{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"NJ\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-beyer-lead-colleagues-in-urging-cpsc-to-address-dangerous-indoor-air-pollutions-emitted-by-gas-stoves", "Booker, Beyer Lead Colleagues in Urging CPSC to Address Dangerous Indoor Air Pollutions Emitted by Gas Stoves", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) urged Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to address the high level of dangerous indoor air pollutants emitted by gas stoves.\n\nReports have found that gas stoves, which are used by more than 40 million homes across the country, emit dangerous air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Without adequate ventilation, this can cause serious health risks and raise indoor air pollutants to levels that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers to be unsafe even for the outdoors.\n\n\u201cIn addition to the climate impacts, these emissions represent real health risks to millions of Americans. Both NO2 and PM2.5 are known to exacerbate respiratory conditions,\u201d wrote the members of Congress to Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. \u201cShort-term exposure to NO2 is linked to worsening asthma in children, and long-term exposure has been determined to likely cause the development of asthma. Both pollutants have also been linked to cardiovascular impacts and a range of other adverse health issues. Even low-level CO exposure can exacerbate cardiovascular illness among people with coronary heart disease and other vulnerable populations.\u201d\n\nThe members of Congress continued, \u201cThese emissions can create a cumulative burden to households that are already more likely to face higher exposure to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Statistics show that Black, Latino, and low-income households are more likely to experience disproportionate air pollution, either from being more likely to be located near a waste incinerator or coal ash site, or living in smaller homes with poor ventilation, malfunctioning appliances, mold, dust mites, secondhand smoke, lead dust, pests, and other maintenance deficiencies.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, the members of Congress urged that the CPSC consider taking the following actions to help protect Americans from the hazards of gas stove emissions:\n\nRequire gas stoves to be sold with range hoods that meet mandatory performance standards, assessing their efficiency of removing the pollutants,\n\nWhere feasible, issue mandatory performance standards for gas stoves that address steady-state-off leakage, including requiring automatic shut-off valves,\n\nWhere feasible, issue mandatory performance standards for gas stoves that address the health impacts of hazardous emissions,\n\nRequire labels on gas stoves that educate consumers about their exposure risks,\n\nLaunch a public education campaign on the health risks of cooking with a gas stove, and steps that consumers can take to minimize their risk.\n\nThe letter is cosigned by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernard Sanders (I-VT).\n\nThe letter is cosigned by Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Shontel M. Brown (D-OH), Mark Takano (D-CA), Alan S. Lowenthal (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gwen S. Moore (D-WI), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), and Katie Porter (D-CA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-outline-wins-for-new-jersey-in-fy23-funding-bill", "Booker, Menendez Outline Wins for New Jersey in FY23 Funding Bill", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "The bill provides $1.7 trillion in funding, which reflects increases in both non-defense and defense spending and includes several community projects across the state\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus (H.R. 2617), a government funding bill which provides significant investments in health care, transportation, housing, and education programs. Senators Booker and Menendez also fought to secure federal funding in the bill designed exclusively for community projects across New Jersey and for an amendment to provide relief to 9/11 families and other U.S. victims of state-sponsored terrorism.\n\n\u201cThe Senate passed a bipartisan government funding bill that invests in our future, helps manage rising costs, and strengthens our economy, health, and well-being. This bill ensures our children, our families, our troops, and our veterans have access to vital services and programs. It will improve financial security through emergency savings accounts and makes significant investments in our region\u2019s infrastructure, including advancing the Gateway Program. The bill also provides critical security and humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their democracy from Russia\u2019s invasion,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI am disappointed we were unable to reach an agreement to restore the expanded child tax credit to provide relief for millions of American families, including our most vulnerable; to secure critically needed increases in global food aid; or to include measures to finally end the crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity that has contributed to the explosion of mass incarceration in this country. This bill caps off one of the most productive Congresses in history. But there is still work to be done, and I look forward to working with colleagues next year to reinstate the child tax credit expansion and take steps toward building a more equitable country.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith today\u2019s passage of the FY23 funding bill, we\u2019ve been able to support many of the priorities I\u2019ve been fighting for during the 117th Congress. From securing a five-year extension of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program and an additional 200 slots for Graduate Medical Education to providing justice and relief to 9/11 families and other U.S. victims of terror and funding Puerto Rico\u2019s Medicaid program for the next five years, this spending package provides key investments for communities all over the country,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cI\u2019m also pleased to have secured specific provisions for the state of New Jersey, including $181 million for individual projects and programs across the Garden State and funding for key projects like Gateway and the Army Corps of Engineers. While this bill should have included a provision paving the way for the Latino Museum to be built on the National Mall \u2013 I\u2019m proud to have voted for the package and look forward to working with my colleagues in the next Congress to advance the issues that were left behind.\u201d\n\nH.R. 2617 provides $1.7 trillion in funding, which reflects increases in both non-defense and defense spending over FY22. Overall, the 12 appropriations bills provide $772.5 billion in nondefense funding and $858 billion in defense funding, including $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies and $2.4 billion for states who helped resettle Ukrainian refugees.\n\nA number of legislative changes championed by Senator Booker are part of the package, including: making permanent the option that states can provide 12 months of continuous Medicaid or CHIP coverage during postpartum, an effort Sen. Booker has called for in his MOMMIES Act and temporarily secured in the American Rescue Plan; the reauthorization of the Alternative to Opioids in Emergency Departments Reauthorization Act, a Booker bill that establishes a grant program for developing and implementing alternatives to opioids for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments; Sen. Booker\u2019s Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which authorizes the establishment of a memorial in Washington, DC, to honor enslaved persons who were forcibly transported across the Atlantic; Sen. Booker\u2019s bipartisan Emergency Savings Act, legislation to help Americans save for unexpected expenses through workplace emergency savings accounts; an additional $50 million for community violence intervention efforts; Booker\u2019s bipartisan FDA Modernization Act that would end the outdated requirement that experimental drugs be tested on animals, instead allowing for non-animal testing when appropriate; a modified version of Sen. Booker\u2019s Right Whale Coexistence Act to establish a new federal grant program to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale; and additional funding for Small Business Administration to support entrepreneurship.\n\nSenator Menendez secured several legislative victories in the package including: a five-year extension of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, the first funding increase for this vital program in a long time; an additional 200 new graduate medical education (GME) positions to respond to the dire need for mental health professionals; and five-year funding for Puerto Rico\u2019s Medicaid with a Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) of 76%. Additionally, key provisions from Sen. Menendez\u2019s bipartisan, bicameral DIVERSE Trials Act to help improve patient access to and diversity in clinical drug and treatment trials, as well as the reauthorization of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) included in the Senator\u2019s Pursing Equity in Mental Health Act (S.1795), were also both included in the omnibus spending package.\n\nNew Jersey specific provisions include:\n\nGateway: $1.26 billion for Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor, an increase of $385.5 million over FY22 levels. The bill funds the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program at $2.635 billion in total. $2.21 billion of this is for normal FY23 appropriations, and the remaining $425 million is to help existing projects, like the Portal North Bridge, offset increased costs. The bill includes a $25 million increase in funding for the Portal Bridge in New Jersey \u2013 a key component of the broader Gateway Program \u2013 as part of a pot of money secured by Sens. Menendez and Booker to support projects affected by inflation and supply chain disruptions.\n\nHoboken Rebuild by Design Project: Sens. Booker and Menendez fought to include an important extension for the Hoboken Rebuild by Design Project that will allow critical flood safety improvements to move toward completion in Hoboken, New Jersey.\n\nTeterboro Airport: The bill includes Sens. Menendez and Booker\u2019s report language prohibiting the use of funds to increase the aircraft weight restrictions at Teterboro Airport.\n\nArmy Corps of Engineers: The bill includes $37,300,000 in funding for New Jersey Army Corps projects. Sens. Menendez and Booker successfully fought to secure a critical legislative fix for the Green Brook Flood Risk Management Project that will allow for the allocation of additional funding at full federal cost share to the project, which is critical to the safety of New Jersey communities.\n\nManufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): included in the bill (Section 3204) was partially authored by Sen. Menendez, and would create an advanced manufacturing center of excellence to help increase American manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).\n\nMore broadly, the FY23 funding bill includes investments in:\n\nEducation\n\nEarly Childhood Education:increase of $2.8 billion above the FY22 enacted level.\n\nHead Start: $12 billion for FY23, an increase of $960 million over FY22, which includes a $596 million cost-of-living adjustment for Head Start staff, and $262 million in quality improvement funding.\n\nK-12 Education: $458 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion over FY22.\n\nChild Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): $8 billion, an increase of $960 million over the enacted FY22 level.\n\nHistorically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): provides $396 million, an increase of $33 million above the FY22 level.\n\nHispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs):provides $271 million for HSIs including for Post-Baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans and Food and Agriculture to provide Education Grants for Hispanic-Serving Institutions.\n\nTransportation & Infrastructure\n\nRoads and Bridges: $62.9 billion for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), an increase of $2.3 billion compared to FY22. Of this total, $58.765 billion is from the Highway Trust Fund to meet the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act obligations for Federal-aid highway programs and $3.418 billion from the general fund, which includes $1.145 billion to reduce the backlog of structurally deficient bridges.\n\nPublic Transportation Grants:$105 million for federal grants under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Public Transportation Security.\n\nPort Security: $100 million for federal grants under FEMA for Port Security.\n\nDisaster Relief: $803 million in emergency disaster relief for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and $213.9 million for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).\n\nInvestments in High-Poverty Areas: Included language to target federal resources to high- and persistent-poverty to more than a dozen programs within the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Treasury, and EPA. Sen. Booker leads the Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act, a bill to establish a government-wide effort to increase the share of federal dollars going to high need communities. The bill also contains new language directing the Economic Development Administration to create a plan to increase the share of investments across all EDA programs in persistent poverty counties, high-poverty areas.\n\nHealth Care\n\nMaternal Health: The bill includes $324 billion for maternal health, an increase of $120 million. The bill makes permanent the option for states to provide 12 months of postpartum coverage to pregnant individuals in Medicaid and CHIP, which is a critical step towards ensuring yearlong coverage for all pregnant people nationwide.\n\nFirefighter Cancer Registry: The bill provides $5.5 million in funding for the Firefighter Cancer Registry, a $2.5 increase from FY22. Sen. Menendez led the request for $5.5 million in funding.\n\nProstate Cancer Research:$110 million for prostate cancer research and $45 million for ovarian cancer- flat over last year.\n\nNational Institutes of Health (NIH): The bill includes $47.5 billion for the NIH, an increase of $2.5 billion.\n\nCenters for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): The bill includes $9.2 billion for the CDC, an increase of $760 million. This funding is critical to support the US response to continuing and emerging public health threats.\n\nState Opioid Response:The bill includes $1.6 billion, an increase of $50 million for states\u2019 response to the opioid pandemic. Sen. Booker\u2019s bill also authorizes the Alternative to Opioids in the Emergency Department (ALTO) Reauthorization Act, which establishes a grant program for developing and implementing alternatives to opioids for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments. Yearly funding has increased from $6 million to $8 million.\n\nPublic Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP): The bill includes $735 million, a $20 million increase over last FY\u2019s $715 million.\n\nGlobal Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria: $2 billion included, a $440 million above FY22.\n\nEnvironment\n\nEnvironmental Protection Agency: The bill provides $10.135 billion for the EPA, an increase of $576 million over the FY22 enacted level. This funding invests in core environmental programs, providing increases for EPA enforcement and compliance programs (+$72 million), clean air programs (+$32 million), water programs (+$33 million), and toxic chemical programs (+$20 million) \u2013 helping advance environmental protection and environmental justice throughout the country.\n\nOcean Programs:The bill funds the Sea Grant program at $80 million, a $4 million increase above the FY22 enacted level. Coastal Zone Management grants are funded at $81.5 million, $2.5 million above the FY22 enacted level. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is funded at $32.5 million, an increase of $2.8 million. NOAA Habitat Conservation and Restoration is funded at $56.684 million. Sens. Menendez and Booker write an appropriations letter each year requesting funding for these programs.\n\nEnergy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE):The bill provides record funding for EERE at $3.46 billion, an increase of $260 million above fiscal year 2022 enacted.\n\nWater Infrastructure: The bill continues steady funding for the State Revolving Funds, including $1.126 billion for Drinking Water and $1.638 billion for Clean Water. The Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program increased by $6.1 million totaling to $75.640 million. The bill provides $27.5 million for lead contamination testing at schools and childcare centers.\n\nWild and Scenic Rivers:The bill funds the Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers program at $5.3 million for fiscal year 2023, an increase of $900,000 and building on significant prior year increases that Sen. Menendez helped secure by leading the annual appropriations letter for the program.\n\nHousing, Community, and Economic Development\n\nCommunity Development Block Grant (CDBG): $3.3 billion for the CBDG to support community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities.\n\nRooftop Solar in Puerto Rico:The bill includes $1 billion to assist in the deployment of rooftop solar and energy storage systems for low-income households and households with people with disabilities in Puerto Rico. Sen. Menendez championed this effort in the Senate, which will help to increase grid resiliency in the island especially following natural disasters.\n\nChoice Neighborhoods: The bill provides $350 million for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, the same as FY22. The Choice Neighborhoods program supports locally driven strategies that address struggling neighborhoods with distressed public or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation.\n\nPublic Housing: The bill provides a total of $8.514 billion for Public Housing, an increase of $64 million from FY22.\n\nHousing for the Elderly: The bill provides $1.075 billion for Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, including $120 million for service coordinators. Sen. Menendez led a letter requesting full funding for contract renewals and $600 million for new construction.\n\nHousing for Persons with Disabilities: The bill provides $360 million for Section 811 Housing for persons with disabilities. In total, the increases to 811 and 202 will provide housing for 2,910 new households.\n\nHousing Counseling Assistance: The bill provides $57.5 million for housing counseling assistance, unchanged from FY22.\n\nFinancial Assistance for Home Heating: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) received $5 billion, which is $1.2 billion more than in FY22. The program provides financial assistance for home heating and cooling to low-income households including those in New Jersey.\n\nDisaster Supplemental: The Disaster supplemental includes $3 billion in CDBG-DR for 2022 natural disasters, which includes funding for Puerto Rico\u2019s recovery of Hurricane Fiona. It also includes a $5 billion appropriation to the Disaster Relief Fund, which pays out for expenditures for FEMA individual assistance program. The Disaster Relief Fund also covers infrastructure repairs under FEMA\u2019s Public Assistance program.\n\nNFIP Extension: Despite Sen. Menendez\u2019s fight to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) the omnibus only extends the program until September 30, 2023.\n\nSupport for disadvantaged communities: The bill includes $800 million for RAISE Grants (formerly TIGER/BUILD), including not less than $20 million for grants to assist areas of persistent poverty and historically disadvantaged communities.\n\nInclusive Zoning to Increase the Supply of Affordable Housing: The bill includes a new $85 million competitive grant program that will reward state, local, and regional jurisdictions that have made progress in improving inclusionary zoning practices, land use policies, and housing infrastructure that will ultimately increase the supply of affordable housing. Sen. Booker has been leading efforts in the Senate to expand inclusive zoning policies and has included zoning reform provisions in his legislation to address the affordable housing crisis, the HOME ACT.\n\nEnslaved Voyages Memorial: The bill includes Sen. Booker\u2019s Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which authorizes the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved persons forcibly transported across the Atlantic.\n\nScience and Innovation\n\nCHIPS and Science Act:The bill provides $1.8 billion in new funding to implement the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. This includes $820 million in the CJS Appropriations bill and $980 million in supplemental funding to help jumpstart the initiative. The CHIPS and Science Act sets out an ambitious goal of doubling funding for science and technology programs by 2027 to help drive U.S. economic competitiveness.\n\nNASA:The bill funds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at $25.4 billion. This is $1.34 billion more than the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.\n\nPublic Safety and Justice\n\nCommunity Violence Intervention: The bill provides a total of $50 million for community violence intervention programs.\n\nRecidivism Reduction: The bill provides a total of $35 million for programs to reduce recidivism rates for people reentering society.\n\nReentry Programs and Research: The bill increases Second Chance Act funding from $115 million to $125 million to address a wide array of issues returning citizens face when reentering society after their time incarcerated, including substance abuse treatment, mental health services, job training, and housing services.\n\nPublic Defense: The bill provides $1,382,680,000 in funds for the operation of federal defender organizations to ensure adequate representation in federal court, an increase of nearly $39 million from FY22.\n\nJudicial Training Programs: The bill provides $22 million to the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for grants to support families within the justice system, a ten percent increase from FY22.\n\nFinancial Services and General Government\n\nCommunity Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): The bill provides $324 million for the CDFI Fund, $29 million more than FY22. Sen. Menendez led the funding support letter for the CDFI Fund requesting $331 million.\n\nSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC): The bill provides $2.149 billion for the SEC. Sen. Menendez led the funding support letter for this amount.\n\nEmergency Savings: The bill includes Sen. Booker\u2019s bipartisan Emergency Savings Act, a bill to facilitate convenient and affordable access to workplace emergency savings accounts, improving financial security, and reducing retirement leakage.\n\nDisaster Retirement Savings: The bill includes Sen. Menendez\u2019s provision that would allow for individuals to permanently be able to withdraw up to $22,000, per Stafford-declared disaster, from an employer-sponsored retirement plan or IRA without being subject to the normal 10% early distribution tax penalty. This provision would also allow the emergency distribution to spread over a taxpayer\u2019s income over a three-year-period. This provision would be applied retroactive to January 26, 2021\u2014the expiration date of the last Stafford-declared disaster that allowed for retirement plan distributions, thus allowing for coverage for Hurricane Ida.\n\nSBA Funding: The bill provides $1.218 billion for the Small Business Administration, which is $188 million more than fiscal year 2022. That includes $320 million for Entrepreneurial Development grants, which is $30 million above the 2022 \u2013 including $140 million for Small Business Development Centers, $27 million for Women\u2019s Business Centers, and $41 million for Microloan technical assistance. It also increased funding for SBA\u2019s Growth Accelerators from $3 million to $10 million, to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. Sen. Booker leads the appropriations request and the Startup Opportunity Accelerator Act, which would authorize and scale the program.\n\nMinority Business:The bill provides $70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to help minority owned businesses grow and succeed and to implement the new programs authorized in the Minority Business Development Agency Act, which passed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is an increase of $15 million, or 27 percent, above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.\n\nData on Child Poverty: The bill included Sen. Booker\u2019s request to create more frequent and timely measures of poverty, including child poverty. The bill also included funding to support these frequent and timely measures of material hardship, including measures focused on children and families. Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau releases poverty estimates annually and with a significant lag; further, this data can fail to capture the full scope of hardship and deprivation children and families confront. These changes will help us better understand child poverty and child wellbeing in real time.\n\nVolunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Sites: The bill provides $11 million for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program and $40 million for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which helps low- and moderate-income individuals and families nationwide comply with their tax obligations and maximize their returns and savings. That is an increase of $10 million over last year.\n\nWorker Protection Programs: The bill makes important investments in agencies that help workers receive the pay they earn; ensure that employers provide safe and healthful working conditions; and strengthen trading partner commitments to comply with labor rights under free trade agreements and preference programs. The Wage and Hour division receives $260 million, an increase of $9 million. Wage and Hour recovers wages for workers that do not receive the pay they are entitled to receive for their work, which on average amounted to $1,212 for each of the 193,349 workers assisted by the agency in 2021. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) receives $632 million, an increase of $20 million. OSHA works to ensure that employers are following the law and providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. The bill includes an increase of $25 million for the National Labor Relations Board, which administers and enforces the National Labor Relations Act and protects employee and employer rights under the law. The bill also establishes critical worker protections through the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, a bill to provide expecting and new moms with temporary, reasonable accommodations to avoid devastating health complications and support their families and ensure they are no longer fired or forced off the job, and the PUMP For Nursing Mothers Act, a bill expanding worker protections for nursing workers, a bill which Senator Booker co-led.\n\nVeterans\n\nDepartment of Veterans Affairs: The bill provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and related agencies $135.2 billion in non-defense discretionary funding, as well as $168.6 billion in mandatory funding, to fulfill our obligations to our nation\u2019s veterans. This is $34 billion above fiscal year 2022 levels. This includes $118.7 billion for VA medical care in fiscal year 2023, a $21.7 billion or 22.4 percent increase over fiscal year 2022. $5 billion is included in the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, which will be used to implement the PACT Act.\n\nWorld War II Bill: Division U of the Omnibus contains the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022. This is SVAC\u2019s end of year package which includes S. 1040, Sen. Menendez\u2019s bill to provide all veterans of World War II healthcare services through the VA.\n\nVoting Rights and Elections\n\nElectoral College Reform: The bill includes the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 to improve how elections are certified and clarify that the Vice President only plays a ceremonial role in the certification process. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Booker, will prevent attempts such as those used by former President Trump to prevent the certification of election results.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-secures-funding-for-critical-new-jersey-projects-in-major-government-funding-bill", "Booker Secures Funding for Critical New Jersey Projects in Major Government Funding Bill", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced millions of dollars in federal funding for critical New Jersey programs, projects, and priorities he worked to secure were included in the $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.\n\n\u201cFrom upgrading our vital infrastructure to increasing access to affordable housing, to creating and expanding health programs that promote mental health care and combat the opioid crisis, the projects funded in this bill will provide major benefits to communities across New Jersey,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThese vital projects will create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and keep New Jersey families healthy and safe. I am proud to have fought to ensure this funding was included and am grateful for the organizations, community leaders, and elected officials who are working tirelessly to advance these critical initiatives. As these projects all across our state move forward, I\u2019m excited to see the positive impact they will have on the quality of life of New Jerseyans.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker, alongside Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), were able to secure tens of millions of dollars for key community projects in cities and townships across New Jersey including Newark, Passaic, Bayonne, Paterson, Lakewood, Clayton, Cape May and Mount Holly; and for countywide projects in Burlington County, Union County and Hudson County, just to name a few.\n\nIn total, Booker secured $166.2 million in funding for 130 essential New Jersey projects and programs, detailed in the table below.\n\nFunding highlights include:\n\n$3,452,973for the Town of Parsippany-Troy Hills for the Pump Station No. 4 Sanitary Sewer Redirection Project\n\n$2,347,000for Keyport Borough for Water Main Replacement and Upgrade Project\n\n$1,200,000for Union City Police Department\u2019s Digital Trunked Radio System Replacement\n\n$1,000,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties for mentoring and student support\n\n$32,000,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for beach replenishment on Long Beach Island\n\n$10,000,000for the City of North Wildwood to extend the seawall in North Wildwood\n\n$3,550,000 for the City of Newark for the Lincoln Park restoration project\n\n$3,000,000for the South Jersey Transportation Authority for its Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) Cargo Taxiway Project\n\n$1,333,000 for the Town of Newton for First Response Communications Equipment\n\n$1,000,000for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark for Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center Construction\n\n$3,452,972for the Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority for the Well 5A PFOS Treatment System Upgrade\n\n$1,000,000for the Inspira Health Network for the Cumberland County NJ Youth Violence Cessation Initiative\n\n$600,000for the City of Cape May to expand its Drinking Water Treatment Plant\n\n$445,000 for the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault for its Accessibility Capacity Building Project\n\n$1,000,000for the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence for services for domestic violence survivors and their families and its Legal Representation Project\n\n$1,404,800for the Rutgers University-Camden Community Partnership Centers for community and partnership centers\n\n$2,170,000for the City of Elizabeth for Replacement of Known Lead Service Lines", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-legislation-to-expand-vas-ssvf-program-to-national-guardsmen-and-reservists", "Booker Introduces Legislation to Expand VA\u2019s SSVF Program to National Guardsmen and Reservists", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "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 introduced theSupportive Services for National Guard and Reserve Component Veterans and Families Act, legislation that would expand the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to include former members of the National Guard and Reserves who have retired or separated from service after having served a term of enlistment.\n\nEstablished in 2011, the SSVF program promotes housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing. It has helped decrease veteran homelessness by 50% and assisted 850,000 veterans and their families members by permanently housing, rapidly rehousing, or preventing them from becoming homeless. However, under the program\u2019s current guidelines, many former members of the National Guard and Reserve Component, who were not activated for federal active duty military service while serving, are ineligible for the program.\n\n\u201cDespite the fact that members of the National Guard and Reserves take the same oath that members of our military do, that is to support and defend the Constitution of these United States, many are excluded from critical federal benefits including the SSVF program\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cBy all measures, this program has been a tremendous success, providing low-income veterans and their families critical housing assistance during their times of need and reducing homelessness rates by 50%. This legislation expands the program and ensures that veterans of the National Guard and Reserves can take advantage of its benefits, making it easier for more veterans who have served our country to access the care and resources they deserve.\u201d\n\nIn addition to expanding eligibility of the SSVF program, the legislation would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress detailing food and housing insecurity experienced by current reserve component service members, across all seven components of the Reserves and National Guard.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-nominations-of-michael-farbiarz-and-judge-robert-kirsch", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Nominations of Michael Farbiarz and Judge Robert Kirsch", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "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, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today applauded President Biden\u2019s nomination of Michael E. Farbiarz and Judge Robert Kirsch to the United States District Court of New Jersey. Their nominations were announced by the White House this morning as part of a group of six judicial nominees.\n\n\u201cMichael E. Farbiarz and Judge Robert Kirsch are highly qualified nominees who bring a strong commitment to justice, fairness, and the law to the federal bench,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThey have both had distinguished legal careers and years of dedication to public service. I am confident in their ability to administer fair and impartial justice to the people of New Jersey and our country. I want to thank President Biden for nominating them, and I look forward to their hearing before the Judiciary Committee and their confirmations by the Senate.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden has nominated two exceptional and uniquely qualified individuals to serve on the U.S. District Court in Judge Robert Kirsch and Michael E. Farbiarz. Their experience, dedication to justice, and strong values are certain to serve the people of New Jersey well,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cFor the past two years, we have been working diligently to fill the many vacancies on New Jersey\u2019s District Courts and today\u2019s nominations mean that the people of New Jersey can have confidence knowing that their judiciary is not only complete, but reflective of the diversity and values of our residents.\u201d\n\nMichael E. Farbiarz has served as the General Counsel of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since 2016. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Farbiarz was a Senior Fellow at New York University School of Law. Mr. Farbiarz served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Southern District of New York from 2004 to 2014, including as Co-Chief of the Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit from 2010 to 2014. Mr. Farbiarz was an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York from 2001 to 2004. He served as a law clerk for Judge Jos\u00e9 A. Cabranes on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 2000 to 2001 and for Chief Judge Michael B. Mukasey on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Farbiarz received his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1999 and his A.B. from Harvard University in 1995.\n\nRobert Kirsch has served as a judge on the New Jersey Superior Court for Union County since 2010. Previously, Judge Kirsch was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the District of New Jersey from 1997 to 2010 and served as a trial attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C from 1993 to 1997. Judge Kirsch entered the Department of Justice through the Attorney General\u2019s Honors Program in 1993. He served as a law clerk for Judge William Zloch on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida from 1991 to 1993. Judge Kirsch received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1991 and his B.A. from Emory University in 1988.\n\nIn May, Judge Evelyn Padin was confirmed by the Senate to serve on New Jersey\u2019s District Court. Before Padin\u2019s confirmation, the Senate confirmed Georgette Castner on March 31st and Christine P. O\u2019Hearn on March 1st. Last year, the Senate confirmed the appointments of Judges Zahid Quraishi, Julien X. Neals and Karen M. Williams to serve on New Jersey\u2019s District Court. Prior to these judicial appointments, New Jersey had six district court vacancies and was declared a \u201cjudicial emergency.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-urging-dhs-ice-and-cbp-to-review-inhumane-treatment-of-black-migrants", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Urging DHS, ICE, and CBP to Review Inhumane Treatment of Black Migrants", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct a review of incidents of mistreatment of Black migrants within the U.S. immigration system, especially incidents related to the shackling of people who are pregnant and post-partum.\n\n\u201cBlack migrants suffer from disparate treatment, discrimination, and racism at every phase of the immigration system - including when they are being deported to their country of origin, most times without being given the chance to seek asylum,\u201d wrote Senator Booker in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Acting ICE Director Tae Johnson, and Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller. \u201cA September 2022 Amnesty International Report found that Haitians removed under Title 42 were detained in ways that \u201camount to ill-treatment and in some cases torture, either to coerce them to give up their claims or to deter other asylum seekers.\u201d One psychologist estimated that two-thirds of families removed to Haiti were shackled or chained at some point during the removal process. Multiple Haitian migrants interviewed for the report said they were shackled either while they were pregnant or breastfeeding. One woman who was nine months pregnant was shackled by CBP agents and carried onto a plane to be removed. The treatment described in these reports is disturbing, horrific, and un-American.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker also pointed out these inhumane treatments of migrants by CBP and ICE personnel are contrary to the agencies\u2019 guidelines.\n\n\u201cIt also appears to conflict with CBP and ICE\u2019s own guidelines on shackling and the use of chains during deportation. CBP\u2019s standards require that restraints during detention are used \u201cin a manner that is safe, secure, humane, and professional.\u201d Additionally, restraints cannot be used \u201cin a punitive manner or in a manner than causes detainees undue pain.\u201d According to ICE\u2019s National Detainee Handbook, officers may only use force \u201cafter all reasonable efforts to otherwise resolve a situation have failed\u201d and \u201cphysical force or restraining devices will not be used as punishment. International law is clear that countries may not shackle or handcuff pregnant people or people immediately after childbirth\u2026 We continue to believe that a holistic review of the disparate treatment of Black migrants throughout our immigration system is both necessary and urgent,\u201d continued Senator Booker.\n\nSenator Booker and his colleagues also requested DHS, ICE, and CBP clarify their existing practices regarding shackling of migrants, and particularly pregnant migrants, in detention.\n\nThe letter is cosigned by: Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-wicker-applaud-signing-of-precip-act-into-law", "Booker, Wicker, Applaud Signing of PRECIP Act into Law", "2022-12-19", "2022", "2022-12", "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 Roger Wicker (R-MS) applaud the signing of the Providing Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation Act, or PRECIP Act, into law. This legislation will 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 will direct NOAA to study 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 by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11).\n\n\u201cWe must take every necessary step to protect our communities from the increasing frequency of natural disasters caused by climate change -- like historic rainfall and flooding throughout the country,\u201dsaid Senator Booker. \u201cI am proud that this bipartisan legislation has been signed into law and will provide NOAA with vital funding to consult with partner organizations and conduct studies to modernize and improve our nation\u2019s precipitation data. This will be essential as we continue to face the realities of climate change and extreme weather across the country.\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. With this important legislation signed into law, dam control managers can get the data they need to improve dam safety and protect Americans.\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: Pew Charitable Trusts, Jacobs, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), Geospatial Equipment & Technology Institute (GETI), National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), US Geospatial Executives Organization (U.S. GEO), Waterfront Alliance, Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), Union of Concerned Scientists, Iowa Flood Center, American Public Works Association (APWA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-colleagues-demand-end-to-child-labor-at-meatpacking-facilities", "Booker, Colleagues Demand End to Child Labor at Meatpacking Facilities", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) led colleagues to demand meatpacking companies take immediate steps to put an end to the use of child labor at their facilities and pressed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on their response to the use of child labor in meatpacking facilities.\n\n\u201cAccording to court documents, the Department of (DOL) found children between 13 and 17 years old working overnight shifts at your facilities and leaving their shifts to attend school in the morning, despite sleep deprivation,\u201d wrote Senator Booker in a letter to meatpacking companies. \u201cThe Wage and Hour Division of the DOL (WHD) conducted surveillance, subpoenaed school records, and interviewed confidential sources about minors working overnight shifts to clean the meat processing facility. WHD found that minor children were illegally recruited and employed \u2013 including a 13-year-old who suffered a serious chemical burn from chemical cleaners while employed by PSSI. DOL also found that many of the children who were illegally employed fell asleep in class and missed class as a result of suffering injuries from chemical burns at the facility, while employed by PSSI, a contractor each of your facilities utilizes.\n\n\u201cTaking advantage of children and placing them in dangerous workplace settings overnight must end. Your companies have outsourced dangerous jobs in your plants, but that does not mean you do not have a responsibility to assure that workers in your plants are 18 or older and provided safe conditions,\u201d continued Senator Booker.\n\nSenator Booker requested meatpacking facilities answer the following questions:\n\nWhat practices does your company have in place to ensure compliance with child labor laws which prohibit minors under the age of 18 from working in your plants? How will you monitor the employment and safety practices of any contractors you hire in the plant to sanitize your facilities during the third shift?\n\nFollowing the recent investigation by DOL, what steps has your company taken to address concerns regarding widespread noncompliance with federal labor law?\n\nWhen did you begin to contract with PSSI? Why did you shift this work from full- time staff to contracted workers? What steps are you taking to ensure your contractors comply with federal labor laws?\n\nWe have learned that the JBS plant in Worthington, Minnesota terminated its contract with PSSI on December 14. Do you have plans to terminate your contract with PSSI? Will you bring the work of cleaning and sanitizing plants in-house? If not, how will you ensure future contractors are not committing similar labor violations?\n\nHow will you assure that all workers in your plant are provided safe conditions and how will your company improve and enhance workplace safety measures to prevent chemical burns and other serious and deadly injuries?\n\nIn a letter to OSHA, Senator Booker wrote, \u201cOSHA must hold both the host company and PSSI responsible for these unsafe conditions as it has done in past investigations of unsafe work conditions among sanitation workers in meat and poultry plants. As your agency knows, federal labor laws prohibit any company from hiring anyone under 18 to work in almost any job, including sanitation, in a meat and poultry plant. Meatpacking is considered one of the most hazardous jobs and for decades WHD has prohibited any worker under 18 from working in almost every job in the plant\u2026These findings highlight why your agency must prioritize rigorous enforcement in meat and poultry plants and their contractors.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker requested OSHA answer the following questions:\n\nHas OSHA reviewed the over seven years of data on amputations and severe injuries reported to the agency and determined how many meat and poultry companies, as well as their contactors, are in the top 75 companies reporting these horrible injuries?\n\nWhen does OSHA plan to conduct a full and thorough investigation into the safety and health practices of PSSI and their host employers? When will the agency announced a special emphasis investigation into meat and poultry plants, including the third sanitation shift?\n\nWhat steps is DOL taking to ensure that local and regional area offices are taking referrals from WHD investigators that discover injured children in the industry?\n\nAre there any active training programs for DOL investigators across various departments to investigators in the hazards and violations of all laws enforced under DOL, with the goal referrals can be made effectively across the agency?\n\nGiven the findings of WHD and the dangers in these plants, will OSHA adopt a policy of opening inspections following reports of amputations and severe injuries in meat and poultry plants, whether by the host company or by a contactor?\n\nDoes OSHA plan to review how consolidation in the meatpacking industry contributed to decreased worker protections, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic and this ongoing child labor crisis?\n\nBoth letters are cosigned by: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT)\n\nThe letter to OSHA can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-justice-department-policy-change-on-cocaine-sentencing-disparities", "Booker Statement on Justice Department Policy Change on Cocaine Sentencing Disparities", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead sponsor of the EQUAL Act that would eliminate the federal crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cIt is fundamentally unjust that, for decades, baseless and unscientific sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine have contributed to the explosion of mass incarceration in the United States. Today\u2019s announcement recognizes this injustice and takes steps to finally strike parity between powder and crack cocaine sentences when there is no pharmacological differences in the substances.\n\n\u201cBut this is not a permanent answer and won\u2019t help those already serving an unjust sentence. I have worked tirelessly to secure a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate for the EQUAL Act and build a bipartisan coalition including 11 Republican senators who support a 1:1 sentencing ratio. We must pass the EQUAL Act now to write this policy change into law, following the lead of 41 states that have already done so.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-sherrill-statement-on-final-passage-of-the-daniel-anderl-judicial-security-and-privacy-act", "Booker, Menendez, Sherrill Statement on Final Passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "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, Bob Menendez (both D-N.J) and U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11) today released the following joint statement after the Senate passed the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act. The bill is now headed to the President\u2019s desk for its signature into law:\n\n\u201cOn July 19, 2020, an aggrieved former litigant targeted New Jersey\u2019s U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas after finding her home address online \u2014 injuring her husband Mark Anderl and killing their beloved son Daniel. In the days that followed, we made a personal vow to Judge Salas. We swore to act swiftly, and to never stop fighting until we passed legislation that paid tribute to Daniel\u2019s legacy by protecting judges and their families from future threats. With today\u2019s Senate passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act, we kept our promise \u2014 taking a decisive step towards protecting the judges who serve on the federal bench.\n\n\u201cThis bill strengthens our democracy and ensures that federal judges can perform their solemn duty of administering equal justice under the law without fear of retaliation. We accomplish this goal by striking the balance between safeguarding the personal safety of judges and preserving transparency and accountability in the judiciary. We thank our bipartisan group of colleagues who joined us in honoring Daniel Anderl\u2019s life, and we remain forever indebted to Judge Salas and her husband who turned their grief into purpose. Their strength and commitment to this bill were pivotal in protecting federal judges and their families from harm.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-fy-2023-national-defense-authorization-act", "Booker Statement on FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI support and celebrate many critically important elements of this legislation, especially those honoring our service members by giving them a well-deserved pay raise, helping veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits, and better supporting military families. I also applaud provisions increasing the energy resilience of the Department of Defense and providing security assistance to Ukraine.\n\n\u201cI believe there is a better way to support our service members and protect America\u2019s national security than this bloated bill, which authorizes $45 billion more spending than even the Pentagon requested for this fiscal year. I continue to be concerned by the lack of complete and reliable information related to the Department\u2019s audit remediation efforts and levels of waste, fraud, and financial mismanagement that still exists. . We need more robust oversight, transparency, and accountability, starting with a complete and comprehensive audit of the Pentagon. Furthermore, I cannot ignore the stark discrepancy between continuing the trend of increasing military funding and the lack of corresponding investments in diplomacy abroad and schools, health care, and housing here at home.\n\n\u201cCongress must deliver a more responsible and comprehensive defense policy that protects America\u2019s interests against the threats of the 21st Century.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-waters-send-letter-to-government-accountability-office-urging-updated-study-on-disparities-in-asset-management", "Booker, Waters Send Letter to Government Accountability Office Urging Updated Study on Disparities in Asset Management", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighting the severe lack of progress our nation\u2019s federally managed pension funds have made in boosting representation of diverse asset management firms over the years. In the letter Chairwoman Waters and Senator Booker urge the agency to investigate these disparities by conducting a comprehensive study that focuses on new metrics that assesses the efforts fund investors, such as federal pension funds, have taken to engage diverse asset managers.\n\nThe letter comes after the publication of a comprehensive Financial Services Committee report entitled, \u201cDiversity and Inclusion: Holding America\u2019s Largest Investment Firms Accountable\u201d and two Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee hearings exploring large investment firms and asset managers, respectively.\n\n\u201cDiversity within the asset management industry is not only a matter of fairness for professionals in the financial services sector, but it has wide-ranging impacts on the millions of Americans whose $115 trillion are under management. It has long been documented that minority- and women-owned (MWO) asset management firms perform as well as their peers, yet nearly 99% of assets continue to be managed by White, male-led firms,\u201d said Senator Booker and Chairwoman Waters. \u201cDespite congressional and administrative efforts to address the disparities that limit opportunities for MWO asset managers, there has been little to no progress made over the last decade.\u201d\n\nCo-signers for this letter include: Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Al Green (TX), Al Lawson (D-FL), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nikema Williams (D-GA) and Senators Timothy Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-stabenow-warnock-smith-introduce-legislation-eliminating-tax-liability-for-ira-assistance-for-distressed-farmers", "Booker, Stabenow, Warnock, Smith Introduce Legislation Eliminating Tax Liability for IRA Assistance for Distressed Farmers", "2022-12-09", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Tina Smith (D-MN), all members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, introduced the Family Farmer and Rancher Tax Fairness Act, legislation that would remove the tax liability for distressed farmers for the assistance provided in Sections 22006 and 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Currently, farm loan borrowers who are already at financial risk are facing tax liability on the IRA assistance.\n\n\u201cThe critical financial assistance we fought to include in the Inflation Reduction Act is a lifeline for distressed farmers around the country,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cBut now those same farmers are facing a burdensome tax liability. Congress needs to quickly cut these taxes to ensure that farmers who received assistance stay on the path back to financial stability.\u201d\n\n\u201cI fought to include relief for Georgia\u2019s distressed farmers in the Inflation Reduction Act so they can stay on their land and keep operating at full force to feed our country and support our local economies,\u201d said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to ensure that farmers in Georgia who received much-needed economic relief are not hit with an unexpected tax bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur farmers and agriculture sector are the backbone of Minnesota\u2019s diverse economy,\u201d said Senator Smith. \u201cAs a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am always looking for ways to support underserved farmers in Minnesota including Black, Hmong, Latino and Native American farmers. This legislation would clarify that IRA investments for disadvantaged farmers are tax free, which will help level the playing field and ensure everyone has equal access to financial services and other critical federal programs.\u201d\n\nSection 22006 of the IRA authorizes payments to distressed farm loan borrowers, particularly those borrowers whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. Section 22007 of the IRA provides much-needed financial assistance to Black farmers and others who have suffered discrimination through USDA\u2019s farm lending programs. Distressed borrowers with qualifying USDA farm loans have already received nearly $800 million in assistance as part of the $3.1 billion for distressed farm loan borrowers provided through Section 22006, and these farmers are now facing the imminent threat of hundreds of millions of dollars of IRS tax liability if Congress does not act. The Family Farmer and Rancher Tax Fairness Act exempts these payments from federal income taxes.\n\nThe legislation is supported by the following groups: National Farmers Union, Farm Action Fund, Farm Aid, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Intertribal Agriculture Council, National Family Farm Coalition, Pennsylvania Farmers Union, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, Rural Coalition, USDA Coalition of Minority Employees, Justice for Black Farmers Group, Black Belt Justice Center, Black Farmers of Chilton County, Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance, Reed-Wright Black Farmers Coalition, African American Agriculturalist Association, Brown Family Farm, Sustaining Environments Through Education and Economic Development, Inc. (SEED), Independent Black Farmers, African American Agriculture Association, Black Men in America, Cowtown Foundation, No Fear Coalition, Acorn8 and Coalition for Change, Inc.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-chu-reintroduce-bicameral-diploma-act-to-support-community-schools", "Booker, Chu Reintroduce Bicameral Diploma Act to Support Community Schools", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "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-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) have reintroduced the bicameral Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities that Motivate Achievement (DIPLOMA) Act, which would support schools in becoming community centers that offer a full suite of comprehensive services to meet students\u2019 holistic needs beyond the classroom, such as their housing, nutrition, safety, and physical and mental health care needs.\n\nIn the last four decades, the U.S. has plunged from first in the world in high school and college graduation rates to 21st and 14th respectively. A driving force behind this decline is increasing drop-out rates which are caused in part by students not always having their needs met by their school and community. Studies show that when these needs are met, students are more likely to succeed. The DIPLOMA ACT would provide federal support for partnerships between public schools and community organizations designed to address those holistic needs and improve the lives of students and their families.\n\n\u201cIn order for our children to succeed academically, we need to ensure they are in environments where they are fully supported by their communities,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThis legislation will enable schools to provide vital support services, such as nutrition programs, health care, and counseling to students. By turning schools into full-service community hubs, we can empower students and better prepare them for academic success and life after graduation.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a former teacher, I know that a good education is a proven pathway for future success,\u201d said Representative Chu. \u201cBut for too many students, difficulties outside the classroom\u2014such as hunger, problems at home, mental health issues, or other obstacles\u2014hold them back. Helping students to be as successful as possible means ensuring they have the services and support they need. Local universities, community non-profits, and more have so much to offer students, but often the resources are not there to bring them together. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to be reintroducing the DIPLOMA Act with Senator Booker to support community schools\u2014schools that partner with local organizations to become full-service community centers for students and families. This bill encourages these partnerships and provides the grant funding necessary to make them successful.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are thrilled that Representative Chu and Senator Booker are reintroducing this important bill,\u201d said Eddie Koen, President of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL). \u201cThe DIPLOMA Act will provide states with the federal funding needed to help build strong state coalitions that are organized to implement and scale the Community Schools we know they want, and strengthen school-community partnerships around comprehensive, evidence-based goals for continuous improvement with respect to children and youth, particularly under-resourced children and youth. Since these funds go directly towards the desired outcomes of the Community School strategy, we are confident that this legislation will bring about more equitable practices and systems in more communities across the country. Another important update to this bill is the allowing states to use this funding for teacher recruitment and retention, which is key in an environment where Districts are reporting an all-time high rate of teacher turnover. At IEL, we know that in order to build resiliency in our education system, we need innovation - innovation born of research, strength-building, and robust public policy that is informed by the needs and interests of those most affected by policy decisions - youth, families, and communities. We believe this bill provides just that and are excited to see the continued expansion of Community Schools through this state-level support.\u201d\n\nThe DIPLOMA Act would provide federal grants to states to support community schools and develop a comprehensive child and youth strategy. States would award subgrants to local consortia, in which a public school works with at least one community partner. Community partners can be any one of a number of local institutions, such as local governments, institutions of higher education, child and youth-serving organizations, organizations representing parents, nonprofits, businesses, or foundations.\n\nA Community School Consortium receiving a grant could use those funds to:\n\n\u00b7 Support early childhood education, reading programs, child care, home visiting, and parental education\n\n\u00b7 Provide academic support services including tutoring, afterschool programs, and summer learning\n\n\u00b7 Reduce chronic absenteeism\n\n\u00b7 Develop programs for students and parents to learn together, including in STEM, arts, music, and a second language\n\n\u00b7 Offer multiple routes to a high school diploma including dual enrollment, early college high schools, and dropout recovery and prevention\n\n\u00b7 Support mentoring and youth development\n\n\u00b7 Provide services for students with disabilities\n\n\u00b7 Offer health services including primary care, speech and hearing, nutrition, and mental health\n\n\u00b7 Support leadership development and civic learning, job training, career counseling, and college preparation programs\n\n\u00b7 Support the recruitment and retention of teachers and school staff\n\n\u00b7 Promote parent and adult education\n\nThe DIPLOMA Act is endorsed by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), the Coalition for Community Schools, the National Education Association (NEA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-presses-kroger-and-albertsons-on-diversity-and-inclusion-as-companies-seek-merger", "Booker Presses Kroger and Albertsons on Diversity and Inclusion as Companies Seek Merger", "2022-12-07", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) pressed The Kroger Company and Albertsons Companies, Inc. on diversity and inclusion and urged them to take steps to increase their commitments to address racial and economic disparities as the companies seek to merge.\n\nIn October, Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to express \u201cserious concern\u201d about the companies proposed merger.\n\n\u201cWhile I remain deeply concerned about the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger and its impact on food security, grocery worker jobs, food prices, and market competition, I also understand this moment serves as a critical inflection point for racial justice for your companies, the communities you serve, and for our country,\u201d wrote Senator Booker in a letter to the Kroger Company CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons Companies, Inc. CEO Vivek Sankaran. \u201cAs you continue to work towards this proposed merger, I write to request information about how your companies are prioritizing diversity and inclusion throughout this process and to urge you to take steps to strengthen these commitments.\n\n\u201cThe racial wealth gap remains one of the most pernicious vestiges of slavery and Jim Crow laws, and is emblematic of the need to attack these problems in a multi-dimensional way. The lack of economic opportunity for Black and Brown businesses, alongside intentional, government- sponsored efforts such as red-lining, have thwarted wealth creation among communities of color\u2026Large public and private enterprises have a crucial role to play in fostering opportunities for a diverse workforce, executive leadership, and for diverse-owned businesses, both large and small, through utilizing their services as part of spending on vendors\u2026While legislation and federal, state, and local policies are important elements, the private sector can and should take steps to accelerate this change. As you look to the future, I urge you to remain national leaders by setting new standards for diversity and inclusion in the professional services industry during a merger and acquisition. This is an opportunity to bring together diverse and excellent talent, in line with your companies\u2019 commitments and help set standards for not only your industry, but for industries across the country.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker requested that Kroger and Albertsons respond to a series of questions on steps that are being taken to increase the utilization of diverse owned professional services businesses and whether the two companies are tracking what they spend with these types of businesses:\n\nWhat is the status of the preexisting commitments to diversity and inclusion by Kroger and Albertsons, and how would those commitments be impacted by the proposed merger?\n\nDo you collect data on workforce diversity? If so, please provide that information.\n\nDo you collect data on board and management diversity? If so, please provide that information.\n\nDo you currently track the amount your respective company spends with diverse-owned vendors? If so, please provide that information.\n\nDo you currently disaggregate this information by industry (e.g., legal, communications, marketing/media services, financial services, human resources, technology, engineering, auditing/accounting, consulting)? If so, please provide that information.\n\nDo you currently disaggregate this information by racial and ethnic categories, beyond simply the term \u201cminority\u201d? If so, please provide that information.\n\nDo you have board-level discussions about developing strategies to increase your company\u2019s utilization of diverse-owned professional services companies? If so, please provide summaries of those plans.\n\nI understand that Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Credit Suisse Group AG, and Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, advised Albertsons and Kroger, respectively. Of the investment teams considered to facilitate this process\u2013\n\nHow many were minority- or women-led or owned?\n\nOf the investment banks considered, were any minority- or women-led or owned teams hired?\n\nI understand that six firms are providing legal counsel: Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, and Jenner & Block LLP, White & Case LLP, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, to Kroger and Albertsons respectively. Of the legal teams considered \u2013\n\nHow many were minority- or women-led or owned?\n\nOf those considered, were any minority- or women-led or owned firms hired?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-murphy-urge-us-sentencing-commission-for-fair-sentencing-during-implementation-of-bsca", "Booker, Murphy Urge US Sentencing Commission for Fair Sentencing During Implementation of BSCA", "2022-12-06", "2022", "2022-12", "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 Chris Murphy (D-CT) urged the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) to pursue fair sentencing policies while also meeting the purposes of the USSC\u2019s directive under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), legislation that was signed into law by President Biden earlier this year.\n\n\u201cAs the first meaningful federal gun safety legislation in decades, we believe that it can and will save lives. But to achieve that outcome, it is essential that the implementation of the law avoids the mistakes of the past,\u201d wrote Senators Booker and Murphy in a letter to USSC Chair Judge Carlton W. Reeves. \u201cThe Commission has an important role in ensuring fair sentencing and preventing unjust outcomes in criminal sentences. The process that the Commission undertakes will impact individuals and communities for years to come. We respectfully urge the Commission to remain steadfast in its goals to establish fair sentencing policies and practices that meet the purposes of 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 3553(a)(2) through careful research, collection and analysis of data, and input from the criminal justice community. We are mindful that this approach takes a great deal of time and effort, but it is imperative that the process be thorough to avoid any unintended consequences that result in unfair or unjust sentencing policies.\u201d\n\nThe Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes provisions that direct the USSC to impose increased penalties for convicted straw purchasers and firearms traffickers, especially if they are affiliated with a gang or cartel. The Senators emphasized the intent of the provisions is to deter these criminal activities and urged USSC to avoid taking a broader interpretation that could lead to unfair or harsh sentencing practices.\n\n\u201cIt should be made clear that the legislative intent of the BSCA is to end the flow of illegal guns into communities and reduce gun violence. The directive\u2019s attention to both sentencing enhancements and mitigating factors reflects this focus, as it seeks to punish suppliers of the large numbers of firearms diverted from lawful commerce, while avoiding unnecessarily long sentences for people with less culpability or without significant criminal histories. The directive\u2019s instruction to the Commission to consider sentences for straw purchasers \u2018that are sufficient to deter participation in such activities and reflect the defendant\u2019s role and culpability\u2019 should not be interpreted more broadly than intended. It was our intent that the instruction that sentences be \u2018sufficient to deter participation\u2019 reflects an intent that the recommended sentences for straw purchasing be enough to achieve this goal but not excessive or unnecessary,\u201d continued the Senators.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-huffman-merkley-lowenthal-introduce-legislation-to-address-plastic-production-crisis", "Booker, Huffman, Merkley, Lowenthal Introduce Legislation to Address Plastic Production Crisis", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "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-N.J.) and Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-2nd), together with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47th), introduced the Protecting Communities from Plastics Act, legislation that addresses the plastic production crisis that is fueling climate change and perpetuating environmental injustice.\n\nWith plastic production and consumption on track to double in the next decade, the resulting greenhouse gas emissions threaten to put our climate goals further out of reach, while expanded plastic production will drive more pollution in environmental justice communities around the United States. Petrochemical, plastic production, and waste incineration facilities, which are disproportionately located in or near Black, Brown, and low-wealth communities, release harmful air and water pollution that cause increased incidences of asthma, cancers, endocrine disruption, development disorders, and heart disease. Transitioning off of fossil fuels only to replace that demand with more fossil-based plastic production is not a sustainable solution, and will continue to perpetuate existing climate and environmental justice impacts.\n\nThe Protecting Communities from Plastics Act would directly tackle the plastic pollution crisis by cracking down on the plastic production process, building on key provisions from the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act to address the harmful environmental justice impacts of this growing sector, and moving our economy away from an overreliance on single-use plastic. It establishes stricter rules for petrochemical plants to safeguard the health of American communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions fueling the climate crisis. The bill would also begin to shift the U.S. economy away from its dependence on certain single-use plastics, creating new nationwide targets for plastic source reduction and reuse in the packaging and food service sectors. These targets are paired with federal incentives to spur expansion of reusable and refillable systems, with an emphasis on ensuring benefits are realized in environmental justice communities.\n\n\u201cAs we transition to clean energy, fossil-based plastic production threatens our efforts to address the dual challenges of climate change and environmental injustice,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cIn fenceline communities near plastics facilities, residents suffer from exposure to harmful pollutants and increased rates of debilitating health conditions such as cancer and heart disease. To address these environmental injustices, I am proud to introduce this legislation to create nationwide targets for single-use plastic source reduction and to pause permitting of new and expanded plastics facilities while the EPA makes much-needed regulatory updates to protect communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cMany of us know and live by the three R\u2019s\u2014reduce, reuse, and recycle\u2014in the hope that as long as we put our plastic items into blue bins, we\u2019ll protect our environment and our communities,\u201d?said Sen. Merkley, who serves as the Chair of the Environment and Public Works subcommittee overseeing environmental justice and chemical safety.?\u201cUnfortunately, when it comes to plastics, the three B\u2019s are much more common\u2014plastic is buried, burned, or borne out to sea\u2014which means dangerous chemicals are seeping into our air, water, and soil, threatening Americans\u2019 health everywhere, and disproportionately in communities of color and low-income communities. With plastic particles ending up on the snowcaps of the arctic and inside our own blood streams, it\u2019s clear we need strong legislation to get this plastics crisis under control. I look forward to working with colleagues in both chambers to get these solutions into place and protect the health of all Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cPlastic pollution isn\u2019t just a problem for our oceans and climate \u2013 it's a massive environmental injustice, directly impacting frontline and fenceline communities throughout the plastics lifecycle,\u201d said Rep. Huffman. \u201cMy bill will protect the health of our communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions fueling the climate crisis, and stop the fossil fuel industry's petro-dictatorship as it eyes plastics as a safety net. The clock is ticking, and we will keep working on this next Congress \u2013 but we are sending a message here and now to put oil and gas companies on notice. Our communities must come first.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a society, we have become addicted to harmful fossil fuels, and our plastics crisis is another ever-present reminder,\u201d said Congressman Lowenthal. \u201cThe evidence is clear: the plastic waste crisis is not simply a solid waste issue, but is intimately tied to climate change, environmental justice, and international human rights \u2013 as the production and pollution of plastics harm public health, the environment, and our climate. Simply shifting our dependence from one application of fossil fuel to another is not the answer. Continuing to overburden vulnerable frontline communities is not a solution.\u201d\n\n\"Lives continue to be lost from the petrochemical industry's deadly pollution and outsized carbon emissions, which also drive climate change,\u201d said Astrid DuBois, Legislative Coordinator of WE Act for Environmental Justice. \u201cThe Protecting Communities from Plastic Act will safeguard Communities of Color and areas of low income, who are most impacted, from the burdens of inequitable facility siting and require cumulative impact considerations in the permitting process.\"\n\n\"We are thrilled to see a bill that prioritizes the health and safety of frontline communities in calling for a reduction in single-use plastics and a pause on new or expanded plastic and petrochemical facilities. For too long, Black, Brown, Indigenous and low-income communities have suffered the worst impacts of the plastic pollution crisis \u2013 from the extraction of fossil fuels to plastic production and incineration. It is time to hold the petrochemical industry accountable for the harm and injustice they create by poisoning our air, water, and soil, as well as by fueling the climate crisis. The Protecting Communities from Plastics Act is an important first step towards replacing toxic and harmful petrochemicals with real solutions like nontoxic reuse and refill systems,\" said Melissa Aguayo, US Regional Coordinator, Break Free From Plastic.\n\n\u201cThe Protecting Communities From Plastics Act is a critical step towards addressing the sweeping harms caused by the petrochemical industry at the root of both the climate and the plastic pollution crises. It also ensures that the U.S. does not continue to rely on harmful systems that perpetuate single-use in the form of chemical recycling or incineration: the legislation will prevent the EPA from including chemical recycling technologies in the national recycling strategy, and will instead focus on making less plastic in the first place,\u201d said Dr. Anja Brandon, Associate Director of U.S. Plastics Policy at Ocean Conservancy.\n\n\u201cThere isn\u2019t a part of our planet that remains untouched by plastic. As plastic pollution piles up in our waterways, oceans, and landfills, and is burned in incinerators, the oil and gas industry is doubling down on the production of plastics and other petrochemicals. Plastic is harmful at every stage of its life cycle from extraction to disposal, contributing to climate change, releasing toxic chemicals, and finding its way into our bodies \u2013 even the bodies of newborn babies. The Protecting Communities From Plastics Act will reduce our reliance on unnecessary plastics, protect the health of the families living in the fenceline communities located near plastics facilities, and expand our understanding of the effect of plastics on the human body. Moms Clean Air Force commends Senator Booker and Representative Huffman for introducing this bill and urges its swift passage,\u201d said Melody Reis, Senior Legislative Manager of Moms Clean Air Force.\n\n\u201cPlastic production is out of control, and frontline communities are suffering the most from the noxious pollution this industry releases into the air and chemicals it dumps into the water,\u201d said Blake Kopcho, a senior campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. \u201cThe only way to keep plastic out of our air, water, wildlife and even our own bodies is to make less of it. Holding petrochemical companies accountable for the toxic substances they create and profit from makes a ton of sense, and we need bold legislation like this act to do it.\u201d\n\n\"Plastic pollution is far more than a trash problem that can be solved by recycling. From polluting our air and water to extending dependence on fossil fuels, plastic production is toxic at every stage. We applaud the Protecting Communities from Plastics Act for calling out the ongoing harm plastic manufacture has on human and planetary health, and providing a much-needed course correction toward the safer, healthier and more sustainable future we all deserve,\u201d said Jennifer Savage, Plastic Pollution Initiative Senior Manager, Surfrider Foundation.\n\nThe Protecting Communities from Plastics Act is cosponsored by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13th), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20th), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-CA-44th), Ted Lieu (D-CA-33rd), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12th), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA-11th), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-3rd), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13th), Mike Quigley (D-IL-5th), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1st), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1st), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3rd), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9th), Mike Levin (D-CA-49th), and Sean Casten (D-IL-6th).\n\nA list of endorsing organizations can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-legislation-protecting-family-caregivers-from-discrimination", "Booker Reintroduces Legislation Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) has reintroduced the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act, legislation that would expand protections for family caregivers from discrimination by their employers. Currently, many caregivers are ineligible for any form of protection under federal law and continue to face discrimination in the workplace due to their family caregiving responsibilities.\n\nThe legislation would prohibit employers from firing, demoting, mistreating, refusing to hire, or taking other adverse employment action against workers who are caregivers for their loved ones.\n\nThe legislation would also prohibit employers from retaliating against a worker for seeking enforcement of these discrimination protections and it would establish a grant program to assist in preventing and combating such discrimination.\n\n\u201cMost family caregivers are employed and work to balance the responsibilities of their job while also providing vital services as caregivers. It is unacceptable that workers are being discriminated against simply because they have responsibilities outside of the workplace,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cEvery person has the potential to become a caregiver at some point in their life, and it is essential that we create protections and provide the support needed to make sure that they can continue to care for their loved ones while they work.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud Senator Booker for reintroducing the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act,\u201d said Sarah Brafman, National Policy Director of A Better Balance. \u201cThose who do the crucial work of caring for their loved ones deserve to be supported in maintaining their economic security, not penalized or discriminated against at work because of their caregiving responsibilities. Especially in the wake of the pandemic and other health crises facing families, which both brought to light many different kinds of caregiving needs and had a shockingly damaging effect on caregivers, Congress must act to provide caregivers with the protections they deserve and send the message that no worker should have to choose between the health of their family and their paycheck.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud Senator Booker for standing up for family caregivers and reintroducing the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act,\u201d said Indivar Dutta-Gupta, President and Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). \u201cCaregivers and families were already in crisis, and the pandemic made the situation even worse. Too often caregivers are penalized or discriminated against because of their caregiving responsibilities, forcing them to make impossible choices between their family and their jobs. Congress must act to protect caregivers and ensure they have the job stability and economic security they need to take care of themselves and their family members.\u201d\n\n\u201cParents should be able to both care for their children and support them financially,\u201d said Joan C. Williams, Director of the Center for WorkLife Law. \u201cOver the last 25 years, we\u2019ve heard parents and other family caregivers\u2019 calls for help reach a fever pitch; too many workers are being harassed, demoted, and even fired because they are family caregivers. We applaud the introduction of the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act as a critical measure to protect families and stem the flow of caregivers out of the workforce.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople with disabilities and their families are all too familiar with the discrimination that many caregivers face when they take the time they need to be with their loved ones,\u201d said Bethany Lilly, Senior Director of Public Policy at The Arc of the United States. \u201cWe are grateful for Senator Booker\u2019s attention to this issue and strongly support the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act. The bill would provide crucial protections for caregivers who need flexibility from their workplace to provide care. Especially as the disability service system faces a worsening staffing shortage, more family caregivers than ever will need these protections.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe thank Senator Booker for standing up for caregivers in the workforce. This bill will help caregivers provide for their families, while also caring for their children, parents, siblings, and other family and chosen family,\u201d said Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations. \u201cOur patchwork system of care relies too heavily on unpaid caregivers who often suffer lost wages and struggle to save for retirement. Care is the work that makes all other work possible. Yet care work is still undervalued and unrecognized and as a nation, we take caregivers for granted. It\u2019s time to protect caregivers from discrimination in the workplace. No one should have to choose between paying their bills and caring for their family.\u201d\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, lawmakers must support working families. Parents and other caregivers have faced increased levels of discrimination, job loss and difficulty re-entering the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities,\u201d said Jessica Stender, Policy Director & Deputy Legal Director of Equal Rights Advocates. \u201cWe applaud Senator Booker for reintroducing the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act in order to ensure that workers are protected from workplace discrimination based on their family responsibilities and have the flexibility they need to provide care without the risk of losing their economic security.\u201d\n\n\u201cWomen have long taken on the bulk of caregiving responsibilities for children and others in their households, and have too often been forced to make impossible choices between maintaining their jobs and caring for their families,\u201d said Emily Martin, Vice President for Education & Workplace Justice at the National Women\u2019s Law Center. \u201cThe Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act is a much-needed measure that will protect the workplace rights of those who provide the care that we all depend on. Crucially, the bill extends these protections beyond parents to include anyone caring for members of their chosen family. Supporting caregivers is a vital measure as we strive to create workplaces that work for all people.\n\nThroughout his time in the Senate, Senator Booker has worked on other legislation that supported family caregivers. In 2017, Booker worked with U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09) to reintroduce the In-Home Caregiver Assessment Resources & Education (CARE) Act, legislation that would provide the training and support caregivers need by establishing competitive grants to health care entities and community organizations to carry out family caregiver home visiting programs. These programs would allow providers to assess caregivers\u2019 specific needs and help tailor training and resources to best serve the care recipient.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by: The Center for WorkLife Law, National Employment Law Project, The National Alliance for Caregiving, The Caregiver Action Network, Caring Across Generations, The National Women\u2019s Law Center, A Better Balance, National Partnership for Women & Families, The Arc of the United States, The National Domestic Workers Alliance, California Women\u2019s Law Center, Equal Rights Advocates, Main Street Alliance, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Organization for Women, NJ Citizen Action, NJ Time to Care Coalition, Workplace Justice Lab at Rutgers University, and Legal Momentum", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-sullivan-reintroduce-world-aids-day-resolution", "Booker, Sullivan Reintroduce World AIDS Day Resolution", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Today, on World AIDS Day, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) reintroduced 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.\n\n\u201cAround the world, nearly 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, with Black and Brown communities disproportionately affected by this disease,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAs we commemorate World AIDS Day, let us never forget the number of lives lost to this deadly disease and recommit to eradicating HIV/AIDS in the United States and worldwide by scaling up support for prevention, treatment, and research programs.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince my time working in the George W. Bush administration, 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 living with HIV/AIDS,\u201d said Senator Sullivan. \u201cBut this virus still claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year. I\u2019m glad to join Senator Booker and our House colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize World AIDS Day and commend the critical work being done to prevent infections, end this devastating pandemic, and save lives.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/news-sanders-gillibrand-baldwin-booker-brown-markey-merkley-padilla-reed-smith-warren-and-whitehouse-joint-statement-on-senate-taking-up-sick-leave-for-rail-workers", "NEWS: Booker, Sanders, Gillibrand, Baldwin, Brown, Markey, Merkley, Padilla, Reed, Smith, Warren, and Whitehouse Joint Statement on Senate Taking Up Sick Leave For Rail Workers", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, November 30 \u2013 Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) on Wednesday issued the following joint statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation averting a rail strike and guaranteeing paid sick leave for rail workers:\n\n\u201cWe thank President Biden and Labor Secretary Walsh for their hard work in negotiating a tentative agreement that is better than the disastrous proposal put forward by the rail industry. But Congress can and must make this agreement better.\n\n\u201cFor nearly three years our nation\u2019s rail workers have been fighting on the front lines of the pandemic. They have kept our trains on the track even while facing unprecedented challenges.\n\n\u201cSupply chain problems coupled with increased consumer spending and online shopping habits have put the freight rail industry under incredible strain. And as a result train crews have been working around the clock often with inflexible and unpredictable work schedules to transport everything from food and fuel to medical supplies and cleaning products.\n\n\u201cBut even as the need for worker protections and workplace flexibility have grown, railroad companies provide zero days of paid sick leave to their workers. What this means is that if a rail worker comes down with COVID, the flu or some other illness and calls in sick, that worker will not only receive no pay, but will be penalized and, in some cases, fired. That is absolutely unacceptable. During the first three quarters of this year, the rail industry made a record-breaking $21.2 billion in profits. Guaranteeing 7 paid sick days to rail workers would only cost the industry $321 million a year \u2013 less than 2 percent of their total profits. Please do not tell us that the rail industry cannot afford to guarantee paid sick days to their workers.\n\n\u201cWe commend the House for addressing this outrageous situation and guaranteeing paid sick days to every rail worker in America. We urge the Senate to quickly take up the House-passed language for a roll call vote and urge our colleagues to support these workers. We look forward to bipartisan support.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-passage-of-respect-for-marriage-act", "Booker Applauds Passage of Respect for Marriage Act", "2022-11-29", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) issued the following statement celebrating the Senate passage of the Respect for Marriage Act:\n\n\u201cI am proud that today, the United States Senate lived up to our nation\u2019s highest ideals by passing legislation that will protect the rights of all Americans, regardless of who they choose to marry. No one in a same-sex or interracial marriage should ever worry about whether or not their marriage will be invalidated in the future.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-jones-lead-colleagues-in-urging-hhs-cms-and-hrsa-to-improve-opo-performance-and-increase-access-to-organ-transplantations", "Booker, Jones Lead Colleagues in Urging HHS, CMS, and HRSA to Improve OPO Performance and Increase Access to Organ Transplantations", "2022-11-29", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.-17) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase access to organ transplantations by ensuring that the organ procurement and transplantation system functions at its optimal level.\n\nThe letter also urged the HHS, CMS, and HRSA to reduce racial inequities in receiving organ transplants and waiting times for organ transplants by mandating additional transparency for HHS-certified organ procurement organizations (OPOs), which are responsible for facilitating organ recovery, and breaking up the federal monopoly contract called the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), which is responsible for managing the national organ donation system and has only ever been held by one contractor, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Multiple government reports and Congressional investigations have found that the system is woefully underperforming, with disproportionate harm for patients of color.\n\n\u201cWhile we commend the steps that have already been taken to address this crisis, the timeline for enforcement of these performance metrics is lengthy,\u201d wrote Senator Booker and Representative Jones in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. \u201cWe encourage CMS to take measures to oversee and improve OPO performance in the interim given the lives at stake and equity implications.\u201d\n\nThe Members urged HHS to outline steps \u201cto ensure that UNOS does not maintain a monopoly over our nation\u2019s transplant system, following the recommendations from the Senate Finance Committee\u201d as well as actions \u201cto open OPO process data for evidence of effective and equitable performance, and to hold failing OPOs accountable before 2026, given that any delay costs lives and constitutes an urgent health care equity issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must ensure that the U.S. organ procurement and transplantation system functions at its optimal level to prevent any missed opportunity for organ donation. No American should die while waiting for a transplant, especially while thousands of lifesaving organs go unrecovered,\u201d wrote Senator Booker and Representative Jones.\n\nThe letter is cosigned by: U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); U.S. Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.-16), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-N.J.-10), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Katie Porter (D-CA-45), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN-07), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), and Al Green (D-TX-09).\n\nThe letter is supported by: Ben Jealous (former NAACP President), Organize, Federation of American Scientists, Project on Government Oversight, Just Equity for Health, Health Justice, Empower Her Health, Institute for Antiracism in Medicine, American Medical Student Association, and Global Liver Institute.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-norton-announce-senate-hearing-on-enslaved-voyages-memorial-act", "Booker, Norton Announce Senate Hearing on Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act", "2022-11-29", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing on their Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, which would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved persons, on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Media and the general public will be able to view the hearing here.\n\nBooker and Norton\u2019s bill passed the House in September. The memorial, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor enslaved persons\u2019 presence, celebrate their contributions to history, and recognize their resilience and fortitude.\n\n\u201cIn a dark chapter of our nation\u2019s history, millions of enslaved people were brought to this land against their will. We must ensure that their stories and immense contributions are lifted up and never forgotten,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI applaud the House for passing my Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act and commend the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for taking up this important legislation in their next hearing.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-brown-press-amazon-on-workplace-safety-ahead-of-the-holiday-sales-season", "Booker, Brown Press Amazon on Workplace Safety Ahead of the Holiday Sales Season", "2022-11-23", "2022", "2022-11", "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-N.J.) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) pressed Amazon on workplace safety ahead of the holiday sales season. The letter comes after continued disturbing reports of dangerous workplace conditions at Amazon facilities throughout the country, particularly the tragic deaths of three workers within three weeks in New Jersey Amazon facilities earlier this summer. Additionally, reports have shown that from 2020 to 2021, Amazon Warehouses' injury rates increased by 54% in New Jersey and 20% across the country.\n\n\u201cAs this pattern of insufficient response by Amazon continues and the effects are evident, it is even more important for Amazon to address exacerbated safety issues during busy holidays for consumers,\u201d the Senators wrote to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. \u201cIn 2019, a report found that Amazon employees suffered serious injuries at five times the rate of the national average for all private industries.5 Rafael Mota, an Amazon worker at a facility in Carteret was the first of three New Jersey Amazon employees who died this summer. His coworkers reported that Rafael had pleaded for fans to be placed near them in the facility, a request which was denied hours before his death. This fatality occurred on Prime Day, the biggest \u201cdeal event of the year.\u201d Data from 2019 shows that Amazon had full knowledge of the risks associated with Prime Day and internal reports warned that warehouses in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Connecticut \u201cwere expecting an increase in injuries across all sites during Prime Week.\u201d6 Eleven days after Rafael\u2019s death, an Amazon employee died at a facility in Robbinsville, New Jersey, a location which had a record of worker safety violations.7 The following week, another fatality occurred at a delivery station in Monroe, New Jersey. This is abhorrent\u201d\n\n\u201cReporting suggests that conditions for Amazon workers are worsening and are out of line with industry norms, leading to ongoing federal investigations and litigation across the country,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cIndeed, OSHA is conducting an ongoing investigation into hazards in Amazon warehouses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Tennessee, Washington, and nation-wide. Under the OSHA law, employers have a legal obligation to provide a workplace free of hazards that can cause serious physical harm or death. We urge you to proactively implement policies to improve conditions in the meantime.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Senators urged Amazon to:\n\nImmediately implement paid, comprehensive workplace safety trainings for all employees, including temporary workers, independent contractors, and any other worker performing duties for Amazon;\n\nTake steps to improve warehouse ventilation and air quality, including through facilities upgrades and investments including new or enlarged A/C units, fans, and windows with the ability to open.\n\nImprove shift rotations so that workers are not spending prolonged periods of time working close to significant indoor heat sources, including large-scale machinery like boilers, or performing highly aerobic activities without rest;\n\nAllow and encourage workers to take a preventative cool-down rest in the cool areas when they feel the need to do so to protect themselves from overheating and such access shall be permitted at all times.\n\nAddress the sky-high rates of musculoskeletal disorders in all operations by immediately conducting a safety analysis to identify the ergonomic hazards and implement job design changes that reduce the risk to workers.\n\nProvide adequate and timely medical referral for a doctor\u2019s care to injured workers, assuring that the delays in care found by OSHA in its investigations of the New Jersey Robbinsville facility no longer exist and that all medical staff are operating under their legal scope of practice.\n\nHire enough workers to provide all workers with appropriate time off with their families.\n\nDuring his time in the Senate, Senator Booker has led efforts in calling out workplace safety concerns. Specifically, in 2020 related to the coronavirus pandemic, he sent a letter to Amazon, the U.S. Postal Service, and Walmart.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-legislation-to-hold-large-factory-farms-accountable-and-improve-animal-welfare", "Booker Announces Legislation to Hold Large Factory Farms Accountable and Improve Animal Welfare", "2022-11-22", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act, legislation that would place the liability for responsible disaster mitigation on corporations and industrial operators by requiring those entities to register with USDA, submit disaster preparedness plans, and pay a fee to establish a fund focused on disaster events. This new fund, the High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation Fund, will be utilized to enforce disaster mitigation plans and ensure that the most humane practices are used if depopulation is absolutely necessary.\n\nThe legislation would also ensure that industrial operators aren\u2019t using inhumane methods in other aspects of the food system by ending line-speed increases and meatpacker self-inspection programs for animal slaughter, closing regulatory loopholes to prohibit the slaughter of all downed animals, and requiring more humane treatment of livestock transported for long periods.\n\nLastly, the legislation would invest resources for higher-welfare slaughter technology in meat and poultry processing facilities and establish a pilot program to train and employ more part-time inspectors for small processing plants.\n\nDuring the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid slaughterhouse shutdowns and rapid virus spread, USDA and other public health officials aided industrial livestock and poultry producers in the depopulation of millions of animals, often under incredibly cruel conditions. The total number of animals killed and under what conditions remains in question, as companies aren\u2019t currently required to report on depopulation actions.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen multiple recent crises that have shined a light on the threat that corporate meat producers and their web of factory farms represent to workers, animals, the environment, and rural communities. Built by agribusinesses, the industrial livestock and poultry system is designed to maximize production\u2013 while externalizing risk and liability\u2013 to ensure corporate profits even when the system fails,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act would place the liability for disasters where it belongs\u2013on the corporations and industrial operators who profit the most from factory farming and ensure farmed animals are not subjugated to cruel and inhumane practices.\u201d\n\n\"Most Americans would be shocked to learn that taxpayers are often footing the bill when animals on factory farms are killed in cruel ways, and that billions of chickens and turkeys are not legally protected from suffering at slaughter,\u201d said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. \u201cWe applaud Senator Booker for introducing the landmark Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act, which would provide new protections for farmed animals and hold corporations accountable for the true costs of factory farming.\u201d\n\n\"When natural disasters like bird flu and extreme weather strike, industrial livestock operations incur huge losses. These losses are too often shouldered by contract farmers, rural communities, and government,\u201d said Craig Watts, former contract poultry grower and field team operations director, Socially Responsible Agriculture Project. \u201cIt\u2019s time we stop allowing multibillion-dollar corporations to externalize the cost of their high-risk operations. The Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act shifts the burden to where it belongs: the backs of Big Agribusiness.\"\n\n\u201cSince its inception almost 100 years ago, our country\u2019s Farm Bill has become a tool that the industrial animal agriculture industry uses to do little else than maximize its profit\u2014to the detriment of consumers, the environment, food system workers, farmers, and farmed animals,\u201d said Leah Garc\u00e9s, President and CEO, Mercy For Animals. \u201cAs a result, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in U.S. food system reform: The meat industry has created deep-seated problems that exploit and harm the most vulnerable. It must be the industry\u2019s responsibility to solve these problems. The IAA recognizes this responsibility and affords the industry an opportunity to begin to right these wrongs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bill (The Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act and the establishment of the Office of High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation and Enforcement) promises much-needed improvements throughout the meat & livestock supply chain, from food safety to animal welfare and labor standards,\u201d said Devin Cornia, Executive Director, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey. \u201cFurther, it will ensure that more funding is made available to family farms versus industrial corporate agribusiness, improving regional and local food system resiliency.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-norcross-lead-colleagues-in-urging-fhwa-to-explain-decision-to-block-njdots-roadway-safety-messages", "Booker, Norcross Lead Colleagues in Urging FHWA to Explain Decision to Block NJDOT\u2019s Roadway Safety Messages", "2022-11-22", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), along with U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09), Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.-10), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.-02), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), expressed concerns to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) over its decision to block the New Jersey Department of Transportation\u2019s (NJDOT) creative, attention-grabbing roadway safety messages.\n\n\u201cLast month, NJDOT began a campaign utilizing humor and New Jersey culture to raise awareness around safety. These quintessential Garden State messages have had a significant positive reception around the state, and have helped to alert in-state and out-of-state motorists to take reasonable precautions,\u201d wrote Senator Booker and colleagues in a letter to FHWA Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack. \u201cGiven the positive reception around these recent safety efforts in New Jersey, I am very concerned to have learned of FHWA\u2019s decision to block the use of these signs earlier this week without providing NJDOT with a comprehensive, data-driven justification for the decision. I understand that FHWA requires roadway signs to command the attention of the motorist and convey a simple clear meaning. The recent campaign in New Jersey to deliver creative, short, humorous, and attention-grabbing messages seems to be an absolutely ideal way to raise awareness around safety and potentially save lives.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the members requested the FHWA:\n\nExplain the analysis that went into FHWA\u2019s decision to block NJDOT\u2019s safety campaign.\n\nProvide any data or evidence collected over the last several weeks that informed FHWA\u2019s decision.\n\nProvide any insight into why FHWA has chosen to block New Jersey\u2019s specific approach to alerting motorists while other states have also utilized comparable safety campaigns.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-paul-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-promote-research-and-access-to-potential-life-saving-drugs", "Booker, Paul Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Research and Access to Potential Life Saving Drugs", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Breakthrough Therapies Act, legislation that would enable the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to make the findings necessary to transfer breakthrough therapies involving Schedule I substances such as MDMA and psilocybin from Schedule I to Schedule II, which could help facilitate a phased roll-out of these potentially lifesaving therapies via FDA-approved Expanded Access pilot programs. Additionally, the bill would remove burdensome federal regulations that impede research and development of drugs that may be inappropriately listed in Schedule I despite their potential to save many lives.\n\nIn recent years, two substances currently classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act\u2014MDMA and psilocybin\u2014have shown exceptional promise in treating an array of mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant suicidal depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. The initial research has been so promising that the FDA has designated both MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapies as \u201cbreakthrough therapies,\u201d meaning that they demonstrate substantial improvement over any currently available treatments.\n\n\u201cRecent studies suggest that some Schedule I substances such as MDMA and psilocybin could represent an enormous advancement for the treatment of severe post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cUnfortunately, regulatory red tape and a series of bureaucratic hurdles involved in studying Schedule I substances impedes critical research on these and other promising Schedule I compounds. This bill reduces these unreasonably burdensome rules and regulations that delay or prevent researchers from studying \u2013 and patients from accessing \u2013 this entire class of potential medicines.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to co-lead this legislation with Sen. Booker that would streamline the registration process for breakthrough therapies currently restricted by outdated drug classifications,\u201d said Senator Paul. \u201cThis bill will make it easier for researchers to conduct studies that can lead to breakthrough therapies to treat patients battling serious and life-threatening conditions.\u201d\n\n\"We urge Congress to swiftly pass the Breakthrough Therapies Act, which responsibly reduces the barriers to research and limited access of potentially life-saving treatments like MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy,\u201d said Martin R. Steele, a retired Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps., Chief Executive Officer of Reason for Hope, and head of the recently formed Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition. \u201cVeterans should not be forced (nor should anyone else) to leave the country - at great expense - to access breakthrough therapies that can be safely provided and further studied in real-world settings here at home.\"\n\n\u201cWe believe the Breakthrough Therapies Act is the tip of the spear in our fight to ensure that Special Operations Veterans have access to the most advanced and effective medical treatments in the world,\u201d said Daniel Elkins, Special Operations Association of America Founder and Member of the Moral Compass Federation. \u201cThe Breakthrough Therapies Act will ensure Special Operations Forces receive the care they deserve from the country they fought for.\u201d\n\nThe text of the bill can be found here.\n\nReason for Hope and the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition\u2019s letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-whitehouse-lead-colleagues-in-urging-hhs-and-nih-to-extend-humane-care-handling-standards-to-cephalopods", "Booker, Whitehouse Lead Colleagues in Urging HHS and NIH to Extend Humane Care Handling Standards to Cephalopods", "2022-11-17", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure that cephalopods, such as octopuses and squids, are afforded basic humane handling and care standards when they are used in NIH laboratory experiments.\n\n\u201cCephalopods are increasingly being used in taxpayer-funded laboratory research across the country,\u201d wrote Senators Booker and Whitehouse in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and NIH Acting Director Lawrence Tabak. \u201cHowever, because they are currently not considered \u201canimals\u201d under the Public Health Service Policy, these incredibly intelligent creatures are not assured of basic humane treatment with no avenue for accountability over the justification of their use, the details of their use--such as methods of anesthesia or euthanasia--and other important research considerations.\u201d\n\nThe Senators urged HHS and NIH to update the definition of \u201canimal\u201d to include cephalopods.\n\n\u201cA wealth of evidence from recent research demonstrates that cephalopods stand out from other invertebrates in terms of their intelligence and capacity for pain, two criteria historically used to justify humane treatment requirements in research,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cThe standards of care for these animals have changed, and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals should be updated accordingly.\u201d\n\nThe Senators also urged HHS and NIH to update the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to reflect proper care and handling of cephalopods in accordance with the scientific, consensus-based \u201cGuidelines for Care and Welfare of Cephalopods in Research\u201d.\n\n\"Backbone or not, cephalopods are animals,\" said Catharine E. Krebs, PhD, medical research specialist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. \"It's time to close the gap in policy that exempts these valuable, intelligent creatures from basic protections already afforded to vertebrates used in research. The Physicians Committee thanks Senators Booker and Whitehouse for leading the call to protect these animals.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-castro-jayapal-lead-83-members-calling-on-biden-administration-to-remove-barriers-to-affordable-health-care-for-daca-recipients", "Booker, Castro, Jayapal Lead 83 Members Calling on Biden Administration to Remove Barriers to Affordable Health Care for DACA Recipients", "2022-11-15", "2022", "2022-11", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), led 83 colleagues in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to remove barriers that prevent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients from accessing affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program.\n\n\u201c[Current] regulation excludes a significant pool of young, healthy adults\u2014the exact type of participants that Congress sought to encourage to secure and purchase health insurance under the ACA,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cThese barriers to health coverage force many individuals and families to go without the health care they need, including essential preventive services and life-saving treatments. They also exacerbate existing health inequities that all immigrant communities face and especially immigrants of color. Moreover, the current regulation leads to worse health outcomes for DACA recipients and their families by foreclosing access to health care, including unsubsidized purchases on ACA health insurance marketplace. We strongly encourage HHS to honor our country\u2019s promise of full integration and support of DACA recipients, including access to affordable health care through the ACA by rescinding this regulation. We anticipate your response within 30 days, and we thank you for your attention and prompt response.\u201d\n\nUnder current federal regulations, DACA recipients cannot obtain comprehensive health care coverage under Medicaid or CHIP, even in states that have opted to cover lawfully present children and pregnant people. DACA recipients also cannot receive federal premium tax credits to make private health insurance affordable in the ACA marketplace or purchase marketplace health insurance at full cost using their own funds.\n\nThe letter is supported by 356 organizations, including the Center for Law and Social Policy National Immigration Law Center, United We Dream, Unidos US, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, Catholic Health Association, Move On, Planned Parenthood, SEIU and Sojourners. The complete list of supporting organizations can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/11/11/2022/booker-releases-resource-handbook-for-new-jersey-veterans", "Booker Releases Resource Handbook for New Jersey Veterans", "2022-11-11", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) released his annual Veterans Handbook\u2014a comprehensive resource guide for New Jersey veterans and their families. The handbook, accessible on Booker\u2019s website here, includes information on health benefits, crisis support services, federal and state education programs, and employment resources. The Veterans Handbook also includes information on the PACT Act of 2022, a new law signed by President Biden to significantly expand VA benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances while they were serving our country in the military.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s veterans have helped to ensure that all Americans can enjoy the benefits of freedom that allow them to reach their fullest potential. We owe them and their families an immeasurable debt we can never repay,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cTo help commemorate Veterans Day, I am proud to release this handbook that provides New Jersey\u2019s 350,000 veterans and their families information on accessing critical services, from healthcare benefits and employment programs, to the benefits and services stemming from the PACT Act.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-condemning-anti-hinduism", "Booker Statement Condemning Anti-Hinduism", "2022-10-26", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ \u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cOn this final day of Diwali, may we all come together in celebration. This joyful holiday is a beautiful reminder of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.\n\n\u201cHindu Americans add to New Jersey\u2019s richness and vibrancy, and I condemn anti-Hindu statements and actions that seek to separate and divide us. We must stand for inclusivity and diversity, and fight all forms of bigotry, extremism, and hatred.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-castro-urge-usaid-to-boost-innovative-solutions-to-address-international-development-challenges", "Booker, Castro Urge USAID to Boost Innovative Solutions to Address International Development Challenges", "2022-10-19", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) urged the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to boost innovation through Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) and other similar programs in order to help address many of the world\u2019s biggest challenges related to international development.\n\nUSAID\u2019s DIV program provides grant funding to innovators and researchers to test new ideas and advance solutions for developing countries in various fields, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and health technology, while increasing the return on investment of U.S. taxpayer dollars. By allocating resources to scale up effectual milestone-based projects supported by DIV, USAID has a unique opportunity to deploy innovations that can help solve dynamic global development challenges.\n\n\u201cWith over 80 offices around the world and programs in over 100 countries, USAID is uniquely positioned to harness the very best of American innovation to source and scale effective programs that can better solve complex international development challenges,\u201d wroteSenator Booker and Representative Castroin a letter to USAID Administrator Samantha Power. \u201cWe encourage USAID to allocate sufficient funding within sector-specific Agency budgets to scale relevant and successful DIV programs.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica has a storied history of promoting innovation, but if we are to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time, we must do more to catalyze research and development, foster new partnerships with accountable and innovative non-traditional partners, and improve evidence-based contracting,\u201d continued Senator Booker and Representative Castro. \u201cThese kinds of investments are not only critical to improving outcomes for millions around the world, they also position the United States as a more effective partner vis-a-vis China for countries that want to make rapid progress towards achieving development goals.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe scale of our shared, global challenges is enormous. To tackle issues like climate change and a growing food crisis, we\u2019re going to need far more innovation, which includes bringing new voices to the table and finding new ways to solve problems. Senator Booker and Congressman Castro remind us that America can show global leadership through innovation \u2013 and that agencies like USAID need to play a key role,\u201d said Walter Kerr, Executive Director of Unlock Aid, a global coalition of change agents bridging the gap between innovation and global development.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-klobuchar-blumenthal-urge-federal-trade-commission-to-investigate-proposed-kroger-albertsons-merger", "Booker, Klobuchar, Blumenthal Urge Federal Trade Commission to Investigate Proposed Kroger-Albertsons Merger", "2022-10-18", "2022", "2022-10", "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-N.J.) has joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, voicing concern about this transaction\u2019s potential implications for consumers.\n\n\u201cWe write to express our serious concern about the recently announced merger between Kroger and Albertsons and to ask for your assurance that this proposed deal will be carefully and thoroughly investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),\u201d wrote Senators Booker, Klobuchar, and Blumenthal in a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan. \u201cAs food prices remain elevated, too many American families are struggling to put food on the table for their families. These issues are worse for families in areas without access to affordable, nutritious food. And across the country, more than six million American children suffer from not having enough food.\u201d\n\n\u201cAgainst that backdrop, last week the nation\u2019s two largest grocery chains, Albertsons and Kroger, announced a proposed $25 billion merger. This merger raises considerable antitrust concerns. The grocery industry is essential to daily life, and Americans need the benefits that robust competition brings, namely lower prices, higher quality, and innovation,\u201d the Senators continued.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-praises-usda-assistance-to-distressed-farmers", "Booker Praises USDA Assistance to Distressed Farmers", "2022-10-18", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture dispersing nearly $800 million in assistance to distressed farmers:\n\n\u201cFarmers play a critical role in our economy, and many have been hit hard by recent crises like COVID-19. Thousands of farmers, including Black, Latino, and Native American farmers with USDA direct and guaranteed loans, have struggled to make ends meet and are barely holding on to their farms. Some have already lost their farms to foreclosure. That is why Congress provided resources in the Inflation Reduction Act to bring relief to these distressed farmers across our country. I applaud the USDA for working to quickly implement this much-needed relief to farmers who are most at-risk of foreclosure or losing their land. I also urge the USDA to continue providing IRA assistance to the many distressed farmers, especially Black farmers, who are still in need of immediate relief.\u201d\n\nThe nearly $800 million in assistance announced today is part of the $3.1 billion authorized under Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law by President Biden in August. This provision authorizes payments to distressed farm loan borrowers, particularly those borrowers whose agricultural operations are at financial risk.\n\nLast month, Senator Booker, along with Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), urged the USDA to rapidly implement the funding authorized under Section 22006 of the IRA. The Senators also urged the USDA to quickly implement Section 22007 of the IRA, which will provide much-needed financial assistance to Black farmers and others who have suffered discrimination through USDA\u2019s farm lending programs.\n\nSenators Booker, Warnock, and Schumer\u2019s letter to the USDA can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-lead-colleagues-in-urging-the-cftc-to-pursue-stronger-oversight-of-carbon-offsets-market", "Booker, Warren Lead Colleagues in Urging the CFTC to Pursue Stronger Oversight of Carbon Offsets Market", "2022-10-14", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led five colleagues in urging the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to take concrete steps to implement rules governing the voluntary carbon offsets market, also referred to as carbon credits.\n\nFacing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to reach worldwide net-zero emissions by 2050, companies, investors, and governments have turned to a strategy of purchasing carbon offsets from organizations claiming to sequester greenhouse gasses through strategies like tree planting or installation of renewable energy. This has led to rapid growth of unregulated carbon markets that allow corporations to make claims about emission reductions and pledges to reach \u201cnet zero\u201d while actually taking little action to address the climate and environmental justice impacts of their industry.\n\n\u201cThe carbon market enables wealthy corporations and countries to continue polluting due to broad standards that ineffectively regulate what counts as an offset,\u201d wrote the Senators in a letter to CFTCChairman Rostin Behnam. \u201cCarbon offsets as they currently stand are not compatible with climate justice goals, as they enable wealthy corporations to continue emitting while using fraught tactics that prioritize their bottom line over the health and well-being of vulnerable communities.\n\n\u201cTo reduce risk to frontline communities, investors, and the planet, the CFTC should take concrete steps to implement rules governing the carbon market. These rules should include a clear definition of a carbon credit and a robust standard for auditing, and they must take into account the environmental justice risk of growth in the offset market,\u201d continued the Senators.\n\nIn the letter, the Senators urged the CFTC to:\n\nInvestigate the integrity of currently approved derivatives and their underlying carbon offsets, and develop qualifying standards for carbon offsets that effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can serve as underlying commodities for approved derivatives in the future.\n\nCreate a registration framework for offsets, offset brokers, and offset registries.\n\nPursue cases of individual project fraud.\n\nDevelop a working group to study both the risk to investors associated with carbon offsets and derivatives (legal, reputational, and regulatory) and the systemic climate financial risk created by their availability and usage.\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-announce-449-million-in-homeland-security-federal-grants-for-new-jersey", "Booker, Menendez Announce $44.9 Million in Homeland Security Federal Grants for New Jersey", "2022-10-13", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) announced $44.9 million in Homeland Security grants as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS) ongoing efforts to support state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. These grants assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector with their preparedness efforts. Preparedness grants strengthen our nation\u2019s ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.\n\nOf the $44.9 million, New Jersey faith-based and nonprofit organizations received $18.9 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Through the NSGP, faith institutions throughout the community will receive support to prevent, protect against, and recover from terrorist attacks, including by installing physical security improvements, implementing emergency readiness programs, and improving community safety.\n\nSenator Booker joined Representative Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.-07), New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, and faith leaders last week for a roundtable at Temple Sinai in Summit, N.J., to discuss the rise in threats facing the Jewish community, and the actions Congress is taking to fight antisemitism and hate crimes throughout the state.\n\n\u201cWe cannot ignore the disturbing rise in bias incidents and hate crimes, nor can we tolerate threats to any religious or cultural community,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThese security grants will help protect communities across New Jersey against dangerous hate-filled attacks and support our state\u2019s vital infrastructure.\u201d\n\n\u201cBecause of our state\u2019s proximity to large metro areas, airports, seaports and transit hubs, New Jersey must remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any type of attack,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cThis critical funding will provide our first responders and nonprofit organizations added resources to safeguard our communities and protect New Jersey residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo person should fear violence because of who they are or who they worship,\u201d said Representative Malinowski. \u201cThis crucial funding will bring peace of mind for thousands of residents in my district and help preserve the religious freedoms we hold dear.\u201d\n\n\u201cHate and bias have no place in our State, and we will always stand up against anti-Semitism and other forms of religious hatred. I\u2019m proud to work with Governor Murphy, Senator Booker, Senator Menendez, Congressman Malinowski, and our federal partners to ensure that our faith communities have the resources they need to remain safe. For more information on available grant funds please visit: https://bit.ly/3fRsLiR,\u201d said Attorney General Platkin.\n\n\u201cWe are very honored to host this event and be able to receive this grant. This grant helps push more opportunities to protect our members and our children. The support will go a long way towards the safety of our institution,\u201d said Cindy Homer, President of Temple Sinai.\n\nThere were 131 nonprofit and religious institutions from across the state which received a total of $18.9 million in NSGP funds.\n\nIn addition to the NSGP funding, New Jersey agencies and other institutions received millions of dollars in federal funding through three other DHS grant programs:\n\nThree New Jersey recipients\u2014Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), New Jersey Transit, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)\u2014received a total of $22.2 million from the DHS\u2019s Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). The TSGP funding protects critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.\n\nNine New Jersey institutions\u2014including the DRPA, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, among others\u2014received a total of $3 million from the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). This funding helps protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management, and maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities.\n\nSeven New Jersey bus operators\u2014including Academy Express, LLC and Coach USA, Inc.\u2014received a total of $717,000 under the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) to protect surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-unites-broad-spectrum-of-support-behind-new-legislation-requiring-scientific-and-medical-studies-to-develop-treatments-for-opioid-overdoses", "Booker Unites Broad Spectrum of Support Behind New Legislation Requiring Scientific and Medical Studies to Develop Treatments for Opioid Overdoses", "2022-10-13", "2022", "2022-10", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced the Temporary Emergency Scheduling and Testing (TEST) of Fentanyl Analogues Act, legislation that would extend the temporary class-wide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances for two years and also require the Department of Justice to conduct a scientific and medical evaluation of these substances to encourage research so that the scientific and medical communities can study and develop treatments for fentanyl-related substances.\n\n\u201cTemporary scheduling alone is a failed experiment that hasn\u2019t curbed the devastation the opioid crisis has brought on countless families in the United States. So it isn\u2019t enough to just extend the class-wide scheduling of fentanyl analogues again and hope for a different result,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cTemporary scheduling has also preemptively criminalized potentially life-saving antidotes to fentanyl overdoses and impeded the medical, research, and scientific community\u2019s ability to develop the solutions we need to effectively tackle this crisis.\n\n\u201cA better approach driven by data, science, and medicine will save lives. My common-sense legislation supported by a broad spectrum of groups working to end the opioid crisis will extend temporary scheduling for two years while also requiring the same scientific evaluation of fentanyl analogues as other controlled substances, so we can understand their pharmacological effect and open up new, promising avenues to developing therapies that can combat addiction and the devastation it causes.\u201d\n\n\"Families devastated by the overdose epidemic deserve real solutions, not politicians using our tragedies to continue the failed war on drugs,\" said Gretchen Bergman, co-founder and lead organizer of Moms United To End the War on Drugs. \"As a parent of two sons who have struggled with substance use disorders, I know that lengthy prison sentences are no cure. Senator Cory Booker\u2019s TEST Act recognizes that compassionate and proven public health solutions, not criminalizing communities, are our best bet to save lives, and I am proud to support him in this effort. For the sake of the thousands of moms whose children were taken from them too soon, and for the moms who don't want their children to be another statistic, this bill is our only hope in this bleak crisis. I\u2019m so thankful for leaders like Senator Booker who are fighting for me, my children, and the countless others who are affected by the overdose epidemic.\"\n\n\u201cThe TEST Act is a smart, much-needed approach to fentanyl-related substances that would help the government identify which substances need to be prohibited or strictly controlled but also determine which substances are harmless or may even have medical benefits,\u201d said Jason Pye, Director of Rule of Law Initiatives at the Due Process Institute. \u201cUnfortunately, because all fentanyl-related substances have been scheduled class-wide as if they are all the same, the bureaucratic hurdles that researchers face delay vital research. Importantly, what research has been conducted shows us that not all fentanyl-related substances are harmful. In fact, one substance has been shown to have similar properties to naloxone, which is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Other fentanyl-related substances, according to one Office of National Drug Control Policy official, may be as harmless as water. Congress has to stop treating this issue as a political bludgeon and instead legislate responsibly. The TEST Act offers a commonsense path forward on fentanyl-related substances that would benefit society and save lives. We hope members of Congress decide to end the gamesmanship and work together to adopt this plan.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur country vitally needs a solution to the continued harms communities are facing because of the opioid crisis,\u201d said Jeremiah Mosteller, Senior Policy Analyst at Americans for Prosperity. \u201cEach year more than 50,000 individuals die from a synthetic opioid overdose. The reactionary policies previously adopted by Congress have failed to have any impact and deaths from fentanyl analogues have spiked in recent years. It is time for a different, measured solution that reflects the complicated and complex nature of these substances. The TEST Act reasonably balances the needs for an immediate response with the need to better understand this whole class of substances and their potential harmful and helpful effects. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road as our family, friends, and neighbors are dying.\u201d\n\nIn September, members of the scientific and medical communities urged President Biden to reconsider making permanent the temporary class-wide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances until data related to the pharmacological effect and epidemiological data of these substances is publicly reported.\n\nLast week, public health organizations and science-based institutions urged Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to pass the TEST Act before the temporary fentanyl-related substances class-wide scheduling policy expires on December 31st.\n\nOrganizations endorsing the TEST Act include: Americans for Prosperity, AIDS United, Drug Policy Alliance, Due Process Institute, Human Rights Watch, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, R Street, and Vera Institute.\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be found here.\n\nThe summary of the legislation can be found here.\n\nThe letter from scientists and public health professionals to President Biden can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-durbin-issue-statement-on-inclusion-of-daniel-anderl-judicial-security-bill-in-senate-national-defense-authorization-act", "Booker, Menendez, Durbin Issue Statement on Inclusion of Daniel Anderl Judicial Security Bill in Senate National Defense Authorization Act", "2022-10-11", "2022", "2022-10", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the inclusion of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 in the Senate substitute amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023:\n\n\u201cThe inclusion of the bipartisan Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 in the Senate substitute amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 brings us one step closer to protecting federal judges and their families. No judge in America should have to fear for their lives and the safety of their family as they work to deliver equal justice under the law.\n\n\u201cThis legislation is named after the son of federal Judge Esther Salas following his senseless murder nearly two years ago in a shooting that also injured her husband, Mark Anderl. We call on our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this provision and we will work to ensure this language remains in the final conferenced NDAA bill. There is no time to waste to make this bill the law of the land.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-urges-hhs-to-investigate-grant-renewal-to-primate-research-center-with-history-of-serious-violations", "Booker Urges HHS to Investigate Grant Renewal to Primate Research Center with History of Serious Violations", "2022-10-11", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to investigate the National Institutes of Health Office of Director\u2019s oversight and approval of the base operational funding grant, called the P51, to the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) at the University of Washington.\n\nThe renewal of the P51 base grant comes after The Arizona Republic and other media outlets exposed WaNPRC\u2019s failure to maintain biosecurity, repeated animal welfare violations, financial issues with taxpayer funds, and failure to comply with both federal and state laws.\n\n\u201cDespite all of these issues, many of which have direct consequences for public health and scientific integrity, NIH has decided to invest significant additional taxpayer funds in the WaNPRC,\u201d wrote Senator Booker in the letter to Secretary of HHS Xavier Becerra. \u201cAn investigation into the oversight and approval process would shed much-needed light on why this deeply troubled facility continues to receive federal funding.\u201d\n\nIn addition to urging for an investigation, Senator Booker requested HHS to respond to a series of questions relating to NIH\u2019s oversight and approval process of this grant.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-president-bidens-executive-order-on-cannabis", "Booker Statement on President Biden\u2019s Executive Order on Cannabis", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) issued the following statement on President Biden\u2019s Executive Order on cannabis:\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s executive order is transformative for the lives of thousands of people and families harmed by our broken cannabis laws. This is a huge step forward toward a more just criminal justice system and more rational drug policy.\n\n\u201cNow it\u2019s time for Congress and states to put an end to our failed policies by legalizing and appropriately regulating cannabis, taxing cannabis, reinvesting proceeds in communities disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs, and expunging criminal records for nonviolent drug offenses.\u201d\n\nIn October 2021, Senator Booker urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use its existing authority under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA) to begin the process of removing cannabis\u2019s classification as a Schedule I drug. Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level through this descheduling process will remedy the harm caused by decades of racial disparities in enforcement of cannabis laws and facilitate valuable medical research. In July 2022, Senator Booker again urged the Biden Administration to use its existing authority to remove cannabis and issue pardons to all individuals convicted of nonviolent cannabis-related offenses.\n\nSen. Booker\u2019s letter to the DOJ can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-celebrates-passage-of-fda-modernization-act-to-ban-animal-testing-mandates", "Booker Celebrates Passage of FDA Modernization Act to Ban Animal Testing Mandates", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "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, the Senate unanimously voted to pass the bipartisan legislation authored by SenatorsCory Booker (D-NJ)and Rand Paul (R-KY)that would end an outdated FDA mandate that required experimental drugs to be tested on animals before theycould be used on humans in clinical trials.Specifically, the FDA Modernization Actgives drug sponsorsthe optionto usescientifically rigorous, proven non-animal test methods whenthey are suitable.Drug sponsors will still be able to use animal testing where appropriate.\n\n\u201cThe passage of my bill will avoidthe needless suffering of countless animals,now that experimental drug testing can be done with modern non-animal alternatives that are more scientifically relevant,\u201dsaid Senator Booker.\u201cThis legislation brings us one step closer to eliminating the cruel practice of unnecessary animal testing.\u201d\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.Since then, a number of non-animal tests have been developed that are more predictive of the human response to drugs.\n\nYou can read the FDA Modernization Act in its entiretyHERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-the-passing-of-governor-jim-florio", "Booker Statement on the Passing of Governor Jim Florio", "2022-09-26", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cGovernor Florio was one of New Jersey\u2019s great public servants who courageously fought for the people and worked deliberately to bridge the divides that separate us. His efforts to implement an assault weapons ban, clean up New Jersey\u2019s water and Superfund sites, and accomplishments on other priorities inspired leaders throughout our state and nation. Governor Florio leaves behind a lasting legacy, and New Jersey owes him a huge debt of gratitude for his principled leadership. My heart is with his family and loved ones during this difficult time of grief.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-urges-epa-to-follow-guidelines-for-glyphosate-final-registration-review-decision", "Booker Urges EPA to Follow Guidelines for Glyphosate Final Registration Review Decision", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.) today urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to properly follow its Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment, which provides EPA with guidance for evaluating risk of substances like pesticides, when finalizing the agency\u2019s registration review decision for glyphosate.\n\nGlyphosate, the most widely used pesticide in the United States, is applied to an average of 298 million acres annually. People are exposed to glyphosate during its chemical application, when entering areas where it was recently sprayed, and when they eat foods that were treated with the pesticide.\n\nHowever, along with ecological concerns, independent research has linked glyphosate to a range of human health issues, from kidney disease to shortened pregnancies and lowered birth weight. This has prompted eleven countries to ban and thirteen countries to restrict the use of the chemical. In 2015, the World Health Organization\u2019s International Agency for Research on Cancer found that glyphosate is \u201cprobably carcinogenic to humans.\u201d\n\nDespite this, the EPA has continuously affirmed the safety of glyphosate. The EPA\u2019s most recent human health assessment was vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.\n\n\u201cIn 2016, EPA issued the \u201cGlyphosate Issue Paper: Evaluation of Carcinogenic Potential\u201d and consulted the agency\u2019s Scientific Advisory Panel,\u201d wrote Senator Booker in a letter to Administrator of EPA Michael Regan. \u201cThis panel then issued its own concerns, similar to those of the Office of Research and Development, that EPA failed to follow its cancer assessment guidelines. Once again, the agency disregarded these concerns and, in 2017, released a draft risk assessment finding that glyphosate poses no serious human health risks. EPA\u2019s most recent assessment, the January 2020 Interim Registration Review Decision for glyphosate which was subsequently struck down by United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, reaffirmed this stance.\u201d\n\n\u201cEPA must ensure the most rigorous final assessment possible,\u201d urged Senator Booker. \u201cIt is unacceptable for the agency to continue to reassert conclusions built on inconsistent findings. I urge the EPA to closely follow its Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment in its current review of glyphosate in order to protect our nation\u2019s public health from this dangerous chemical.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-announce-15-million-to-support-suicide-prevention-for-veterans-and-families", "Booker, Menendez Announce $1.5 Million to Support Suicide Prevention for Veterans and Families", "2022-09-21", "2022", "2022-09", "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 Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) announced $1.5 million in federal funding to develop community-based suicide prevention strategies, connect veterans and their families to resources, and promote outreach to at-risk individuals.\n\n\u201cWe must ensure that our veterans are provided the care, support, and resources they need to succeed as they return to civilian life,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis grant is critical to the mental health and long-term well-being of our veterans. I am committed to ensuring our veterans who have bravely served our nation receive the care they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen they raise their hand to serve our nation, our veterans are pledging their lives to defend and protect our democracy,\u201dsaid Sen. Menendez. \u201cWhen they return from active duty, it is our solemn obligation to provide them with the resources they need and deserve, including mental health and suicide prevention services. Partnering with community providers through grants such as this will help ensure that we are reaching thousands of at-risk New Jersey veterans through life-saving counseling.\u201d\n\nCommunity Hope and Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine were each awarded the maximum amount of $750,000 in grants through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), which is administered by the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs\u2019 (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA).\n\nThe SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grants are awarded to county governments and community-based organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-merkley-grassley-adams-and-hinson-introduce-national-stillbirth-prevention-day-resolution", "Booker, Merkley, Grassley, Adams, and Hinson Introduce National Stillbirth Prevention Day Resolution", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "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), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA-01) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing today, September 19, as \"National Stillbirth Prevention Day.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the United States, thousands of families experience the heartbreaking pain of a baby being stillborn. This issue is exacerbated along racial lines, with stillbirth rates alarmingly higher for Black women and birthing people,\u201d said Senator Cory Booker. \u201cNo family should bear this tragedy. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues on this resolution designating September 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention Day. The United States must use the tools at its disposal to reduce stillbirths and begin to address the maternal and child health disparities that affect our nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cStillbirth is an emotionally devastating tragedy for far too many Americans, and upends the lives of individuals and families from all demographics across the United States, including increasing the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity,\u201d said Senator Jeff Merkley. \u201cNearly 1 in 4 stillbirths could be preventable, and it is alarming that the rate of stillbirth is considerably higher in Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women. This resolution recommits us to leveraging advances in modern medicine to ensure we are doing everything we can\u2014especially for historically marginalized communities\u2014to prevent individuals and families from experiencing the trauma of stillbirth.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe stillbirth rate in the United States is unacceptably high, and it\u2019s clear we must do more to protect mothers and children from this heartbreaking tragedy. In recognizing National Stillbirth Prevention Day, we\u2019re calling on the Biden administration to leverage federal resources to reduce the stillbirth rate by improving data collection, supporting evidence-based prevention efforts and educating parents to improve understanding of stillbirth causes. I\u2019ve previously led efforts to support at-risk pregnant women and families, including through the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, and I\u2019ll continue working with my colleagues to help expectant families,\u201d Senator Chuck Grassley said.\n\n\"For too long, stillbirth has been a silent crisis, but 23,500 babies are stillborn every year. According to a recent study, nearly 1 in 4 stillbirths are potentially preventable, and the United States is trailing other countries in making progress,\" said Congresswoman Alma Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. \"That is why I am proud to recognize September 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention Day with Congresswoman Hinson and Senators Booker, Grassley, and Merkley. All available data suggests we can make progress, so we hope increased attention to this issue will reverse this shocking trend of stillbirths and maternal mortality in the United States. I am thankful for all of the colleagues joining us as we raise awareness about stillbirth prevention efforts, promote research, and recognize the tens of thousands of American families who have endured a stillbirth tragedy. These babies \u2013 and their mamas \u2013 can't wait.\n\n\u201cMy heart goes out to any woman or family who has endured the tragedy of a stillbirth. The stillbirth rate in the United States is unacceptably high, especially for low-income and rural moms, and we must do more to help them have healthy pregnancies. Designating today as National Stillbirth Prevention Day is an important bipartisan action to prevent stillbirths and support expecting moms through their pregnancy, regardless of their income level or where they live,\u201d said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.\n\n\u201cI am so unbelievably grateful for all our bipartisan stillbirth prevention champions in Congress who made today possible. There are no words that can adequately express how much it means to me to see stillbirth prevention finally gain this kind of recognition and to know that we are working together to save more babies and families. I know Autumn and all babies lost too soon are cheering us on,\u201d said Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, mother to Autumn who the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2022 is named after and founder of the 2 Degrees Foundation.\n\nIn addition to co-leads Booker, Merkley, and Grassley, original Senate co-sponsors include Senators Wyden, King, and Peters.\n\nIn addition to co-leads Adams and Hinson, original House cosponsors include Representatives Axne, Castor, Cohen, Fitzpatrick, Herrera Beutler, Miller-Meeks, Roybal-Allard, and Tonko.\n\nEndorsing organizations include Healthy Birth Day, Start Healing Together, SUDC Foundation, Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (MEND), Measure the Placenta, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, National Birth Equity Collaborative, March of Dimes, JustActions, NechamaComfort, Three Little Birds Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support, Society for Reproductive Investigation, Every Mother Counts, the Shane Foundation, MomsRising, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, Preeclampsia Foundation, HER Foundation, Kindred Beginnings, What to Expect Project, and Group B Strep International.\n\nBackground\n\nIn our nation, an alarming 23,500 babies are stillborn every year. This is greater than the number of babies that die during the first year of life and more than ten times the number of babies that die annually due to sudden infant death syndrome.\n\nAccording to a recent study, nearly 1 in 4 stillbirths are potentially preventable. Data comparing the United States to other countries informs that our nation can do more to prevent stillbirth.\n\nWhile the rate of stillbirth has declined since the 1940s due to improvements in maternity care, in recent years, the decline has slowed or halted. Stillbirths increase the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity and negatively impact parental mental health and family well-being.\n\nLike many of the health crises in our country, disparities exist, and Black women and Black birthing people are over two times more likely than white women and white birthing people to have a stillbirth. Stillbirth rates are also high for American Indian or Alaska Native women and birthing people, who are almost 1.5 times as likely to have a stillbirth compared to White women. Hispanic women also experience higher rates.\n\nDespite impacting families from all backgrounds and people with otherwise healthy pregnancies, stillbirth is more common for people who are 35 years or older, of lower socioeconomic status, for people who have multiple pregnancies, like twins or triplets, and those who have already experienced the loss of a pregnancy.\n\nIn addition, stillbirth also occurs more commonly amongst people who smoke while pregnant or are diagnosed with certain medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or obesity.\n\nDue to social determinants of health, people from less advantaged backgrounds and who are marginalized, continue to experience a greater burden of stillbirth. And these disadvantages are further impacted by the social determinants of health. For example, women in maternity care deserts and rural areas have fewer healthcare providers. Nationwide, approximately 10% of births take place in counties with limited access to maternity care.\n\nAccording to The Lancet, in a 2016 study, the United States ranked number 48 out of 49 high-income countries in annual stillbirth rate reduction. Furthermore, in comparison with the same group of countries, the United States stillbirth rate per 1,000 births was higher than 24 other countries.\n\nPrevious Efforts\n\nEarlier this year, Booker introduced the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, legislation that aims to reduce the alarmingly high U.S. stillbirth rate. Named after Autumn Joy, a New Jersey baby who was stillborn in 2011, the bill would provide critical resources to states, local public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other related federal agencies to improve data collection and increase education and awareness of stillbirth in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warnock-schumer-urge-usda-to-quickly-provide-assistance-to-distressed-farmers", "Booker, Warnock, Schumer Urge USDA to Quickly Provide Assistance to Distressed Farmers", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to rapidly implement the funding authorized under Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law by President Biden last month. This provision authorizes payments to distressed farm loan borrowers whose agricultural operations are at financial risk.\n\nThe Senators also urged the USDA to quickly carry out another provision of the IRA which provides financial assistance for farmers who have suffered discrimination in USDA farm lending programs.\n\n\u201cThousands of USDA borrowers are struggling to make ends meet and are barely holding on to their farms, and it is critical that USDA provide assistance to these farmers prior to the expiration of the current USDA foreclosure moratorium,\u201d wrote the Senators in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. \u201cNow that Congress has provided USDA these critical resources, it is our expectation that distressed farmers with USDA direct and guaranteed loans will be able to remain on their land.\u201d\n\nThe Senators also urged the USDA \u201cto quickly begin the selection process for non-governmental entities to administer Section 22007 of the IRA, which will provide much needed financial assistance to Black farmers and others who have suffered discrimination through USDA\u2019s farm lending programs.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-abraham-accords-caucus-members-honor-two-year-anniversary-of-abraham-accords-signing", "Booker, Abraham Accords Caucus Members Honor Two-Year Anniversary of Abraham Accords Signing", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "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) James Lankford (R-OK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today honored the two-year anniversary of the historic signing of the Abraham Accords by introducing a resolution to commemorate the historic moment on September 15, 2020, for the US, Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.\n\n\u201cOver the past two years, the Abraham Accords have promoted greater economic opportunity and security for Israel and the greater Middle East,\u201d said Booker. \u201cAs co-chair of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, I remain committed to building on this achievement to bring new countries into the fold, foster meaningful people-to-people engagement, continue integrating the agreements within the region, including with Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinians, and advance progress towards a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\n\n\u201cTwo years ago, I witnessed a historic moment among leaders from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates as President Trump held a White House signing of the once-thought-impossible Abraham Accords,\u201d said Lankford. \u201cSince then, we\u2019ve added two other nations, Morocco and Sudan, to the Accords. As we build on that momentum together, we should remember that through reconciliation and common goals, even unlikely allies can find a way to come together. We continue to stand with Israel and should continue to lead in bringing nations together to further US national interests and the interests of our allies.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe historic Abraham Accords have transformed the Middle East \u2013 paving the way for unprecedented cooperation between Israel and Arab partners in energy and water security, cybersecurity, defense, and trade,\u201d said Rosen. \u201cAs we celebrate two years since this landmark agreement, I am proud to join my fellow Senate Abraham Accords Co-Chairs in introducing a bipartisan resolution to celebrate the Accords, call for their expansion and enhancement, and encourage other countries to normalize relations with Israel.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Abraham Accords was the most significant peace agreement of the 21st Century,\u201d said Ernst. \u201cThis bipartisan measure seeks to honor the monumental effort achieved by the Trump administration in bringing together our Arab allies and Israel to forge an unprecedented and lasting peace deal that has made America and the world more secure. As co-chair of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, I remain committed to expanding upon the Abraham Accords and defending America, and our allies, from Iranian aggression.\u201d\n\nThe Senators launched the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus in order to build on the success of the historic Abraham Accords. For decades, Congress has played a key role in promoting peace between Israel and its neighbors. The Caucus provides an opportunity to strengthen the Abraham Accords by encouraging and partnerships among the existing Abraham Accords countries and expanding the agreement to include countries that do not currently have diplomatic relations with Israel.\n\nEarlier this year, the Senators introduced the DEFEND Act to establish an integrated air defense capability among Israel and Arab allies. The Senators also joined in a statement earlier this year following the signature into law of the Israel Relations Normalization Act, which builds on the success of the Abraham Accords by strengthening and expanding normalization and peace agreements between Israel and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, as well as previous agreement with Egypt and Jordan.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-announce-over-10-million-to-support-new-and-expecting-mothers", "Booker, Menendez Announce Over $10 Million to Support New and Expecting Mothers", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "More than 7,500 NJ children benefitted from home visit programs in 2019\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and (both D-N.J.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services $10,476,077 for its Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program services to women during pregnancy and to parents with young children.\n\n\u201cHome visits by nurses, social workers, and child development professionals improve the health and well-being of children and families,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI\u2019m proud to fight for funding to make sure thousands of New Jersey families and children receive crucial support and resources to thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that when nurses, social workers and other professionals are involved in the lives of at-risk children through home visits during pregnancy and in the critical months after, that the outcomes in the areas of health, education, and economic self-sufficiency for these children and their families is dramatically improved,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cThat is why I am proud to advocate each year for this vital funding that supports New Jersey women and children and provides them with the tools, resources and education to build strong families and healthy communities.\u201d\n\nThrough MIECHV, nurses, social workers, or other professionals visit at-risk families in their homes to evaluate their living situations and provide information on resources available to improve the health, educational, and economic opportunities for at-risk children. Resources include health care, early education, parenting skills, child abuse prevention, and nutrition education or assistance.\n\nIn New Jersey, all twenty-one counties are served by this program. In 2019, 5,672 New Jersey families and 7,549 New Jersey children benefited from MIECHV programs.\n\nThe funding was secured through a provision in the American Rescue Plan that provided an additional $150 million for staffing and servicing for MIECHV programs across the country, including $2,435,374 for New Jersey. The provision also includes expanded flexibility for program operators to use funding to purchase technology needed for virtual home visits, and emergency supplies such as formula, food, water, hand soap and sanitizer, diapers, and prepaid grocery cards.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-van-hollen-lee-davis-introduce-bill-to-improve-access-to-care-for-americans-with-sickle-cell-disease", "Booker, Van Hollen, Lee, Davis Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Care for Americans with Sickle Cell Disease", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "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-N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, legislation to improve access to care for Americans living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Approximately 100,000 Americans are currently living with SCD, an inherited blood disorder that causes pain, infection, and stroke. The disease disproportionately affects Black Americans but is also found among people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. But despite the prevalence of the disease and the need for consistent and coordinated treatment, few patients have access to multidisciplinary care teams.\n\nDuring a press conference on Capitol Hill to announce the new legislation, the lawmakers were joined by SCD patients, health care leaders, and advocates who discussed the importance of making Sickle Cell care more available and accessible through the new legislation. Also in attendance was Kimberley Davis, the mother of John Amara Walters, a member of Senator Van Hollen\u2019s legislative staff who died of complications from SCD last year at the age of 29.\n\nThe lawmakers\u2019 bill will grow the network of care for SCD by creating a \u201chub-and-spoke\u201d framework for the delivery of SCD care. The bill establishes a new $535 million annual grant program to provide federal funding opportunities for hospitals with current SCD programs to expand their services to community health and outpatient centers, in order to help address the shortage of comprehensive treatment centers and so patients can access care and other services closer to their homes.\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects thousands of Americans, disproportionately people of African descent, with devastating outcomes,\u201d Senator Booker said. \u201cDespite being one of the most common genetic blood diseases, Americans with sickle cell disease continue to face barriers when trying to access comprehensive integrative treatment. That is why I am proud to introduce this bicameral legislation that will establish and fund treatment centers across the U.S. as well as vital training and education resources for patients and providers.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor the tens of thousands of Americans living with Sickle Cell Disease, accessing care can be near-impossible. And the lack of accessible care is not just an inconvenience \u2013 for some patients it\u2019s life or death. This gap in care is unacceptable. That\u2019s why we\u2019re introducing this legislation to broaden the reach of existing Sickle Cell centers so we can bring treatment into the countless communities that don\u2019t yet have it,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen. \u201cA new national network of Sickle Cell care would redefine how we treat this disease in the United States \u2013 and ensure nobody falls through the cracks. This is the next step forward in a long fight to provide Sickle Cell patients with the services they need, and I\u2019m committed to moving it across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis unprecedented legislation being introduced by Senator Van Hollen today, honoring my and our dear John, will make a measurable difference in the lives of families living with Sickle Cell Disease living in all areas of our nation. It cannot be underestimated how there will be a much more measurable positive trajectory of Sickle Cell Disease care and treatment achieved with these substantive underpinnings in funding and structure of care and support to this large important community. Adults, children, caregivers and families; medical, educational, social and community professionals\u2014the entire Sickle Cell Disease family nationwide\u2014will benefit from a sea of change that benefits all impacted. While we truly miss and long for John\u2019s physical presence here today, his incredible legacy of public service contributions to the good of United States will live on,\u201d said Kimberley Davis.\n\n\u201cEven though sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, Congress has not introduced a comprehensive and national bill on the disease since the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act of 1972. Over 3 million people in the US have the sickle cell trait, and many are unaware of their status. This includes a large number of African Americans, who are disproportionally affected. Senator Van Hollen, Senator Booker, Rep. Davis and I are working to address this disparity and other inequities and raise awareness among our colleagues. This bill is long overdue, and we won\u2019t stop fighting until it\u2019s on President Biden\u2019s desk for signature,\u201d said Representative Barbara Lee.\n\n\u201cSickle Cell is a disease that currently affects an estimated 100,000 Americans, with an additional 2 million carrying the trait,\u201d said Rep. Davis. \u201cFurthermore, it is a disease that disproportionally impacts the lives of African Americans more so than that of any other ethnic group in the United States. Better treatments and outcomes for patient\u2019s affected by Sickle Cell Disease do not happen by chance. Rather, it comes as a product of the hard work and sacrifice by countless individuals across this great nation. Every day, progress continues to be made toward the advancement of more effective forms of medical care. I know that increased resources for research and clinical trials is the key to developing more effective medication options and a cure for sickle cell disease. As the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Sickle Cell Disease Caucus, I remain committed to championing the fight for quality, health care that provides a cure for Sickle Cell Warriors and their families.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Sickle Cell Disease Association of America is composed of 53 community-based organizations that do the challenging on-the-ground work of caring for sickle cell patients and their families who have been left behind by our health system. With the funding in this bill for the hub-and-spoke model of care, these organizations will be ready to help create a national infrastructure for sickle cell patients to get treatment wherever they are. I want to thank Senator Van Hollen, Senator Booker, Congressman Davis, and Congresswoman Lee for their hard work on the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act and their dedication to improving care and treatment for our sickle cell warriors,\u201d said Regina Hartfield, President and CEO, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.\n\n\u201cChildren's National Hospital and its Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program enthusiastically support the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2022. We believe this monumental healthcare legislation will benefit thousands of patients living with Sickle Cell Disease in the U.S. The network of 128 Treatment Centers and 110 community-based organizations will significantly mitigate the limited access to Sickle Cell Disease comprehensive care that many patients and families experience locally. The introduction of this legislation is a significant step in closing the health care disparities and addressing the unmet needs of Sickle Cell Disease patients and families,\u201d said Andrew Campbell, MD, Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program, Children's National Hospital.\n\nThis bill establishes a National Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center Grant Program, authorized at $535 million annually, which will enable hospitals that offer SCD specialized care to partner with more accessible community health centers and outpatient centers to implement a hub-and-spoke framework for the delivery of care and treatment of patients with SCD. The medical hubs and spokes would be required to partner with community-based organizations to provide education, outreach, and help coordinate social services for patients. These networks will be equipped to provide patients with:\n\n\u00b7 Comprehensive integrated care management for SCD, including primary care, specialized care, and mental health services;\n\n\u00b7 Sickle Cell trait testing and genetic counseling;\n\n\u00b7 Social work services as well as education on disease management to patients, caregivers, and providers; and\n\n\u00b7 Support navigating health insurance coverage and support with transportation to treatment centers.\n\nAdditionally, the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act establishes a national coordinating center to work in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to oversee the hub-and-spoke networks as well as collect and distribute data, best practices, and other findings regarding the activities funded by the federal grants.\n\nThis legislation has been endorsed by Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, American Society of Hematology, Sick Cells, Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, Sickle Cell Coalition of Maryland, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Children\u2019s National Hospital, and Loma Linda University Children\u2019s Hospital.\n\n\u201cThe American Society of Hematology (ASH) applauds Senator Van Hollen for introducing the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2022, which calls for the establishment of a national network of medical and community-based centers to advance and meet the health care needs of people living with Sickle Cell Disease. As a Society with a long-standing commitment to improving care for individuals living with SCD, we are grateful for Senator Van Hollen\u2019s dedication to addressing the burden of SCD and look forward to continuing to work with the Senator as the bill moves forward,\u201d said ASH President Jane N. Winter, MD, of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University\u2019s Feinberg School of Medicine.\n\n\u201cMSCDA couldn't be more pleased that the Senator is continuing his support of Sickle Cell Disease with the introduction of this important legislation! This is an exciting time for the Sickle Cell Disease community. Three new therapies have been approved since 2017, more therapies are in various stages of development and curative options such as bone marrow transplants are improving, and gene therapy is very promising. However, without a comprehensive model of care and services being in place, access to, and knowledge of, these advances will not be realized by many. Sen. Van Hollen\u2019s Sickle Cell Treatment Centers Act of 2022 will address the glaring gap in comprehensive care that exists for Sickle Cell Disease. We are pleased to see that the Act would create a system of comprehensive care centers that will be essential to ensuring those living with sickle cell will have access to current and future treatments. We believe that an important aspect of the Act is that it not only will provide access to treatment centers but also to services provided by community based organizations. The Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association (MSCDA) endorses, without hesitation, The Sickle Cell Treatment Centers Act because it is precisely what the sickle cell community needs right now so that those that those affected by this devastating disorder can have access to the treatments that will allow them to live their lives to their full potential,\u201d said Derek Robertson, MBA, JD, CHC, President of the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association.\n\nYou only have to see one child writhing in pain from sickle cell disease, to know what a historic missed opportunity it has been, to not have invested in \u201ccare and cure\u201d for this dreadful condition that disproportionally affects the most disadvantaged group of people in the United States. The Sickle Cell Treatment Centers Act has the power to revolutionize access to care and aid in understanding the barriers that have made this disease so unassailable. It will address the unmet need in sickle cell disease care delivery, by supporting sickle cell centers to become centers of excellence, putting the focus on disease prevention and eradication as a unified nationwide network of treatment centers,\u201d said Dr. Akshat Jain of Loma Linda University Children\u2019s Hospital.\n\n\u201cThe Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2022 offers a bold, new, system-wide approach to structuring comprehensive care for Sickle Cell Disease. For a community that has lacked full medical and social support, relevant data, and needed auxiliary services for so long, this legislation illustrates what stakeholders might achieve through a collaborative approach with dedicated funding,\u201d said Ashley Valentine, President & Co-founder, Sick Cells.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-bennet-brown-delauro-delbene-torres-statement-on-extending-the-expanded-child-tax-credit-before-year-end", "Booker, Bennet, Brown, DeLauro, DelBene, Torres Statement on Extending the Expanded Child Tax Credit Before Year End", "2022-09-14", "2022", "2022-09", "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, as new data from the Census Bureau showed that child poverty dropped to a record low in 2021 in large part as a result of the expanded Child Tax Credit, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), alongside U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), released the following statement:\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s Census data confirms that the expanded Child Tax Credit worked: it allowed the hard work of tens of millions of parents to pay off and helped them keep up with the cost of living, dramatically reducing child poverty and hunger. We should have never allowed this critical program to lapse, and we should not extend corporate tax breaks at the end of this year without also extending the expanded Child Tax Credit.\u201d\n\nToday, the Census Bureau released new data demonstrating the profound impact the expanded Child Tax Credit had, enabling families to keep up with the cost of living and fighting poverty, hunger, and homelessness last year. New data reveals that:\n\n\u00b7 The child poverty rate fell from 9.7 percent to 5.2 percent between 2020 and 2021, a 46 percent decline in a single year. The child poverty rate is now the lowest on record.\n\n\u00b7 Without the American Rescue Plan\u2019s CTC expansion, child poverty would have been 8.1% and more than 2 million additional children would have been in poverty.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-senate-introduction-of-legislation-to-close-gun-fire-sale-loophole", "Booker Announces Senate Introduction of Legislation to Close Gun Fire Sale Loophole", "2022-09-09", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has introduced the Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act, legislation that would prevent gun dealers with revoked licenses from converting their firearm inventory into their personal collections and selling the weapons without conducting background checks. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House earlier this year by Representative David Cicilline (D-RI-01).\n\nIn 2020, there were 45,000 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. \u2013 their highest level in 40 years. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Americans are 25 times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than in other high-income countries.\n\n\u201cThough we have taken steps forward to prevent gun deaths, we cannot stop our work to address the gun violence epidemic that continues to grip our country,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cClosing the fire sale loophole is a commonsense measure that would help prevent firearms from being sold without background checks and ending up in the wrong hands.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-staff-meet-with-iamc-cair-nj-and-indian-american-groups-following-india-day-parade-incident", "Booker, Menendez Staff Meet with IAMC, CAIR-NJ and Indian-American Groups Following India Day Parade Incident", "2022-09-02", "2022", "2022-09", "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. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today released the following statement condemning the use of a bulldozer at the India Day Parade in Edison last month:\n\n\u201cThis week, our offices met with leaders and members of New Jersey\u2019s South Asian community who were angered and deeply hurt by the inclusion of a bulldozer in the India Day Parade in Edison last month. The bulldozer has come to be a symbol of intimidation against Muslims and other religious minorities in India, and its inclusion in this event was wrong. New Jersey is proudly home to some of the most diverse communities in the nation, including one of the largest South Asian communities, and all ethnic and religious groups have a right to live without intimidation or fear.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-top-policy-priorities-for-white-house-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health", "Booker Releases Top Policy Priorities for White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health", "2022-09-01", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Ahead of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) outlined his top policy objectives that have the potential to dramatically improve nutrition and reduce hunger and diet related diseases in the US. The Conference will be held on September 28, 2022 and is the largest whole-of-government initiative to improve the national food system in more than 50 years.\n\nBooker urged for better integration of Food as Medicine \u2013programs that integrate the power of food to prevent and treat diet-related disease\u2013 into federal healthcare. \u201cOur healthcare system largely ignores nutrition as a targeted opportunity for improving health and lowering healthcare spending, despite it being the top cause of poor health. Innovative new strategies can integrate nutrition and healthy eating for both treatment and prevention across federal healthcare programs,\u201d wrote Sen. Booker in a letter to Ambassador Susan Rice. \u201cPrograms such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions should become covered benefits by Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Administration in order to prevent and manage chronic disease.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, Booker pushed for the Food and Drug Administration to use its existing legal authority to protect consumers. \u201cFront-of-package labeling\u2014such as warning labels or stoplights that signal to consumers if the food product is too high in salt, added sugar, or saturated fat\u2014can promote more equitable access to nutrition information, encourage companies to reformulate their products to be healthier, and encourage healthier diets,\u201d Booker noted.\n\n\u201cThe majority of sodium and added sugar intake in our diet come from ultra-processed foods. Very little progress will be made to improve our diet and reduce diet-related disease if ultra-processed foods go unchecked,\u201d Booker continued. \u201cIn order to substantially reduce diet-related disease, the FDA should require mandatory reductions of excessive sodium and added sweeteners including sugars.\u201d\n\nBooker also called upon President Biden to issue an Executive Order to require use of the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities (FSG) for food and beverages sold and served at federally owned and operated facilities, which would ensure that healthy food is available on federal property. \u201cMillions of people rely on federal food service operations, including federal employees, veterans in Veterans Affairs hospitals, members of the armed services, and people who are incarcerated in federal prisons,\u201d Booker explained. \u201cAn executive order requiring the use of the FSG would change our government purchasing to improve health and reduce long-term healthcare costs. Procurement consistent with the FSG would also support healthy food purchases from independent family farmers and help address climate change. In addition, all federal agencies should make a vegetarian entr\u00e9e available everywhere that federal government cafeterias are serving meals.\u201d\n\nSen. Booker worked with Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) on bipartisan, bicameral legislation (S.3064/H.R.5724) to help establish the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. In August, he hosted a listening session with New Jersey anti-hunger advocates, state officials, and agricultural stakeholders in advance of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health scheduled for September.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-urging-cdc-and-hhs-to-monitor-and-address-racial-disparities-in-monkeypox-virus-response", "Booker Leads Colleagues In Urging CDC and HHS to Monitor and Address Racial Disparities in Monkeypox Virus Response", "2022-08-26", "2022", "2022-08", "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 11 colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track and address racial disparities in the nation\u2019s public health response to the monkeypox virus (MPV).\n\n\u201cSimilar to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. monkeypox outbreak is disproportionately affecting Black and Latino Americans,\u201d wrote the Senators in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. \u201cAt the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, limited data/reporting on cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and tests disaggregated by race or ethnicity made it difficult to assess its implications across communities\u2026.Over time, federal, state and local data showed that the majority of COVID-19 cases and fatalities affected people of color, with most illnesses and deaths occurring in regions with higher percentages of Black and Latino populations.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe devastating racial and ethnic disparities during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the underlying social, economic, and health inequality that has long existed within our health care system due to racial and discriminatory systemic and structural barriers, and the disparities began to narrow with targeted education, outreach, and resource distribution,\u201d continued the Senators.\n\nThe Senators highlighted that existing racial disparities and inequities in health outcomes and health care continue to be seen with the spread of MPV across the country. As of the end of July, Black and Latino people accounted for 26% and 32% of MPV cases with known race and ethnicity information, respectively. Public health experts have expressed concern over the fact that white men appear to be receiving a disproportionately higher share of the MPV vaccine nationally which is undermining efforts to safeguard communities that are more susceptible and have less access to medical resources. \u201cLack of racially and ethnically disaggregated data on both diagnosis and treatment of MPV will exacerbate existing health disparities and result in the loss of lives in vulnerable communities,\u201d highlighted the Senators.\n\nThe Senators noted that \u201cLimited state data that is available shows that we are headed towards a concerning trend.\u201d A report issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows that although 70% of MPV cases are in Black men, Black North Carolinians have received less than a quarter of the vaccinations so far. Similar trends are cited in the letter for New Jersey, Atlanta metro area, and Chicago.\n\n\u201cVaccine access must be equitable, even in the face of high demand,\u201d urged the Senators. \u201cAny federal targeted response and aid must not inadvertently stigmatize the ongoing public health crisis, but there should be intentional outreach to get resources to impacted communities. The implementation of a rapid and efficient vaccination program is essential to containing and eradicating MPV in communities across the United States. Collecting quality data is crucial to direct our vaccination and testing in the proper directions.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dr. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-gillibrand-sanders-warren-markey-urge-epa-and-usda-to-limit-new-incentives-for-factory-farm-biodigesters", "Booker, Gillibrand, Sanders, Warren, Markey Urge EPA and USDA to Limit New Incentives for Factory Farm Biodigesters", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "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. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward Markey (D-MA) warned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against providing new electrification pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for methane biogas from factory farms, and separately expressed concern about plans at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to rely heavily on methane digesters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.\n\nThe Senators are specifically concerned that efforts at both agencies will increase the number of methane digesters used in industrial livestock operations, which will have unintended negative consequences for agriculture industry consolidation and for environmental justice.\n\nIn a letter to EPA Administrator Regan, the Senators raise concerns about a forthcoming decision at the EPA regarding implementation of certain electrification pathways under the RFS. \u201cOne of the potential RFS electrification pathways could allow methane biogas from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to serve as a qualified feedstock and generate electric renewable identification numbers (e-RINs) under the RFS\u2019 cellulosic mandate,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cWhile we appreciate this administration\u2019s support for electric vehicles (EVs) and transportation electrification, we also urge EPA to ensure that this federal support does not come at the expense of environmental justice communities that are already overburdened with pollution.\u201d\n\nIn a separate letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack, the Senators requested additional information about the agency\u2019s Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan for livestock emissions, which relies heavily on expanding the use of methane digesters on factory farms. \u201cTo our knowledge, USDA has not yet produced evidence that subsidizing manure digesters will reduce absolute emissions from the agriculture sector, which is the top source of U.S. methane emissions,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cAdditionally, we remain concerned that USDA has not fully explored or produced evidence of the impacts of manure methane digesters on other key issues. These issues include co-pollutants of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), food system concentration, public health, and heightened community risks for rural, low-income, agricultural-dependent, and Black and Brown communities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-concludes-2022-jersey-summer-road-trip", "Booker Concludes 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip", "2022-08-18", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ \u2013 From visits to businesses to local farms, roundtable discussions to townhalls, press conferences to small business walks, U.S. Senator Cory Booker concluded his 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip today. Over six days, Booker visited all 21 counties in New Jersey and highlighted his efforts to secure congressionally directed spending for critical New Jersey projects and organizations, his support of local industries, and his continued commitment to serving the state\u2019s residents.\n\nBooker launched his tour in Stafford Township to discuss the On P.O.I.N.T. program, which provides on-site social workers for police departments to address the high volume of social service-related calls and incidents they receive. He then announced legislation that would expand the VA\u2019s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, which promotes housing stability among very low-income veteran families, to former members of the National Guard and Reserves.\n\nBooker hosted a listening session with New Jersey stakeholders to discuss food insecurity and hunger in New Jersey, the need to reform our nation\u2019s food system, and the rising incidence of diet-related diseases. Booker will use the comments and feedback he received at the listening session, cohosted with New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, for the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that he successfully secured funding for. Booker also announced over $1 million in federal grant money for Norwescap Food Bank to increase its capacity to distribute food and build a more modern facility.\n\nTo close out his road trip, Booker hosted a roundtable discussion in Cumberland County to discuss the county\u2019s work to implement community violence intervention strategies that aim to reduce and prevent gun violence. Booker has been a proponent of such strategies; in 2019, he introduced the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, legislation that would provide federal grants to communities for gun violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence. Research has shown that a combination of community-oriented intervention programs and commonsense gun control policies can reduce gun violence rates.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-senate-introduction-of-enslaved-voyages-memorial-act", "Booker Announces Senate Introduction of Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act", "2022-08-17", "2022", "2022-08", "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) has introduced the Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act, legislation that would authorize a memorial in Washington, D.C. commemorating enslaved individuals who were forcibly transported across the Atlantic. The legislation would specifically task the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour to establish a memorial honoring enslaved Africans who endured the Middle Passage. Companion legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).\n\nBy the 19th century, nearly 12 million enslaved Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic. The first enslaved Africans were brought to what would become the United States in late August 1619 \u2013 more than 400 years ago.\n\n\u201cWe must never forget the painful reality that millions of enslaved Africans were forcibly transported to this land over hundreds of years of our history,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAlthough I rejoice in our progress, our nation still has a long way to go to reckon with and overcome the dark legacy of slavery and the violence and injustice that has persisted since its end. I am honored to join Representative Norton and introduce this legislation that will commemorate, honor, and celebrate the contributions of these enslaved people and help ensure that their stories are never forgotten.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to Senator Booker for introducing the Senate companion to my bill in the House, which passed the Committee on Natural Resources in January,\u201d Norton said. \u201cThis bill, to authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in D.C. to honor enslaved persons, would honor enslaved persons\u2019 presence, celebrate their contributions to history and recognize their resilience and fortitude. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-tours-south-jersey-tech-park-at-rowan-university", "Booker Tours South Jersey Tech Park at Rowan University", "2022-08-17", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Mullica Hill, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) toured Rowan University\u2019s South Jersey Tech Park, which includes federally funded research and development for the manufacturing, infrastructure, and aerospace industries.\n\nBooker visited the Tech Park\u2019s Center for Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems (CREATES), the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment, and the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Institute. He supported the designation of CREATES as a U.S. Department of Transportation Region 2 University Transportation Center, a program designed to address the need for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation through the creation of partnerships between government and universities.\n\n\u201cPartnerships between the federal government and institutes of higher learning are what drive our nation\u2019s innovation and prosperity,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThe students, professors, and leadership at Rowan University are working on groundbreaking projects\u2014from rocket engine tests for NASA, to environmental studies for local governments, to research used in the aerospace and biomedical industries. I was proud to visit and see this research firsthand today.\u201d\n\n\u201cRowan\u2019s research capability will continue to impact the greater good for the citizens of our great state. We are extraordinarily grateful for the support and leadership of Senator Booker as we work together to address New Jersey\u2019s\u2014and our nation\u2019s\u2014challenges, particularly in areas of health, transportation, food production, and defense materials,\u201d said Rowan University President Dr. Ali A. Houshmand. \u201cWith the help of state and federal legislatures, Rowan University is poised to transform higher education in the State of New Jersey and beyond. As the third fastest growing research institution in the country, we are well on our way toward our goal of becoming a top 100 research institution.\n\n\u201cPending accreditation, the Rowan University School of Veterinary Medicine will be the first in New Jersey,\u201d continued President Houshmand. \u201cCollaboration between the veterinary school, our two medical schools, the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, CREATEs, and industry partners puts Rowan in a strong position to deliver on our mission of expanding access to a quality, affordable education while also driving economic growth in the South Jersey region.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-announce-446-million-for-union-city-bus-garage-and-terminal-project", "Booker, Menendez Announce $44.6 Million for Union City Bus Garage and Terminal Project", "2022-08-16", "2022", "2022-08", "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. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) announced $44,677,500 in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding for the Union City Garage and Bus Terminal Reconstruction Project. The funding will allow for the rehabilitation of Union City\u2019s 75-year-old garage to make the facility suitable for bus storage and includes the addition of a bus terminal to improve connectivity for the city\u2019s 70,000 residents. The proposed garage and terminal will be capable of supporting battery-electric buses, which is a critical part of NJ TRANSIT\u2019s Garage Modernization Program and consistent with the agency\u2019s goal of achieving a zero-emissions fleet by 2040. Booker wrote a letter to FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez in support of the project last month.\n\n\u201cThis federal grant is a win for our economy and public health: it will lead to the replacement of older buses with new, electric ones, reduce air pollution in communities, and bolster New Jersey\u2019s transportation system in one of the most densely populated areas of our state,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cOver the past months, New Jersey has embarked on initiatives to improve its infrastructure, and this investment continues our efforts to enhance public transportation for commuters. I was proud to secure this funding and look forward to seeing the impact that it makes in our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis federal grant will help modernize our state\u2019s public transportation system, increase service for commuters, and improve air quality for residents in Union City and the surrounding area,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cInvesting in green buses and the infrastructure to support them, benefits public health, strengthens our economy, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, and creates a healthier environment for our families. As a former mayor of Union City, I recognize the critical importance of this modernization project and appreciate the Biden Administration for their commitment to ensuring we have the resources to create a greener, cleaner New Jersey.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-sherrill-urge-hhs-to-enact-comprehensive-public-health-response-to-monkeypox-virus-distribute-additional-vaccines-and-test-kits-to-new-jersey", "Booker, Sherrill Urge HHS to Enact Comprehensive Public Health Response to Monkeypox Virus; Distribute Additional Vaccines and Test Kits to New Jersey", "2022-08-16", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase testing and vaccine availability for New Jersey given the disproportionate risk that the state faces as the number of monkeypox virus (MPV) cases increase across the United States.\n\n\u201cWith more than 9.2 million people spread across 8,723 square miles between two of the largest metropolitan areas in the country\u2014New York City and Greater Philadelphia\u2014New Jersey is the most densely populated state in America,\u201d wrote the lawmakers in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. \u201cCurrently, New York leads the country with the most cases of MPV in the United States\u2026.Recent history suggests that New Jersey follows New York\u2019s lead in terms of the spread of infectious diseases.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers note: \u201cExperts are concerned that the virus will become entrenched if the outbreak is not met with an adequate public health response. Unfortunately, MPV testing efforts have been hampered by processing challenges that have resulted in underreporting and a lack of data to help the federal government allocate resources appropriately. In addition, implementation of a rapid and efficient mass vaccination program is essential to containing and eradicating MPV in communities across New Jersey and the United States.\u201d\n\nAlthough New York has received additional doses on top of their standard population size allocation, New Jersey has yet to receive the basic allocation for the state\u2019s expected disease burden. The lawmakers requested that New Jersey receives its \u201cfair share on behalf of New Jersey residents\u201d and \u201cadditional allocation given [its] interwoven relationship with Philadelphia and New York City.\u201d\n\nBooker and Sherrill also urged Secretary Becerra to ensure that \u201c[a]ny federal response and aid directed to the LGBTQ+ community must not inadvertently stigmatize the ongoing public health crisis, but there should be targeted outreach to get resources to impacted communities.\u201d The lawmakers concluded by reiterating their call for an increase in \u201ctesting and vaccine availability for the State of New Jersey given the disproportionate risk faced by residents and visitors.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\nChristian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality, a New Jersey organization dedicated to lifting up the diverse voices of LGBTQ+ communities, applauded Booker and Sherrill for the letter, stating, \u201cWe must ensure that high-risk populations and communities that face barriers to healthcare have easier access to vaccinations. We commend Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for educating our federal partners on why New Jersey must receive a similar percentage of vaccine allocation as our neighbors in New York City and Philadelphia. Their voices are invaluable at this critical time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-visits-muslim-owned-small-businesses-in-paterson", "Booker Visits Muslim-Owned Small Businesses in Paterson", "2022-08-16", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Paterson, NJ \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined Paterson Mayor Andr\u00e9 Sayegh, Councilman Alaa Abdelaziz, and elected officials on Monday to visit Muslim-owned small businesses in Paterson, including a community pharmacy that offered testing and vaccines to the public during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit comes just weeks after Booker introduced a resolution celebrating the achievements of Muslims living in the United States and designating July as Muslim-American Heritage Month.\n\n\u201cLast month, I was proud to introduce a resolution that recognized the diverse contributions that Muslim Americans have made to American life,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThe Muslim-owned small businesses in the heart of Paterson offer powerful examples of these contributions. The owners, employees, and community leaders I met strengthen our local economy, perform essential work in the community, and add to the richness and vibrancy of our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to Senator Cory Booker for visiting our small businesses here in Paterson,\u201d said Mayor Andr\u00e9Sayegh. \u201cAs a former big city Mayor, Senator Booker understands and appreciates the importance of growing our small business community.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was great having Senator Booker in the 6th Ward visiting with Muslim small business owners,\u201d said Councilman Alaa Abdelaziz. \u201cCommunity-owned small businesses are the backbone of our city\u2019s economy and provide essential services and local jobs.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-hosts-roundtable-discussion-to-highlight-impact-of-the-american-rescue-plan-act-on-local-communities", "Booker Hosts Roundtable Discussion to Highlight Impact of the American Rescue Plan Act on Local Communities", "2022-08-15", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Clinton, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) hosted a roundtable discussion with Hunterdon County mayors, elected officials, and business owners about funding received through the American Rescue Plan Act that was used to promote the county\u2019s tourism sector. Booker was a strong supporter of the American Recue Plan that ensured the financial security of local communities in New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nHunterdon County received $250,000 from the American Rescue Plan to accelerate tourism in the county. The funding was used to support the Explore Hunterdon initiative, which invites visitors from the greater Northeast region to the county and experience the county\u2019s vineyards, breweries, farms, historic downtowns, and restaurants.\n\n\u201cAs today\u2019s roundtable discussion highlighted, the American Rescue Plan Act has been a lifeline to local communities that were struggling due to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cWith this funding, Hunterdon County has been able to build a stronger, more resilient economy that promotes tourism to the region and highlights the many local sites in the area, from natural trails to museums, vineyards, and restaurants. I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan and am encouraged to see the lasting impact that it is having for our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a Hunterdon resident, I am grateful to have helped deliver resources through the American Rescue Plan to support our local economy and ensure everyone can experience Hunterdon County\u2019s natural beauty and unique history,\u201d said Representative Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07)\n\n\u201cAs a mayor of a small community that has benefitted directly from the ARP funding that Senator Booker fought for we are grateful to have the opportunity to share with him how those funds are creating opportunities in Hunterdon county through the tourism initiative our county commissioners supported,\u201d said Janice Kovach, Mayor of the Town of Clinton.\n\n\u201cI was grateful for the opportunity to welcome Sen. Booker to Hunterdon County and talk about issues important to the local economy, such as tourism, and to showcase the county\u2019s new tourism initiative,\u201d said John Lanza, Director of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners.\n\n\u201cAs Hunterdon County looks to find sustainable avenues for economic development, tourism tops the list of viable options. Hunterdon County offers the perfect platform to share quintessential agro-tourism and heritage tourism options,\u201dsaid Paul Muir, Mayor of Bethlehem Township and Executive Director of the Red Mill Museum Village, a popular tourist attraction and site of today\u2019s roundtable. \u201cThe additional support and funding from ARP supported by Senator Booker will prove beneficial as Hunterdon County creates more awareness of our tourism experiences.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-coughlin-host-nj-listening-session-ahead-of-white-house-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health", "Booker, Coughlin Host NJ Listening Session Ahead of White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health", "2022-08-11", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "New Brunswick, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin hosted a listening session with New Jersey anti-hunger advocates, state officials, and agricultural stakeholders in advance of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health scheduled for next month.\n\nThe roundtable discussion highlighted food insecurity and hunger in New Jersey, the need to reform our nation\u2019s food system, and the rising incidence of diet-related diseases. A recent report found that one in 12 New Jersey households experienced food insecurity from 2018 to 2020 and that chronic health conditions resulting from food insecurity cost New Jersey about $1.3 billion each year. Nationally, the number of people under the age of 20 living with Type-II diabetes grew by 95% from 2001 to 2017, with the greatest increases seen in Black and Hispanic youth.\n\nEarlier this year, Booker successfully fought to secure funding for a second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The first such conference was held more than 50 years ago in 1969, 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. The purpose of the second conference is to take a whole-of-government approach to ending hunger and combatting nutrition insecurity, featuring diverse stakeholders such as independent family farmers and ranchers, health care professionals, and anti-hunger advocates.\n\n\u201cThe second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health provides us with the opportunity to create a roadmap to reform America\u2019s failed food policies that have left Americans without access to affordable, nutritious foods and have caused an explosion of diet-related diseases,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cTo achieve success, it\u2019s incredibly important that we bring together stakeholders of different backgrounds who are on the frontlines of the dual hunger and nutrition crises that are impacting millions of Americans. I am grateful for the government leaders, anti-hunger activists, and medical professionals who shared their perspectives at today\u2019s listening session. Their experiences are vital ahead of next month\u2019s White House Conference, and I look forward to incorporating them as I work with President Biden and the White House to develop comprehensive solutions so that all people have equitable access to healthy food options.\u201d\n\n\u201cRight now, far too many in our country and across the great state of New Jersey grapple with food insecurity. More than a governmental obligation, we have a moral obligation to make sure people are able to access healthy and nutritious foods which in turn empowers them to lead successful and fulfilling lives,\u201d said New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. \u201cAddressing the challenges of food access caused by food deserts, strengthening critical federal food aid programs like school meals, and supporting emergency feeding organizations and food banks in their work to sustain communities are just some of the comprehensive and multidimensional strategies we have employed as a state to ensure people\u2019s most basic food needs are met. There is more work to do and, by sharing New Jersey\u2019s perspective and successes in this area, it is my hope we help ignite the conversation at the national level to produce a blueprint for meaningful change and action toward food security.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to take part in the listening session today on hunger with Speaker Coughlin and Senator Cory Booker,\u201d said Assemblyman Roy Freiman. \u201cHunger has long been a growing crisis in our State affecting many New Jersey families and seniors in every community. Today with experts, advocates, and lawmakers together at a table, we worked to uncover the next actionable step we can take toward ending hunger in New Jersey.\u201d\n\n\u201cRutgers is happy to welcome our state and federal partners in the effort to address food and nutrition issues,\u201d said Jonathan Holloway, President of Rutgers University. \u201cThe leadership of Sen Booker and Speaker Coughlin on these issues is as important as it is impressive. These are critical issues as we all work to make New Jersey one of the best places to live, work and learn.\u201d\n\nAdditional quotes from attendees at today\u2019s listening session can be found here.\n\nLast month, Booker invited New Jerseyans to share feedback for the upcoming White House conference. More than 60 New Jersey anti-hunger advocates, state and local officials, medical professionals, direct service providers, family farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and people who have personally experienced the impact of hunger, food insecurity, or diet-related illness submitted comments which Booker directly shared with the White House.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kim-host-roundtable-discussion-with-black-business-owners", "Booker, Kim Host Roundtable Discussion with Black Business Owners", "2022-08-10", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Willingboro, NJ \u2013 In recognition of Black Business Month, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ-03) today hosted a roundtable discussion with Black business owners to discuss the federal response to COVID-19, challenges for Black-owned businesses in accessing capital, and navigating the current U.S. economy.\n\nBooker was a strong supporter of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021, legislation that ensured the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) was permanently authorized and allowed for the agency\u2019s expansion by creating regional offices. Booker was also a vocal advocate for opening the first MBDA regional office in New Jersey. As a result of these efforts, The Enterprise Center, which has a longstanding history of supporting Black-owned businesses, was selected to operate New Jersey\u2019s first MBDA located in Camden, NJ.\n\n\u201cAt the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly half of Black-owned small businesses were forced to shut down\u2014some permanently,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cYet, even before the public health emergency, deep-seated inequities, including barriers to capital and business development, prevented Black entrepreneurs from starting or expanding their business. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve fought in the Senate as a member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship to expand access to capital and critical resources to Black business owners. Today\u2019s discussion highlighted the ongoing challenges these entrepreneurs face and underscored the importance of our continued advocacy for them.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of our economy and our community. Today with Senator Booker, we got to hear from black businesses owners in Willingboro about their aspirations and how we can best support them,\u201d said Congressman Andy Kim. \u201cFrom ATAP to Glam Bar, to Seafood Heaven, these businesses and their owners make our community a better place. I look forward to continuing these conversations alongside my friend Senator Booker to make sure we\u2019re looking out for our small businesses, cutting government red tape, and getting them the support they need to keep Willingboro and surrounding communities\u2019 economies strong.\u201d\n\nToday\u2019s event was part of Booker\u2019s 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip, a series of stops highlighting the priorities he continues to fight for in the U.S. Senate on behalf of the state\u2019s residents. The road trip will focus on Booker\u2019s ongoing commitment to serving New Jersey\u2019s veterans, his efforts to secure congressionally directed spending for critical New Jersey projects and organizations, and his support of local businesses and industries, and much more.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-legislation-to-expand-vas-ssvf-program-to-national-guardsmen-and-reservists", "Booker Announces Legislation to Expand VA\u2019s SSVF Program to National Guardsmen and Reservists", "2022-08-09", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newton, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced legislation to expand the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which promotes housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing. The Supportive Services for Reserve Component Veterans and Families Act would expand SSVF eligibility to former members of the National Guard and Reserves who have retired or separated from service after having served a term of enlistment.\n\nEstablished in 2011, the SSVF program has helped decrease veteran homelessness by 50% and assisted 850,000 veterans and their family members by permanently housing, rapidly rehousing, or preventing them from becoming homeless. However, under the program\u2019s current guidelines, many former members of the National Guard and Reserve Component, who were not activated for federal active duty military service while serving, are ineligible for the program.\n\nBooker announced the bill at Sussex County Community College, alongside SSVF providers.\n\nBooker with advocates at the bill announcement.\n\n\u201cThe SSVF program has proven to be a tremendous success, helping thousands of veterans and their families find quality, affordable housing,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cYet, former members of the National Guard and Reserves are often ineligible to access the benefits of this program despite the critical role they played in protecting our nation and serving our communities. With this legislation, we will ensure that we honor our commitment to those who have served and sacrificed for our country by finally expanding eligibility of the SSVF program to national guardsmen, reservists, and their families.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) applauds Sen. Cory Booker for introducing the Supportive Services for Reserve Component Veterans and Families Act. Those who served in the National Guard and Military Reserve have been ineligible for many benefits when not federally activated. This important legislation would remove this barrier to entry from the Department of Veteran Affairs' Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program,\u201d NCHV CEO Kathryn Monet stated. \"NCHV thanks Senator Booker for expanding access to SSVF for veterans of both the Guard and Reserve, bringing us one step closer to achieving our mission of ending veteran homelessness.\"\n\n\u201cOur National Guard and Reserve are at the forefront when crisis hits,\u201d said Dave 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. \u201cWhether it\u2019s a flood, hurricane or national emergency, it\u2019s always our citizen soldiers who answer the call and respond to the need. We support Senator Booker\u2019s initiative in extending SSVF emergency housing services to our National Guard and Reserve people. Creating a safeguard for the families of these state heroes if they are in jeopardy of losing their homes is a small request for those who give so much to our communities in our most trying times.\u201d\n\n\u201cSoldier On supports efforts to expand the existing SSVF grant eligibility guidelines to include low-income veterans of the National Guard and their families,\u201d said Bruce Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Soldier On. \u201cService members should never be in a position where they are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. By expanding SSVF grant eligibility we can ensure that an even larger portion of our veteran population can access housing stabilization services in their local communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) is proud to support the expansion of SSVF eligibility to many National Guardsmen and Reservists who are in need of these valuable services,\u201d said Peter R. Wine, SSVF Program Manager, The Veterans Multi-Service Center. \u201cThe current proposal is a more equitable solution for the men and women who have served our country and the VMC is prepared to meet Senator Booker\u2019s call to action.\u201d\n\n\u201cRetired and separated National Guardsmen often face the same housing challenges as their former active-component brothers and sisters, yet many are ineligible for help from of the VA\u2019s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program,\u201d said retired Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson, President of the National Guard Association of the United States. \u201cWe applaud Senator Booker for this bill that would correct this longstanding inequity.\u201d\n\nIn addition to expanding eligibility of the SSVF program, the legislation would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress detailing food and housing insecurity experienced by current reserve component service members, across all seven components of the Reserves and National Guard.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here. Booker will formally introduce the bill when the Senate returns to session after Labor Day.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-over-1-million-for-norwescap-food-bank", "Booker Announces Over $1 Million for Norwescap Food Bank", "2022-08-09", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Phillipsburg, NJ \u2013 As part of his 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today visited Norwescap Food Bank in Warren County to announce a $1,050,000 congressionally directed spending (CDS) grant award he secured for the organization. Norwescap will use the funding to increase its capacity to distribute food by 33 percent and build a new, more modern facility.\n\nNorwescap is one of the largest food banks in New Jersey and receives food through federal and state funding, private donations, and partnerships with supermarkets and private organizations. It currently distributes nearly 1.7 million meals annually and also provides financial literacy, employment, housing, nutrition, and other services to people in Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, and Sussex Counties. There are more than 62,000 people living below the poverty line within Norwescap\u2019s service area, and 120,000 households that struggle to cover basic expenses.\n\nBooker announces $1 million for Norwescap Food Bank\n\n\u201cFor so many food-insecure and low-income people, Norwescap is a beacon of hope, offering daily meals as well as critical support services that put them on the path to achieving success,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI was proud to fight on behalf of this organization and secure more than $1 million in federal funding that will help Norwescap expand its vital operations and provide more than 800,000 more meals each year to people and families in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cHaving Senator Booker\u2019s help to secure this grant opens up amazing opportunities for Norwescap to expand our efforts to fight hunger, but more importantly it will be life changing for the tens-of-thousands of people for whom we provide vital, life-sustaining support every year,\u201d said Mark Valli, Chief Executive Officer of Norwescap. \u201cNot one person in New Jersey\u2014the Garden State\u2014should ever go hungry, and thanks to the Senator\u2019s support, Norwescap will be in a better position to make sure that we live up to that goal for the people of northwestern New Jersey.\u201d\n\n\u201cUSDA Rural Development works hand in hand with Norwescap, a key stakeholder and partner, to invest in and improve the quality of life for rural communities and residents in Northwest New Jersey,\u201d said Jane Asselta, New Jersey State Director, USDA Rural Development. \u201cNORWESCAP, as a non-profit, and USDA Rural Development, a Federal entity, each support food pantries and food access, educational programs that can lead to employment, financial literacy and affordable housing, healthcare delivery, and services for seniors and disabled individuals. I am proud to be here today to honor their accomplishments and their continued success as a champion for the underserved throughout our rural counties.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-visits-harriet-tubman-museum-in-cape-may-new-jersey", "Booker Visits Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, New Jersey", "2022-08-09", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Cape May, NJ \u2013 Today, as part of his 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined stakeholders and local elected officials for a tour of the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey in Cape May.\n\nThe Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey opened their doors on Juneteenth 2021 and features artifacts and art from Harriet Tubman\u2019s time in New Jersey when she worked as a cook in a Cape May hotel and raised funds to rescue enslaved people. The museum also highlights the history of Cape May as a crucial stop on the Underground Railroad and a center of abolitionist activity.\n\nBooker at the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey\n\n\u201cHarriet Tubman is a personal hero of mine and was a harbinger of hope for many,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cEven after securing her own freedom, Tubman led hundreds of other people held as slaves out of bondage, a testament to her unfathomable courage and righteous calling. I am proud to see her incredible life memorialized at this museum and am grateful for the stakeholders and members of the community who led a grassroots effort to preserve the rich history of the African American community in Cape May and New Jersey\u2019s legacy as a beacon of freedom.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenator Booker has been an important supporter of the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey since its inception,\u201d said Cynthia Mullock, Executive Director of the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey. \u201cConsidering his own inspiring advocacy for issues of social justice and human dignity, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share Harriet Tubman's time in Cape May, the narratives of the abolitionist community who supported her, and our \"small museum with a big story\" with him today.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-2022-jersey-summer-road-trip", "Booker Announces 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip", "2022-08-08", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced his 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip, a series of stops highlighting New Jersey\u2019s 21 counties and the priorities he continues to fight for in the U.S. Senate on behalf of the state\u2019s residents. The road trip will focus on Booker\u2019s ongoing commitment to serving New Jersey\u2019s veterans, his efforts to secure congressionally directed spending for critical New Jersey projects and organizations, and his support of local businesses and industries.\n\nAmong the many stops, Booker will host a listening session at Rutgers with New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin on hunger, nutrition, and health to hear directly from New Jersey stakeholders before the upcoming White House Conference this fall. Booker fought to secure funding for the conference, the first such gathering in more than 50 years aimed at combating hunger and reducing diet-related diseases.\n\n\u201cIn years past, the Summer Road Trip allowed me to meet directly with New Jerseyans and listen to their concerns so that I could effectively serve them in the Senate,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI\u2019m excited to once again travel across our state to hear from as many residents as possible. These events and conversations will help us develop solutions to the unique challenges our state faces.\u201d\n\nBooker\u2019s 2022 Jersey Summer Road Trip is scheduled to begin Monday, August 8th, with several stops in South Jersey. His first event will be a visit to Stafford Police Department to hear about its On P.O.I.N.T. program, which provides on-site social workers for police departments to address the high volume of mental health, substance abuse, and social service-related calls and incidents that police receive. Booker secured federal funding to expand the On P.O.I.N.T. program this year.\n\nMore information on stops will be released in the coming days.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kim-discuss-on-point-program-with-ocean-county-police-departments-and-medical-professionals", "Booker, Kim Discuss On P.O.I.N.T Program with Ocean County Police Departments and Medical Professionals", "2022-08-08", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Stafford Township, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ-03) joined the Stafford Police Department, Bright Harbor Health Care, and seven area police departments to highlight the On P.O.I.N.T. program, which provides on-site social workers for police departments to address the high volume of mental health, substance abuse, and social service-related calls and incidents that police receive. Booker and Kim secured $32,000 in congressionally directed funding to expand the On P.O.I.N.T. program this year.\n\nSince its establishment in 2016, On P.O.I.N.T. has expanded to include nine total police departments. The program provides early intervention by diverting individuals experiencing mental health crises from the criminal justice system into the appropriate health care system. During the meeting, Booker and Kim discussed the challenges that police departments and medical providers have faced while responding to these incidents and the success of the innovative program.\n\n\u201cAs law enforcement officers have often told me, police departments are overburdened responding to distressful calls that involve issues related to mental illness, addiction, or poverty,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cAppropriately addressing these challenges requires the expertise of social workers, medical professionals, and mental health experts. With the On P.O.I.N.T program, police departments are receiving the support they need to help the most vulnerable. I am proud to have fought alongside Rep. Any Kim for funding to expand this vital initiative and was grateful to hear from stakeholders today about their experiences implementing and using the program.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur police officers are the first ones to answer the call when we are in danger and it's up to us to make sure they have the resources they need to continue doing this important work,\u201d said Congressman Andy Kim. \u201cI'm proud to have worked with Senator Booker to secure funding for Stafford Police Department to expand their successful and innovative On P.O.I.N.T. partnership with Bright Harbor Healthcare to include Barnegat Police Department. Together, our local police and mental health professionals are improving outcomes, reducing violence, having safer interactions, and improving community relations.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere has been a gap between how law enforcement and the mental health and substance use treatment systems have interacted with each other\u2014we both try to help the same community members, however we have often not communicated with each other or worked in concert,\u201d said Meghan Corrigan, co-creator of the On P.O.I.N.T. at Bright Harbor Healthcare. \u201cThe On P.O.I.N.T. program was intentionally designed to address the gap between law enforcement's initial observation and triage of a crisis to long term treatment and support to resolve the underlying cause of the crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cI thank both Senator Booker and Congressman Kim for their continued support of the On P.O.I.N.T. program,\u201d said Thomas Dellane, Stafford Township Police Chief. \u201cTheir advocacy on behalf of the program has enabled On P.O.I.N.T. staff to effectuate positive change in many people\u2019s lives thereby improving the mental and physical health of communities that On P.O.I.N.T. serves.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-senate-passage-of-inflation-reduction-act", "Booker Statement on Senate Passage of Inflation Reduction Act", "2022-08-08", "2022", "2022-08", "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) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cToday, Senate Democrats took a historic step forward to reduce consumer costs, combat climate change, and implement a fairer tax code by passing the Inflation Reduction Act \u2013 all while reducing the deficit.\n\n\u201cWith commonsense reforms that will allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and cap out-of-pocket costs, we will protect seniors from outrageous prices charged by pharmaceutical companies for lifesaving medications. This bill also provides an additional three years of Affordable Care Act subsidies which will lower health care premiums for millions of Americans. We will also make the largest-ever Congressional investment to address the threat of climate change, moving our country toward cleaner energy production and reducing carbon emissions by roughly 40% within the decade. All of this will occur without increasing taxes on middle and lower-income families and individuals; instead, the biggest corporations will finally pay a fairer share.\n\n\u201cImportantly, the Inflation Reduction Act also invests $60 billion for environmental justice priorities, which will address legacy pollution, reduce air pollution in overburdened communities, and provide federal assistance to low-income consumers to make their homes more energy efficient. As a co-chair of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, I am proud to have championed these initiatives. I also recognize that Black and Brown communities, like my home city of Newark, require additional investments to equitably transition to a clean energy economy, and to ensure that clean air and clean water are not a privilege for some but a right for all. I remain committed to fighting on behalf of these underserved and disadvantaged communities.\n\n\u201cThis bill will reduce costs for Americans and fight inflation. I am proud to have voted for it, and I urge the House to pass it swiftly.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-urges-epa-to-regulate-seeds-coated-with-neonicotinoids-and-other-insecticides", "Booker Urges EPA To Regulate Seeds Coated with Neonicotinoids and Other Insecticides", "2022-08-05", "2022", "2022-08", "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) urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate insecticide-coated seeds under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).\n\n\u201cNeonicotinoids are powerful insecticides that have been linked to pollinator declines and harm to aquatic ecosystems and water quality,\u201d wrote Sen. Booker in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. \u201cNeonicotinoids pose an acute risk to bees and contribute to bees\u2019 high mortality rates and collapsing populations. And by poisoning aquatic insects in water bodies, neonicotinoids eliminate food sources for fish, birds, and other wildlife.\u201d\n\nOne of the leading sources of neonicotinoids in the environment are pesticide-coated seeds that shed their insecticide into the surrounding air, soil, and water. As Booker highlights, \u201cthis planting season, almost every field corn seed, about half of soybeans, and nearly all cotton seeds planted will be coated with neonicotinoids. This means that at least 150 million acres of cropland in the United States will be planted with neonicotinoid insecticides.\u201d\n\nDespite the widespread use of neonicotinoid coated seeds, the benefits to farmers are minimal. For example, \u201cNeonicotinoid seed treatments offer soybean plants a maximum of three weeks of protection and do not protect against major pests that arise later in the bloom stages of the soybean\u2026.Additionally neonicotinoids can have a counter-productive effect by killing beneficial insects that prey on agricultural pests and overuse can lead to the rise of insecticide-resistant pests.\u201d\n\nThe EPA currently has no regulations regarding the disposal of unused pesticide-treated seeds. \u201cThe lack of oversight by EPA on disposal of these toxic seeds has led to an ongoing environmental and public health disaster in Mead, Nebraska,\u201d continues Booker.\n\nGiven the detrimental impact of neonicotinoid-coated seeds on the environment and their limited benefit, Booker ends by urging the \u201cEPA to end the massive overuse and abuse of neonicotinoid coated seeds in the United States\u201d and urges the EPA to grant a petition that would ensure pesticide-coated seeds are regulated like other insecticides.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-blumenthal-schatz-wyden-padilla-introduce-college-athletes-bill-of-rights", "Booker, Blumenthal, Schatz, Wyden, Padilla Introduce College Athletes Bill of Rights", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "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), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the College Athletes Bill of Rights, comprehensive legislation that will change the landscape of college sports and protect and expand the rights of college athletes. Increasingly, college sports have come to reflect many of the inequities that permeate life in America --where systems fail to protect those under their charge, where hard-working people are denied opportunities to benefit from their labor, and where systemic and structural racism disadvantages and exploits people of color. The College Athletes Bill of Rights seeks to reverse these alarming trends by advancing justice and opportunity for college athletes and setting a baseline standard to protect their health, safety, economic rights, and educational outcomes.\n\n\u201cBeing a college football player opened so many doors for me and provided me with invaluable skills that I still use to this day. At the same time, I also saw the injustices that college athletes experience as the NCAA exploits them for financial gain, and woefully fails to protect their health, well-being, and safety \u2013 especially Black athletes, who are over-represented in revenue-generating sports,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cTo achieve justice for all college athletes and to improve their future outcomes, the College Athletes Bill of Rights will establish a new framework for fairness and equity. It will expand protections for athletes, provide them with greater economic and educational opportunities, and hold colleges accountable when they fail to keep athletes under their charge safe. The time has come for change -- and this bill moves us closer to doing right by and for college athletes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis measure will compel colleges to put their athletes\u2019 wellness above their profits. While the NCAA\u2019s draconian rules have built a broken, unfair system on the backs of these athletes\u2019 blood, sweat and tears, our College Athletes Bill of Rights invests in their educational and economic futures,\u201d said Sen. Blumenthal. \u201cThis issue is about fairness and justice, which is why athletes deserve access to a Medical Trust Fund, increased educational resources to ensure they earn their degree, and the right to financially benefit from their hard work. The NCAA and universities have benefited from the industry\u2019s inequities for far too long, enriching themselves while leaving athletes with few protections. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Booker in reintroducing this measure which will put America\u2019s over 500,000 college athletes first.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo many student-athletes put their bodies on the line for their schools, only to be treated unfairly by the college sports system,\u201d said Sen. Schatz. \u201cThis legislation will establish safety standards, provide classroom support, and protect the right of college athletes to profit off of their personal brands.\u201d\n\n\"For decades, college athletes have been exploited and denied basic rights while the NCAA rakes in billions of dollars year after year off their backs,\" said Sen. Wyden. \"These young athletes deserve ironclad protections to ensure their success, safety and well-being and never face a needless choice between the sport they love and their health, education or financial security. A college student athletes bill of rights is desperately needed to ensure accountability in college athletics.\"\n\n\u201cAs colleges and universities bring in billions of dollars in revenue based on the performance of student-athletes, it\u2019s unconscionable that many student-athletes become burdened with debt or do not complete their degree,\u201d said Sen. Padilla. \u201cWe must make sure student athletes are treated fairly and have the academic, medical, and financial support they need to thrive at the academic institutions that reap the rewards of their work. I\u2019m particularly proud that this federal legislation builds on my advocacy for student athletes and the California Student Athlete Bill of Rights, the first of its kind, which I authored as a California State Senator.\u201d\n\n\u201cNCAA sports has denied college athletes basic freedoms and protections for far too long,\u201d said Ramogi Huma of the National College Players Association. \u201cThe NCPA is grateful for the opportunity to continue working with Senators Booker and Blumenthal on their ongoing efforts to enact federal legislation to address chronic problems plaguing college athletes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe College Athletes Bill of Rights bill is long overdue and extremely important,\u201d said Andrew Zimbalist, President of The Drake Group. \u201cIt protects college athletes\u2019 rights to NIL income, agent representation, gender equity, transfer to a new school, enter pro sports drafts and return to college, have the same freedom of speech as other students, proper medical care and coverage for four years after eligibility ends, tutoring from outside the athletics department, and a national commission to implement and enforce these provisions with strict penalties for violations. The Drake Group enthusiastically endorses this bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud the landmark bill introduced by Senators Booker and Blumenthal that takes the necessary steps to advocate for the Black collegiate athletes who have been those most impacted by the exploitative sports-entertainment industry,\u201dsaid Sakira Cook, Co-Interim Vice President of Campaigns at Color Of Change. \u201cAs Black student-athletes comprise a majority of players in the highest-revenue sports of football and basketball, this kind of legislation will address the structural racism of collegiate sports and provide support for Black students around the country. Color Of Change urges elected officials to prioritize the College Athletes Bill of Rights to ensure student-athletes are no longer exploited for their efforts and receive their due share of their contributions to the sports industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cStudent athletes deserve more. During my college career, I have been wronged by the institutions that are meant to take care of me,\u201d said Sedona Prince, Women\u2019s Basketball Player and Athlete Rights Activist. \u201cFrom paying my own surgery bills and nearly filing for bankruptcy, to dealing with the extreme inequities between male and female athletes, something must change. I fully support and back Senator Booker\u2019s College Athlete Bill of Rights and hope that the future of college sports will soon be a safe and welcoming environment for all student athletes.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the College Athletes Bill of Rights will establish:\n\nFair and equitable protections for economic rights. The College Athletes Bill of Rights will allow college athletes to market their name, image, and likeness (NIL), either individually or as a group, with limited restrictions.\n\nEnforceable evidence-based health, safety, and wellness standards. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will work to develop industry-leading health, safety, and wellness standards addressing everything from how to prevent and handle concussion and traumatic brain injuries to sexual assault and interpersonal violence.\n\nImproved educational outcomes and opportunities. While the NCAA often touts its near-90 percent graduation rate for college athletes, independent studies assert that number is far lower\u2014roughly 70 percent of college athletes graduate in six years while only 55 percent of Black male college athletes graduate in six years. Many college athletes are also pressured toward less challenging classes and majors to allow more time and focus on sport. Under the College Athletes Bill of Rights, all college athletes would receive a scholarship for as many years as it takes for them to receive an undergraduate degree, while the coaches and athletic department personnel would be banned from influencing or retaliating against a college athlete for their choice of an academic course or major.\n\nA Medical Trust Fund. The College Athletes Bill of Rights will establish a Medical Trust Fund that athletes can use to cover the costs of any out-of-pocket medical expenses for the duration of their time as a college athlete for five years after their eligibility expires if used to treat a sport-related injury. Athletes can also draw from the Medical Trust Fund to treat certain long-term injuries, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).\n\nAccountability across college sports. Adequate transparency is essential to hold people accountable and to continue making improvements in key areas. Each school will be required to provide annual public reporting that describes total revenues and expenditures, including compensation for athletic department personnel and booster donations as well as reporting on the number of hours athletes commit to athletic activities\u2014including all mandatory workouts, \u201cvoluntary\u201d workouts, film study, and game travel\u2014and academic outcomes disaggregated by program, race, and gender.\n\nClarity and Strength Regarding Gender Equity in College Sports. High profile stories about inadequate facilities and support for women\u2019s tournaments have shed a light on the unequal resources provided to women\u2019s sports. The College Athletes Bill of Rights includes provisions to bolster compliance to, and the enforceability of, Title IX. By requiring higher education institutions to conduct annual evaluations of relevant statistics to measure impact, and by requiring subsequent public dissemination of data, the bill will enable accurate assessments of institutional compliance and accountability. The bill will also require that athletic associations do not discriminate on the basis of sex with regard to health and safety, medical care, athletic participation, facilities, and other factors.\n\nA Commission on College Athletics. The Commission on College Athletics\u2014composed of nine members including no fewer than 5 former college athletes and individuals with expertise ranging from publicity law to Title IX\u2014to ensure athletes are aware of their new rights and that those rights are upheld.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-bill-to-increase-oversight-of-policing-grants-program", "Booker Introduces Bill to Increase Oversight of Policing Grants Program", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation to ensure that grant programs monitored under the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) are appropriately managed and distributed. Specifically, the COPS Responsible Administration and Management Act would increase oversight of COPS grants and ensure that funds are invested in evidence-based programs that promote public safety.\n\nSince 1994, the COPS Office has distributed more than $14 billion to more than 13,000 State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. Congress has steadily increased funding for COPS Programs over the last several years. As the size and scope of the COPS Program expands, so does the workload of the COPS Office in the administration, oversight, and management of its grants programs. Any additional funding to the COPS Program will also increase the need for oversight of the police grant program to ensure that those funds support police training and practices that reduce negative interactions between police and communities and help improve community relationships.\n\n\u201cWe must ensure that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has the resources to improve its oversight of grant-funded activities that enhance public safety and are not used for training or practices that are discriminatory, ineffective, or unconstitutional,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThis legislation will improve oversight and prevent taxpayer dollars, in this case, grant programs under COPS, from being misguided or improperly invested.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the COPS Responsible Administration and Management Act would do the following:\n\nDirect the Office of Management and Budget conduct of review of the COPS grant program and make recommendations to enhance the administration, oversight, transparency and management of the grant program.\n\nDevelop performance metrics to assess the effectiveness.\n\nEnsure compliance with civil rights laws for grant eligibility.\n\nRequire law enforcement agencies to have in place policies to reduce the dangerous use of chokeholds and no knock warrants and encourage reporting to the National Use-of-Force Data Collection of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.\n\nProvide grants to law enforcement agencies for the cost of participation in the National Use-of-Force Data Collection of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-smith-introduce-legislation-to-affirm-federal-regulation-of-reproductive-health-products", "Booker, Smith Introduce Legislation to Affirm Federal Regulation of Reproductive Health Products", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "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. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Protecting National Access to Reproductive Care Act, legislation that affirms the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) long standing preemptive authority over state law for all FDA-approved reproductive health products, including drugs used in medication abortion. The U.S. Constitution\u2019s Supremacy Clause prohibits states from interfering with the federal government\u2019s power to regulate drugs. The bill codifies this preemptive power and the Department of Justice\u2019s authority to enforce federal laws and regulations. It also provides private individuals, and health care providers an avenue to sue states with laws banning or restricting access to these reproductive health products.\n\nMedication abortion involves the use of prescription drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, that are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Many states have restricted access to medication abortion after the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization, despite the fact that the FDA, based on science not political ideology, has approved mifepristone and misoprostol to terminate pregnancies of up to 10 weeks. Medication abortion is also used to manage miscarriages to ensure the health and safety of the mother.\n\n\u201cSince the Supreme Court defied nearly 50 years of legal precedent by overturning Roe v. Wade, jeopardizing the health care and reproductive freedom of millions of Americans, Republicans in state legislatures have continued their assault on reproductive rights by restricting access to medication abortion,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThese restrictions threaten the right of Americans to make their own medical decisions and undermine the FDA\u2019s clear legal authority. With this legislation, we are affirming that the FDA is the supreme entity that regulates and approves reproductive health products, and no state law can supersede this authority. This bill will give the federal government and aggrieved individuals the tools to challenge these unconstitutional laws and will help Americans living in areas with few or no abortion providers have access to abortion care.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter successfully overturning Roe and gutting 50 years of precedent protecting a woman\u2019s freedom to make her own decisions about abortion, extremist Republicans aren\u2019t stopping there,\u201d said Sen. Smith. \u201cWe are already seeing the heart-breaking impact of this decision, yet Republican legislatures across the country continue to roll back critical protections and take aim at medication abortion. We must do everything in our power to protect women\u2019s access to this essential care. No FDA approved medication has ever been banned by a state, and this bill will ensure that medication abortion drugs and other reproductive health products approved by the FDA remain accessible regardless of Republican efforts at the state level.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Protection of Reproductive Health Products Act would:\n\nAffirm the FDA\u2019s preemptive authority over reproductive health products.\n\nAllow the Department of Justice to seek injunctive relief against States and state officials who prohibit or restrict access to reproductive health products (including medication abortion) in violation of the FDA\u2019s preemptive authority.\n\nCreate a private cause of action for individuals and providers to seek injunctive relief against state and local officials in violation of federal law.\n\nProvide funds for the Department of Justice to enforce the statute.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-passage-of-pact-act", "Booker Statement on Passage of PACT Act", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cAfter weeks of unjustifiable delays, I am proud that the Senate has finally passed this critical legislation. For former servicemembers who have been exposed to toxic burn pits and other environmental hazards, the PACT Act will remove bureaucratic obstacles and expand access to the healthcare they deserve. Our nation\u2019s veterans and their families have made immense sacrifices, and we must ensure that they are given the resources, care, and support they need. The PACT Act moves us one step closer to fulfilling our sacred responsibility to them, and I am grateful for the advocates who worked to secure this bill\u2019s passage.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-whitehouse-blumenthal-schatz-hirono-introduce-term-limit-measure-to-restore-balance-fairness-to-supreme-court", "Booker, Whitehouse Blumenthal, Schatz, Hirono Introduce Term Limit Measure to Restore Balance, Fairness to Supreme Court", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. -- In an effort to restore balance and fairness to the nation\u2019s highest court, U.S Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today introduced the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization (TERM) Act, which would establish term limits for Supreme Court justices while preserving constitutional protections for judicial independence in decision-making. Under the TERM Act, a new justice would take the bench every two years and spend 18 years in active service.\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court is facing a crisis of legitimacy. This crisis is the result of radical rulings that discard years of legal precedent and that are at odds with the views of the American people, ethical lapses, and the politicization of the Supreme Court confirmation process by Senate Republicans intent on using raw political power to transform the Court,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThe American people have lost confidence in our nation\u2019s Highest Court and, in turn, our democracy. Fundamental changes are urgently needed to restore trust in the institution. Setting term limits would create predictability and lower the stakes of future confirmation proceedings, de-politicizing the Court. I\u2019m proud to partner with Senators Whitehouse, Blumenthal, Schatz, and Hirono to introduce this bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cTerm limits need to be one part of the conversation about reforming the Supreme Court, which has been captured by big special interests,\u201d said Sen. Whitehouse, Chairman of Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee. \u201cOur legislation is a starting point for a national conversation about how best to fix a captive institution and make it more accountable to the people it is supposed to serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cTerm limits will help restore credibility and trust to our nation\u2019s highest court,\u201d said Sen. Blumenthal. \u201cDetached from the public and more politicized than ever, the Supreme Court will continue to face a crisis of legitimacy without fundamental reform.\u201d\n\nThe Supreme Court TERM Act would:\n\nEstablish terms of 18 years in regular active service for Supreme Court justices, after which justices who retain the office will assume senior status;\n\nEstablish regular appointments of Supreme Court justices in the first and third years following a presidential election as the sole means of Supreme Court appointments;\n\nRequire current justices to assume senior status in order of length of service on the Court as regularly appointed justices receive their commissions;\n\nPreserve life tenure by ensuring that senior justices retired from regular active service continue to hold the office of Supreme Court justice, including official duties and compensation; and\n\nRequire the Supreme Court justice who most recently assumed senior status to fill in on the Court if the number of justices in regular active service falls below nine.\n\nFar-right special interests have spent decades building a secretive network to pack the federal courts with judges selected to greenlight donor-friendly policies, and to run multi-million-dollar ad campaigns to keep those confirmations on track. One estimate by investigative journalists valued this operation to capture our judiciary at more than $580 million.\n\nThe American people strongly sense that the Supreme Court needs to be reformed. A recent poll by the Associated Press found that 67 percent of Americans support term limits for Supreme Court justices.\n\nFix the Court executive director Gabe Roth said: \u201cEnding life tenure at the Supreme Court might be the only thing that Senator Whitehouse and the co-founder of the Federalist Society agree on. That alone would make the policy worth a second look, but when you consider that term limits would reduce the Court\u2019s currently unchecked power and mean a more predictable confirmation process, and that it's already backed by the vast majority of the country, that makes it worthy of serious consideration. I'm pleased to lend my support to the TERM Act, and I appreciate the Senators\u2019 leadership in introducing the Senate's first-ever SCOTUS term limits bill.\u201d\n\nAmerica is alone among modern constitutional democracies in allowing its high-court justices to serve for decades without term or age limits, resulting in some Presidents appointing no justices and others appointing as much as a third of the Court. Regularizing appointments every two years will ensure a Supreme Court that is more representative of the nation, reflecting the choices of recently elected Presidents and Senators.\n\nThe Supreme Court TERM Act would build on the existing retirement system for Article III judges, which the Court has repeatedly upheld as constitutional. The bill would also preserve judicial independence by ensuring that Supreme Court justices who assume senior status remain fully compensated members of the federal judiciary for life, capable of exercising official duties on and off the bench for as long as they choose.\n\nRep. Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) introduced the legislation last week in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-passage-of-water-resources-development-act-which-will-help-fund-critical-nj-projects", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Passage of Water Resources Development Act, Which Will Help Fund Critical N.J. Projects", "2022-08-01", "2022", "2022-08", "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 and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) applauded the Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), by a vote of 93-1. The legislation, which must now be reconciled with separate legislation passed by the House of Representatives, authorizes critical funding for water investments, including $2.124 billion Booker and Menendez fought for.\n\n\u201cI am proud to see the Water Resources Development Act pass in a bipartisan manner,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis year\u2019s legislation includes a number of priorities that I fought for, including an authorization to deepen the NY-NJ Harbor to support commerce in our state. Importantly, as climate change increases the threat of dangerous storms, the legislation also includes measures for flood management and coastal storm risk management, which will help protect communities in New Jersey that are susceptible to flooding.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s passage of the Water Resources Development Act will help advance critical projects that will address issues impacting communities across New Jersey, including coastal storm and inland flood risk mitigation, ecosystem restoration and channel improvements of the New York and New Jersey Harbor,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cThrough these investments we are making New Jersey more resilient both environmentally and economically.\u201d\n\nThe bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 authorizes much-needed investments in projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) across the country. This legislation continues the recent two-year cycle for Water Resources Development Acts, ensuring timely Congressional authorization of Corps studies and projects, including projects in New Jersey. It also includes key policy reforms to bolster the Army Corps\u2019 work and better direct federal resources to increase resiliency, mitigate flooding, restore habitats, and protect vulnerable communities.\n\nThe NY & NJ Harbor Deepening Channel Improvement Project will deepen the pathways to Elizabeth \u2013 Port Authority Marine Terminal and Port Jersey \u2013 Port Authority Marine Terminal by 5 feet to a maintained depth of 55 feet improving safety and efficiency at the port. The project is also expected to create approximately 88,000 full-time jobs.\n\nAdditionally, the following feasibility studies are included in the Expedited Completion of Studies section of WRDA.\n\nProject for flood risk management, Rahway, New Jersey, authorized by section 336 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 23 Stat. 2712)\n\nProject for coastal storm risk management, Sea Bright to Manasquan, New Jersey.\n\nProject for coastal storm risk management, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey.\n\nThe WRDA bill passed in 2018 authorized a significant increase in funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The 2018 WRDA bill also expanded the lead in schools testing program, which was co-authored by Booker, to provide schools with additional assistance to address lead contamination, including the replacement of drinking water.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-resolution-designating-july-as-muslim-american-heritage-month", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Designating July as Muslim-American Heritage Month", "2022-07-31", "2022", "2022-07", "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) led colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing July as Muslim-American Heritage Month and celebrating the achievements of Muslims living in the United States. The resolution highlights the \u201cincredible contributions\u201d Muslim Americans have made across multiple sectors of society\u2014from medical professionals to entrepreneurs, to faith leaders, athletes, and public servants\u2014to help build a better nation.\n\nThe resolution further notes the religious discrimination experienced by Muslim Americans and stresses the \u201cneed for public education, awareness, and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Muslim American in all aspects of the society of the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cMuslim Americans have contributed to our nation since its very inception,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThose contributions have enriched the cultural tapestry of America even as Muslims continue to experience religious prejudice and discrimination. This resolution recognizes the incredible contributions made by Muslims living in the United States and also highlights the urgent need to work together to address anti-Muslim bias and hate that has tragically become too commonplace.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation is stronger because of the diverse communities that call this country home, including Muslim Americans. Each and every day, and especially during this month, we should acknowledge the contributions and achievements of Muslim Americans,\u201d said Sen. Durbin. \u201cBut we cannot celebrate the Muslim American community without also recognizing the continued religious discrimination and threats they face in this country. I hope today\u2019s resolution will serve as both a tribute to this community and as a recommitment to stand with Muslim Americans in the work to build a more tolerant and equitable nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cCalifornia is fortunate to have a diverse community with roots all over the world. Our culture and economy attract people from all walks of life, which is why it\u2019s no surprise that the Muslim American community has played a role in helping California grow into one of the largest economies in the world,\u201d said Sen. Feinstein. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Senator Booker on this resolution to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Muslim Americans to our country, while also recognizing the need to end anti-Muslim hate across the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is time we honor the rich and invaluable contributions Muslims have made to our country\u2019s history and spirit by designating this and every July as Muslim-American Heritage Month,\u201d said Sen. Markey. \u201cIn honoring their contributions, we can continue to challenge the bias and bigotry that far too many of our Muslim-American neighbors, friends, and loved ones have experienced in this country. We must not accept the discrimination Muslims face, and continue to honor the value they bring to our nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cMuslim-Americans have enriched communities in Virginia and across the country, and we\u2019re stronger because of them,\u201dsaid Sen. Kaine. \u201cThis resolution both celebrates their many contributions and recognizes the work ahead to build a more tolerant, inclusive society.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis resolution celebrates the incredible accomplishments and contributions of the Muslim-American community. Enriching our nation in countless ways, the Muslim-American community in Connecticut and across the country embodies the ideals of faith, peace and love,\u201d said Sen. Blumenthal. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join this resolution that not only acknowledges their importance, but reaffirms our commitment to combating targeted acts of prejudice and hate.\u201d\n\n\u201cMuslim-Americans are a vital part of communities across Minnesota and our country,\u201d said Sen. Klobuchar. \u201cThis resolution celebrates the contributions Muslim-Americans have made to our nation and reaffirms our commitment to tackle the prejudice and discrimination that Muslims too often face.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-allow-use-of-us-foreign-assistance-for-abortion-care-oversees", "Booker and Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Allow Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance for Abortion Care Overseas", "2022-07-27", "2022", "2022-07", "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. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance may be used to provide the full scope of comprehensive health care, including safe and legal access to abortion services. The bill also includes language clarifying that under U.S. government policy, safe abortion care is a critical component of comprehensive maternal and reproductive care.\n\nThe Helms Amendment endangers lives by prohibiting U.S. foreign assistance from being used for \u201cthe performance of abortion as a method of family planning\u201d abroad. However, in practice, the Amendment has been applied as a total ban on U.S. foreign aid being used to provide any abortion care service\u2014including the provision of information\u2014even in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment, despite exemptions for these specific cases in statute. According to research by the Guttmacher Institute, repealing the Helms Amendment would lead to 19 million fewer unsafe abortions and 17,000 fewer maternal deaths each year.\n\nRep. Jan Schakowsky introduced H.R. 1670, the House companion bill, which now has 177 cosponsors.\n\n\u201cWe know that in the wake of Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health, Americans will be denied access to essential health care services across the United States; however, the repercussions also go beyond our borders. This disastrous decision will be felt around the world, setting back many countries who have long used Roe v. Wade as the basis to strengthen abortion rights protections in their own countries. We must take immediate action to mitigate the global impact of this decision,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cFor that reason, I am proud to introduce the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which will repeal the Helms Amendment and ensure that U.S. foreign assistance can be used for safe abortion services overseas.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe fight to secure reproductive health care for all does not stop at our borders,\u201d said Sen. Hirono. \u201cBy ending the prohibition on foreign aid being used for abortion care, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act will help expand access to critical reproductive services in some of the world\u2019s most vulnerable communities. As we fight to defend fundamental reproductive rights in the U.S., this legislation will help millions around the world exercise their right to access comprehensive reproductive health care services.\u201d\n\n\u201cAbortion care is a fundamental component of comprehensive reproductive health care and a basic human right,\u201d said Sen. Smith. \u201cI believe the United States has a responsibility to protect and uphold human rights. I also believe we need to continually strive to do better, both at home and abroad. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce this critical legislation that would ensure that foreign assistance programs funded by our government are protecting and expanding access to safe abortion care.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation will increase global access to safe reproductive health care and family planning services,\u201dsaid Sen. Blumenthal. \u201cWith reproductive rights under assault as never before, repealing the harmful Helms Amendment is necessary to ensure women have the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and futures. Funding for these comprehensive, affordable services is essential to the health and economic wellbeing of women around the world.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to lead the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act in the House, the first-ever legislation to repeal the racist 49-year-old Helms Amendment. This harmful policy bars US Foreign Assistance from being used to offer abortion care, even in countries where abortion is legal. That is wrong. The United States should not be standing in the way of health care in other countries,\u201d said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. \u201cNow, for the first time in history, this legislation is being introduced in the U.S. Senate. I am grateful for Senator Booker\u2019s leadership to repeal the Helms Amendment and expand abortion access in this critical moment. Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right.\u201d\n\nThe Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).\n\nThe Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act is endorsed by a diverse coalition of more than 180 organizations including Advocates for Youth, American Jewish World Service, Catholics for Choice, Center for Reproductive Rights, Guttmacher Institute, Ipas, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Open Society Policy Center, PAI, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Population Connection Action Fund, and Population Institute.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance may be used to provide the full scope of comprehensive health care, including safe and legal access to abortion services. The bill also includes language clarifying that under U.S. government policy, safe abortion care is a critical component of comprehensive maternal and reproductive care.\n\nThe Helms Amendment endangers lives by prohibiting U.S. foreign assistance from being used for \u201cthe performance of abortion as a method of family planning\u201d abroad. However, in practice, the Amendment has been applied as a total ban on U.S. foreign aid being used to provide any abortion care service\u2014including the provision of information\u2014even in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment, despite exemptions for these specific cases in statute. According to research by the Guttmacher Institute, repealing the Helms Amendment would lead to 19 million fewer unsafe abortions and 17,000 fewer maternal deaths each year.\n\nRep. Jan Schakowsky introduced H.R. 1670, the House companion bill, which now has 177 cosponsors.\n\n\u201cWe know that in the wake of Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health, Americans will be denied access to essential health care services across the United States; however, the repercussions also go beyond our borders. This disastrous decision will be felt around the world, setting back many countries who have long used Roe v. Wade as the basis to strengthen abortion rights protections in their own countries. We must take immediate action to mitigate the global impact of this decision,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cFor that reason, I am proud to introduce the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which will repeal the Helms Amendment and ensure that U.S. foreign assistance can be used for safe abortion services overseas.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe fight to secure reproductive health care for all does not stop at our borders,\u201d said Sen. Hirono. \u201cBy ending the prohibition on foreign aid being used for abortion care, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act will help expand access to critical reproductive services in some of the world\u2019s most vulnerable communities. As we fight to defend fundamental reproductive rights in the U.S., this legislation will help millions around the world exercise their right to access comprehensive reproductive health care services.\u201d\n\n\u201cAbortion care is a fundamental component of comprehensive reproductive health care and a basic human right,\u201d said Sen. Smith. \u201cI believe the United States has a responsibility to protect and uphold human rights. I also believe we need to continually strive to do better, both at home and abroad. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce this critical legislation that would ensure that foreign assistance programs funded by our government are protecting and expanding access to safe abortion care.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation will increase global access to safe reproductive health care and family planning services,\u201dsaid Sen. Blumenthal. \u201cWith reproductive rights under assault as never before, repealing the harmful Helms Amendment is necessary to ensure women have the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and futures. Funding for these comprehensive, affordable services is essential to the health and economic wellbeing of women around the world.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to lead the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act in the House, the first-ever legislation to repeal the racist 49-year-old Helms Amendment. This harmful policy bars US Foreign Assistance from being used to offer abortion care, even in countries where abortion is legal. That is wrong. The United States should not be standing in the way of health care in other countries,\u201d said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. \u201cNow, for the first time in history, this legislation is being introduced in the U.S. Senate. I am grateful for Senator Booker\u2019s leadership to repeal the Helms Amendment and expand abortion access in this critical moment. Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right.\u201d\n\nThe Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).\n\nThe Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act is endorsed by a diverse coalition of more than 180 organizations including Advocates for Youth, American Jewish World Service, Catholics for Choice, Center for Reproductive Rights, Guttmacher Institute, Ipas, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Open Society Policy Center, PAI, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Population Connection Action Fund, and Population Institute.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-paul-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-amend-the-right-to-try-act-to-assist-terminally-ill-patients", "Booker, Paul Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Amend the Right to Try Act to Assist Terminally Ill Patients", "2022-07-26", "2022", "2022-07", "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. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation to clarify that the Right to Try Act should allow terminally ill patients to have access to Schedule I drugs for which a Phase 1 clinical trial has been completed. Specifically, the Right to Try Clarification Act would remove any obstacle presented by the Controlled Substances Act with respect to Schedule I substances when they are used by doctors and patients in accordance with the federal Right to Try law. Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Nancy Mace (R-SC).\n\nThe federal Right to Try law permits patients who have been diagnosed with life-threatening diseases or conditions, and who have exhausted all approved treatment options, access to certain treatments that have not yet received final FDA approval. In general, a drug is eligible for Right to Try use after a Phase 1 clinical trial has been completed for that drug but prior to the drug being approved or licensed by the FDA for any use. In other words, in limited conditions involving life threatening illness and for drugs that have been proven to be safe, the federal Right to Try law removes the FDA out of doctor-patient decisions and reverts regulation back to the states. Under the terms of the federal Right to Try law, states remain free to permit or prohibit Right to Try use under their own laws.\n\nIn recent years, two substances currently classified as Schedule I drugs\u2014MDMA and psilocybin\u2014have shown exceptional promise in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including suicidal depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, these drugs have been shown to be safe and effective\u2014so effective that FDA has designated them \u201cbreakthrough therapies,\u201d meaning that they demonstrate substantial improvement over any currently available therapies.\n\n\u201cRecent studies suggest that MDMA and psilocybin could represent an enormous advancement in mental health and psychopharmacology,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cUnfortunately, many eligible patients who urgently need care do not currently have access to these promising therapies. This legislation will put the patient first and help ensure access to life-changing and life-saving drugs.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a physician, I know how important Right to Try is for patients facing a life-threatening condition.\u201d said Dr. Paul. \u201cUnfortunately, the federal bureaucracy continues to block patients seeking to use Schedule I drugs under Right to Try. I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Sen. Booker that will get government out of the way and give doctors more resources to help patients.\u201d\n\n\u201cOregon has a long legacy of ensuring that end-of-life patients have access to the full spectrum of treatment options to alleviate their condition and improve their quality of life. Patients and doctors deserve to discuss treatments\u2014including psilocybin\u2014that researchers find provide immediate and sustained relief from pain, anxiety, and depression for people battling terminal illness,\u201d Blumenauer said. \u201cFederal restrictions have obstructed access to end-of-life care for too long, this legislation will change that and ensure that all patients have the Right to Try. I appreciate Senator Booker\u2019s leadership, it is timely and important \u201d\n\n\u201cAdvances in science and technology are often made when we think outside the box and try new things,\u201d said Rep. Mace. \u201cThis legislation gives patients the power to choose alternative options like psilocybin or MDMA when facing a life-threatening condition. We know these chemicals have the potential to save lives, and today is an important step forward in medical progress. I want to thank Senators Booker and Paul for their bipartisan work to bring these exciting new options into the mainstream medical world.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am glad to see federal legislators clarifying that I and others dealing with the reality of advanced cancer can access promising drugs in the investigational process, even if they are on Schedule I,\u201d said Erinn Baldeschwiler, a patient who has been seeking access to psilocybin therapy for relief of debilitating anxiety and depression as she manages advanced cancer. \u201cI am eager to try psilocybin therapy to help gain comfort and peace with what is unfolding for me, and be able to be more present for my children even in this most difficult time.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Washington State Psychological Association applauds the introduction of a clarifying amendment to the federal Right to Try law, making it abundantly clear that RTT applies to investigational drugs on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. WSPA hopes that terminally ill patients suffering anxiety and depression will soon be able to receive psilocybin therapy, improving the last bit of their lives.\u201d-The Washington State Psychological Association.\n\n\u201cThis bill will open access to MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy for Veterans who are at serious risk of suicide and have exhausted all other options,\u201d said Martin R. Steele, a retired Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps., Chief Executive Officer of Reason for Hope, and head of the recently formed Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition. \u201cWe thank Senators Paul and Booker for considering the realities on the ground for the Veteran community, where a growing number are seeking treatment outside the country or in the underground market, which increases the risk of harm for Veterans in need of healing.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the support letter from the Veteran coalition can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-calling-for-ban-of-agricultural-pesticides-on-national-wildlife-refuges", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Calling for Ban of Agricultural Pesticides on National Wildlife Refuges", "2022-07-22", "2022", "2022-07", "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) led colleagues in urging the United States Fish & Wildlife Service to stop approving new uses of agricultural pesticides on National Wildlife Refuges and to initiate a rulemaking that would fully phase-out such pesticides across the Refuge System.\n\n\u201cThe Refuge System was established to provide sanctuary for listed threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, and other wildlife,\u201d wrote the Senators in a letter to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Director Martha Williams. \u201cThe Refuges\u2019 migratory sanctuary and breeding grounds are especially critical for North American birds, as they have faced precipitous population declines; there are 3 billion fewer breeding birds in North America than there were in 1970. Unfortunately these birds and other threatened species are being put at risk by pesticide use in the Refuges that were designed to protect them.\u201d\n\nThe Senators highlighted recent determinations made by the Environmental Protection Agency \u201cthat some of the most commonly used agricultural chemicals are likely to adversely affect endangered species.\u201d For example, the most commonly used herbicide in the United States, glyphosate (popularly known as Roundup), is likely to adversely affect 93% of all species listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Of the neonicotinoids -- the most commonly used class of insecticides in the United States -- studies show that imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam were likely to harm 80%, 82%, and 81% of all listed species, respectively.\n\nAgricultural pesticides used in Refuges also \u201cleach into the surrounding groundwater and soil and are picked up by native flowering plants and pollinators,\u201d continued the Senators. \u201cThis directly threatens non-target organisms, the 53 million annual visitors to the Refuges, and the surrounding waters and ecosystems.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers urged the Fish and Wildlife Service to \u201cexpeditiously begin a rulemaking process to phase out the use of agricultural pesticides on National Wildlife Refuges.\u201d This includes phasing out all chemical or biological pesticides registered under Section 3 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, authorizing the use of pesticides for the control of invasive or non-native species only a limited basis when necessary, and reinstating a 2014 memorandum phasing out the prophylactic use of neonicotinoid pesticides on Refuges.\n\nThe letter was cosigned Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-schumer-wyden-introduce-cannabis-administration-and-opportunity-act", "Booker, Schumer, Wyden Introduce Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "The comprehensive legislation would end federal cannabis prohibition by removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act; empower states to create their own cannabis laws; ensure federal regulation protects public health and safety; and prioritize restorative and economic justice\n\nSenators refined and expanded their discussion draft released last year after receiving more than 1,800 comments and working with various Senate Committees\n\nCannabis Administration And Opportunity Act: Text can be found HERE, Summary of introduced CAOA can be foundHERE, Summary of revisions to the CAOA discussion draft can be found HERE.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, (D-OR) today introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), comprehensive legislation that would end the harmful and out-of-touch federal prohibition on cannabis by removing cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances and empowering states to implement their own cannabis laws. HELP Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and HSGAC Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) also co-sponsored the legislation.\n\nThe legislation establishes a federal regulatory framework to protect public health and safety, prioritizes restorative and economic justice to help undo the decades of harm caused by the failed War on Drugs, ends discrimination in the provision of federal benefits on the basis of cannabis use, provides major investments for cannabis research, and strengthens worker protections. By decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level, the CAOA also ensures that state-legal cannabis businesses or those in adjacent industries will no longer be denied access to bank accounts or financial services simply because of their ties to cannabis.\n\nThe CAOA was first released as a discussion draft last year, alongside a request for comments from stakeholders. After receiving more than 1,800 comments and working with various Senate committees, the senators refined and expanded on the discussion draft proposal, which they are formally introducing today. A full summary of the revisions to the CAOA discussion draft can be found HERE.\n\n\u201cAs more states legalize cannabis and work towards reversing the many injustices the failed War on Drugs levied against Black, Brown, and low-income people, the federal government continues to lag woefully behind,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cWith strong restorative justice provisions for communities impacted by the drug war, support for small cannabis businesses, and expungement of federal cannabis offenses, this bill reflects long overdue, common sense drug policy. I am proud to have partnered with Senators Schumer and Wyden to introduce this critical legislation. The support that we have received from committee chairs and outside groups underscores the historic nature of this bill and the urgent need for Congress to pass it.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor far too long, the federal prohibition on cannabis and the War on Drugs has been a war on people, and particularly people of color,\u201d said Leader Schumer. \u201cThe Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act will be a catalyst for change by removing cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances, protecting public health and safety, and expunging the criminal records of those with low-level cannabis offenses, providing millions with a new lease on life. A majority of Americans now support legalizing cannabis, and Congress must act by working to end decades of over-criminalization. It is time to end the federal prohibition on cannabis.\u201d\n\n\"It's no longer a question of 'if cannabis should be legal.' The states are moving ahead, and not only do the overwhelming majority of American people support legalization, they now live in a state where some form of cannabis is legal,\" said Sen. Wyden. \"I'd ask my colleagues in the Senate to think long and hard about what keeping the federal government stuck in yesteryear means for public health and safety. By failing to act, the federal government is empowering the illicit cannabis market, it's ruining lives and propping up deeply rooted racism in our criminal justice system, it's holding back small cannabis businesses from growing and creating jobs in their communities. Cannabis legalization is here, and Congress needs to get with the program.\"\n\n\u201cIt is long past time the federal government catches up to Washington state when it comes to cannabis laws,\u201d said Sen. Murray. \u201cThis legislation is about justice, strengthening our economy, and bringing the federal government into the 21st century. This legislation will undo deeply unfair and racially unjust laws that have disproportionately harmed mostly people of color\u2014that\u2019s hugely important. This bill will also strengthen our economy by finally recognizing the cannabis industry and modernizing federal regulations. I\u2019m committed to making sure this legislation works for Washington state\u2014where we have led the nation on common sense cannabis laws.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation makes important changes to bring federal cannabis policy in line with where the majority of the country already is - and in line with what Michiganders have already voted for,\u201d said Sen. Peters. \u201cBy legalizing cannabis at the federal level, we can protect public health and safety, support cannabis businesses as they continue to grow, create jobs, and seek safe, reliable access to banking services, and right past wrongs for many Americans \u2013 particularly people of color \u2013 who have been unduly punished for minor, non-violent cannabis offenses.\u201d\n\nThe Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act:\n\nProtects public health by establishing strong cannabis health and safety standards under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, mandating that states keep cannabis out of the hands of those under 21, ensuring cannabis producers are licensed and that their products are consistently labeled, and requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Indian Health Service (IHS) to provide recommendations and opinions regarding the medical use of cannabis by VA and IHS patients.\n\nProtects public safety by implementing robust anti-diversion rules, including a track-and-trace system, adopting quantitative limitations on retail purchases to combat illicit market cannabis production and distribution, establishing grants to assist small law enforcement agencies in hiring and training officers, and establishing a new effort at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to combat drugged driving and multi-substance impairment.\n\nPrioritizes restorative and economic justice by automatically expunging federal cannabis convictions and encouraging states to do the same, breaking down barriers to the cannabis industry and expanding access to loans and capital for entrepreneurs harmed by the failed War on Drugs, and ending discrimination in provision of federal benefits -- like federal housing or federal student loans -- on the basis of cannabis use.\n\nRegulates and taxes cannabis by transferring federal jurisdiction over cannabis from the Drug Enforcement Agency to the FDA and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) within the Treasury Department, and implementing a regulatory regime similar to alcohol and tobacco, while recognizing the unique nature of cannabis products. It also eliminates the tax code\u2019s restriction on cannabis businesses claiming deductions for businesses expenses and implements an excise tax on cannabis products.\n\nEncourages cannabis research by requiring more federal research into impacts of cannabis on health and public safety, establishing clinical trials through the VA to study the effects of medical cannabis on the health outcomes of veterans, compiling industry-related data and trends, and establishing grants to build up cannabis research capacity at institutions of higher education, with particular focus on minority-serving institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.\n\nStrengthens workers' rights by removing unnecessary federal employee pre-employment and random drug testing for cannabis, while preserving appropriate drug testing for certain sensitive categories of employees where continued testing is determined necessary, including national security, law enforcement, and commercial transportation; and ensuring worker protections for those employed in the cannabis industry.\n\nBill text can be found HERE.\n\nSummary of introduced CAOA can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-delivers-new-jersey-stakeholder-comments-to-white-house-for-upcoming-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health", "Booker Delivers New Jersey Stakeholder Comments to White House for Upcoming Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health", "2022-07-18", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, N.J. \u2014 More than 60 New Jersey anti-hunger advocates, state and local officials, medical professionals, direct service providers, family farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and people who have personally experienced the impact of hunger, food insecurity, or diet-related illness submitted comments to U.S. Senator Cory Booker\u2019s (D-NJ) office on the critical need to make healthy food accessible to all.\n\nThe comments came in response to Booker\u2019s call for feedback ahead of the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health in September and have been forwarded to the White House. They underscored the disproportionate harm hunger and diet-related diseases inflict on Black and Brown and low-income communities across the state, and proposed ideas that touched on improving access to fresh fruits and vegetables, expanding federal assistance programs, supporting locally grown produce, eliminating food waste, and more.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to everyone who wrote in for highlighting the urgency of these issues and for their work every day to remove barriers to accessing healthy, affordable food,\u201d Booker said. \u201cI look forward to working with the White House to develop comprehensive solutions so that all people \u2014 from rural communities to cities like the one I call home \u2014 have equitable access to nutritious food options.\u201d\n\nBooker secured funding to convene the conference in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill. The conference aims to create a national strategy to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for all Americans.\n\nThe comments will inform Booker\u2019s work as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-huffman-lowenthal-lead-35-colleagues-in-letter-raising-concerns-over-climate-and-environmental-justice-risks-of-chemical-recycling-of-plastics", "Booker, Huffman, Lowenthal Lead 35 Colleagues in Letter Raising Concerns Over Climate & Environmental Justice Risks of Chemical Recycling of Plastics", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) led a bicameral group of 35 members of Congress in a letter raising concerns over chemical recycling technologies that contribute to the climate crisis and perpetuate environmental injustice in vulnerable communities. The letter comes as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers whether to remove existing Clean Air Act protections from chemical recycling processes.\n\n\u201cChemical recycling technologies, specifically pyrolysis and gasification, are forms of incineration and do not help us achieve new source reduction,\u201d wrote the members of Congress in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan. \u201cThese two processes are primarily used to \u201cproduce fuels like crude oils or synthetic natural gas,\u201d and often do not result in the production of new plastic, meaning these technologies may not support the transition to a \u201ccircular economy.\u201d\n\nThe members of Congress continued by highlighting that \u201cestimates suggest that the pyrolysis of plastics emits nearly twice as much CO2 as mechanical recycling\u2014and unlike mechanical recycling, is not guaranteed to recover plastics into the supply chain or reduce the need for new virgin plastic.\u201d Mechanical recycling processes include washing, grinding, and re-granulating to recover plastic resins.\n\nIn addition to detailing the harms associated with chemical recycling processes, the members of Congress also raised concerns over the hazardous waste released by chemical recycling facilities, which have been found to \u201cemit highly toxic chemicals, including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylenes, and dioxins, many of which are linked to cancer, nervous system damage, and negative effects on reproduction and development.\u201d As the EPA currently reviews whether pyrolysis and gasification should continue to be regulated as \u201cmunicipal waste combustion units\u201d under Section 129 of the Clean Air Act, the members of Congress wrote that \u201cchanges in how these facilities are regulated could have significant impacts on local air emissions in the communities where these facilities are located, disproportionately impacting minority and low-income communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe ask that EPA continue to regulate pyrolysis and gasification units as waste combustion units so that the most vulnerable communities do not bear even more of a burden from existing facilities,\u201d concluded the members of Congress. \u201cWe also urge the EPA to prioritize solutions that reduce our reliance on single-use plastic and move us towards a circular economy through source reduction interventions and improved mechanical recycling as it implements the National Recycling Strategy\u2026.Technologies that worsen the climate crisis, perpetuate a reliance on single-use plastics, and adversely impact vulnerable communities cannot be viewed as viable solutions moving forward.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Booker, Murray, Merkley, Markey, Feinstein, Sanders, Warren, Van Hollen and Representatives Jared Huffman, Lowenthal, Norton, Takano, Matsui, Scanlon, Alma Adams, Castor, McEachin, Lofgren, Bush, Tlaib, Jackson-Lee, Barrag\u00e1n, \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Levin, DeSaulnier, Stansbury, Jacobs, Espaillat, Pocan, Welch, Ocasio-Cortez, Blumenauer, Maloney, Raskin, and McNerney. The letter was also endorsed by over 45 environmental and environmental justice organizations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-re-introduces-bill-to-block-ice-cbp-officers-from-identifying-as-local-police", "Booker Re-Introduces Bill to Block ICE, CBP Officers from Identifying as Local Police", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "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), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced the Combating Deceptive Immigration Enforcement Practices Act to prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) from wearing clothing displaying the word \u201cpolice.\u201d Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by Representative Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY).\n\nAdvocates warn that ICE agents, by displaying the word \u201cpolice\u201d on their uniforms, routinely cause confusion between their authority and that of local law enforcement, which can result in immigrants allowing federal agents to enter their homes without a warrant. ICE agents cannot enter a home without providing a search or arrest warrant that is signed by a judge. This legislation also seeks to improve cooperation between local police officers and immigrant communities, by increasing transparency and reducing immigrants\u2019 fear of deportation.\n\n\u201cWhen ICE agents display the word \u201cpolice\u201d on their uniforms, they blur the line between local law enforcement and immigration agents and confuse immigrant communities,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThese misleading interactions erode trust between local law enforcement and the communities they\u2019re supposed to protect, and make it less likely that immigrants will report a crime because they fear deportation. Local law enforcement officers are here to protect and serve, not arrest and deport. It\u2019s important we make that distinction clear.\u201d\n\n\u201cAny attempt by immigration officers to deceivingly pose as local police ought to be prohibited, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to partner with Senator Booker on this legislation,\u201d said Representative Vel\u00e1zquez. \u201cI\u2019ve seen firsthand the negative impacts that these bad-faith tactics of ICE bring to our communities and it certainly doesn\u2019t make things any safer. This is a commonsense bill that I encourage members in both chambers to strongly support.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-padilla-lead-senate-democrats-urging-the-biden-administration-to-declare-a-national-and-public-health-emergency-on-reproductive-rights", "Booker, Warren, Padilla Lead Senate Democrats Urging the Biden Administration to Declare a National and Public Health Emergency on Reproductive Rights", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Emergency Declarations Could Unlock Key Federal Resources and Authorities to Safeguard and Improve Access to Reproductive Care\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and over a dozen Senate Democrats wrote to President Biden and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, urging them to immediately declare national and public health emergencies over Americans\u2019 access to reproductive care.\n\nThe letter was signed by 18 Senators in total, including Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).\n\n\u201cThe U.S already has the highest rate of maternal mortality among its peer countries. Health experts agree that the outrageous Dobbs ruling will increase maternal mortality rates, with a disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. The federal government should do everything in its power to ensure all Americans have access to the reproductive care they need. Declaring a national and public health emergency underscores the urgency of this crisis and opens new options to protect Americans\u2019 reproductive rights,\u201d said Senator Booker.\n\n\u201cBy overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decided that the government \u2013 not the person who is pregnant \u2013 should determine private health care decisions, denying women the right to control their own bodies and exacerbating the nation\u2019s shameful maternal mortality crisis,\u201d said Senator Warren. \u201cThis is an emergency \u2013 and we need to treat it like one. Declaring a national and public health emergency will help ensure that abortion and other reproductive care is accessible, affordable, and available.\u201d\n\n\u201cA post-Roe America puts people\u2019s lives in danger and we strongly urge the President to declare a public health emergency,\u201d said Senator Padilla. \u201cThe Dobbs decision has created a public health crisis for millions of Americans as extreme Republican state legislatures across the country implement dangerous abortion bans. We must act urgently and use every tool at our disposal to protect reproductive health care.\u201d\n\nMillions of Americans have been endangered by the Supreme Court\u2019s reckless decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate the constitutional right to an abortion. In state after state, Republican lawmakers have implemented extremist abortion bans and restrictions. Health care providers have already been forced to withhold lifesaving care. And the maternal mortality crisis, mental health outcomes, and economic disparities are bound to worsen, especially if rightwing extremists follow through on their public calls for a nationwide abortion ban.\n\n\u201cAs President of the United States and Secretary of Health and Human Services, you have the authority to declare a national emergency and public health emergency over these attacks on Americans\u2019 reproductive rights. . . . These authorities have been used by the Biden-Harris Administration\u2014and other presidential administrations\u2014to address public health crises ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the opioid epidemic,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers outlined six powerful flexibilities and resources that could be unlocked by emergency declarations to safeguard and improve access to reproductive care across the country. By declaring a national and public health emergency, the administration could:\n\nAllow doctors licensed in one state to provide reproductive care in other states. Using waivers of Section 1135 of the Social Security Act, the federal government could waive licensing requirements under Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program as long as doctors have equivalent licensing in other states.\n\nEnable state Medicaid programs to more easily accept out-of-state patients seeking reproductive care.Disaster-Relief State Plan Amendments could enable states to expand the pool of people covered by their Medicaid programs, including out-of-state residents who leave their home states for medical reasons.\n\nFacilitate reproductive care for people who need emergency assistance. In support of Secretary Becerra\u2019s directive to ensure care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, Section 1135 waivers could facilitate the transfer of patients who need emergency lifesaving care\u2014including abortions\u2014for conditions such as pregnancy loss.\n\nPermit the deployment of federal, state, and local medical personnel. During a public health emergency, the HHS Secretary has the authority to deploy the National Disaster Medical System, the Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps, and Commissioned Corps Officers, as well as reassign federally-funded state and local public health officials to address the emergency.\n\nProtect patient access to medication abortion. Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, the HHS Secretary can protect those involved in the administration or use of \u201ccovered countermeasures\u201d\u2014a term which could encompass medication abortion\u2014from certain state restrictions, claims, and lawsuits, as the Department did during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nExpedite research, information-gathering, and demonstration projects on reproductive care. Public health emergency authority could enable HHS to more quickly gather information about the reproductive care crisis in the country (e.g., through surveys and research) and deploy Medicaid demonstration projects to respond (e.g., by enabling states to finance the travel of low-income women in anti-abortion states to access reproductive care).\n\n\u201cWhile it is impossible to immediately undo the damage inflicted by the Supreme Court\u2019s repeal of Roe v. Wade, the Biden-Harris Administration must use every tool within its power to fight back,\u201d concluded the lawmakers. \u201cYour leadership during this unprecedented crisis for women is more important than ever.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-pen-letter-to-president-biden-on-investigations-into-death-of-nj-resident-palestinian-american-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh", "Booker, Menendez Pen Letter to President Biden on Investigations Into Death of NJ Resident, Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh", "2022-07-13", "2022", "2022-07", "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. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) sent a letter to President Biden in advance of his upcoming travel to the Middle East regarding investigations into the death of Palestinian-American journalist and New Jersey resident Shireen Abu Akleh. Condemning the attack on mourners during Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s funeral procession, the senators urged President Biden to raise Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s case at the highest levels and press for accountability during his visit. The senators also called for continued U.S. participation in transparent and timely investigations into any remaining or new evidence.\n\nBooker is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Menendez is the chair of the committee.\n\n\u201cWe acknowledge your Administration\u2019s efforts to support a comprehensive and impartial investigation and recognize that the damage to the bullet that killed Ms. Abu Akleh was determined to be too extensive to reach a \u2018definite conclusion\u2019 regarding its origin. However, it is troubling that the Administration has not provided our constituents, as they noted in their recent letter to you, with any details of a \u2018thorough\u2026credible investigation,\u2019\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cEvery family should be able to grieve the loss of a loved one in peace and dignity. We urge the State Department to ensure that Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s family continue to receive any and all support they need during this difficult time.\u201d\n\nThe senators also requested that the Administration provide a senior-level classified briefing on investigation details, including American involvement and next steps with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian Authority (PA) regarding accountability for Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s death.\n\n\u201cMs. Abu Akleh\u2019s courageous and unbiased reporting provided critical news not only for Palestinians and Israelis, but for the international community as a whole. In her 25 years as a journalist, she became one of the most prominent names across the Middle East,\u201d the senators added.\u201cAs a strong advocate of media freedom, the U.S. must continue to promote and protect journalists\u2019 ability to do their jobs across the globe without threats to their lives, in and out of conflict zones. Our support as they advance truth, transparency, and accountability has never been more critical.\u201d\n\nFind a copy of the letter HERE and below.\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write to you about the investigations into the death of Palestinian-American journalist and New Jersey resident Shireen Abu Akleh. The inconclusive nature of the investigations fails to provide answers to Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s family.\n\nWe acknowledge your Administration\u2019s efforts to support a comprehensive and impartial investigation and recognize that the damage to the bullet that killed Ms. Abu Akleh was determined to be too extensive to reach a \u201cdefinite conclusion\u201d regarding its origin. However, it is troubling that the Administration has not provided our constituents, as they noted in their recent letter to you, with any details of a \u201cthorough\u2026credible investigation.\u201d We urge you to raise Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s case at the highest levels and press for accountability during your upcoming visit to Israel and the West Bank. We also ask for continued U.S. participation in transparent and timely investigations into any remaining or new evidence.\n\nWe request that your Administration provide us a senior-level classified briefing on the investigation details, including American involvement. We ask that this briefing cover the U.S. Security Coordinator\u2019s engagements regarding the investigations conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Palestinian Authority (PA), a full account of the ballistic and forensic analysis, and next steps with the IDF and PA regarding accountability for Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s death.\n\nFurther, we must be clear to those individuals who attacked mourners during Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s funeral procession that this behavior is unacceptable. Every family should be able to grieve the loss of a loved one in peace and dignity. We urge the State Department to ensure that Ms. Abu Akleh\u2019s family continue to receive any and all support they need during this difficult time.\n\nMs. Abu Akleh\u2019s courageous and unbiased reporting provided critical news not only for Palestinians and Israelis, but for the international community as a whole. In her 25 years as a journalist, she became one of the most prominent names across the Middle East. As a strong advocate of media freedom, the U.S. must continue to promote and protect journalists\u2019 ability to do their jobs across the globe without threats to their lives, in and out of conflict zones. Our support as they advance truth, transparency, and accountability has never been more critical.\n\nWe trust that you will treat this request for a classified briefing with the utmost urgency. We appreciate your personal consideration of this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-re-introduces-bill-to-protect-immigrant-gold-star-and-military-families-from-deportation", "Booker Re-Introduces Bill to Protect Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families from Deportation", "2022-07-13", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation that would prevent the deportation of immediate family members of U.S. soldiers and veterans. Specifically, the Protecting Immigrant Gold Star and Military Families Act would prohibit the deportation of spouses, parents, children, or siblings of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans who served in active duty who were discharged in conditions other than dishonorable, and service members who died in the line of duty if they have not committed a serious crime. Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).\n\nTae Johnson, Interim Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), rolled back the previous administration\u2019s heinous immigration policies by directing ICE agents to refrain from seeking the deportation of U.S. military veterans or service members and their immediate family members.\n\nAlthough many families have been reunited under the Biden administration\u2019s family reunification taskforce created in February 2021, there are an estimated 11,800 people currently serving in the U.S. military who have a spouse or family member who could potentially face deportation if the former administration\u2019s policies were re-implemented by a future administration.\n\n\u201cWe owe the members and veterans of our Armed Forces a debt of gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice in service to our country,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI applaud the Biden Administration for reversing many of the previous administration\u2019s unnecessary, cruel, and inhumane deportation policies. This common-sense legislation will help keep military families together and end the previous administration\u2019s cruel immigration agenda.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s simple: if you\u2019re willing to serve in the United States military and potentially die for our country, you and your family should be able to live here without the threat of deportation,\u201d said Representative Gallego. \u201cThat\u2019s why we need to codify the protections for immigrant military and Gold Star families. For these families, it is the least our country can do, and I am proud to join Senator Booker on this important piece of legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-invites-feedback-for-upcoming-white-house-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health", "Booker Invites Feedback for Upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health", "2022-07-11", "2022", "2022-07", "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) invited New Jersey anti-hunger advocates, medical professionals, direct service providers, family farmers and ranchers, and people who have personally experienced the impact of hunger, food insecurity, or diet-related illness to share feedback for the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.\n\nBooker secured funding to convene the conference in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill. The conference aims to create a national strategy to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for all Americans.\n\n\u201cMore than 50 years since the first Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health, the White House will convene a panel of diverse stakeholders this fall to address our nation\u2019s failed food policies that have left many Americans without access to affordable, healthy foods and have caused an explosion of diet-related diseases,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cOn an issue that has impacted the lives of millions of Americans, it\u2019s incredibly important that we hear directly from those affected and I invite people to share their feedback.\u201d\n\nTo submit your statement to Senator Booker\u2019s office, visit https://www.booker.senate.gov/nutritionconference. Statements submitted to Senator Booker\u2019s office will be compiled and forwarded directly to the White House.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-biden-harris-administrations-plan-to-address-the-maternal-health-crisis", "Booker Applauds Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Plan to Address the Maternal Health Crisis", "2022-07-05", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Blueprint contains several provisions championed by Booker in the Senate\n\nWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, a framework to address and combat maternal mortality and morbidity that will help reduce the long-lasting disparities in maternal health and improve pregnancy outcomes. The blueprint outlines five broad goals that align closely with those in legislation proposed by Booker, including the MOMMIES Act and Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021:\n\nGoal 1: Increase access to and coverage of comprehensive high-quality maternal health services, including behavioral health services.\n\nGoal 2: Ensure those giving birth are heard and are decision makers in accountable systems of care.\n\nGoal 3: Advance data collection, standardization, harmonization, transparency, and research.\n\nGoal 4: Expand and diversify the perinatal workforce.\n\nGoal 5: Strengthen economic and social supports for people before, during, and after pregnancy.\n\n\u201cThe United States has the highest maternal mortality rate compared to its peer nations and Black women and Black birthing people in the United States are three to four times more likely to die than white women and white birthing people due to pregnancy-related complications,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis national crisis demands a national response, which is why I am encouraged to see the Biden-Harris administration release this timely and important blueprint. Many of the objectives included in this framework run parallel to my work on this issue in the Senate and I look forward to working with the administration to ensure its success.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Biden-Harris Administration includes the following provisions championed by Booker in the Senate:\n\nEncourages states to leverage the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 state plan option to provide 12 months postpartum Medicaid and Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage.\n\nStrengthens support and access to perinatal addiction services for individuals with substance use disorders by partnering with hospitals and community-based organizations to implement evidence-based interventions.\n\nKeeps incarcerated mothers and their infants together by developing resources for state, tribal, and local correctional facilities to create residential programs for pregnant and postpartum inmates, based on Bureau of Prisons programs.\n\nEstablishes a national, confidential, 24-hour, toll-free hotline for pregnant and postpartum individuals facing mental health challenges to increase access to mental health care.\n\nExpands capacity to screen, assess, treat, and refer for maternal depression and related behavioral disorders by providing real-time psychiatric consultation, care coordination support, and training to frontline health care providers.\n\nBolsters communities of color when analyzing factors contributing to pregnancy-related deaths by developing a roadmap to increase community participation in state maternal mortality review committees MMRCs and incorporating community participation in future funding opportunities when allowable.\n\nEmpowers AI/AN pregnant and postpartum women and educate providers by expanding the Hear HER campaign to include culturally relevant materials to raise awareness of urgent maternal warning signs and improve communication between patients and providers.\n\nSupports care coordination by implementing Pregnancy Medical Home demonstration sites that emphasize quality and care coordination through a team-based approach to care with the goal of reducing adverse maternal health outcomes and maternal death.\n\nReduces the stigma of postpartum depression and other behavioral health conditions through a media campaign to raise awareness about postpartum depression.\n\nExpands and diversifies the number of nurses and certified midwives in underserved areas by using a set-aside for the Nurse Corps to support maternal and women\u2019s health registered nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, and Certified Nurse Midwives.\n\nIncreases the number of community health workers and health support workers in underserved areas via the Community Health Worker Training Program.\n\nExpands access to doulas, licensed midwives, and freestanding birth centers by releasing guidance for states regarding coverage options in Medicaid. Further expands access in other programs by launching a doula services and training program for incarcerated women, and encouraging FEHB carriers to improve reimbursement rates and expand coverage for certified nurse midwives, freestanding birth centers, and perinatal support services, including lactation consultants and doulas.\n\nStreamlines enrollment in benefit programs for housing, child care, financial assistance, and food by building better linkages between these programs so that pregnant and postpartum women can more easily obtain services that address their needs outside the doctor\u2019s office.\n\nIdentifies and addresses potential adverse effects on maternal health from climate change.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-sherrill-lead-members-of-new-jersey-congressional-delegation-in-requesting-state-funeral-for-last-surviving-world-war-ii-medal-of-honor-recipient", "Booker, Sherrill Lead Members of New Jersey Congressional Delegation in Requesting State Funeral for Last Surviving World War II Medal of Honor Recipient", "2022-06-29", "2022", "2022-06", "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 Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) led all 12 other of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation in requesting President Biden grant a state funeral for Corporal Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams, who was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Corporal Williams, 98, passed away this morning in West Virginia.\n\n\u201cWe, the members of the delegation from the State of New Jersey, request that you direct a state funeral for World War II (WWII) veteran, Corporal Hershel \u2018Woody\u2019 Williams, United States Marine Corps,\u201d wrote the members in a letter to President Biden. \u201cThis effort would not only honor Corporal Williams, but also the 16 million other Americans who defended our nation and ideals in WWII.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers listed the names of the 16 New Jerseyans who earned the Medal of Honor while fighting in WWII, stating that these individuals \u201cexhibited exceptional valor and courage, and they represent the spirit of all the brave service members from our state whose devotion to duty and country must be remembered.\u201d\n\nThe members concluded by stating that Corporal Williams, who served in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman in 1945, \u201cwas an exemplary member of the Greatest Generation and he must be treated with the respect befitting WWII\u2019s last surviving decorated hero.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senator Menendez (D-NJ) and Representatives Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10), Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-09), Albio Sires (D-NJ-08), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), and Chris Smith (R-NJ-04).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-resolution-recognizing-african-american-contributions-to-music", "Booker Introduces Resolution Recognizing African American Contributions to Music", "2022-06-28", "2022", "2022-06", "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) introduced a resolution celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and designating June 2022 as African American Music Appreciation Month. In addition, the resolution further recognizes the lack of access to arts education and training for African American students and calls for greater access to music education.\n\n\u201cFrom the early spirituals of people who were enslaved to the modern rhythm and blues, African American music is embedded into the cultural fabric of American life,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis resolution recognizes the incredible contributions Black musicians have made to our country and calls on us to expand access to music education so that future generations can appreciate and further contribute to the musical tradition of the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom Dayton to Detroit, Memphis to St. Louis, Black musicians have created and shaped our culture and music from the very beginning of our country. Dayton, Ohio \u2013 known as the \u201cLand of Funk\u2019\u2019\u2013 helped give rise to the mixture of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues that created the funk genre, and continues to produce talented musicians today,\u201d said Sen. Brown. \u201cThis legislation will finally give these pioneers the recognition they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cMusic and art help us understand our history better, connect with others, and share our own experiences. But for many Black artists and musicians, their rich contributions to American culture have been underappreciated,\u201d said Sen. Durbin. \u201cIn introducing this resolution with Senator Booker, I hope to see the Senate give these artists the recognition they have earned and celebrate the impact of their talents.\u201d\n\n\u201cMinnesota\u2019s music scene has long been defined by African-American music, with artists ranging from the legendary duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Macalester College\u2019s own Sounds of Blackness to Morris Day and the Time and chart-topping sensation Lizzo. And of course, Minnesota will forever be known as the land of Purple Rain and the home of the iconic Prince, who touched hearts, opened minds, and made millions of people around the world want to dance. This resolution is a fitting tribute to the significant contributions that African-American musicians have made and continue to make to the musical heritage and cultural fabric of our country,\u201d said Sen. Klobuchar.\n\n\u201cFor centuries, African Americans have defined our nation\u2019s musical heritage,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cFrom the birth of blues and jazz, to Motown and R&B, African American artists have created some of the most popular music in U.S. history. And for far too long, African Americans have seen their musical genius appropriated without recognition. I\u2019m proud to sponsor this resolution with Senator Booker so that African Americans finally get the recognition they deserve for their achievements and contributions to our nation\u2019s music.\u201d\n\nThe resolution was cosponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-raising-concerns-over-permanent-classwide-scheduling-of-fentanyl-analogues", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Raising Concerns Over Permanent Classwide Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues", "2022-06-28", "2022", "2022-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Yesterday, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a bicameral group of lawmakers asking the Biden Administration for information related to the scientific evaluations that the Department of Health and Human Services has conducted of fentanyl analogues. The letter expresses concerns over the Biden Administration\u2019s proposal to make the current temporary classwide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances (FRS) permanent without proper scientific evaluation. As per recent testimony from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), classwide scheduling may improperly classify FRS that may be harmless, or have a medical use, as Schedule I drugs, a designation reserved for the most dangerous substances that have no therapeutic use.\n\nIn a letter to the Attorney General Merrick Garland, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Millgram, the lawmakers wrote that \u201cpermanent classwide scheduling would absolve the government of its statutory responsibility to determine a substance\u2019s potential for abuse or accepted medical use before placing it in a category of controlled substances.\u201d The proposal would also \u201ccreate a system in which some individuals may be prosecuted and sentenced to prison for substances that turn out to be harmless, which invariably will disproportionately impact people of color.\u201d\n\nAs yesterday\u2019s letter notes, after Senator Booker and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote to then-HHS Secretary Alex Azar on this issue in 2019, the department found that \u201cpermanent scheduling of a class of substances, rather than specific substances, would not be feasible for the FDA to develop\u201d and \u201ccould impede the development of treatments for opioid addiction and overdoses.\u201d Schedule I drugs are the most difficult for researchers to study due to time-consuming protocols.\n\nThe lawmakers also highlight that in December 2021, the FDA testified before Congress that of the few FRS it has studied, \u201cone does not make a person \u2018high\u2019 and could be a life-saving treatment.\u201d Yet, the administration \u201chas neither released any information about the substances it has studied nor explained which steps it is taking under current law to reclassify the substances it has concluded should not be in Schedule I.\u201d The permanent classwide scheduling of FRS \u201cwithout first conducting a scientific and medical evaluation\u2014an evaluation that could lead to the discovery of a life-saving treatment\u2014is contrary to evidence-based, public health solutions,\u201d continue the lawmakers.\n\nFurthermore, the lawmakers argue that temporary scheduling of FRS as Schedule I drugs \u201chas not proven to be an effective solution to the country\u2019s grim overdose crisis.\u201d The letter cites data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that show \u201coverdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone increased 23 percent, from 58,000 to 71,000\u201d between 2020 and 2021 alone.\n\nThe lawmakers concluded by requesting that the DEA release information related to FRS, including scientific and medical studies done on FRS by HHS or the FDA.\n\nThe letter was co-signed in the Senate by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and in the House by Representatives by Representatives Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA-29th), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3rd), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-9th), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-7th), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12th), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9th), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-CA-44th), Cori Bush (D-MO-1st), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At-large).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-overturning-roe-v-wade", "Booker Statement on Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade", "2022-06-24", "2022", "2022-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cToday the Supreme Court defied nearly a half-century of legal precedent by stripping Americans of one of their most fundamental freedoms: the right to decide what happens to their own body.\n\n\u201cOverturning Roe v. Wade will harm countless Americans, particularly those facing the most unthinkable of circumstances, such as in the case of rape, incest, or if someone\u2019s life is put in danger by forcing them to carry a pregnancy to term. In no uncertain terms, the Supreme Court today told Americans they have no right to make their own healthcare decisions.\n\n\u201cThis radical decision is the result of a decades-long assault waged by Republicans to undermine Americans\u2019 constitutional rights. That assault will only accelerate in the weeks and months ahead. More than half of American states are certain or likely to ban abortion with Roe v. Wade overturned; 13 of them already have laws that immediately ban abortion with a decision overturning Roe. And we know that congressional Republicans will move forward with legislation to ban abortion nationwide if given the opportunity.\n\n\"Today's decision must also be the beginning of a new fight. The lives of countless people are now endangered. It is now up to us to deliver on efforts to protect Americans' most basic and fundamental rights. And we will never give up until the cause of freedom is again won.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/booker-statement-on-senate-passage-of-the-bipartisan-safer-communities-act", "Booker Statement on Senate Passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Booker was part of a bipartisan group of 20 Senators who signed on to an earlier framework outlining the proposal to address the gun violence epidemic in the United States.\n\n\u201cQuite simply, this legislation will save lives. And if passing it saves even one child from being killed; if it saves even one family from the pain of losing a loved one; if it saves even one community from being shattered by gun violence, then it is worth doing.\n\n\u201cAlthough this bill is an imperfect bipartisan compromise and doesn\u2019t do everything necessary to end America\u2019s epidemic of gun violence, it is an important and long overdue step in the right direction and represents the most significant reforms to federal gun safety laws in three decades.\n\n\u201cI celebrate the tireless efforts of activists, advocates, and everyday Americans who demanded that Congress make this moment real. They know as well as anyone that today\u2019s vote isn\u2019t the end, but only the beginning of our efforts to get to where we ultimately want to go: an America with common sense gun safety policies, from universal background checks, to a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, to expanded community violence interruption programs, and a gun licensing system.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-biden-administration-support-of-legal-challenge-to-california-proposition-12", "Booker Statement on Biden Administration Support of Legal Challenge to California Proposition 12", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "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), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Justice brief supporting a challenge to California\u2019s animal housing law, Proposition 12.\n\n\u201cI am deeply disappointed and angered that USDA and the Biden Administration have aligned themselves with corporate meatpackers and their cruel factory farm system that is dangerous for workers, consumers, animals, and the environment.\n\n\u201cCalifornia and other states have the right to protect the health of their residents by prohibiting the sale of products derived from the inhumane, unsanitary confinement of farm animals. Future generations will look back on these practices as unconscionably cruel to animals and unacceptably harmful to people and our environment. I hope that the Supreme Court will affirm the decision of the lower court upholding Proposition 12.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-striking-down-new-york-gun-safety-law", "Booker Statement on Supreme Court Decision Striking Down New York Gun Safety Law", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court\u2019s sweeping decision striking down New York\u2019s 100-year-old gun permitting law is not only wrong but wildly out of step with the American public, who overwhelmingly support common sense gun safety laws. This decision undermines public safety and makes our communities less safe.\n\n\u201cFollowing the disastrous and wrongly decided Heller decision by throwing out a century-old law that has stood the test of time and legal challenge is just the latest example of the Supreme Court\u2019s activist conservative majority imposing its ideology on the American people, further contributing to the Court\u2019s crisis of legitimacy.\n\n\u201cThis decision also directly threatens New Jersey\u2019s gun permitting law that helps protect the people of my state and the United States from gun violence and burdens future state efforts to do the same.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warnock-introduce-legislation-to-advance-health-equity", "Booker, Warnock Introduce Legislation to Advance Health Equity", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "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 Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA), comprehensive legislation that provides a roadmap to eliminate racial and ethnic health inequities. Building on the gains made under the Affordable Care Act, HEAA lays out additional investments Congress must make to enhance the health and well-being of systematically marginalized and underserved communities, address health disparities, and ensure access to high quality and affordable health care for all. Companion legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02).\n\n\u201cStunning disparities in access to and delivery of quality, affordable health care have long affected marginalized and underserved communities,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI am proud to be leading this effort to ensure that every one has access to the care they deserve. This legislation contains comprehensive, commonsense, and critical provisions that must be taken to ensure equitable health care and coverage is offered to communities that have been neglected for far too long. It will help address poor health outcomes, increase the availability of mental health services, address diseases that disproportionately impact minorities, and strengthen our health infrastructure -- all of which will help make sure quality health care is a right, not a privilege.\u201d\n\n\u201cDr. King once said that of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane. That is why I am proud to join my friend Senator Booker in introducing the Health Equity and Accountability Act, which will take important steps to ensure all of our communities are healthy and thriving,\u201d said Sen. Reverend Warnock. \u201cThis is an issue near and dear to my heart. As a pastor, I hear from countless parishioners about their struggles to access affordable and equitable health care. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important we pass this legislation and enhance the health and well-being of underserved communities and ensure access to high quality and affordable health care for all,\u201d concluded Sen. Reverend Warnock.\n\n\u201cThe Health Equity and Accountability Act will reduce racial and ethnic health inequities, address the maternal mortality crisis, strengthen health data collection & research, expand access to mental health care, target gun violence, improve language access in health care, diversify our health care workforce, and so much more,\u201d said Congresswoman Kelly. \u201cI am proud to have led this bill on behalf of the Congressional Tri-Caucus in the House and am grateful to Senator Booker for introducing this bill in the Senate. Today we are one step closer to achieving health equity and eliminating disparities.\u201d\n\nHEAA is composed of ten titles as detailed below:\n\nTitle I - Data Collection and Reporting: Strengthens the collection of data for historically underrepresented populations to effectively evaluate health disparities and inform health equity policies.\n\nTitle II - Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health and Health Care: Ensures culturally and linguistically appropriate health and health care to reduce disparities in health for non-English speakers.\n\nTitle III - Health Workforce Diversity: Improves health workforce diversity to ensure providers are representative of the patients that they serve.\n\nTitle IV - Improving Health Care Access and Quality: Addresses systemic barriers to quality care for vulnerable populations by expanding coverage, improving access to health care facilities, innovating in care delivery, and creating health empowerment zones.\n\nTitle V - Improving Health Outcomes for Women, Children, and Families: Addresses poor health outcomes for underserved women, children, and families through expanded access and coverage and increased resources and tools.\n\nTitle VI - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Improves the availability, accessibility, and quality of mental health services through increased funding and development to combat inequities.\n\nTitle VII - Addressing High Impact Minority Diseases: Addresses high impact minority diseases by increasing pre-emptive screenings, research, treatments, and coverage.\n\nTitle VIII - Health Information Technology: Promotes, strengthens, and invests in the Health IT infrastructure to multiply its impact on racial and ethnic minority communities.\n\nTitle IX - Accountability and Evaluation: Emphasizes the federal government\u2019s responsibility to prevent health care services discrimination and the importance of strengthening accountability through transparency and enforcement actions.\n\nTitle X - Addressing Social Determinants and Improving Environmental Justice: Defines social determinants of health and introduces assessments and programs to remediate the factors influencing the unequal distribution of health inequities.\n\nHEAA has been introduced since 2003 by the Congressional Tri-Caucus, comprised of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Since that time, over 300 racial and health equity organizations, researchers, provider groups, and community-based organizations have contributed to the development of HEAA.\n\nThe Health Equity and Accountability Act is cosponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-urging-president-biden-to-establish-a-presidential-commission-to-study-reparations", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Urging President Biden to Establish a Presidential Commission to Study Reparations", "2022-06-21", "2022", "2022-06", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a group of Senators urging President Biden to establish a Presidential Commission to study and issue proposals on a national apology and reparations for African Americans. The effort builds upon the lawmakers\u2019 earlier work on S. 40, a bill that would establish a congressional commission for the study of reparations proposals that aims to study the impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African Americans and will make recommendations on reparation proposals for the descendants of slaves.\n\nIn a letter to the President, the Senators write that \u201cThe legacy of slavery remains with us today and is compounded by ongoing racism and discrimination. The consequences for Black people in this country have been severe, continuous, and measurable.\u201d The Senators document that \u201cBlack people in the United States are incarcerated at over five times the rate of white people, face an unemployment rate over twice that of white Americans, and have on average less than one-sixth the wealth of white households.\u201d These \u201cclear and staggering racial disparities\u201d argue the Senators, \u201ccan be traced directly back to slavery, Jim Crow segregation, redlining, and ongoing systemic racism that has deprived Black families of wealth and opportunities for generations.\u201d\n\nIn conclusion, the Senators highlight the need to \u201cdocument the harms inflicted upon African Americans throughout our history, confront the egregious inequalities we see today with the knowledge of their deep roots, and seek to help African American families and communities realize the promise of equality and opportunity that this country has always purported to offer.\u201d A presidential commission will help progress our nation toward that end by recommending \u201cpolicy changes and monetary and other forms of compensation for the descendants of enslaved people.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-durbin-introduce-bill-to-help-improve-clearance-rates-for-homicides-and-gun-violence-throughout-the-country", "Booker, Durbin Introduce Bill to Help Improve Clearance Rates for Homicides and Gun Violence throughout the Country", "2022-06-15", "2022", "2022-06", "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, introduced a bill that would help improve the clearance rate for murders \u2013 or the percentage of murder cases solved by law enforcement agencies. The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act (VICTIM Act) would establish a grant program at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives in October by Representative Val Demings (D-FL-10).\n\nSince the beginning of the pandemic, murder rates throughout the country have increased. In 2020, 21,570 people were murdered in the United States, the highest number since 1995 and a 29.4 percent increase from 2019 \u2013 the most significant one-year jump since the FBI began maintaining records on the statistic in 1960. The increase in homicide rates is not only happening in major cities but also in rural communities, where the percentage of homicides increased by 25% in 2020 \u2013 making this the most significant increase in rural communities since 1999, when the agency began tracking the data.\n\nDespite rising murder rates, the clearance rate for murders fell from 61.4 percent in 2019 to 54.4 percent in 2020.\n\nTragically, people of color disproportionately suffer from murders and poor clearance rates in the United States. Despite comprising 13.4 percent of the U.S. population, Black victims made up at least 46 percent of those murdered in 2020, and local and national reports show that cases involving Black and Hispanic victims go unsolved at substantially higher rates than those involving white victims.\n\n\u201cSince the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a rise in homicide in every part of our country,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cDue to the lack of resources, agencies in rural and urban communities alike lack the proper resources to solve such heinous crimes. This legislation will help law enforcement agencies get the appropriate training and resources they need to help increase clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings and to combat gun violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cGun violence and violent crime must be addressed with an all-hands-on-deck approach,\u201d said U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. \u201cThis bill will help ensure our law enforcement have the tools they need to keep our communities safe, while also supporting victims and their families who are working to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violent crime. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Booker and Representative Demings in introducing this critical bicameral legislation, and I urge our colleagues across the political spectrum to support it.\u201d\n\nSaid Rep. Demings, \u201cI am proud to have introduced the VICTIM Act in the House and honored to have the leadership of Senator Booker and Senator Durbin as we work to keep communities safe and put murderers behind bars. Real life is quite different from what you may see on television. I saw as a detective, detective sergeant, and chief of police that gun crimes are oftentimes difficult to investigate and solve. Simply put, many agencies lack the resources they need to bring justice to these cases and closure for families. Half of gun murders in the United States go unsolved, and victims are often left with no justice and little support. This legislation would inject critical new funding into America\u2019s law enforcement agencies to hire and train detectives and specialists specifically committed to investigate unsolved crimes, comfort victims, and bring the guilty to justice.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act, or the VICTIM Act, will be used to improve clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings by:\n\nTraining detectives and police personnel to investigate, solve, and respond to homicides and non-fatal shootings;\n\nHiring additional detectives, officers, and personnel to support these efforts; and investing in technology needed by law enforcement agencies for these efforts;\n\nTraining police personnel to address the needs of victims and family members of homicides and non-fatal shootings;\n\nProviding victims and family members with mental health resources and assistance with shelter, wage, and relocation costs.\n\nAdditionally, recipients of VICTIM Act grants would be required to report their use of the money to the DOJ. The National Institute of Justice will conduct periodic evaluations of the grant programs and their practices and procedures to identify which successfully improved clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings. Information from this report, in addition to data collected by individual grant recipients, will be compiled by the DOJ and provided to Congress.\n\nThe VICTIM Act is endorsed by the following organizations: Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Chiefs Association (MCCA), National Organization of Black Law (NOBLE), Niskanen Center, and Everytown for Gun Safety.\n\n\u201cThe VICTIM Act would establish a grant program to help State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings. Agencies can use these grant funds to train or hire additional detectives, investigators, or other police personnel that can investigate, solve, and respond to homicides and non-fatal shootings,\u201d Patrick Yoes said, FOP National President. \u201cThese resources will help agencies punish the perpetrators of these crimes, provide justice for the victims and their families, and grant peace of mind to communities that experienced firearms violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe IACP is proud to support the VICTIM Act,\u201d said Chief Dwight Henninger, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. \u201cBy providing dedicated resources to law enforcement agencies to enhance their abilities to successfully investigate violent criminal acts, the VICTIM Act will bring justice to victims, remove violent offenders from our communities and bring closure to families. The IACP is grateful for the leadership that Senator Durbin and Senator Booker have shown on this critical issue and for their continuing support of law enforcement and victims of crime.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe MCCA thanks Senators Booker and Durbin for introducing the VICTIM Act,\u201d said Chief Jeri Williams, President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. \u201cAs law enforcement continues to respond to increased violent crime, additional resources are needed to address staffing challenges, enhance forensics capabilities, further deploy investigative tools, and bolster victims\u2019 services. The VICTIM Act will provide critical grants that will help law enforcement improve clearance rates and ensure those who commit violent crimes are held accountable.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 155, "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": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 155, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2022&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 155, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NJ&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "NJ", "label": "NJ", "count": 155, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 155, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2022-06-15,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebooker~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress~2Fbooker-durbin-introduce-bill-to-help-improve-clearance-rates-for-homicides-and-gun-violence-throughout-the-country", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=NJ&year=2022&_next=2022-06-15%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebooker~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress~2Fbooker-durbin-introduce-bill-to-help-improve-clearance-rates-for-homicides-and-gun-violence-throughout-the-country&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 251.40693201683462, "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"}