue an emergency listing to restore temporary federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections to the gray wolf in the western United States. The letter comes on the heels of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service initiation of a comprehensive status review of the gray wolf in the western United States as well as the recent enactment of dangerous wolf eradication policies in several states including Idaho and Montana.\n\n\u201cIf continued unabated for this hunting season, these extreme wolf eradication policies will result in the death of hundreds of gray wolves and will further harm federally protected ecosystems like Yellowstone,\u201d the Senators wrote to Secretary of Department of Interior Deb Haaland. \u201cThe Department of the Interior can prevent these senseless killings, and we urge you to immediately establish emergency interim protections while the Service completes its status review.\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cAs you know, wolves are an integral component of North American ecosystems. More than 600 scientists have written to request emergency relisting of the Northern Rockies wolf population, precisely because wolves\u2019 role in maintaining healthy ecosystems is being jeopardized by the policies now being implemented by Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. As the scientists note, \u2018Without the presence of key species in numbers, we are merely conserving scenery and not functioning ecosystems.\u2019\n\n\u201cGiven the above, we urge you to immediately issue an emergency listing to establish temporary federal protections for gray wolves. An emergency listing, which extends for 240 days, will prevent more wolves from being killed before the Service makes a determination about whether relisting is warranted. Furthermore, as part of its status review, we respectfully request that the Service both engage in meaningful tribal consultation and consider the impacts of state-level policies like those in Idaho and Montana as they reevaluate the gray wolf\u2019s status,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nThe following Senators co-signed this letter: Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Ed Markey (D-MA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-braun-announce-subcommittee-hearing-on-the-state-of-nutrition-in-america-in-2021", "Senators Booker, Braun Announce Subcommittee Hearing on the State of Nutrition in America in 2021", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, and Mike Braun (R-IN), Ranking Member, today announced that the subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled \u201cThe State of Nutrition in America 2021.\u201d\n\nWHEN:\n\nTuesday, November 2nd, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. ET\n\nWHERE:\n\n216 Hart Senate Office Building\n\nWHO:\n\nDr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA\n\nDr. Angela Odoms-Young, Associate Professor, Director, Food and Nutrition Education in Communities Program and NYS Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY\n\nDr. Donald Warne, Associate Dean, Director, Indians into Medicine (INMED) & Public Health Programs, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND\n\nDr. Patrick Stover, Dean and Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX\n\nMs. Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow and Rowe Scholar, American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Washington, D.C.\n\n***The Committee will follow guidelines developed in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and the Senate Rules Committee to protect the health of members, staff, and the public. This includes maintaining six-foot social distance spacing in the hearing room as well as wearing a mask or face covering. Pursuant to this guidance, Senate office buildings are not open to the public other than official business visitors and credentialed press at this time. Accordingly, the general public will not be allowed to attend the hearing.\n\nMEDIA GUIDANCE:\n\nCongressionally-credentialed members of the media wishing to attend the hearing should RSVP to their respective gallery by 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2021. Editorial presence will be limited due to social distancing requirements. Questions about coverage should be directed to respective congressional media galleries.\n\nDaily print reporters should RSVP to Daily Press Gallery at 202-224-0241.\n\nPeriodical reporters should RSVP to Periodical Press Gallery at 202-224-0265.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-braun-mcgovern-and-walorski-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-that-would-convene-a-white-house-conference-on-food-nutrition-hunger-and-health", "Booker, Braun, McGovern, and Walorski Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill That Would Convene a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger and Health", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would convene a second national White House conference on food, nutrition, hunger, and health. The first such conference occurred just over 50 years ago, culminating in the creation and expansion of programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.\n\nThe proposed second conference would take a whole-of-government approach to ending hunger and combatting nutrition insecurity in America, featuring diverse voices and those with lived experience. The conference would also explore weaknesses within the current food system, highlighting the fragility created by hyper-consolidation that has led to fewer choices for consumers and economic insecurity for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, many of which are now considered food deserts.\n\n\u201cFifty years ago, our nation convened a conference to address the widespread hunger crisis in America, leading to the creation and expansion of programs such as WIC and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cDespite the progress made, America is grappling with a hunger crisis and now faces a second crisis\u2014one of nutrition insecurity\u2014that is plaguing our nation and hindering the success of our nation\u2019s youth as a result of decades-long policy failures in our food system. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation will, in the spirit of 50 years ago, convene a second conference of advocates, healthcare professionals, and farmers and ranchers to address the failures and inequities of our broken food system that is poisoning our communities and preventing us from achieving true justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe time has come to address our nation\u2019s food insecurity with a bipartisan, commonsense approach. There is no reason that millions of Americans in rural and urban areas alike should be going to sleep hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from, or with poor nutrition,\u201d said Senator Mike Braun. \u201cI am eager to convene a conference food, nutrition, and health to help reach nutrition goals in the most efficient way possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cEach night, tens of millions of our fellow Americans go to bed hungry. That\u2019s just plain wrong,\u201d said Congressman McGovern. \u201cWhat we lack isn\u2019t food or resources; we lack the political will and moral courage to act. The COVID pandemic showed that hunger isn\u2019t just a problem for someone else. It\u2019s something anyone can struggle with in the blink of an eye. It\u2019s time for us to bring together experts and create a holistic, whole-of-government plan to end hunger and nutrition insecurity. I look forward to working with our bipartisan group to make this White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger and Health a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo neighborhood in Indiana or around the country is immune from hunger. Combating food insecurity in America and eliminating barriers that are holding back families from success are bipartisan priorities,\u201d said Congresswoman Walorski. \u201cTo be responsible stewards of taxpayer resources, we must discern what works best to address hunger and food insecurity in our communities at the local, state, and federal levels. The White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health will be an important forum for bipartisan collaboration on data-driven and evidence-based solutions to deliver real results for families in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to support the efforts of Chairman McGovern and Senator Booker to introduce bipartisan legislation convening a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health,\u201d said Chef Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s, founder of the food relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen. \"Whether after disasters, in our schools, or fighting ongoing hunger in our local communities, I believe in the power of food to bring all Americans together. We must build longer tables where nutrition insecurity becomes a problem of the past. I look forward to working closely with President Biden, the White House, and Congress on making this long-overdue conference a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a country, we can end hunger. 36 million Americans went hungry even before the pandemic \u2013 we should not aspire to just going back to the way things were before the pandemic, we should aspire to do better,\u201d said Top Chef judge and food activist Tom Colicchio. \u201cEnding hunger in America isn\u2019t just some dream or slogan, it\u2019s something that we can and will make into a reality, and that starts with convening this White House conference.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe time is ripe for a White House Conference to develop a national strategy to fix food. Our country faces a nutrition crisis, harming our health, economy, equity, military readiness, and natural resources,\u201d said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University. \u201cCurrent federal policies, research, and investments in food and nutrition are fragmented across 21 agencies. A Conference will be critical to re-imagine and re-design our food system toward one that improves health, ends hunger, reduces healthcare spending, advances science and innovation, and boosts our economy for all Americans.\u201d\n\nIn the United States currently, nearly half of the adult population and a quarter of the young adult population is pre-diabetic or has Type 2 diabetes. Nutrition insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases disproportionately affect racial and ethnic groups as well as low-income, rural, and other underserved populations in the United States. In just over 10 years, Type 2 diabetes rates have doubled for African American children and increased 50 percent for Native American children and Hispanic children between the ages of 10 and 19. Black Americans are also 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure and 30 percent more likely to die of heart disease than white Americans. Recent data has shown that the healthcare costs attributable to diet-related diseases exceed $600 billion annually, with such diseases leading to worse outcomes from COVID-19.\n\nAlthough new census data shows that recent actions have brought hunger in America to its lowest level since the pandemic began, returning to the pre-COVID status quo would leave tens of millions of people hungry in every congressional district in the nation. More than 35 million people, including 10 million children, were going hungry in America even before the COVID pandemic hit. Nonprofit groups estimate that hunger costs the United States over $160 billion each year in poor health outcomes, chronic disease, and lost productivity.\n\nThis White House conference would bring together the heads of food banks, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, educators, farmers and ranchers, individuals with lived experiences, and more, with the goal of crafting a real plan with benchmarks for ending hunger, reducing nutrition insecurity, and reducing diet-related disease.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-confirmation-of-karen-m-williams-to-us-district-court-for-new-jersey", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Confirmation of Karen M. Williams to U.S. District Court for New Jersey", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) applauded the Senate\u2019s confirmation of Karen M. Williams to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.\n\n\u201cJudge Williams has had a long and distinguished legal career defending the rights of workers and has a deep understanding of the issues facing the people of New Jersey,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cJudge Williams is eminently qualified to serve on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and I know that she will bring fairness, impartiality, and a commitment to applying justice equally to the federal bench. This is a historic confirmation\u2014she is the first African-American federal judge confirmed by the Senate to sit in the federal courthouse in Camden, New Jersey. I am proud of her confirmation today.\u201d\n\n\u201cJudge Karen M. Williams is a thoughtful and intelligent legal mind and her unique experience as a human resources professional, trial attorney, and magistrate judge make her eminently qualified to serve on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud that she is the first Senate-confirmed African American and person of color to sit in the U.S. District courthouse in Camden, N.J. I am confident that she will not only administer equal justice under the law, but serve the people of New Jersey with distinction. I thank President Biden for selecting a stellar nominee who reflects the values and diversity of the great state of New Jersey.\u201d\n\nKaren M. Williams has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court in the District of New Jersey since 2009. Judge Williams also currently serves as an adjunct professor at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Prior to her appointment, Judge Williams spent 17 years in private practice at Jasinski & Williams, P.C. in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Judge Williams\u2019s work focused on employment law, including litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies. Judge Williams received her J.D. from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in 1992 and her B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University in 1985.\n\nEarlier this year, the Senate confirmed Julien Xavier Neals and Zahid Quraishi to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Booker delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of Neals andQuraishi. And just last week, the Senate also confirmed Christine P. O\u2019Hearn to that court. Williams is now the fourth judge confirmed for the District of New Jersey this year.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-underwood-adams-kelly-and-beatty-urge-president-biden-speaker-pelosi-and-leader-schumer-to-include-critical-investments-to-advance-maternal-health-equity-in-final-build-back-better-package", "Booker, Underwood, Adams, Kelly, and Beatty Urge President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer to Include Critical Investments to Advance Maternal Health Equity in Final Build Back Better Package", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 In a letter to President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Alma Adams (NC-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (OH-03) pushed to ensure that investments from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act are included in full in the final Build Back Better package. The group also urged the leaders to build on the critical progress made through the American Rescue Plan Act by investing in the permanent expansion of yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in every state.\n\n\u201cPermanently expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage and advancing comprehensive investments in the Momnibus will uphold a principle that is fundamental to the Build Back Better Plan: that in America, every family has a right to thrive\u2014a principle that begins with a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth. We must include these critical maternal health equity investments in the final Build Back Better reconciliation package,\u201d they wrote.\n\nIf passed, the Momnibus and postpartum Medicaid provisions in the Build Back Better package would be historic investments to save moms\u2019 lives, end racial and ethnic maternal health disparities, and advance birth equity across the United States. The letter echoes previous outreach to Leadership by more than 160 Members of the House and Senate advocating for the inclusion of the Momnibus and yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in a reconciliation package.\n\nThe United States has the highest rate of pregnancy-related mortality among high-income countries, and the only rate that is rising. Maternal mortality rates for Black and Native Americans are 2-4 times higher than rates for white Americans, and Hispanic and AAPI people also experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes 12 bills to build on postpartum Medicaid coverage expansion and comprehensively address the drivers of the maternal health crisis. The Momnibus makes critical investments in addressing social determinants of health, funding community-based organizations, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving data collection processes.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-wicker-introduce-legislation-to-better-measure-future-precipitation-amounts", "Booker, Wicker Introduce Legislation to Better Measure Future Precipitation Amounts", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today introduced the Providing Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation Act, or PRECIP Act, legislation that would update out-of-date precipitation data in the U.S. by providing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with funding and guidance to conduct future research. The PRECIP Act would also direct NOAA to studythe ongoing changes in precipitation that will help communities better prepare for extreme weather and flooding events and to work with the National Academies to complete a consensus study on the best practices for estimating precipitation. Companion legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11).\n\n\u201cWe must take every step possible to protect our communities from the increasing frequency of disasters like the historic flooding and rainfall New Jersey experienced this summer from the remnants of Hurricane Ida,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis bipartisan bill would provide NOAA with vital funding to consult with partner organizations and conduct studies to modernize and improve our nation\u2019s precipitation data, which is needed now more than ever as communities in New Jersey and across the country face the realities of climate change and extreme weather. The new data will be especially useful as we invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to strengthen and safeguard our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFlooding regularly puts American lives and property at risk, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses each year,\u201d said Sen. Wicker. \u201cOne threat from flooding is dam failure, and in Mississippi there are hundreds of state-regulated dams with a high hazard potential. Forty-two of these dams have failed and nine others have been drained. We need better data to help flood control managers improve dam safety and to update methods used to estimate the risk of failure.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the PRECIP Act requires NOAA to:\n\nUpdate precipitation frequency estimates for the United States. NOAA must include specified information in the updates and must make publicly available certain precipitation frequency estimate studies.\n\nSeek to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the state of practice and research needs for precipitation estimation, including probable maximum precipitation estimation.\n\nConsult with relevant partners on the development of a plan to update probable maximum precipitation estimates.\n\nDevelop guidance regarding probable maximum precipitation estimates that (1) provides best practices for federal and state regulatory agencies, private meteorological consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum precipitation studies; (2) considers the recommendations provided in the National Academies study; (3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation studies by regulatory agencies; and (4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific probable maximum precipitation estimates.\n\nThe PRECIP Act is supported by: the Pew Charitable Trusts, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, the Geospatial Equipment & Technology Institute, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, the U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization, the Waterfront Alliance, Association of State Floodplain Managers, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Iowa Flood Center, and the American Public Works Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cardin-portman-and-young-urge-more-countries-to-engage-with-israel-following-historic-face-to-face-meetings-with-uae", "Booker, Cardin, Portman, and Young Urge More Countries to Engage with Israel Following Historic Face-to-Face Meetings with UAE", "2021-10-13", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Cory Booker (D-N.J.), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Wednesday\u2019s meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the U.S. Department of State. The senators are the lead sponsors of S. 1061, the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, which has 69 sponsors/cosponsors.\n\n\u201cToday, we witnessed an historic milestone as Secretary Blinken hosted Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss progress made since the signing of the Abraham Accords last year, future opportunities for collaboration, and bilateral issues including regional security and stability. This joint meeting with the UAE and Israel would have been impossible prior to the signing of the Abraham Accords,\u201d the senators said.\n\n\u201cAs the lead authors of the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, we hope to continue to build on the success of the Abraham Accords and expand normalization agreements. The countries that signed the Abraham Accords have demonstrated global leadership and embraced a new path for the future of their nations. Progress on economic, political and security cooperation can only be made through meaningful and face-to-face engagements, and we hope to see many more of these meetings in the future.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-call-on-doj-to-decriminalize-cannabis", "Booker, Warren Call on DOJ to Decriminalize Cannabis", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC - United States Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decriminalize cannabis by removing the drug from the Federal controlled substances list. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA), the Attorney General can remove a substance from the CSA\u2019s list, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), based on the finding that it does not have the potential for abuse. Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level via this descheduling process would allow states to regulate cannabis as they see fit, begin to remedy the harm caused by decades of racial disparities in enforcement of cannabis laws, and facilitate valuable medical research.\n\n\u201cWhile Congress works to pass comprehensive cannabis reform, you can act now to decriminalize cannabis,\u201d wrote Senators Booker and Warren.\n\nThe vast majority of the country supports decriminalization of cannabis: approximately 91% of adults in the United States believe that cannabis should be legal for medical and recreational use, or for medical use only. To date, thirty-six states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, and eighteen states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use. These state-level legalizations have not caused spikes in traffic accidents or violent crime, or use by teenagers, paving the way for much-needed action at the federal level.\n\nDecriminalizing cannabis at the federal level is a critical first step in addressing the racial inequities in cannabis law enforcement. Federal cannabis policy has disproportionately affected the ability of people of color in the United States to vote, to pursue educational and career opportunities, and to build intergenerational wealth. Moreover, decriminalizing cannabis is a vital step so that Americans seeking cannabis treatment options for conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and certain terminal illnesses can legally use the drug.\n\n\u201cWe urge the DOJ to initiate the process to decriminalize cannabis. Doing so would be an important first step in the broader tasks of remedying the harmful racial impact of our nation\u2019s enforcement of cannabis laws and ensuring that states can effectively regulate the growing cannabis industry, including by assisting small business owners and those most harmed by our historical enforcement of cannabis laws,\u201d wrote Senators Booker and Warren.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-paul-introduce-bipartisan-fda-modernization-act-to-end-animal-testing-mandates", "Booker, Paul Introduce Bipartisan FDA Modernization Act to End Animal Testing Mandates", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the FDA Modernization Act to end animal testing mandates. This legislation would end an outdated FDA mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals before they are used on humans in clinical trials. The bill would not ban animal testing outright, but would allow the option for drug sponsors to use alternative methods where they are suitable.\n\nThis legislation is currently co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).\n\n\u201cThanks to modern scientific innovation, the use of animal toxicity testing for experimental drugs has become increasingly obsolete,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis legislation will eliminate unnecessary suffering for countless animals when scientifically reliable alternative testing methods are available.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FDA Modernization Act would accelerate innovation and get safer, more effective drugs to market more quickly by cutting red tape that is not supported by current science. It would also prevent the needless suffering and death of animal test subjects\u2014which is something I think both Republican and Democrats can agree needs to end,\u201d said Dr. Paul.\n\n\u201cOver the years, research has demonstrated that animal testing can often be inefficient in predicting drug effects and efficacy in humans. I\u2019m proud to join Sen. Paul in introducing legislation that will cut FDA red tape, allowing drug manufacturers and sponsors to innovate clinical trial designs and utilize modern alternatives to demonstrate safety and efficacy,\u201d said Sen. Braun.\n\n\u201cTesting new drugs on animals is often risky for both animals and people. The FDA Modernization Act would allow drug producers to improve safety by using more modern, humane and effective testing. I want Louisianians to get the best medicines as quickly and safely as possible, and I\u2019m thankful to work with Sen. Paul to protect our furry friends at the same time,\u201d said Sen. Kennedy.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 1938, Congress passed the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, mandating animal toxicity testing. Since then, science and data has shown that in some products, animal testing is a highly inconsistent predictor of toxic responses in humans, all while animal testing on any single pharmaceutical product often requires killing hundreds of animal test subjects.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-mcgovern-urge-usda-to-work-with-local-farmers-and-ranchers-to-help-provide-nutritious-meals-to-school-districts", "Booker, McGovern Urge USDA to Work with Local Farmers and Ranchers to Help Provide Nutritious Meals to School Districts", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), along with 19 other Senators and Representatives, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with independent family farmers and ranchers to help address the food shortages currently impacting schools, and consequently, school meals, across the country.\n\nDue to supply chain disruptions within large multinational food corporations, many schools throughout the nation are currently facing food shortages and are struggling to provide healthy and nutritious meals to their students. The USDA recently announced that they are providing $1.5 billion to help school districts offer meals to address this issue. However, without clear direction, that money will likely end up in the pocket of large food corporations, such as Tyson Foods, who continue to be the source of ongoing supply chain disruptions instead of local and independent family farmers and ranchers that have continued to provide healthy, nutritious food to their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\u201cCreating opportunities for schools to work with local, resilient, small scale producers would also allow school districts the ability to feed children in a way that aligns with their values,\u201d wrote Senator Booker and Representative McGovern to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. \u201cMany school foodservice professionals are frustrated by the idea of serving food from companies that have committed human rights abuses, environmental harms, and violation of federal laws. As one school dietitian in Washington State put it, \u201cI am pulling my hair out every day having to feed these Big Ag products to children.\u201d\n\n\u201cA growing number of school districts have committed to the Good Food Purchasing Program, which includes a commitment not to source from companies with labor violations,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cHowever, when school districts place their commodity purchasing orders with the USDA, they are not given a choice in which company will fill that order. The USDA Foods Program is thereby forcing these school districts to choose between leaving valuable entitlement dollars on the table or purchasing from USDA Foods, knowing that doing so is likely to put them in violation of the commitment they have made to their communities to buy from producers who value local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare and nutrition.\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to take a hard look at the flaws of our current food system, but it has also created an opportunity for us to build back better as we aim to find ways to withstand future disruptions. It is imperative that the USDA work with independent farmers and ranchers to both nourish the next generation now and build a resilient food procurement system for the future,\u201d the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe following Senators co-signed this letter: Wyden (D-OR), Smith (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), Tester (D-MT), and Heinrich (D-NM).\n\nThe following Representatives co-signed this letter: Trahan (D-MA), Pocan (D-WI), Khanna (D-CA), Raskin (D-MD), Hayes (D-CT), Case (D-HI), Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Thompson (D-CA), Lee (D-CA), and Scanlon (D-PA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-meets-with-new-jerseys-haitian-community", "Booker Meets with New Jersey\u2019s Haitian Community", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today met with leaders of the New Jersey Haitian community and Haitian elected officials to discuss issues affecting the Haitian diaspora in the state and the treatment of Haitian immigrants at the Southern Border. The meeting occurred a week after images showed Border Patrol agents on horseback violently interdictingmigrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande River, and as nearly 2,000 Haitian immigrants, including more than 170 children, were deported back to Haiti.\n\n\u201cI was proud to join leaders of our state\u2019s Haitian community for this important discussion and look forward to working together to ensure that our country\u2019s immigration policies reflect our nation\u2019s best values,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI unequivocally condemn the unconscionable violence and inhumane treatment Haitian migrants have experienced while seeking entry into the United States. As the political situation in Haiti deteriorates and the country endures the aftermath of another devastating earthquake, our nation must stop the cruel deportations of Haitians and live up to its highest ideals as a beacon of hope to people cast out of their native lands by violence, terror, persecution, oppression, and humanitarian disaster.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith the third most Haitian American elected officials in the U.S., the state of New Jersey and its leaders have a moral obligation to act in the Haitian migrants\u2019 best interest by allowing them to stay in the U.S. with due process capabilities and legal representation,\u201d wrote members of National Haitian American Elected Officials Network. \u201cWe firmly believe [Senator Booker\u2019s] office can assist us in the execution of our strategic plans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to Senator Booker for bringing light to and addressing this unthinkable crisis,\u201d said Stanley Neron, Commissioner of the Elizabeth Board of Education. \u201cHelping Haiti and our Haitian brothers and sisters is a humanitarian issue and we must work together to establish solutions that will save lives and provide a bright future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-ossoff-schatz-padilla-and-feinstein-lead-25-senators-to-promote-access-to-solar-energy-for-low_and-moderate-income-households", "Booker, Duckworth, Ossoff, Schatz, Padilla, and Feinstein Lead 25 Senators to Promote Access to Solar Energy for Low- and Moderate-Income Households", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today led a group of 25 Senators to urge the inclusion of a direct pay option for residential renewable energy property tax credits in Section 25D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (25D). In a letter, the Senators detailed how a direct pay option would help low- and moderate-income (LMI) households install solar energy systems and help meet President Biden\u2019s goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030.\n\n\u201c[The] essential tax credit is designed to help residential customers install renewable energy systems such as solar, wind and geothermal, but without a direct pay option, the low- and moderate-income (LMI) households who would benefit most from distributed generation are effectively blocked from accessing this tax credit,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cWe believe that a direct pay option will not only help us meet President Biden\u2019s goal of a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 2005 levels by 2030, but it will also help address long-standing impacts of climate injustice.\u201d\n\n\u201cRenewable energy and environmental justice advocates estimate that roughly half of American households \u2013 approximately 60 million households \u2013 do not owe enough taxes to fully capitalize on the 25D tax credit in a single year under current law,\u201d continued the Senators. \u201cHowever, because these LMI households spend more of their income on energy bills, they will benefit disproportionately from installing distributed generation like solar on their properties. We have an obligation to ensure that all Americans have equal access to benefit from the renewable energy transition, and securing 25D direct pay is critical to this goal.\u201d\n\nTaking into account the number of LMI households who own their homes, the current tax code prevents an estimated 26 million households from fully benefiting from the residential solar tax credit in the same year that the system was purchased and placed in service, including 3.2 million Black households and 3 million Hispanic households. Implementing a direct pay option would allow homeowners to fully and immediately realize their tax credits through a refund provided by the IRS, providing much needed capital to LMI households while directly addressing the worsening climate crisis.\n\nTo ensure that the direct pay option is used effectively and fairly, the Senators proposed \u201cthe establishment of a simple installer-based verification process at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)\u201d in which \u201chomeowners would provide basic data and proof to the federal government of their solar or other renewable system installation, while the installer separately submits their own data that the IRS can use to corroborate the homeowner\u2019s claim.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded the letter by calling for the direct pay option to be included in the upcoming reconciliation package to ensure that our nation is able to \u201cadvance our environmental and climate justice goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create more good-paying jobs in communities across the country \u2013 building upon an estimated 85,000 residential solar installation jobs in 2020.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-house-judiciary-committees-passage-of-crown-act", "Booker Applauds House Judiciary Committee\u2019s Passage of CROWN Act", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded the passage of the CROWN Act out of the House Judiciary Committee.\n\n\u201cNo one should be harassed, punished, or fired for the beautiful hairstyles that are true to themselves and their cultural heritage, yet Black people \u2013 especially Black women \u2013 face unjust harassment because of their natural and protective hairstyles, including denial of employment opportunities and exclusion from school activities,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cTo combat biases against natural hair and to protect the civil rights of people of color, the CROWN Act will ensure that discrimination based on hairstyles is prohibited. I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for their vote today and now urge all members of the House and Senate to support this legislation that will allow individuals to wear their hair proudly without fear or prejudice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-raise-concerns-over-proposed-changes-to-faas-william-j-hughes-technical-center", "Booker, Menendez Raise Concerns Over Proposed Changes to FAA\u2019s William J. Hughes Technical Center", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez (both D-NJ) raised concerns to the Federal Aviation Administration over the agency\u2019s proposed changes to the structure of the William J. Hughes Technical Center located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The changes would restructure the current research, development, testing, and evaluation operations of the facility, decentralizing the center\u2019s operations, threatening the effectiveness and autonomy of the center and impacting the numerous economic development initiatives in the Greater Atlantic City region.\n\n\u201cThe William J. Hughes Tech Center plays a key role within FAA,\u201d the Senators wrote to FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. \u201cIt offers world class laboratories and serves as a central hub for research, development, testing, and evaluation. As emerging technologies in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and developments in commercial aviation continue to advance, the Tech Center is positioned as essential to the future of aviation. The central management, yet collaborative coordination, of each of these interdependent functions creates a synergy that allows for more effective and efficient operations. This centralized model is in line with best practices for research centers and is utilized at many other research facilities across several federal agencies and departments.\n\n\u201cThe William J. Hughes Tech Center is also vitally important to its regional economy, both because it currently employs approximately 4,000 individuals and because it is central to many economic development initiatives,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cThe Greater Atlantic City region is economically distressed due to historic reliance on the casino and tourism industries, and extensive efforts are underway to diversify the local economy by attracting new aviation related businesses. Due to its prominent role, resources from the Tech Center are often sought out by private sector and academic stakeholders for collaboration, making the center a major asset in regional economic development initiatives. Any changes that remove jobs or diminish the prominence of the Tech Center could undermine efforts to revitalize this distressed economy.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded the letter by requesting \u201cadditional information on any potential reprogramming requests and plans to restructure or reorganize the center\u2019s reporting structure, including all personnel moves, that the FAA has developed or considered.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senate-sponsors-laud-house-passage-of-equal-act", "Senate Sponsors Laud House Passage of EQUAL Act", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bipartisan Senate sponsors of the EQUAL Act, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cToday, House Republicans and Democrats joined together in passing the EQUAL Act, legislation that will once and for all eliminate the unjust federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity. Enjoying broad support from faith groups, civil rights organizations, law enforcement, and people of all political backgrounds, this commonsense bill will help reform our criminal justice system so that it better lives up to the ideals of true justice and equality under the law. We applaud the House for its vote today and we urge our colleagues in the Senate to support this historic legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-padilla-merkley-lead-push-to-enhance-nations-data-science-and-literacy-education", "Booker, Padilla, Merkley Lead Push to Enhance Nation\u2019s Data Science and Literacy Education", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a group of colleagues in urging the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve equity and access to high-quality K-12 data science education. The Senators also asked how Congress can better support the development and deployment of data science curriculum to reach more communities and open doors to STEM careers.\n\nIncreasing access to high-quality data science education will help students keep pace with our 21st century world. One poll found that while 69 percent of employers would prefer candidates with data science skills, only 23 percent of educators said their graduates would possess those skills. Only 25 percent of students took a statistics course in 2019.\n\n\u201cEnhancing data science education will have significant benefits for our nation\u2019s citizenry and economy. Like reading, writing, and arithmetic, basic data literacy is vital for informed democratic participation. We also see employers increasingly demanding data science expertise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information research scientists is expected to grow 15 percent between 2019 to 2029, far exceeding the average growth rate of other occupations,\u201d wrote the Senators.\n\nThe Senators asked the NSF and IES to \u201cdescribe any past, existing or planned efforts to enhance equitable access to data science education and data science careers, as well as any efforts to increase research in this field.\u201d Statistics show there are stark disparities on who has access to data science courses and who can pursue data science careers. African Americans and Hispanics occupy only 6 and 7 percent of STEM jobs, respectively. Moreover, in order to address artificial intelligence algorithms that may contain implicit biases, it is critical to foster a diverse data science workforce that will develop more equitable technologies.\n\nOnly a handful of states and school districts have integrated data science into standards and curriculum. One of these districts is New Jersey\u2019s Passaic City School District, which partnered with the \u201cIntroduction to Data Science\u201d curriculum developed by UCLA and Los Angeles Unified School District. Furthermore, according to the Center for RISC at the University of Chicago, New Jersey is also on track to implement Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards next year which will include 21st century learning themes such as data visualization, representation, and transformation. The state alsorequires computer science in all high schools, helping lay a promising foundation for the advancement of data science education among students.\n\nThe letter is cosigned by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/11-senators-back-house-progressives-in-demand-for-passage-of-entire-biden-agenda", "11 Senators Back House Progressives in Demand for Passage of Entire Biden Agenda", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 \u2014 Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued the following statement on upcoming votes regarding infrastructure and reconciliation legislation:\n\n\u201cIn the coming weeks, Congress has the opportunity to pass the most consequential economic legislation since the New Deal. We can create millions of good-paying jobs as we repair our crumbling infrastructure, address the climate crisis, and finally confront the long-neglected crises facing millions of low-income and working-class families across this country. But we can accomplish those goals only if we stick to our original agreement.\n\n\u201cWe voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill with the clear commitment that the two pieces of the package would move together along a dual track. Abandoning the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and passing the infrastructure bill first would be in violation of that agreement. Congress must not undercut the President\u2019s proposals that will create new opportunities for America\u2019s families and workers. The House of Representatives should wait to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill until the budget reconciliation bill, which enacts the rest of the President\u2019s Build Back Better agenda, is sent to the President\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cNow is the time to pass both of these major pieces of legislation. We have no time to waste. We strongly support the Congressional Progressive Caucus and other members in the House who have said they intend to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill only once the Build Back Better Act is passed. That is what we agreed to, it\u2019s what the American people want, and it\u2019s the only path forward for this Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-bipartisan-policing-reform-negotiations", "Booker Statement on Bipartisan Policing Reform Negotiations", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cAmerica has a serious problem when it comes to discriminatory policing and excessive and deadly force used against communities of color. We can\u2019t properly honor the lives of the victims of this violence if we don\u2019t take meaningful steps to prevent future violence and deaths from occurring and make our communities safer.\n\n\u201cWe made it clear from the beginning of our negotiations that a bill must ensure true accountability, transparency, and the policing standards necessary to bring an end to horrific incidents of violence Americans are routinely seeing -- like the murder of George Floyd. After months of exhausting every possible pathway to a bipartisan deal, it remains out of reach right now, even after working collaboratively with and securing the support of policing groups like the Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Chiefs of Police for our proposals.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, even with this law enforcement support and further compromises we offered, there was still too wide a gulf with our negotiating partners and we faced significant obstacles to securing a bipartisan deal.\n\n\u201cThe time has come to explore all other options to achieve meaningful and common sense policing reform. I will not stop fighting until we achieve change that keeps our communities and police officers safe.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-urge-ice-to-end-transfer-of-detainees-out-of-new-jersey", "Booker, Menendez Urge ICE to End Transfer of Detainees out of New Jersey", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) urged the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end the out-of-state transfer of people detained in New Jersey, and to release detainees from custody who do not fall under the current enforcement prioritization scheme. The letter comes on the heels of legislation recently passed and signed into law by New Jersey legislators and Governor Phil Murphy prohibiting state, local, and private entities from entering into, renewing or extending detention agreements with ICE. Booker and Menendez have both previously called for an end to contracts between ICE and local governments in New Jersey.\n\n\u201cWhen the ICE detention program at the Essex County Jail closed earlier this year, our offices made several inquiries encouraging you to release detained individuals who did not fall within the enforcement priorities outlined by Secretary Mayorkas, rather than transferring said individuals to detention centers located several states away,\u201d the Senators wrote to acting ICE Director Tae D. Johnson. \u201cReports indicate that at least 46 people detained at Essex were transferred to facilities across the country, including to Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. Transferring detained individual\u2019s increases their risk of contracting COVID-19, endangers immigrants\u2019 mental and physical health and wellbeing, and makes it extremely difficult to remain in contact with their existing legal counsel.\n\n\u201cNot only do transfers expose detainees to COVID-19, but they also threaten the physical, mental, and emotional health of detained individuals,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cAny form of detention is a traumatic experience, especially among immigrant detainees who are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder both during and after detention than the general population. For detainees with existing medical conditions, transfer risks can interrupt necessary or urgent medical care. The destination facility may also neglect to provide the same treatment as the original facility, change a person\u2019s medications, or leave a gap in care during the transfer process.\n\n\u201cTo protect the health, safety, and human rights of detained individuals in New Jersey, we urge\n\nICE to use its discretionary authority to release detainees who do not fall within the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s enforcement priorities into the care of their communities. Thank you for prompt attention to this important matter,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nIn 2020, Senator Booker joined his colleagues in sending a letter to DHS, ICE, and CBP requesting information about the policies and procedures their respective agencies have in place to prepare for and manage a potential spread of the coronavirus among detainees and staff in DHS facilities. Senator Booker also called on the DHS to halt immigration enforcement at hospitals and medical facilities to ensure undocumented immigrants are not discouraged from seeking medical care for COVID-19. Additionally, the Senator sent a letter again to DHS, ICE, and CBP to release vulnerable detainees from custody who were particularly susceptible to COVID-19. Finally, Senator Booker introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, transformative legislation that targets the inhumane conditions of detention centers and protects the civil and human rights of immigrants.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-legislation-prohibiting-discrimination-in-the-name-of-religion", "Booker Reintroduces Legislation Prohibiting Discrimination in the Name of Religion", "2021-09-15", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced the Do No Harm Act, legislation to restore the Religious Freedom Restoration Act\u2019s (RFRA) original intent and prohibit individuals and businesses from using religion to deny others\u2019 civil rights. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced this legislation earlier this year in the U.S. House.\n\nIn response to the 1990 Supreme Court case, Employment Division v. Smith, which excused discriminatory practices towards American Indians, Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in 1993, expanding civil rights protections for religious minorities. However, decades of systematic efforts by some organizations and businesses and the Supreme Court\u2019s 2014 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (which held that RFRA requires closely-held corporations with religious opposition to contraception to be exempt from the Affordable Care Act\u2019s contraception mandate) have coopted the original intent of the law and turned it into a license to legally discriminate and impose religious beliefs on others.\n\n\u201cFreely exercising your religion shouldn\u2019t mean denying others of their civil rights,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe Do No Harm Act rights the Supreme Court\u2019s wrong, restoring the careful balance of the First Amendment by both protecting religious liberty and ensuring the law and religious beliefs cannot be wielded to deny people of their right to live free from discrimination.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993, it was intended to protect religious exercise\u2014not to erode civil rights under the guise of religious freedom. Regrettably, we have seen RFRA repeatedly used to attack civil rights protections, deny access to health care, and allow discrimination in federal contracts and programs. The Do No Harm Act simply provides that RFRA cannot be used to limit access to health care, deny services supported by taxpayer dollars, or undermine the Civil Rights Act or other anti-discrimination protections. Congress must take this critical step to ensure no one can weaponize religious freedom to erode our fundamental civil and legal rights,\u201d said Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03).\n\nSpecifically, The Do No Harm Act would prevent the RFRA from being used to deny:\n\nProtection against discrimination laws or the promotion of equal opportunity, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws;\n\nWorkplace protections or protections against child abuse;\n\nHealthcare access, information, referrals, provisions, coverage or services to which persons are otherwise legally entitled;\n\nServices that the government has contracted to be provided to beneficiaries through a government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement; and\n\nAccommodations or other benefits and services provided by the government.\n\n\u201cThe Do No Harm Act will uphold our country\u2019s founding principle of religious freedom \u2013 that everyone has the freedom to believe as they want, but our laws cannot allow anyone to use their religious beliefs to harm others,\u201d said Rachel Laser, American United President and CEO. \u201cWe thank Senator Cory Booker, a leader with a long history of putting faith and values into action, for sponsoring this critical legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cReligious freedom is a core American value, enshrined in our constitution. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was instituted to guard against burdens placed on religious minorities that interfere with the practice of their faith,\u201d said JoDee Winterhof, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. \u201cAnti-equality lawmakers and activists have distorted RFRA\u2019s original intent to achieve political objectives and strip hard-won nondiscrimination and safety protections from marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ people. The Do No Harm Act will remedy this misinterpretation and prevent the weaponization of the RFRA.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt has never been more important to clarify that religious liberty is not a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, those seeking reproductive health care or people of minority faith groups. We see religion being used to turn people away from housing, health care, education and work. There should be no place for this harmful discrimination in our country and in our laws,\u201dsaid Ian Thompson, Senior Legislative Counsel at American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).\n\nThe following Senators co-sponsored this legislation: Whitehouse (D-RI), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Merkley (D-OR), Klobuchar (D-MN), Feinstein (D-CA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Gillibrand (D-NY), Padilla (D-CA), Murphy (D-CT), Duckworth (D-IL), Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), Durbin (D-IL), Van Hollen (D-MD), Coons (D-DE), Stabenow (D-MI), Carper (D-DE), Sanders (I-VT), Cantwell (D-WA), Brown (D-OH), Menendez (D-NJ), Baldwin (D-WI), Reed (D-RI), Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), Murray (D-WA), Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), and Rosen (D-NV).\n\nThe full text of endorsed organizations can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senator-booker-joins-nj-delegation-in-urging-congressional-appropriations-committees-to-supply-emergency-funding-for-families-impacted-by-tropical-storm-ida", "Senator Booker Joins NJ Delegation In Urging Congressional Appropriations Committees to Supply Emergency Funding for Families Impacted by Tropical Storm Ida", "2021-09-15", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington D.C. -- Senator Booker (D-NJ) joined the entire New Jersey bicameral congressional delegation in a letter urging Congressional Appropriations Committees to supply emergency funding for the state of New Jersey in wake of the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Ida. Emergency supplemental appropriations would immediately help the thousands of New Jerseyans who suffered catastrophic damage to their homes and who will undoubtedly need more assistance in the long-term.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey faces a long, difficult road to recovery from Tropical Storm Ida. In fact, the damage in many parts of the state is worse than the aftermath caused by Hurricane Sandy, which rightly merited an emergency supplemental funding bill. The storm caused the tragic and heartbreaking deaths of over two dozen people, left hundreds homeless, crippled our infrastructure and transportation networks, and damaged countless homes and small businesses,\u201d wrote the New Jersey lawmakers.\n\nAs of today, President Biden has declared a Major Disaster Declaration in 11 New Jersey counties, unlocking FEMA assistance for individuals and business owners. For information and resources available to those impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, please visit booker.senate.gov/ida.\n\nRead the text of the letter below or here.\n\nDear Chair DeLauro and Leahy, Ranking Member Granger and Vice Chairman Shelby:\n\nWe are requesting emergency supplemental appropriations as soon as possible for the New Jersey region in the wake of Wednesday night\u2019s destruction caused by Tropical Storm Ida. To date, the storm has taken 27 lives in New Jersey \u2014 more fatalities than in any other state in the Northeast. While the recovery and damage assessment continue, we ask that you act swiftly so that we can get Jersey\u2019s families, small businesses, and local governments back on their feet.\n\nOn Wednesday night, September 1, the remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed the Garden State with raging flash floods, tornadoes, and record rainfall. At Newark Liberty International Airport, the National Weather Service reported severe flooding with 3.24 in. of rain in only a one-hour span. Not only were flights canceled, but NJ Transit suspended almost all of its rail service and over 80,000 people lost power.\n\nNew Jersey faces a long, difficult road to recovery from Tropical Storm Ida. In fact, the damage in many parts of the state is worse than the aftermath caused by Hurricane Sandy, which rightly merited an emergency supplemental funding bill. The storm caused the tragic and heartbreaking deaths of over two dozen people, left hundreds homeless, crippled our infrastructure and transportation networks, and damaged countless homes and small businesses.\n\nWe are thankful to President Biden for his approval on September 2 of an Emergency Declaration and on September 5 of a Major Disaster Declaration that included six New Jersey counties. We hope that the remaining counties impacted by the storm are included in the next disaster declaration. While these approvals are essential first steps, an emergency supplemental funding bill is needed for the many thousands of people who suffered catastrophic damage to their homes who will undoubtedly need more assistance in the long-term. We are also encouraged that on September 7 the White House announced support for additional emergency funds for areas impacted by Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters.\n\nLet\u2019s show the American people that we can still come together to help each other in our most desperate time of need. We will rebuild and come out stronger on the other side. We thank you for your attention and consideration of our request for emergency supplemental appropriations for the state of New Jersey and surrounding areas to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-biden-for-major-disaster-declaration-for-additional-counties-hit-hard-by-tropical-storm-ida", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Biden for Major Disaster Declaration for Additional Counties Hit Hard by Tropical Storm Ida", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today applauded President Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for adding Essex, Hudson, Mercer and Union counties to the Major Disaster Declaration that was first issued to several counties on Sunday. The declaration will make these counties eligible for more federal resources as areas recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida.\n\nThe storm caused historic flash flooding, tornadoes and record rainfall, and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 27 New Jerseyans. On Sunday, FEMA approved the Major Disaster Declaration for Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic and Somerset counties.\n\n\u201cLast week, New Jersey experienced the devastating impacts caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis amended disaster declaration will allow more communities in our state to get the critical federal assistance they need for their relief efforts. I was proud to work alongside Senator Menendez and the rest of the New Jersey delegation to get this vital aid for our state and am grateful to President Biden for his decisive response to this crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for these additional counties that were hit hard by the storm,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cWith this declaration, Essex, Hudson, Mercer and Union counties now have access to greater federal assistance and resources to help residents, families, and businesses rebuild and get back on their feet. There is still more work to be done and I look forward to going back to Washington next week to fight for additional federal resources to help our state and region.\u201d\n\nSens. Booker and Menendez joined the state\u2019s entire congressional delegation in urging Congressional leaders to pass an emergency disaster supplemental bill to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure affected by the storm.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/bipartisan-american-beef-labeling-act-would-reinstate-mandatory-country-of-origin-labeling", "Bipartisan American Beef Labeling Act Would Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the American Beef Labeling Act, legislation that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. This legislation, which will be formally introduced next week, would require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant means of reinstating MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment. USTR would have six months to develop a reinstatement plan followed by a six-month window to implement it. If USTR fails to reinstate MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment, it would automatically be reinstated for beef only.\n\n\u201cAmericans should know exactly where their beef is coming from, but current USDA labeling practices allow big meatpacking companies to falsely label imported beef as being a product of the USA,\u201d said Booker. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join colleagues in this bipartisan legislation that will restore mandatory country of origin labelling for all beef products and provide fairness for our family farmers and ranchers.\u201d\n\n\u201cTransparency in labeling benefits both producers and consumers,\u201d said Thune. \u201cUnfortunately, the current beef labeling system in this country allows imported beef that is neither born nor raised in the United States, but simply finished here, to be labeled as a product of the USA. This process is unfair to cattle producers and misleading for consumers. When you see a \u2018product of the USA\u2019 label on the grocery store shelf, it should mean just that.\n\n\u201cSouth Dakota cattle producers work tirelessly to produce some of the highest quality beef in the world. The pandemic has only highlighted their important role in our domestic food supply and the urgent need to strengthen it. To ensure the viability of cattle ranching in this country, the system in which producers operate must be fair and transparent. As a long-time supporter of MCOOL, I am proud to introduce this legislation, which will move us one step closer to making that a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cMontana ranchers raise the best cattle in the world, and it\u2019s time American families are guaranteed the right to know whether their beef is from Broadus or Brazil,\u201d said Tester. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation will make sure consumers know when they\u2019re buying American beef at the supermarket, and it will defend Montana\u2019s family farmers and ranchers by leveling the playing field.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s time to restore Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) once and for all,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cThis is an important step in restoring market integrity for consumers and cattle producers. For too long, the packers have skewed this market in their favor. Now, we take it back. I\u2019m thankful to my colleagues for helping carry this important issue for consumers and cattle producers. I\u2019ve long said that consumers will need to drive and help carry this policy debate. For those of us who support MCOOL for beef, this is just the start. The nine major cattle producing states won\u2019t get this done alone. We need a national campaign to see this over the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor our food system to be truly competitive, Congress has to stop big meatpackers\u2019 deception and protect honest producers and consumers,\u201d said Joe Maxwell, President of Family Farm Action Alliance. \u201cFamily Farm Action Alliance commends Senator Booker for his unwavering leadership on pushing for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for beef. We thank him and the other Senators for introducing this bill, which levels the playing field and gives independent farmers and ranchers a fighting chance at a fair market.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-president-biden-governor-murphy-and-fema-administrator-criswell-discuss-and-survey-damage-caused-by-ida", "Booker, President Biden, Governor Murphy, and FEMA Administrator Criswell Discuss and Survey Damage Caused by Ida", "2021-09-07", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) met with President Joe Biden, Governor Phil Murphy, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and local and state officials in Hillsborough, New Jersey, to discuss and survey damage following historic rain and flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. During a briefing hosted by local officials in Hillsborough, New Jersey, Booker joined the President and called for the quick completion of preliminary damage assessments by FEMA in New Jersey counties severely impacted by the storm to ensure every resident gets the federal resources they need to recover. After the discussion, Booker toured a neighborhood in Manville, New Jersey, alongside the President and Governor to speak with residents impacted by the storm.\n\nSenator Booker with President Biden at a briefing to discuss relief operations after the effects of Ida.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-swift-action-by-biden-for-federal-assistance-after-tropical-storm-ida-ravaged-nj", "BOOKER, MENENDEZ APPLAUD SWIFT ACTION BY BIDEN FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA RAVAGED NJ", "2021-09-03", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today applauded the Emergency Declaration issued to New Jersey for the damage inflicted on the state by Tropical Storm Ida. The storm caused historic flash flooding, tornadoes and record rainfall, and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 23 New Jerseyans.\n\nThe senators last night led the entire congressional delegation in a letter urging President Biden to approve Governor Phil Murphy\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which will make the state eligible for more federal resources as areas recover from damage.\n\n\u201cFor communities across New Jersey, this record-breaking storm has caused widespread devastation, and our state\u2019s residents will need robust assistance in the coming days and weeks to rebuild,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to President Biden for his quick and decisive action that will provide New Jersey with the critical federal resources it needs to help with the immediate recovery efforts.\u201d\n\n\u201cI thank President Biden for quickly approving Governor Murphy\u2019s request for federal assistance. This is much needed federal relief for all of New Jersey\u2019s 21 counties,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cFrom the tornadoes, to the flooding and torrential rain, communities across the state are now burdened with debris removal and widespread power outages. This will help communities begin the recovery process, get families out of harm\u2019s way and our transit systems back up and running.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers noted that FEMA Individual Assistance is needed to help New Jerseyans who were displaced from their homes due to flooding. FEMA Public Assistance is also critical in order to resume the state\u2019s mass transit systems that millions of people rely on every day.\n\nLast night\u2019s letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), Jeff Van Drew (N.J.-02), Andy Kim (N.J.-03), Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06), Tom Malinowksi (N.J.-07), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (N.J.-11) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-lead-nj-delegation-call-for-president-to-issue-major-disaster-declaration-for-nj-after-tropical-storm-ida", "BOOKER, MENENDEZ LEAD NJ DELEGATION CALL FOR PRESIDENT TO ISSUE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR NJ AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA", "2021-09-02", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today led the entire congressional delegation in calling on President Biden to approve Governor Phil Murphy\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for all 21 counties. Approval of the request would make the state eligible for more federal resources as areas recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida. The storm caused historic flash flooding, tornadoes and record rainfall, and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 23 New Jerseyans.\n\nThe state\u2019s mass transit systems also suffered significant damage, which caused service disruptions for residents, commuters and travelers. Flooding at passenger and baggage areas at Newark Liberty International Airport caused flight cancellations and delays, while Teterboro Airport remains closed due to significant flooding on main roads around the facility. Service on NJ Transit remains halted due to downed trees and flooded areas. The lawmakers noted that FEMA Public Assistance is \u201ccritical\u201d in order to quickly resume the transit systems that millions of people rely on every day.\n\nThe letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), Jeff Van Drew (N.J.-02), Andy Kim (N.J.-03), Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06), Tom Malinowksi (N.J.-07), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (N.J.-11) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nGovernor Murphy has formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration for all 21 counties in the State of New Jersey in response to Tropical Strom Ida.We urge you to approve this request to ensure New Jersey has all the resources available to manage this disaster.\n\nTropical Storm Ida has devastated our state through historic flash flooding, tornadoes, and record rainfalls. Tragically, at least 23 New Jerseyans have lost their lives due to the storm. Tropical Storm Ida poured inches of rain across our state, causing homes, businesses, highways and transit systems to become flooded. The damage from the storm has caused thousands of homes and businesses to remain without power. Flood damage to homes has displaced families, forcing them to seek temporary shelter. FEMA Individual Assistance is necessary to help New Jerseyans with housing and other critical expenses. In addition, highways and roads remain inundated with water, preventing critical recovery efforts.These extraordinary challenges require high water vehicles to carry out disaster recovery efforts. Leveraging FEMA resources will help our state have the necessary tools to swiftly provide relief to our constituents and recover from Tropical Storm Ida.\n\nFurthermore, our mass transit systems have suffered significant damage, causing service disruptions for our residents and travelers. At Newark Liberty Airport, water flooded passenger and baggage areas, causing a ripple of flight cancellations and delays. Teterboro Airport remains closed due to significant flooding on all main roads around the facility. NJ Transit, our state\u2019s passenger rail network, remains inoperable due to downed trees and flooded areas. FEMA Public Assistance is critical in quickly restoring our state\u2019s infrastructure and essential transit systems.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-epa-administrator-regan-nj-dep-commissioner-latourette-mayor-baraka-and-advocates-survey-and-discuss-environmental-justice-issues-affecting-newark-residents", "Booker, EPA Administrator Regan, NJ DEP Commissioner LaTourette, Mayor Baraka, and Advocates Survey and Discuss Environmental Justice Issues Affecting Newark Residents", "2021-08-27", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Ironbound Community Corporation, and New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance for an environmental justice tour of the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark. The tour was followed by a roundtable discussion on federal policies to address issues affecting environmental justice communities.\n\n\u201cSince my early days as a tenant rights lawyer in Newark, I\u2019ve seen how underserved communities and communities of color bear the burden of legacy pollution, toxic Superfund sites, and the lack of clean air or water,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI was proud to host Administrator Regan, Commissioner LaTourette, and local environmental justice advocates for this important tour and discussion that underscores the urgent need to address stark environmental inequalities and racism. Such discussions between local, state, and federal entities are essential to ensuring residents in overlooked communities across the United States are given the tools, resources, and funding they need to achieve environmental justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs EPA Administrator, I understand how important it is to be on the ground, to listen, and to learn from our communities on the frontlines of pollution,\u201d said U.S. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that we understand people\u2019s lived experiences, and that these impacts on communities are at the forefront of EPA\u2019s decision-making. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Booker for his partnership, steadfast leadership, and for providing me an opportunity to see firsthand the environmental injustices facing the Ironbound community in Newark. By listening to our communities of color and working hand in hand with our state and local partners, we will ensure that all people in this country realize the full protections of our environmental laws and policies.\u201d\n\n\u201cThanks to the partnership of our community leaders, advocates, and legislators, New Jersey is now home to the most empowering environmental justice law in the country,\u201d said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. \u201cThe Murphy Administration is grateful that US EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Senator Cory Booker are visiting New Jersey communities and creating an important forum where our residents can share their environmental challenges and where we can recommit, at all levels of government, to furthering the promise of environmental justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was an honor and a privilege to welcome EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan to Newark today,\u201d said Mayor Baraka. \u201cAs a statewide and regional hub of industry, commerce, innovation and energy, the impact of the legacy of environmental contamination is real and present in our community. Newark has long been recognized as an environmental justice community due to the high number of polluting facilities we host, and related environmental health impacts suffered by our residents. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with EPA Administrator Regan and his office to prioritize Newark children and families first, move Newark forward and improve the environmental health and quality of life in all our neighborhoods.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are thankful the Administrator and his staff are getting on the ground to see the problem for themselves,\u201d said Maria Lopez-Nunez of the Ironbound Community Corporation. \u201cFrontline communities across the country need to be seen but more importantly we must be heard. Living with the day to day failures of our system gives our communities unique expertise that we are offering this administration and our representatives. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to both address the climate crisis and the deep inequalities across the country. We hope this is not a stop on a tour but the beginning of a deep relationship towards justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cI applaud the EPA on tackling air pollution from heavy duty vehicles and hope that we see similar action to address diesel emissions from rail yards which are a major contributor to people's exposure to toxic air pollution in Newark's port adjacent communities,\u201d said Melissa Miles, Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance. \u201cWe hope that Administrator Regan's visit to Newark brings increased attention to the need for regulation of railyard emissions as part of the larger effort to eliminate air pollution and greenhouse gases from the logistics industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis visit comes at a critical moment when the crisis of climate change and environmental injustice is having life and death consequences for communities like Newark,\u201d said Ana Isabel Baptista, Assistant Professor of The New School University. \u201cWe thank Administrator Reagan and Senator Booker for their visit and ask that they continue their commitment to make targeted investments and reduce cumulative pollution in Newark and EJ communities throughout the US.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe welcome the opportunity to speak with Administrator Reagan and Senator Booker about the need for climate change mitigation policies that guarantee emissions reductions in environmental justice communities, as well as a substantive federal cumulative impacts policy for these same communities,\u201d said Nicky Sheats, Ph.D, Director of the John S. Watson institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University.\n\nThroughout his time in public service, Booker has prioritized environmental justice causes, including championing the cleanup of the polluted Passaic River and co-founding the Senate\u2019s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus. This month, Booker reintroduced the Environmental Justice Act of 2021, which would require federal agencies to mitigate environmental injustices and strengthen legal protections offered to those affected by environmental injustices. Earlier this year, Booker also announced the reintroduction of his Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act, legislation that would invest over $200 billion to clean up legacy pollution that has disproportionately harmed communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities for generations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-terror-attacks-in-afghanistan", "Booker Statement on Terror Attacks in Afghanistan", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - US Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cMy heart and my prayers are with the loved ones of the American service members and Afghan civilians who were killed in the acts of terrorism earlier today in Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cThe American heroes who were killed today undoubtedly saved the lives of many more, their enduring legacy will be one of service and sacrifice.\n\n\u201cI strongly condemn this act of terror and vow to work alongside my colleagues and the Biden Administration to find those responsible and hold them accountable.\n\n\u201cI commend and am deeply grateful to the brave U.S. service members and diplomats working to continue the evacuation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-bipartisan-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-delivers-for-nj", "BOOKER, MENENDEZ: BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT DELIVERS FOR NJ", "2021-08-13", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) released a breakdown of how the historic, $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed today in the U.S. Senate will provide record investments in New Jersey\u2019s aging infrastructure to repair roads and bridges, expand mass transit, build the Gateway Project, replace water and sewer pipes, and increase broadband internet access. The bill projects to generate more than two million jobs per year over the next decade and deliver billions to New Jersey in federal funding to address the state\u2019s most pressing infrastructure needs.\n\nThe legislation will provide an estimated $12.31 billion in guaranteed transportation and transit funding formula dollars for New Jersey over the next five years\u2014the largest ever investment in the state\u2019s transportation infrastructure. The state will also receive a minimum $100 million to expand broadband internet access. State formula funding for water and sewer infrastructure has yet to be calculated, and New Jersey can still compete for additional federal funding through other discretionary sources\n\nTRANSPORTATION\n\n\u00b7Highways/Roads $6,883,719,399\n\n\u00b7Bridges $1,146,780,115\n\n\u00b7Electric Vehicles $104,373,268\n\n\u00b7Ferry Service $24,407,410\n\nTRANSIT\n\n\u00b7TOTAL $4,154,648,806\n\n\u00b7FY21 $626,068,511\n\n\u00b7FY22 $792,674,692\n\n\u00b7FY23 $809,730,546\n\n\u00b7FY24 $831,558,775\n\n\u00b7FY25 $849,219,308\n\n\u00b7FY26 $871,465,485\n\nBROADBAND $100,000,000 (*min.)\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also includes additional infrastructure funding for federal programs that will benefit New Jersey, namely:\n\nGATEWAY PROJECT\n\n\u00b7Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor (NEC) $30,000,000,000\n\n\u00b7Capital Improvement Grants\n\noSupplemental appropriation $8,000,000,000\n\noAnnual authorization $3,000,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding from these programs can be used to complete Gateway)\n\nAIRPORTS\n\n\u00b7Airport Infrastructure Grants $15,000,000,000\n\n\u00b7Airport Terminal Program $5,000,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding is national over the next five years)\n\nWATER INFRASTRUCTURE\n\n\u00b7Drinking Water State Revolving Funds $15,000,000,000\n\n\u00b7Clean Water State Revolving Funds $11,700,000,000\n\n\u00b7Lead Contamination in Schools $200,000,000\n\n\u00b7PFAS Contamination Remediation $10,000,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding is national over the next five years)\n\nSUPERFUND/BROWNFIELDS $5,000,000,000\n\nTo clean up and revitalize polluted sites; New Jersey has the most Superfund sites in the nation\n\nFLOOD RESILIENCY\n\n\u00b7Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants $3,500,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding is national over the next five years)\n\nWEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE $3,500,000,000\n\nTo reduce energy costs for homeowners\n\nCYBERSECURITY $2,000,000,000\n\nTo modernize and enhance our nation\u2019s cybersecurity capabilities", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-durbin-urge-president-biden-to-use-executive-authority-to-allow-individuals-under-federal-custody-to-remain-on-home-confinement", "BOOKER, DURBIN URGE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO USE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS UNDER FEDERAL CUSTODY TO REMAIN ON HOME CONFINEMENT", "2021-08-12", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to President Biden urging his Administration to rescind a Trump-era opinion that would force individuals on home confinement to return to federal prison following the COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter, Booker and Durbin note that the Office of Legal Counsel\u2019s (OLC) January 15, 2021, memorandum opinion incorrectly found that following the emergency period of the pandemic, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must recall people who had been released to home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act to complete their sentences at BOP facilities. In fact, the CARES Act does not require or permit BOP to recall these individuals.\n\n\u201cYour Administration has ample executive authority to immediately provide the certainty these returning citizens deserve as they reintegrate into their communities, reunite with their families, and join in rebuilding our economy,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cWe urge you to use your unfettered pardon power to immediately commute the sentences of those on home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act.\u201d\n\nSince March 26, 2020, thousands of people have been released to home confinement and halfway houses, and less than one percent have been returned to BOP facilities for violating the conditions of their release.\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cThese individuals, who were released only after careful vetting by BOP, have successfully transitioned to home confinement. They have reunited with family, obtained jobs, and are abiding by the conditions of their release.\u201d\n\nThe CARES Act expanded BOP\u2019s home confinement authority to reduce prison populations to help contain the spread of the virus, The Act provides that during the covered emergency period, BOP may lengthen the maximum amount of time an individual may be placed in pre-release home confinement under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 3624(c)(2). Recalling people who are successfully transitioning to the community through home confinement is contrary to the requirements and purpose of \u00a7 3624(c)(2).\n\nOn April 23, 2021, Booker and Durbin sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting that he rescind the January OLC opinion. As of Thursday, the Senators had not received a response to their letter.\n\nFull text of today\u2019s letter is available here and below:\n\nAugust 12, 2021\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe respectfully request that your Administration take immediate action to ensure that thousands of individuals who have successfully transitioned to home confinement from federal prison during the pandemic are not returned to prison without cause. Your Administration has ample executive authority to immediately provide the certainty these returning citizens deserve as they reintegrate into their communities, reunite with their families, and join in rebuilding our economy.\n\nThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided critical relief from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In order to give the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) broader authority to reduce prison populations to help contain the spread of the virus, the CARES Act expanded BOP\u2019s home confinement authority. The Act provides that during the covered emergency period, BOP may lengthen the maximum amount of time an otherwise eligible individual may be placed in prerelease home confinement, if the Attorney General finds that the pandemic materially affects the functioning of BOP. Attorney General William Barr made the necessary finding on April 3, 2020, and BOP began exercising this authority. Thousands were released, and almost all have been successful\u2014less than one percent of the more than 24,000 prisoners released to home confinement and halfway houses during the pandemic have been returned to BOP facilities due to rule violations.\n\nOn January 15, 2021, in the last days of the Trump Administration, the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel issued a memorandum opinion entitled \u201cHome Confinement of Federal Prisoners After the COVID-19 Emergency\u201d (\u201cOLC opinion\u201d). The OLC opinion incorrectly found that following the emergency period of the pandemic, BOP must recall federal inmates released to home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act and require these inmates to complete their sentences at BOP facilities. In fact, the CARES Act does not require or permit BOP to recall these prisoners.\n\nOn April 23, 2021, we asked Attorney General Garland to rescind the OLC opinion, and are awaiting his response. However, the opinion does not prevent you from acting. We urge you to use your unfettered pardon power to immediately commute the sentences of those on home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act. These individuals, who were released only after careful vetting by BOP, have successfully transitioned to home confinement. They have reunited with family, obtained jobs, and are abiding by the conditions of their release.\n\nAdditional executive authorities are also available. BOP can provide relief for certain individuals through prerelease home confinement, under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 3624(c)(2), and the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program, pursuant to 34 U.S.C. \u00a7 60541(g). For those who do not qualify for those provisions, BOP can recommend, and DOJ should support, compassionate release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A). Compassionate release is authorized whenever extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant a sentence reduction, and the once-in-a-century global pandemic that led to these home confinement placements certainly constitutes such an extraordinary and compelling circumstance.\n\nGiven the breadth of available executive authority, no person who has successfully transitioned to home confinement should be required to return to federal prison. The uncertainty of the current situation unnecessarily interferes with the efforts of those on home confinement to rebuild their lives and participate in our economic recovery. With the goal of facilitating successful community reentry, we urge you to act immediately to resolve this issue and enable those on release to move forward with their lives.\n\nThank you for your time and consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill", "Booker Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill", "2021-08-10", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement on Senate passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021:\n\n\u201cAfter months of bipartisan negotiations, I applaud the Senate for passing the most extensive infrastructure investment our country has seen in decades. This landmark legislation will help create millions of good-paying jobs throughout our country, strengthen our national security, and bolster our economy -- making us more economically competitive with other nations.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey and our country badly need federal investment to modernize our nation\u2019s rail and transit systems, repair our crumbling roads and tunnels and deteriorating water systems, strengthen cyberinfrastructure, expand broadband access, and combat climate change.\n\n\u201cThe IIJA also includes key funding for Amtrak and transit that will support completion of the Gateway Program, funding for the construction and refurbishment of household decentralized wastewater systems that I\u2019ve worked to advance for years, and a toll credit exchange pilot program, ferry operators provision, and wildlife crossing safety program based on my legislation.\n\n\u201cI am proud to have worked with my colleagues in passing this bipartisan legislation and look forward to following it up with a budget bill that will make significant and transformative investmentsto lower costs for American families, create additional American jobs, and move our country forward in addressing the climate crisis.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 will include the following:\n\n$66 billion for passenger and freight rail including $30 billion in dedicated funding for Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor that will address the region\u2019s backlog of repairs and improve service.\n\n$39.2 billion of new investments over baseline funding for a total of $89.9 billion to modernize transit.\n\n$111 billion in new investments in roads and bridges including a $40 billion dedicated program to rebuild our nation\u2019s aging bridges, $16 billion for major projects, and a new program for reconnecting communities that have been historically divided by transportation infrastructure.\n\nAuthorizes $250 million over five years for a new decentralized wastewater systems grant program based on bipartisan legislation by Senators Booker and Capito for the construction and refurbishment of individual household decentralized wastewater systems for low-and moderate income individuals.\n\nA toll credit exchange pilot program, based on legislation by Senator Booker and Senator Shaheen. Senator Booker has long championed this program that will allow New Jersey to potentially sell their excess toll credits in order to increase investment in the state\u2019s transportation infrastructure.\n\n$350 million over five years for a wildlife crossing safety program Senator Booker worked with Senator Barrasso to get over the finish line.\n\n$400 million over five years to create a new grant program that Senator Booker and Senator Whitehouse have championed to reduce emissions from seaports.\n\nProvisions Senator Booker championed to ensure that certain privately-owned ferry boats and terminals that are deemed essential to a region\u2019s transportation network are eligible for Surface Transportation Block Grant funding to secure that ferry operators in the state are able to provide critical transportation options for commuters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-reintroduce-bill-to-crack-down-on-bank-overdraft-fees", "Booker, Warren Reintroduce Bill to Crack Down on Bank Overdraft Fees", "2021-08-09", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today reintroduced legislation to crack down on exploitative overdraft fees that banks charge consumers when they make a purchase or pay a bill but don\u2019t have sufficient funds in their account.\n\nThe Stop Overdraft Profiteering Act of 2021 would ban overdraft fees on debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals, and limit fees placed for checks and recurring payments. It would also mandate that banks post transactions in a manner that minimizes overdraft and nonsufficient fund fees (often times, banks reorder transactions in such a way as to maximize overdraft fees, which can mean, in some cases, that the consumer faces multiple charges).\n\n\u201cExploitative and excessive overdraft fees allow banks to reap enormous profits at the expense of the most economically vulnerable people,\u201d said Sen Booker. \u201cEven when accounting for the temporary and uneven measures that the industry took to provide relief to consumers throughout the pandemic, banks continued to make billions of dollars of revenue last year on the backs of their most vulnerable consumers. Our bill will require banks to institute overdraft protections and transparency measures that protect consumers and put an end to the unfair practices that can often be the tipping point toward financial ruin for struggling families. Families emerging from this crisis cannot continued to be saddled by these burdensome and abusive practices.\u201d\n\n\"While the COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the country and millions of families have struggled financially, big banks have reaped in billions of profits made from overdraft fees,\" said Senator Warren. I am glad to introduce this critical legislation with Senator Booker to protect consumers and crackdown on these predatory practices.\u201d\n\nSpecifically the Stop Overdraft Profiteering Act of 2021 would:\n\nProhibit overdraft fees on debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals.\n\nProhibit financial institutions from charging more than one overdraft fee per month and no more than six overdraft fees in any single calendar year for check and recurring bill payment overdrafts.\n\nLimit check and recurring bill payment overdrafts fees and non-sufficient fund fees to an amount that is reasonable and proportional to the financial institution\u2019s costs in providing the overdraft coverage.\n\nMandate a three-day waiting period between when an individual opens a new account and when a financial institution may offer overdraft protection.\n\nMandate that depository institutions post transactions in a manner that minimizes overdraft and nonsufficient fund fees.\n\nIncrease other consumer disclosures related to overdraft coverage programs.\n\nIn 2018, Booker and Warren sent a letter, signed by 13 other Senators, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau questioning its plan to no longer pursue regulatory action on overdraft fees, after it failed to mention action in its most recent regulatory agenda filing, even though it had been on the Bureau\u2019s agenda for four years.\n\nLast year, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Booker filed legislation that would ban exploitative bank overdraft fees for the duration of the Coronavirus public health emergency. One month later, Booker sent a letter to more than a dozen bank CEOs urging them to temporarily ban charging customers burdensome bank overdraft fees during the coronavirus emergency.\n\nEndorsed by:\n\nCenter for Responsible Lending\n\nAmericans for Financial Reform\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-hirono-blunt-rochester-and-fitzpatrick-reintroduce-bill-to-boost-small-business-growth-in-rural-low-income-and-underserved-areas", "Booker, Hirono, Blunt Rochester, and Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bill to Boost Small Business Growth in Rural, Low-Income, and Underserved Areas", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today reintroduced legislation that invests in startup accelerators and incubators in new and underserved areas. Research indicates that just three geographic clusters \u2014 the San Francisco Bay area, the Boston-Washington corridor, and Southern California\u2014account for 77 percent of venture capital funding in the United States, driving small business job growth to thrive in these areas and leaving rural, low-income, and other underserved areas behind. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE, At-Large) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1).\n\nIncubation and accelerator programs, which provide entrepreneurs with essential services such as experienced leadership, office space, access to financing opportunities, and structured mentorship for certain periods of time, are critical elements of innovation ecosystems where successful startups can flourish. According to research conducted at MIT, areas in which an accelerator opens see a 97 percent increase in the number of distinct venture capital investors compared to similar areas without an accelerator.\n\n\u201cWhen we fail to get entrepreneurs the resources they need to scale their businesses, regardless of their zip code or wealth, we leave some of the best ideas and innovations on the sidelines,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cTo aid in our country\u2019s long term economic recovery, our bill will make robust investments to help fund new startup programs in low-income and underserved areas, providing more entrepreneurs with the support they need to launch their businesses and create jobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day across our country, small businesses and entrepreneurs drive innovation and growth, and create jobs,\u201d Senator Hirono said. \u201cThe SOAR Act is a critical opportunity to provide more businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed\u2014regardless of where they may be located. Passing this legislation would help as we continue to focus on our economic recovery from the pandemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur economy is driven by the entrepreneurs and small businesses who are investing in innovation for the future,\u201d Blunt Rochester said. \u201cBy investing in programs like SOAR, we can drive economic growth in underserved areas and further empower entrepreneurs, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. I\u2019m thrilled to be introducing this bill with Senator Booker and Congressman Fitzpatrick and I\u2019m hopeful that together, we can shepherd this bill to passage.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know growth accelerators work at stimulating investment and job creation but too often those gains are concentrated and leave American workers and entrepreneurs in underserved areas behind,\u201d said Fitzpatrick. \u201cWorking with Congresswoman Blunt Rochester, we\u2019ve come up with a measure to support growth in underserved communities \u2013 wherever they are \u2013 by empowering entrepreneurs with essential services like experienced leadership, office space, access to financing opportunities, and structured mentorship. Together we can plant the seeds of nationwide growth.\u201d\n\nThe SOAR Act builds on a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Growth Accelerator Fund competition, in which accelerators and other entrepreneurial ecosystems compete for funding to expand their reach to engage more startups and new communities.\n\nBy broadening the tech ecosystems, the SOAR Act would unleash economic opportunities in low-income and rural communities and empower underserved entrepreneurs, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.\n\nSpecifically the SOAR ACT would build on the SBA\u2019s work with the Growth Accelerator Fund and authorize $80 million in funding each year for 10 years, providing:\n\nFunding offered through a competitive grant program for organizations supporting early-stage startups including new and existing accelerator programs, incubators, and universities\n\nA targeted focus on encouraging growth accelerators that address key geographic and demographic gaps, including women, veterans, minority-entrepreneurs, individuals with disabilities, and rural communities\n\nIncreased funding, which will allow the SBA to continue to expand the strength of growth accelerators across the country\n\nOversight and transparency of the program\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-legislation-to-end-draconian-policy-that-prevents-formerly-incarcerated-individuals-from-accessing-government-assistance-programs", "Booker Introduces Legislation to End Draconian Policy that Prevents Formerly Incarcerated Individuals from Accessing Government Assistance Programs", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Making Essentials Available and Lawful Act, or the MEAL Act. This legislation would repeal a lifetime ban that prevents formerly incarcerated individuals convicted of felony drug offenses from accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Earlier this year, Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 600,000 individuals are released from local and federal prisons every year. However, due to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act established in 1996, many formerly incarcerated individuals do not have access to critical programs such as SNAP and TANF. Meanwhile, studies have shown that access to public assistance like SNAP and TANF is associated with a reduced risk of recidivism among returning citizens.\n\n\u201cFor formerly incarcerated individuals trying to reenter society, the lifetime ban on SNAP and TANF benefits poses unnecessary barriers that we know increase the risk of recidivism,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThose who have repaid their debt to society shouldn\u2019t have to suffer from a lifetime of continued punishment. The MEAL Act will repeal this decades-old lifetime ban and ensure that people convicted of felony drug offenses can meet their basic needs and safely reintegrate into their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to be working with Senator Booker and Representatives Gwen Moore, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Jahana Hayes on these commonsense and humane re-entry reforms,\u201d said Congressman Cohen. \u201cThousands of people released from state and federal prisons each year re-enter society and find major, and unnecessary, challenges, including lifetime bans on food assistance and TANF. The MEAL Act would repeal the 1996 ban on people with drug felony convictions receiving SNAP and TANF, and it would allow them to apply for SNAP before their release so that they can meet their basic needs on Day One, reducing the likelihood of recidivism and increasing the quality of life of those aiming to reintegrate into their communities.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Making Essentials Available and Lawful, or the MEAL Act, would amend the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity of 1996 and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by allowing formerly incarcerated individuals convicted of felony drug offenses to have access to receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants.\n\nThe following Senators endorsed this legislation: Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).\n\nThe full list of endorsing organizations can be viewed here.\n\nThe full text of the Making Essentials Available and Lawful, or the MEAL Act, can be viewed here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-senators-in-urging-majority-leader-schumer-to-include-baby-bonds-in-the-reconciliation-package", "Booker Leads Senators in Urging Majority Leader Schumer to Include \u201cBaby Bonds\u201d in the Reconciliation Package", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a letter urging Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to include the American Opportunity Accounts Act, or \u201cBaby Bonds,\u201d in the reconciliation package. If included and passed, this groundbreaking legislation will create a federally-funded savings account for every American child that will make economic opportunity a birthright for every American and substantially close the racial wealth gap.\n\nStaggering wealth inequality in the U.S. has only worsened in the past six decades, especially along racial lines. According to the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, the median white family has eight dollars in wealth for every one dollar held by Black families, and the members of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans own more wealth than all black families in the U.S. combined. Recent studies by Columbia University and Morningstar have found that a program like Baby Bonds would substantially close the racial wealth gap among young adults in America.\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing economic crisis, and ongoing recovery have only further exposed vast economic inequities along racial lines,\u201d the senators wrote to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. \u201cToday, the median white family has eight dollars in wealth for every one dollar held by Black families, and the members of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans hold more wealth than all Black families in the U.S. combined. These disparities left Black families particularly vulnerable during this crisis as they dealt with the challenges of high costs of healthcare, unemployment, and remote learning without the buffer of savings and resources.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo be clear, these disparities are the result of intentional policymaking,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cFor decades, federal, state, and local policy has stripped wealth and opportunity from Black and Brown people, and our tax code is overwhelmingly skewed to reward the already-affluent. We have an opportunity to build a just economic recovery that addresses the economic injustices of the past and present and moves us towards an economic future that leaves no family behind.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlongside the investments in families and workers put forward in President Biden\u2019s American Families Plan, we can make meaningful progress towards eliminating these disparities. As we emerge from this dark period of our nation\u2019s history, Baby Bonds is exactly the type of universal, race conscious program necessary to build our economy back better,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nIf adopted into the reconciliation package, the American Opportunity Accounts Act, or \u201cBaby Bonds,\u201d would give every child an \u201cAmerican Opportunity Account\u201d at birth seeded with $1,000 that grows every year between a $0 and $2,000 depending on family income, until the age of 18. Kids growing up in the poorest households would have accounts of up to $50,000 to spend on eligible wealth-building activities. A study out of Columbia University found a policy like Baby Bonds would substantially reduce the racial wealth gap among young adults.\n\nThis letter was also signed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI).\n\nSenator Booker and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley first introduced the American Opportunity Accounts Act in 2019 and sent a letter earlier this year urging President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to include this legislation in the fourth COVID-19 economic recovery package.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below:\n\nAugust 5, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Charles Schumer\n\nSenate Majority Leader\n\nS-221, The United States Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20510\n\nDear Majority Leader Schumer,\n\nAs you work to craft legislation to support a robust recovery, we urge you to include investments into our children and families through \u201cBaby Bonds,\u201d as outlined in the American Opportunity Accounts Act.\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing economic crisis, and ongoing recovery have only further exposed vast economic inequities along racial lines. Today, the median white family has eight dollars in wealth for every one dollar held by Black families, and the members of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans hold more wealth than all Black families in the U.S. combined. These disparities left Black families particularly vulnerable during this crisis as they dealt with the challenges of high costs of healthcare, unemployment, and remote learning without the buffer of savings and resources.\n\nThe setbacks facing Black families as a result of the pandemic cannot be understated. The outsized impact on the health and employment of Black families further shrunk wealth as families dipped into their limited resources to stay afloat, and data shows that critical asset building investments in education, homeownership, and retirement suffered as Black households depleted their savings. These disruptions have the potential not only to create obstacles for the workers and students in the years to come, but also for the future generations.\n\nTo be clear, these disparities are the result of intentional policymaking. For decades, federal, state, and local policy has stripped wealth and opportunity from Black and Brown people, and our tax code is overwhelmingly skewed to reward the already-affluent. We have an opportunity to build a just economic recovery that addresses the economic injustices of the past and present and moves us towards an economic future that leaves no family behind.\n\nThe American Opportunity Accounts Act would represent perhaps the most ambitious ever federal effort to directly combat wealth inequality. As a birthright, every child would be given an \u201cAmerican Opportunity Account\u201d seeded with $1,000. Every year thereafter, children would receive between a $0 and $2,000 deposit, depending on family income, with funds sitting in a low-risk account managed by the Treasury Department. Beginning at age 18, account holders would be able to access and utilize the funds for wealth-building activities including homeownership, higher and continuing education, and entrepreneurship\u2014the kind of investments that change life trajectories and break generational cycles of poverty.\n\nAlongside the investments in families and workers put forward in President Biden\u2019s American Families Plan, we can make meaningful progress towards eliminating these disparities. As we emerge from this dark period of our nation\u2019s history, Baby Bonds is exactly the type of universal, race conscious program necessary to build our economy back better.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/08/05/2021/booker-reintroduces-sweeping-environmental-justice-bill", "Booker Reintroduces Sweeping Environmental Justice Bill", "2021-08-05", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced sweeping legislation to address the environmental injustices that harm communities of color, low-income communities, and indigenous communities around the country. The Environmental Justice Act of 2021 would require federal agencies to mitigate environmental injustices through agency action and would strengthen the legal protections of those affected by environmental injustices. Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year.\n\n\u201cWe cannot achieve economic justice or social justice in this country without simultaneously addressing environmental justice,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cClean air and clean water shouldn\u2019t be luxuries for the privileged \u2013 yet every day, communities of color, low income communities, and indigenous communities are disproportionately harmed by pollution. This reality has largely been ignored, and the affected communities have been left without the legal tools to protect their rights. The Environmental Justice Act is an important step in returning power to these communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cHaving clean water to drink and clean air to breathe is not a privilege for the affluent few \u2013 it's a right and common good for everyone,\" said Dr. Ruiz. \"My bill with Senator Booker, the Environmental Justice Act of 2021, will strengthen protections for vulnerable at-risk populations, give impacted communities the ability to hold big corporations and government accountable, and provide much-needed funds to mitigate and prevent future environmental hazards. Our legislation will take an important step forward in creating a healthier environment for all.\"\n\nBooker worked closely with dozens of grassroots organizations in New Jersey and across the country to craft this comprehensive bill that strengthens environmental justice protections for vulnerable communities. As part of that effort, in 2017, he visited important environmental justice communities in the Southeastern United States, including Uniontown, Alabama, where a massive landfill that accepts garbage from more than half the country was permitted to be placed in an overwhelmingly black community, despite local opposition; Lowndes County, Alabama, where residents struggle with nonexistent or ineffective sewage systems; and an 85-mile stretch of land between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana home to more than 150 industrial plants and oil refineries and infamously known as \u201cCancer Alley\u201d because of an elevated incidence of cancer and inexplicable illnesses among its residents. In October 2017, Booker first introduced the Environmental Justice Act in the Senate.\n\nIn 2019, Booker co-founded the Senate\u2019s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus along with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) to call attention to the many environmental justice issues affecting our nation. Since his time as a tenant lawyer, City Council member, and mayor of Newark, Booker has seen first-hand how low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by poor air quality, tainted drinking water, and toxic Superfund sites. For example, Newark has one of the highest rates of child asthma in the state, and half of all New Jerseyans live within three miles of a Superfund site. As Mayor, Booker championed the cleanup of the polluted Passaic River, a federal Superfund site, and helped lead the revitalization of over 15 acres of formerly off-limits riverfront property. He also spearheaded the creation of community gardens that required planting in raised beds since the soil was too toxic to grow food for human consumption.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nSpecifically, the Environmental Justice Act does the following:\n\n\u00b7 Codifies and expands the 1994 Executive Order on Environmental Justice. Executive Order 12898 focused federal attention on environmental and human health impacts of federal actions on minority and low-income communities. The Environmental Justice Act of 2019 would codify this order into law, protecting it from being revoked by future Presidents. It would also expand the EO by improving the public\u2019s access to information from federal agencies charged with implementing the bill and creating more opportunities for the public to participate in the agencies\u2019 decision-making process.\n\n\u00b7 Codifies the existing National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) and environmental justice grant programs. The bill ensures that NEJAC will continue to convene and provide critical input on environmental justice issues to federal agencies, and that several important environmental justice grant programs, including Environmental Justice Small Grants and CARE grants, will continue to be implemented under federal law. Since these grant programs and NEJAC have never been Congressionally authorized, they are susceptible to being discontinued by future Administrations.\n\n\u00b7 Establishes requirements for federal agencies to address environmental justice. The bill requires agencies to implement and update annually a strategy to address negative environmental and health impacts on populations and communities of color, indigenous communities, and low income communities. In addition, the bill codifies CEQ (Council on Environmental Quality) guidance to assist federal agencies with their NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) procedures so that environmental justice concerns are effectively identified and addressed. The bill also codifies existing EPA guidance to enhance EPA\u2019s consultations with Native American tribes in situations where tribal treaty rights may be affected by a proposed EPA action.\n\n\u00b7 Requires consideration of cumulative impacts and persistent violations in federal or state permitting decisions under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. Currently, Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permitting decisions do not take into account an area\u2019s cumulative pollutant levels when a permit for an individual facility is being issued or renewed. This can result in an exceedingly high concentration of polluting facilities in certain areas. The bill also requires permitting authorities to consider a facility\u2019s history of violations when deciding to issue or renew a permit.\n\n\u00b7 Clarifies that communities impacted by events like the Flint water crisis may bring statutory claims for damages and common law claims in addition to requesting injunctive relief. Under current legal precedent, environmental justice communities are often prevented from bringing claims for damages. The bill would ensure that impacted communities can assert these claims.\n\n\u00b7 Reinstates a private right of action for discriminatory practices under the Civil Rights Act. The bill overrules the Supreme Court decision in Alexander v. Sandoval and restores the right for individual citizens to bring actions under the Civil Rights Act against entities engaging in discriminatory practices that have a disparate impact. Currently citizens must rely upon federal agencies to bring such actions on their behalf.\n\nThe following advocates expressed their support for the Environmental Justice Act:\n\n\u201cOur nation should prioritize developing policies that will address persistent environmental justice issues, such as cumulative impacts, and yield measurable reductions in pollution in communities Of Color and low-income communities,\u201d said Nicky Sheats, Ph.D., Esq., Director, Center for the Urban Environment of the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, and member of the NJ Environmental Justice Alliance.\n\n\"The Environmental Justice Act provides frontline communities with additional tools in our fight to challenge big polluters that are harming people and ecosystems,\u201d said Miya Yoshitani, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Climate Justice Alliance Board Member.\n\n\"Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander, poor, and marginalized communities bear the brunt of a legacy of industrial pollution and environmental racism. A commitment to racial justice and equity demands we center the voices, rights and needs of frontline communities in our work for justice,\u201d said Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, Co-Chair, Climate Justice Alliance Board of Directors.\n\n\u201cCommunities of color and low income communities i.e. environmental justice (EJ) communities have long been subjected to environmental injustices with little to no legal protections. Environmental laws are often inconsistently applied and more slowly enforced in EJ communities. The Environmental Justice Act of 2021 is an important step towards ensuring that EJ communities have avenues for redress,\u201d said Ansha Zaman, Policy Coordinator, Center for Earth Energy & Democracy.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation can be viewed here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-re-introduce-bill-to-improve-disaster-response-and-recovery-plans-in-prisons", "Booker, Duckworth Re-introduce Bill to Improve Disaster Response and Recovery Plans in Prisons", "2021-08-04", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) re-introduced legislation that would ensure prison disaster response and recovery plans protect the health, safety and civil rights of incarcerated individuals during natural disasters and public health emergencies. The legislation follows a U.S. Government Accountability Office report\u2014which is part of Duckworth and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan\u2019s (D-NH) requested review of the Bureau of Prisons\u2019 (BOP) emergency preparedness\u2014found shortcomings in BOP\u2019s COVID-19 response that impacted the health and safety of those incarcerated and exacerbated staffing shortages.\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic has revealed alarming gaps in the response and preparedness plans currently used to safeguard the health, well-being, and dignity of incarcerated people during emergencies,\u201d said Booker. \u201cOur legislation will ensure Congress has the oversight to address these gaps and will help correctional facilities implement vital changes to protect the lives of incarcerated people during future natural disasters.\u201d\n\n\u201cOne of the many injustices exposed by this deadly pandemic is the fact that incarcerated individuals are particularly vulnerable during major disasters since they rely on staff to provide necessities and decide whether to evacuate to a safer location,\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cI\u2019m re-introducing this bill today to help make sure that federal and state correctional agencies appropriately prioritize the health and safety of incarcerated individuals and staff during major disasters by better assessing damages sustained from these disasters, taking corrective actions to resolve preparedness gaps and seeking input from professionals with emergency management and health backgrounds, as well as formerly incarcerated individuals.\u201d\n\nThe Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act would:\n\n\u00b7Strengthen oversight by requiring the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide an annual damage assessment report to Congress after a presidential disaster declaration or other major disaster on its effects on Federal inmates\u2019 health and safety, as well as corrective actions to resolve preparedness gaps.\n\n\u00b7Expand the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Advisory Board membership by permanently appointing three new members: (1) a formerly incarcerated individual, (2) an emergency coordinator and (3) a public health expert with an educational and professional background working with communicable diseases to evaluate emergency preparedness and correctional policies.\n\n\u00b7Require the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Advisory Board conduct a field hearing on how correctional facilities can better incorporate considerations for incarcerated individuals in its emergency preparedness plans and recovery efforts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-warner-reintroduce-legislation-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs-for-children", "BOOKER & WARNER REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR CHILDREN", "2021-07-30", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) reintroduced legislation to help lower the costs of needed medical care and prescription drugs for children. The Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act would give states the ability to purchase prescription drugs at the lowest price possible, reducing the cost of prescription drugs for children who receive coverage through the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and generatingimmediate savings for states and the federal government.\n\n\u201cSkyrocketing health care costs \u2013 including prescription drug costs \u2013 have left many families unable to afford critical life-saving medication for their children,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cOur bill will make important changes to the CHIP program, lowering drug prices for over 4 million children and helping states save money. Health care is a fundamental right and this legislation is critical to ensuring that more of our nation\u2019s children have access to quality, affordable care.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an absolute tragedy that in one of the richest nations in the world, families still face a steep price tag for their child\u2019s lifesaving prescription drug,\u201d said Sen. Warner. \u201cThis commonsense bill would cut through bureaucratic red tape and give states the ability to secure the best possible price \u2013 something that is currently forbidden under current law.\u201d\n\nThe Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage to low-income children who would otherwise be uninsured. Currently, states can either have a standalone CHIP that is separate from Medicaid, or they can expand Medicaid eligibility to achieve the same goal of providing health insurance to low-income children. States can also have a combination program.\n\nHowever, states that have a standalone CHIP are not allowed to participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate program (MDRP), which allows state Medicaid programs to purchase products from drug manufacturers at \u201cMedicaid best price\u201d \u2013 the lowest price offered to any other commercial payer. This means that these states are forced to pay higher prices for the same prescription drugs, which can result in higher costs for families and reduced access to medicines and other forms of needed care. In the most recent report released by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, there are more than 4 million children nationally enrolled in a separate CHIP program.\n\nThe Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act would give states the option of purchasing prescription drugs for their standalone CHIP through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. This would generate immediate savings for individual CHIP programs and the federal government, opening the door for states to use those excess dollars to ensure even more families and children have access to essential medical care and prescription drugs.\n\nThe Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act is endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Little Lobbyists, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, First Focus Campaign for Children and the Children\u2019s Hospital Association. In addition, the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute\u2019s Center for Children and Families included this cost-savings concept in their January 2019 report, \u201cHow to Strengthen the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to Address Rising Medicaid Prescription Drug Costs.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are grateful to Senators Warner and Booker for reintroducing the Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act, which will extend Medicaid\u2019s best price provisions so all CHIP programs get the medication patients need at the lowest possible price,\u201d said Sarah Kaminer Bourland, Legislative Director at Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. \u201cStates and families across the country need relief from the burden of high drug prices and this legislation is an important step towards providing that relief to many of those who need it most.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are pleased to support the Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act. We thank Senators Warner and Booker for this bill that will help lower costs for stand-alone CHIP programs and allow states to cover more kids,\u201d said Bruce Lesley, President, First Focus Campaign for Children\n\nA copy of the bill text can be found here. A copy of the one-page summary can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-capito-pascrell-mckinley-introduce-legislation-to-extend-alternatives-to-opioids-program", "Booker, Capito, Pascrell, McKinley Introduce Legislation to Extend Alternatives to Opioids Program", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) in the Emergency Department program at $10 million annually over five years. The ALTO program was created in 2018 by Booker and Capito-led measure in the Senate that was included in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271). Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), David McKinley (R-WV-01), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-02).\n\n\u201cSuccessfully addressing the devastating effects and unimaginable pain caused by the opioid epidemic requires a holistic and innovative response such as the one pioneered by St. Joseph\u2019s Medical Hospital in New Jersey for years,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce legislation that will ensure St. Joe\u2019s innovative program can continue to be a blueprint of success for communities, helping us reduce the number of opioid prescriptions written in emergency rooms across our nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cLast year, we lost more Americans than ever before to drug overdoses, and it\u2019s another reminder that we need to redouble our efforts to curb the addiction crisis in our country,\u201d said Sen. Capito. \u201cDoing so requires an all-hands-on-deck approach and the ALTO in the Emergency Department Act is a tool that will help in this fight. Millions of opioid prescriptions are written each year, and a significant portion of opioid overdose deaths involve these prescription opioids. There are alternatives to treating pain that can help save lives, and that is exactly what our bill aims to do. By helping to explore non-opioid pain treatments, I am hopeful this bill will help decrease opioid usage in West Virginia.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe ALTO program we created is an essential tool in our longstanding fight against the opioid crisis. We must continue to fund this lifesaving program with every dollar it needs,\u201d said Rep. Pascrell, the primary House sponsor of H.R. 5197 which established the ALTO demonstration program. \u201cSince 2018, our ALTO legislation has provided a ground-breaking preventative blueprint for hospitals and health care providers across America as they grapple with the opioid epidemic. This program is progressive and forward-looking. Most importantly, it will protect American lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cPromoting alternatives to highly-addictive opioid painkillers will reduce addiction and abuse, and ultimately save lives,\u201d said Rep. McKinley. \u201cWe worked to include this program in the 2018 opioids bill, and now we need to follow through with adequate funding. Recent reports show opioid overdose deaths increased 40% during 2020, largely driven by the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. We must do more. ALTO helps stop opioid addiction before it even starts by focusing on patients in the ER.\u201d\n\n\"This program will save lives,\u201d said Rep. DeGette. \u201cThe ALTO program is based off innovative, science-based approaches that have shown to effectively help our health care system curb the use of prescription opioids in this country. These types of programs are precisely what we need in hospitals and emergency departments across the country to help curb the nation's opioid epidemic.\"\n\n\u201cEmergency physicians on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic can attest firsthand at the proven success of the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) program,\u201d said Dr. Mark Rosenberg, DO, MBA, FACEP, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Chairman of Emergency Medicine; Chief, Innovation Officer of St. Joseph\u2019s Health in Paterson, New Jersey. \u201cAs our communities and families confront the challenge of opioid use disorder (OUD), the bipartisan ALTO in the Emergency Department Reauthorization Act of 2021 will better equip us with the tools we need to help our patients and communities struggling with opioid use disorders\u2013and most importantly\u2013prevent OUD before it even starts. Personally, I am proud and grateful to continue working with my friends, Representative Pascrell and Senator Booker, to reauthorize this lifesaving program that we originally began right here in New Jersey, and also thank Representative McKinley and Senator Capito for their continued bipartisan leadership on this bill. On behalf of ACEP, I extend our deepest thanks for their tireless efforts to ensure that more Americans have access to the appropriate care they need and deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cSt. Joseph\u2019s University Medical Center commends Rep. Pascrell for introducing this critical legislation. Reauthorizing the Alternatives to Opioids in the Emergency Department program will allow emergency departments across the nation to implement or expand programs that treat acute pain without the use of opioids. The Emergency Department at St. Joseph\u2019s University Medical Center was the first in the United States to launch an Alternatives to Opiates Program (ALTO), and the results have been exceptionally promising. Since the program\u2019s inception in 2016, up to 75% of St. Joseph\u2019s patients have achieved adequate pain relief with alternative therapies and there has been a decrease in opioid use by almost 50% since the inception of the program. Section 7091 of the Support for Patients and Communities Act (Pub. L. 115-271) took ALTO nationwide. As a result, programs across the country have received the funding and resources they need to implement their own programs. St. Joseph\u2019s University Medical Center applauds Rep. Pascrell for introducing legislation to reauthorize this important program for another five years. We also wish to recognize Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), David McKinley (R-WV), and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), the bill\u2019s bipartisan lead cosponsors,\u201d said Kevin Slavin, CEO of St. Joseph\u2019s Health.\n\nIn 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded $4,750,000 to ten hospitals and emergency departments across the country for ALTO Demonstration Program. The legislation introduced today will make ALTO a permanent program and provide funding for more hospitals and emergency departments to develop and implement alternatives to opioids for pain management.\n\nAs a first line of defense for combatting the opioid epidemic, emergency departments are well-positioned to be laboratories of new innovations to combat the crisis. Eager to try fresh approaches to address the epidemic, the team at St. Joseph\u2019s Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, led by its director of emergency medicine, Dr. Mark Rosenberg and CEO Kevin Slavin, created the ALTO program. ALTO utilizes non-opioid protocols instead of painkiller prescriptions to treat acute pain. St. Joseph\u2019s launched its ALTO program in 2016, and two years later the number of opioid prescriptions written had decreased by more than 80 percent. In January 2020 alone, St. Joe\u2019s engaged 80 people in the emergency department for recovery support services for opioid use disorder and the hospital is also dispensing Narcan kits for patients who are at high risk for opioid overdose. The model has been so successful that St. Joseph\u2019s has expanded the protocol to other departments within the hospital, and Dr. Rosenberg has travelled the country helping other health systems get ALTO programs up and running.\n\nThe opioid epidemic continues to claim the lives of thousands of Americans throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths in the United States rose 29.4% in 2020 to an estimated 93,331, including 69,710 involving opioids. In addition, more than 2.2 million people have an opioid use disorder.\n\nThis legislation is supported by the American College of Emergency Physicians, America\u2019s Essential Hospitals, and St. Joseph\u2019s Health of Northern New Jersey.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-crdenas-bass-announce-second-chance-for-justice-legislative-package", "Booker, C\u00e1rdenas, Bass Announce Second Chance for Justice Legislative Package", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Congressman Tony C\u00e1rdenas (CA-29), and Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37) released the Second Chance for Justice Package, a group of bills aimed at reforming the criminal and juvenile justice system.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s broken criminal justice system is the result of decades of failed policies that have shattered families and inflicted devastating harm on young people, especially on Black and Brown youth,\u201d said Senator Booker. \"Our juvenile justice bills will provide critical, innovative, and community-based solutions that will protect minors who are involved with the criminal justice system and provide them the support to avoid contact with the system in the first place.\u201d\n\n\u201cGrowing up in Pacoima, I witnessed how our broken criminal and juvenile justice systems kept neighborhood kids in a perpetual cycle of incarceration,\u201d said Congressman C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cI saw how systemic problems literally ruined the lives of generations of children. We all make mistakes when we\u2019re young, but those mistakes should not determine our futures. I'm leading the Second Chance for Justice legislative package with Congresswoman Bass and Senator Booker because I believe our children deserve to live in a world where they can change for the better, and where their future is not defined by a single mistake. Our bills will provide smart, meaningful solutions and close loopholes that treat at-risk kids like criminals. Investing in children is one of the best things we can do, and I\u2019m proud our package embodies the principles that will give them the second chance they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter decades of increasingly punitive and failed juvenile justice policies, it\u2019s time to take a step in a direction that recognizes that children are different than adults, that they have enormous potential for rehabilitation, change, and growth, and that we can do better to meet their developmental needs,\u201d said Congresswoman Bass. \u201cThis applies to all children \u2013 no matter what they look like or where they grow up. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this package to narrow the pipeline of children entering the criminal justice system.\u201d\n\nStudies have proven that locking up children does not reduce crime or the rate of juvenile recidivism - it has the opposite effect. While incarcerated, children are often provided with inadequate education instruction, health care and counseling services and are at greater risk of maltreatment, physical and psychological abuse, sexual assault and suicide. Kids in the juvenile justice systems are disproportionately identified as having special needs and are disproportionately low-income, LGBTQ+, Black and Latino. The majority of these children have no knowledge of their rights, no means to contact a lawyer or no financial resources for legal fees. It\u2019s clear that when it comes to children, the United States falls short of human rights standards.\n\nGiven the current climate, bold juvenile and criminal justice reform have never been more important. The Second Chance for Justice Package includes three legislative bills that aim to reform the criminal and juvenile justice system by protecting children during police interrogations; supporting community-based organizations and their work to further evidence-based prevention and intervention initiatives for at-risk youth; and eliminating the practice of collecting juvenile fines and fees that are harmful to children and families.\n\nThe Second Chance for Justice includes three bills that have been introduced in the House and Senate.\n\nThe Protecting Miranda Rights for Kids Act seeks to protect children during police interactions and ensures their due process Constitutional Rights are upheld by requiring law enforcement to notify and contact parents or guardians in the event a child is arrested or detained.\n\nThe Community-Based Gang Intervention Act will allow the Office of Juvenile Justice and Prevention to provide funding and direction for agencies to intervene in the lives of young people who are at-risk, keeping them out of the prison system and making communities safer.\n\nThe Eliminating Debtor\u2019s Prison for Kids Act will establish a grant program to provide meaningful resources for intervention programs to prevent juveniles\u2019 initial involvement in the justice system.\n\nThe legislative package is supported by more than 20 organizations, including: The Sentencing Project, Human Rights for Kids, National Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition, Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth, National Juvenile Justice Network, Brennan Center for Justice, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Juvenile Law Center, Revolve Impact?, Alianza for Youth Justice, Coalition for Engaged Education, New Earth, Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic, National Center for Youth Law, National Juvenile Defender Center, New Directions for Youth, Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE), The Professional Community Intervention Training Institute (PCITI), Visionary Youth and Champions In Service.\n\nQuotes from endorsing organizations can be found here.\n\nSummaries of each bill and additional background information can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-capito-introduce-legislation-to-tackle-uterine-fibroids-through-research-education", "Booker, Capito Introduce Legislation to Tackle Uterine Fibroids through Research, Education", "2021-07-23", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today introduced the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act, legislationthat would create research and public education programs to support women suffering from uterine fibroids.\n\n\u201cAs we mark Fibroid Awareness Month, we must continue our work to address the devastating health impacts uterine fibroids have on nearly 26 million women, especially Black women, nationwide,\u201d Senator Booker said. \u201cBy funding critical research and increasing public and provider awareness, this bipartisan legislation will help enhance the quality of care provided to those living with uterine fibroids, including better diagnostic and treatment options.\u201d\n\n\u201cMillions of women are affected by uterine fibroids, which often go undiagnosed and can have significant health consequences in both the short and long term,\u201d Senator Capito said. \u201cMaking investments in research and education efforts is a critical step in supporting individuals who suffer from this condition across our country. I\u2019m proud to join with Senator Booker to both honor a champion of this issue and help prevent, diagnose, and treat uterine fibroids for future generations of women.\u201d\n\nJuly marks Fibroid Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness for uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths of the uterus that impact an estimated 26 million women nationwide. Symptoms of this devastating condition include severe menstrual bleeding, anemia, pregnancy complications and loss, and infertility.\n\nIn addition to the pain and discomfort they cause, uterine fibroids cost the health care system an estimated $5.9 billion to $34.4 billion every year. Despite their prevalence and impact, preventing, diagnosing, and treating uterine fibroids is very difficult. This condition often goes undiagnosed, and even when it is accurately diagnosed, treatment is usually invasive and can lead to infertility. Black women are particularly impacted by this condition as they tend to develop uterine fibroids earlier, have larger and a greater number of fibroids, and have more severe symptoms and complications.\n\nThe Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act would facilitate research on uterine fibroids and improve public awareness and provider education on this condition.\n\nSpecifically, this bill would:\n\nExpand and intensify research on uterine fibroids and authorize $30 million a year for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 for that effort.\n\nRequire the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect data on services provided to people diagnosed with uterine fibroids under Medicaid or the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).\n\nCreate a public education program for uterine fibroids.\n\nPromote evidence-based care for uterine fibroids among health care providers.\n\nThis legislation is named after late Ohio Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who championed this issue before she passed away, and it is endorsed by a range of organizations, including: March of Dimes, Black Women\u2019s Health Imperative, Society for Women\u2019s Health Research (SWHR), The White Dress Project, The Fibroid Foundation, CARE About Fibroids, Free From Fibroid Foundation, HealthyWomen, National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, and Hologic.\n\n\u201cSWHR is pleased to support the bipartisan Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research & Education Act of 2021. The Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones issued a call to action over a decade ago for more public awareness and research funding for fibroids, which continues to be a public health issue for women. Greater attention to this disease will lead to more fibroids research, the discovery of new treatments, and improved care for patients. This underfunded and overlooked condition affects 70-80% of women with stark disparities in symptoms and outcomes for Black women in particular. Increased awareness of fibroids will spark essential conversations among women, their families, and their health care providers about menstrual conditions, which are often stigmatized and dismissed by society,\u201dKathryn G. Schubert, MPP, CAE, President and CEO of Society for Women\u2019s Health Research, said.\n\n\u201cThe introduction of the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act is a monumental step for women and girls everywhere,\u201d Tanika Gray Valbrun, Founder and CEO of The White Dress Project, said. \u201cThere is much more work to be done to address the uterine fibroid crisis. We need more education, more research, and full commitment from our policymakers to address healthcare inequities and to understand why fibroids disproportionately affect Black women.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is not adequate data to understand why Black women are affected more frequently and with more severe complications from uterine fibroids,\u201d Linda Goler Blount, President and CEO of the Black Women\u2019s Health Imperative, said. \u201cUterine fibroids are a health threat that urgently requires research, community resources, and improved treatment options that preserve fertility. BWHI supports the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Research and Education Act of 2021 because it will increase funding for uterine fibroid research and lead to new evidence-based treatments and cures for women of color.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-durbin-applaud-passage-of-the-equal-act-out-of-house-judiciary-committee", "Booker, Durbin Applaud Passage of the EQUAL Act out of House Judiciary Committee", "2021-07-21", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Dick Durbin (D-IL), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded the passage of the EQUAL Act out of the House Judiciary Committee.\n\n\u201cAdvancing the EQUAL Act out of the House Judiciary Committee represents a welcome step forward in finally rectifying the decades-long federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity that has devastated Black and Brown communities,\u201d said. Sen. Booker. \u201cAs we continue to fight against systemic racial inequities, I urge all members of the House and Senate to support this critical piece of legislation that will help right the wrongs of our nation\u2019s failed War on Drugs and reform our broken criminal justice system.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity disproportionally impacts people of color, with 81 percent of those convicted of federal crack offenses from 2015 to 2019 being Black,\u201d said Sen. Durbin. \u201cWe need to end this injustice once and for all by eliminating the crack-powder disparity. I\u2019m glad the House Judiciary Committee took this important step forward on our bill today and I will continue to work with Senator Booker to advance it in the Senate on a bipartisan basis.\u201d\n\nAfter passage of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, sentencing for crack and powder cocaine offenses differed and were criticized over the years for lacking scientific justification and disproportionately impacting people of color. In January 2021, Senators Booker and Durbin introduced the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law (EQUAL) Act to eliminate the crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and re-sentence those previously convicted or sentenced for a federal offense involving cocaine.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-durbin-we-should-not-force-individuals-on-home-confinement-to-return-to-prison", "BOOKER, DURBIN: WE SHOULD NOT FORCE INDIVIDUALS ON HOME CONFINEMENT TO RETURN TO PRISON", "2021-07-20", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today responded to reports that the Biden Administration has decided that thousands of nonviolent inmates who were released on home confinement to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will be required to return to prison one month after the official state of emergency for the pandemic ends.\n\n\u201cThe Trump-era\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel opinion that will require incarcerated individuals return to prison once the public health emergency ends serves no public health purpose and only works to unnecessarily incarcerate people who have succeeded in re-entering society,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI am deeply troubled that the Department of Justice has not rescinded this opinion as we previously requested and urge the Department to reconsider our request. If the Biden Department of Justice feels this is not possible, then other legal means must be considered to ensure that these individuals are not sent back to federal prison. \u201d\n\n\u201cIndividuals on CARES Act home confinement have posed no threat, and are already reintegrating into society, reconnecting with their families, and contributing to our economy,\u201d said Sen. Durbin. \u201cI have repeatedly urged the Department of Justice to rescind a Trump-era legal opinion that would needlessly force thousands to return to prison. If this opinion is not withdrawn, the Biden Administration must use other legal tools \u2013 like compassionate release and clemency \u2013 to ensure that no inmate who has successfully transitioned to home confinement is returned to prison.\u201d\n\nIn April, Booker and Durbin sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting that he rescind the Office of Legal Counsel\u2019s January 15, 2021, memorandum opinion entitled \u201cHome Confinement of Federal Prisoners After the COVID-19 Emergency\u201d (OLC opinion). In their letter, Booker and Durbin noted that the OLC opinion, issued during the Trump Administration, incorrectly finds that following the emergency period of the pandemic, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must recall federal inmates released to home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act and require these inmates to complete their sentences at BOP facilities. In fact, the CARES Act does not require or permit BOP to recall these prisoners.\n\nIn order to give BOP broader authority to reduce prison populations to help contain the spread of the virus, the CARES Act expanded BOP\u2019s home confinement authority. The Act provides that during the covered emergency period, BOP may lengthen the maximum amount of time a prisoner may be placed in pre-release home confinement under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 3624(c)(2). Recalling prisoners who are successfully transitioning to the community through home confinement is contrary to the requirements and purpose of \u00a7 3624(c)(2).\n\nAs of Tuesday, July 20, the Senators had not received a response to their April letter.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-14-senators-in-urging-fina-to-reverse-policy-barring-swim-caps-designed-for-natural-black-hair-in-upcoming-tokyo-olympics", "Booker Leads 14 Senators in Urging FINA to Reverse Policy Barring Swim Caps Designed for Natural Black Hair in Upcoming Tokyo Olympics", "2021-07-20", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a letter to Husain Al-Musallam, President of the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale De Natation (FINA) \u2013 competitive swimming\u2019s international governing body \u2013 urging him to reverse the organization\u2019s recent decision prohibiting the use of swim caps designed for natural Black hair in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.\n\nThis letter was also signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).\n\n\u201cIn its statement expressing its intent to ensure there are no barriers to swimming, FINA explained that it must ensure that \u2018swimwear does not confer a competitive advantage\u2019 to swimmers. What this misses is that the ban on swim caps for natural hair is a barrier in and of itself that primarily disadvantages Black swimmers,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cFor too long, Black people have had to conform to the societal and cultural norms in areas of life from which they have been excluded. It is time to recognize this history and make all spaces \u2013 including competitive swimming \u2013 inclusive.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs an international organization that sets the standards for swimming across the globe, FINA bears a special responsibility to ensure it serves all people and cultures. FINA has stated that it will review its decision to ban swim caps for natural hair and embark on initiatives to promote inclusivity. While we appreciate this commitment, FINA has the ability to reconsider its policy to ban swim caps for natural hair now,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nJuly 20, 2021\n\nHusain Al-Musallam\n\nPresident\n\nF\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de Natation\n\nChemin de Bellevue 24a/24b\n\nCH - 1005 Lausanne\n\nSwitzerland\n\nDear President Al-Musallam,\n\nWe write to you to express our serious concern with your decision to prohibit the use of swim caps designed for natural Black hair in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The decision by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) evidences the implicit and explicit biases against Afro-textured or natural hair that are deeply ingrained in society at large, and now, as a result of this policy, in competitive swimming. This exclusionary barrier serves to primarily impact competitors of African descent in a sport in which Black people continue to be underrepresented.\n\nIn its decision, FINA described the caps designed to accommodate natural hair as unsuitable because they do not follow \u201cthe natural form of the head\u201d and that to their \u201cbest knowledge, the athletes competing at the international events never used, neither require to use, caps of such size and configuration.\u201d Acknowledging that swimmers have \u201cnever used\u201d swim caps that accommodate natural hair only underscores the fact that Black people have historically faced barriers to competitive swimming. Indeed, in the United States, the lack of diversity has its roots in the historic racism that denied Black people access to public pools as recently as the 1960s.\n\nThis history persists and is reflected in the sport of competitive swimming. According to a 2019 demographic report by USA Swimming, a mere 0.8% of female athletes and 0.6% of male athletes out of 327,337 year-round are Black. This lack of representation perpetuates itself \u2013 a joint study conducted by the University of Memphis and University of Nevada-Las Vegas found that 65 percent of African- American children would like to swim more than they do and 76 percent of parents reported that their children would be more likely to want to participate in swimming if they saw a talented swimmer that looked like them.\n\nIn its statement expressing its intent to ensure there are no barriers to swimming, FINA explained that it must ensure that \u201cswimwear does not confer a competitive advantage\u201d to swimmers. What this misses is that the ban on swim caps for natural hair is a barrier in and of itself that primarily disadvantages Black swimmers. For too long, Black people have had to conform to the societal and cultural norms in areas of life from which they have been excluded. It is time to recognize this history and make all spaces \u2013 including competitive swimming \u2013 inclusive.\n\nAs an international organization that sets the standards for swimming across the globe, FINA bears a special responsibility to ensure it serves all people and cultures. FINA has stated that it will review its decision to ban swim caps for natural hair and embark on initiatives to promote inclusivity. While we appreciate this commitment, FINA has the ability to reconsider its policy to ban swim caps for natural hair now.\n\nWe respectfully urge you to take immediate action to reverse this policy before the Tokyo Olympics. This is an opportunity for FINA to realize its stated commitment to inclusivity and to begin to address issues of diversity and representation in competitive swimming. It is actions such as these that can move us toward the vision of a more fair and equitable society.\n\nWe look forward to further engagement with you and receiving a timely response.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senator-booker-speaker-pelosi-leader-schumer-house-and-senate-dpcc-chairs-uplift-moms-helped-by-biden-child-tax-credit", "SENATOR BOOKER, SPEAKER PELOSI, LEADER SCHUMER, HOUSE & SENATE DPCC CHAIRS UPLIFT MOMS HELPED BY BIDEN CHILD TAX CREDIT", "2021-07-20", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, Senator Booker, Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer joined House and Senate DPCC Chairs and MomsRising to share stories of what the historic tax relief from President Biden\u2019s Child Tax Credit means to working families. They were joined by House DPCC Co-chairs Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Ted Lieu (CA-33) and Joe Neguse (CO-02), Senate DPCC Chair Debbie Stabenow (MI) , and moms Daniella Knight of Maryland and Sarah Taylor of Virginia.\n\nThe Child Tax Credit provides historic tax relief for nearly all hardworking families \u2013 roughly 39 million households, covering almost 90 percent of children in the United States. Monthly advanced payments of the Child Tax Credit started hitting bank accounts for working families last week.\n\nEvery single Congressional Republican voted against the Child Tax Credit.\n\nLearn more at Childtaxcredit.gov.\n\n\u201cLast week, the families of nearly 60 million children across our nation received the first advance child tax credit payments,\u201d said Senate DPCC Vice Chair Booker (NJ). \u201cThis historic investment will make a difference in the lives of working people, allowing them to put food on the table, covering child care expenses, and bringing much-needed economic relief to millions in the midst of a continuing pandemic. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to make sure these expanded payments are extended and ultimately made permanent for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, Democrats from both chambers of Congress joined together to celebrate a promise fulfilled: families receiving their first checks from the American Rescue Plan\u2019s Biden Child Tax Credit!\u201d said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. \u201cThe expanded Biden Child Tax Credit is Social Security for children, delivering life-changing benefits for 35 million families nationwide and cutting child poverty in half. President Biden and Congressional Democrats will continue to fight to make this expansion permanent, because we know that the Biden Child Tax Credit is both an economic and a moral imperative as we Build Back Better by putting women and families first.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic has made life harder for American families who were already struggling to get by,\u201d said Majority Leader Schumer. \u201cThat\u2019s why I am so proud Democrats secured the Child Tax Credit as part of the American Rescue Plan. This program is a potentially life-altering tax cut for American families that will give taxpayer dollars right back to America\u2019s parents. Democrats will continue fighting to give American kids a brighter, stronger future.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy husband and I both work multiple jobs and have always had to \u2018tag-team parent\u2019 \u2013 working opposite shifts so one of us can be home with the kids because child care is so expensive. Thanks to the Child Tax Credit, our kids are able to enjoy camp this summer, and this Fall, we can afford pre-school to help our youngest get ready for kindergarten,\u201d said mother of three and MomsRising member Daniella Knight from Annapolis, Maryland.\n\n\u201cTeaching is incredibly rewarding, but it also means living on the edge financially. So I\u2019ve always taken all the extra work I can get, both during the school year and over the summer to earn a little bit of extra pay, which has only ever kept my head just above water. My family is used to making do without, but this Child Tax Credit will give us some breathing room to keep up on our bills, buy some extras, and continue healing from the pandemic. And I know the same is true for many of my students,\u201d said mother of three, teacher and MomsRising member Sarah Taylor of Stafford, Virginia.\n\n\u201cIn Northeastern Pennsylvania, in my district, the Child Tax Credit is a tax cut for more than 40 thousand households, covering 90 percent of our kids. These are honest, hardworking, middle-class families who fuel our economy. And we know that putting more of their hard-earned money back in their pockets helps them not only build a better future for their families, but for all of us,\u201d said House DPCC Cochair Cartwright (PA-08).\n\n\u201cOver and over, I hear from people working two and three jobs just to make ends meet and they are still barely getting by. The Child Tax Credit makes hard work pay off by putting more of the hard-earned money back in the pockets of working people, where it belongs. It\u2019s a soft warm bed, a summer camp, daycare, baseball cleats or gas in the car to get to work. It\u2019s a tax cut that honors the dignity of work. And we are fighting to make sure it\u2019s here to stay,\u201d said House DPCC Cochair Debbie Dingell (MI-12).\n\nThe Child Tax Credit puts more money back in the pockets of hardworking parents so they can pay for child care, put gas in the car, go to work and help fuel our economy while building better lives for their families. And every single Republican voted against this tax cut for hardworking families. Now, Democrats are working to extend the Child Tax Credit. And every Republican vote that stands in the way is a vote to raise taxes on working- and middle-class people,\u201d said House DPCC Cochair Lieu (CA-33). \u201cThe contrast couldn\u2019t be clearer: When Democrats control the Congress, we cut taxes for working people. When Republicans control the Congress, they cut taxes for millionaires and corporations.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis historic tax cut for working families means child care, health care and so much more for working families across Colorado and across the county. Democrats will continue fighting for tax cuts that put more hard-earned money back in the pockets of working-and-middle-class families to set our kids up for success and propel our economy forward,\u201d said House DPCC Cochair Neguse (CO-02).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-delauro-re-introduce-bill-to-increase-access-to-infertility-treatment", "Booker, DeLauro Re-Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Infertility Treatment", "2021-07-16", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) re-introduced a bicameral bill to expand health insurance coverage of infertility treatment and services. The Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act would require more health insurers to provide coverage for infertility treatment, as well as fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary procedures that may cause infertility, such as chemotherapy.\n\n\u201cInfertility is a common medical condition, but few health insurance plans cover its treatment, leaving many American families financially burdened or unable to grow their families,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act will help alleviate that burden by requiring more insurance plans to cover treatment for infertility and fertility preservation services.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen people do not have insurance coverage for infertility treatment and care, they are forced to make impossible choice between essentials like food, clothing, and housing or paying out of pocket for the chance to have a child,\u201d said Congresswoman DeLauro. \u201cThe emotional and physical toll of infertility should not be intensified by the financial burden that can come with treatment. The Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act will help ensure all Americans get the insurance coverage they deserve and the opportunity to grow their family.\u201d\n\n\u201cExpanding access to affordable health care services is vital to help create strong and healthy families. This bill will improve coverage of infertility treatment and fertility preservation for patients,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cAside from the enormous emotional toll, helping women and couples conceive is incredibly expensive. Our bill lifts some of that financial burden, protects parents from going bankrupt trying to have a child, and allows families to grow.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor many families, infertility treatments are expensive and often out of reach,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cThese important and life-changing services strengthen families and should be accessible and affordable for all. The bicameral Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act would require more insurance companies to cover infertility treatments, alleviating the financial burden many families face, and would help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to grow their family.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis pro-family legislation is important for people living with the diseases of infertility and cancer, and provides hope for Americans who want to build families,\u201d said Hugh Taylor, M.D., president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. \u201cSenator Booker's and Representative DeLauro\u2019s leadership demonstrates their commitment to medical equity when it comes to access to reproductive health care,\u201d he added.\n\nDespite the prevalence of infertility \u2013 a reported one in eight couples have challenges conceiving -- coverage for treatment options is limited. For example, only 27 percent of large employers -- and 14 percent of small employers provide insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization. For those who have the resources and decide to pay out-of-pocket for infertility treatment, costs can easily exceed $10,000.\n\nSpecifically, the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act would require most private health insurance plans, as well as plans offered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Medicaid, TRICARE, and the VA, to provide coverage for treatment of infertility without raising insurance or copayment costs. It would also ensure that these plans cover fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo a medically necessary procedure that may cause infertility.\n\nThe Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act is co-sponsored by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and also Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Deborah Ross (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO).\n\nEndorsing organizations: RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association \u2022 American Society for Reproductive Medicine \u2022 Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology \u2022 PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association \u2022 American Urological Association \u2022 National Military Family Association \u2022 Alliance for Fertility Preservation \u2022 Endocrine Society \u2022 National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women\u2019s Health \u2022 Service Women\u2019s Action Network \u2022 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists \u2022 Society of Gynecologic Oncology \u2022 Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. \u2022 Young Survival Coalition \u2022 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology \u2022 Society of Reproductive Surgeons \u2022 Society for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility \u2022 Military Family Building Coalition\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-congressional-ctc-champions-celebrate-first-payments-call-for-permanent-expansion", "Booker, Congressional CTC Champions Celebrate First Payments, Call for Permanent Expansion", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Senators Cory Booker (NJ), Michael Bennet (CO), and Sherrod Brown (OH), and Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15), released the following statement on the delivery of the first Child Tax Credit payments.\n\n\u201cToday is a historic day for American families. With the delivery of the first round of expanded Child Tax Credit payments, help is here for parents that have been struggling to make ends meet during this pandemic. The expanded credit will provide relief to nearly 66 million children \u2013 close to 90 percent of all kids in this country. This is one of the single most impactful and transformative parts of the American Rescue Plan.\n\n\u201cThe expanded credit is in place for only one year. We cannot stop now. Kids do not grow up in one year or five years. Parents deserve the predictability a permanent expansion would provide as they raise their families. We must seize this moment to permanently expand the credit. Doing so would cut childhood poverty in half and help us rebuild our middle class for the next generation.\n\n\u201cWith support from the overwhelming majority of Democrats in both chambers and House and Senate leadership, we will use every tool at our disposal to help make this a permanent benefit.\u201d\n\nMore information about the Child Tax Credit and how parents can claim the credit can be found atChildTaxCredit.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-bill-to-reform-farm-system-with-expanded-support-from-farm-labor-environment-public-health-faith-based-and-animal-welfare-groups", "Booker Reintroduces Bill to Reform Farm System With Expanded Support From Farm, Labor, Environment, Public Health, Faith Based and Animal Welfare Groups", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today reintroduced legislation to create a level playing field for independent family farmers and transform the broken system built by multi-national meatpacking companies. The Farm System Reform Act would, among other things, strengthen the Packers & Stockyards Act to crack down on the monopolistic practices of meatpackers and corporate integrators, place a moratorium on large factory farms, sometimes referred to as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements. U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. This reintroduction also follows President Biden\u2019s recent executive order promoting competition in the marketplace, which is an important first step toward restoring fairness for independent family farmers and ranchers.\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many of the serious weaknesses in our food system. In particular the hyper consolidation of our livestock and meat industry led to a near collapse of the supply chain in the early days of the pandemic. Consumers found empty shelves at their grocery stores, at least 259 meat processing workers died of COVID after their employers failed to provide safe working conditions, animals were cruelly killed, and farmers were left with no market for the livestock they produced. This broken system is not the result of inevitable market forces, but rather flows directly from the influence multinational meatpackers \u2013 who continued to make record profits during the pandemic \u2013 have over federal farm policy.\n\nEconomic concentration in agriculture has been hurting our country, especially rural America, for decades. The top four beef packing companies control nearly 85% of the market. The top four pork packers control 71% of the market. These companies have too much market power, and it comes at the expense of independent family farmers, who earn just 14.3 cents of every dollar spent on food. Agricultural concentration hurts consumers too, who see higher prices, poorer quality, less innovation, and reduced access to food. Making things worse, U.S.D.A. has continued to allow beef and pork products that are shipped to the U.S. and processed or repackaged here to be labeled \u201cproduct of U.S.A.,\u201d even when the animal was raised in another country. This allows multinational meatpackers to pass their imported meat off as American, further eroding fair competition and preventing shoppers from supporting local rural communities.\n\n\u201cLarge, multinational meatpackers, because of their buying power and size, are putting our food system at risk and harming everyone along the supply chain. We need to fix the broken system \u2013 that means giving family farmers and ranchers a fair shot and holding corporate integrators responsible for the harm they are causing,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cWe must immediately begin to transition to a more sustainable and humane system. An important first step is ending our reliance on huge factory farms and investing in a system that focuses on resilient and regenerative production.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf Congress doesn\u2019t act soon, we risk losing an entire generation of family farms to multinational farming corporations,\u201d said Rep. Ro Khanna. \u201cThe Farm System Reform Act is the clear way to ensure the American food system maintains fair competition, high animal welfare standards, & a dependable food chain. We must fix this broken system. Proud to reintroduce this critical legislation with Senator Booker to level the playing field for family farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers in the 21st century.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn my home state of Vermont and across the country, small farms are critical to our economies, our communities, and to maintaining the rural way of life,\u201d said Senator Sanders. \u201cAnd yet it has become harder and harder for the family farmer to get by, and the pandemic only exasperated the strain and crushing challenges farmers are facing today. Our farming economy today is not working for the majority of Americans. It\u2019s not working for the family farmer struggling to get by, it\u2019s not working for the environment, and it\u2019s not working for our rural communities. This rigged system, however, is working for huge conglomerates and the meatpacking industry who are raking in massive profits. It\u2019s time the federal government had the backs of our family farmers instead of doing favors for corporate agriculture monopolies.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, giant multinational corporations have been crushing competition in the agricultural sector and seizing key markets while regulators have looked the other way. And the COVID-19 crisis has made it even easier for Big Ag to get even bigger and gobble up small farms -- leaving farmers out in the cold and consumers facing higher costs and fewer choices. This bill is necessary to end the vice grip that Big Ag has over our farm economy, and to give our farmers, workers, and consumers real bargaining power in our farm and food systems,\u201d said Senator Warren.\n\n\u201cPennsylvania Farmers Union is proud to endorse this important and thoughtful legislation,\u201d said Michael Kovach, PFU Vice President and Policy Director. \u201cThe environment, family farmers, consumers, our nation\u2019s food security, and the animals we raise for food, are all affected positively by the direction the Farm System Reform Act points our food system.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Farm System Reform Act tackles the root of our food system issues: consolidated corporate power,\u201d said Joe Maxwell, fourth generation Missouri farmer and President of Family Farm Action. \u201cBy shifting federal support away from production models that only benefit corporate agriculture firms, the Farm System Reform Act places power in the hands of farmers and workers. Now is the moment to work together and build a better food system.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Franciscans and Franciscan hearted people, we are called to follow the examples of Sts. Francis and Clare and care for all of God\u2019s creation and its inhabitants,\u201d said Jason Miller, Director of Campaigns and Development at Franciscan Action Network. \u201cThe Farm System Reform Act would be a big step forward in ensuring that we are in right relationship with the earth and one another. All human beings have dignity and worth and must not be left behind as profits continue to flow to the top. This is an issue of environmental, worker, racial, and immigrant justice and corporations can no longer view human beings as disposable. As Pope Francis calls on Catholics and people of goodwill to reject our \u2018throwaway culture\u2019 the Franciscan Action Network calls on Congress to act and pass the Farm Systems Reform Act immediately.\u201d\n\n\"The FSRA represents a critically important step towards restricting the intolerable abuses of factory farming, while helping to create a more just and sustainable food system,\u201d said Gene Baur, President and Co-founder, Farm Sanctuary. \u201cWe are proud to join with a diverse community of farmer, worker, environmental, health, and animal protection organizations in support of this vital legislation.\"\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic exposed animal agriculture\u2019s deceptive fa\u00e7ade, revealing a broken factory farm system that is failing both people and animals. The Farm System Reform Act will help repair and bring compassion to our food system, protecting countless animals from unconscionable cruelty,\u201d said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. \u201cWe thank Senator Booker and Representative Khanna for championing this necessary legislation to build a food system that values animals, people, and our planet \u2014not just profit.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s meatpacking workers have been among the hardest hit by COVID-19 and know firsthand the need to strengthen and improve our country\u2019s food supply chain, said UFCW International President Marc Perrone. \u201cFor too long, giant corporations have used their power to suppress worker wages, drive up food prices at the grocery store, and block consumer protections. This bill takes action to rein in food industry monopolies and put consumers and workers first with new mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef, pork, and dairy products. As America\u2019s largest union for frontline food workers, UFCW is proud to support this bill from Senator Booker and Representative Khanna, and we urge Congress to quickly pass it and send it to President Biden\u2019s desk for his signature.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe factory farm agricultural model, which dominates our country\u2019s food system, fuels toxic air and water contamination, drives dangerous and unfair working conditions, wreaks havoc on independent farmers and rural communities and threatens food safety,\u201d said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. \u201cThe Farm System Reform Act is the bold approach we need to bring dangerous factory farming under control now\u2014and begin the necessary transformation to a safe and equitable future for food consumers and workers alike.\u201d\n\nLarge CAFOs produce enormous amounts of animal waste and other harmful pollution, which are directly linked to environmental and health problems for farming communities across the country. These factory farms create runoff pollution that can contaminate waterways and drinking water. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, large CAFOs produce as much as 1.4 billion tons of waste each year and are not required to maintain a treatment facility for livestock waste. The number of CAFOs have dramatically increased over the years and the steady growth makes rural communities vulnerable to environmental hazards and threaten the economic prosperity of family farms. The overuse of medically important antibiotics by large CAFOs has led to the generation and spread of dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria. In 2019, the American Public Health Association urged federal, state, and local governments and public health agencies to impose a moratorium on all new and expanding CAFOs,and a2021 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that air pollution due to animal agriculture is responsible for 12,720 US deaths per year.\n\nThe Farm System Reform Act would:\n\nPlace an immediate moratorium on new and expanding large CAFOs, and phase out by 2040 the largest CAFOs as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency\n\nHold corporate integrators responsible for pollution and other harm caused by CAFOs\n\nProvide a voluntary buyout for farmers who want to transition out of operating a CAFO\n\nStrengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act to protect family farmers and ranchers, including:\n\nProhibit the use of unfair tournament or ranking systems for paying contract growers\n\nProtect livestock and poultry farmers from retaliation\n\nCreate market transparency and protect farmers and ranchers from predatory purchasing practices\n\nRestore mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef and pork and expand to dairy products\n\nProhibit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from labeling foreign imported meat products as \u201cProduct of USA\u201d\n\nThe Farm System Reform Act is co-sponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).\n\nA list of endorsing organizations for the Farm System Reform Act can be found here.\n\nFor more information on the Farm System Reform Act, please see the section by section here and the full bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/video-booker-speaks-on-impact-of-expanded-child-tax-credit-payments", "VIDEO: Booker Speaks on Impact of Expanded Child Tax Credit Payments", "2021-07-14", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker delivered remarks on the Senate floor to discuss the impact of expanded child tax credit payments for families with kids and the need to make these benefits permanent.\n\nWATCH HERE\n\nKey Excerpts\n\n\u201cWe have a big thing happening tomorrow, when the vast majority of families with kids across the country will start seeing more money in their bank accounts every [month] for the rest of the year.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis policy means stability, it means help is on the way, it means hope is here.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor middle class families trying to stay afloat, lower income families desperate to make ends meet, families living in poverty, struggling to put food on the table, tomorrow is a new start.\u201d\n\n\u201cI will fight alongside my colleagues to see that this is not a one-time benefit for one year but a permanent change\u2026we in America have to make this country live up to its promise to every child that we are the cornerstone of the idea of the American dream, that we are the most fertile soil for which a child to thrive, that we love our children not just in words, but in the policies we make.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 67, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Senate", "p1": "NJ", "p2": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 67, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2021&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 67, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NJ&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "NJ", "label": "NJ", "count": 67, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 67, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 282.3267444036901, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}