{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\" and state = \"NJ\" sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-north-jerseys-korean-american-community-at-the-25th-annual-korean-harvest-festival-of-new-jersey", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins North Jersey\u2019s Korean-American Community at the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Below: Gottheimer at the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey to celebrate Chuseok.\n\nRIDGEFIELD, NJ \u2014 U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) attended the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey. The festival brings together New Jersey\u2019s diverse communities to enjoy and experience Korean culture. This year\u2019s festival featured Korean dishes, music, art, games, and more to celebrate Chuseok, a South Korean holiday celebrating the full moon and harvest.\n\n\u201cThe Korean American community is a critical part of North Jersey \u2014 they work every day to make the Fifth District an even better place to live, raise our families, and do business. I\u2019m proud to be able to help celebrate Chuseok and remember that our greatest strength is diversity in the United States,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).\n\nGottheimer has worked with Korean American community and business leaders from North Jersey to support small businesses, lower taxes, keep communities safe, help make life more affordable, and combat hate against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, NJ Assemblywoman Ellen Park, NJ Assemblyman Robert Auth, Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna, Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mark Park, Palisades Park Mayor Paul Kim, Palisades Park Councilman Christopher Kwak, Palisades Park Councilman Charlie Shin, Palisades Park Councilman Frank Donohue, the Korean American Association of NJ, The Ko-American Harvest Festival Committee, Korean Produce Association of NY, The Korean NY Daily.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer at the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey celebrating Chuseok.\n\n###", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-calls-on-the-u-s-doj-and-nj-attorney-general-to-investigate-lindens-targeting-of-jewish-community", "RELEASE: Gottheimer Calls on the U.S. DOJ and\u00a0NJ Attorney General\u00a0to Investigate Linden\u2019s Targeting of Jewish Community", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "LINDEN, NJ \u2014 Today, Wednesday, September 30, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced he is working with the U.S. Department of Justice and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport to address serious concerns about the seven-year pattern of discriminatory zoning changes and selective enforcement by the City of Linden against its Jewish community. Gottheimer has now sent a letter to both U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and New Jersey Attorney General Davenport, asking them to work together on a review.\n\n\u201cReligious freedom is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and any attempt to exclude or harass a certain population based on prejudice, particularly by public officials, is deeply upsetting and disturbing,\u201d wrote Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).\u201dFor more than 35 years prior to the arrival of the Jewish community in Linden, there were no significant changes to the City\u2019s zoning regulations. However, in the seven years since the Jewish community began to settle there, the City has enacted four major zoning changes. Each of these changes directly impacts the Jewish community\u2019s religious life and unique family needs\u2026 I encourage the U.S. Department of Justice and New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to investigate these claims and, if necessary, take legal action to remediate these alarming actions by the City of Linden.\u201d\n\nThe full letter can be found here.\n\nGottheimer\u2019s September 2026 letter asks the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to look into a seven-year pattern of zoning changes and selective enforcement by the City of Linden (Union County) aimed at its Jewish community. It builds on his May 2025 letter to the Department of Justice. The letter outlines:\n\nHouses of worship: Months after approving a synagogue in May 2017, the City raised the minimum lot size for houses of worship from 25,000 to 75,000 square feet. It then made combining lots effectively impossible.\n\nResidential zoning: Between 2023 and 2025, the City proposed counting basements, attics, and garages toward floor area, requiring garages (which would cut living space by about 29 percent), and barring basement kitchens and bathrooms. After community pushback, the City dropped the basement-counting provision.\n\nThe October 7 sweep: On October 7, 2025, which fell during Sukkot and on the anniversary of the Hamas terror attack, City officials issued more than 34 violations. They allegedly went only to addresses listed in a Yiddish community circular.\n\nServices and infrastructure: In 2025, Mayor Derek Armstead personally blocked dumpsters requested ahead of Passover. School buses carrying Jewish children were ticketed and stopped. The permit for Corner Bite, a kosher pizzeria, was revoked retroactively.\n\nLegal basis: The concerns raise issues under the First and Fourteenth Amendments; Article I, Section 3 of the New Jersey Constitution; the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA); the Fair Housing Act; the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination; and the Open Public Meetings Act. On the last point, the City scheduled meetings during Passover week and turned away Jewish residents on April 18, 2025.\n\n###", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-court-approval-of-paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement", "Booker Statement on Court-Approval of Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Settlement", "2026-09-30", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement after a federal judge approved the settlement between Paramount Skydance and the states that sued to block its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery:\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration picked a winner from the outset and cleared its path. The states stepped in because this merger combines two of the largest film studios and drives concentration to levels the law presumes unlawful. They warned of higher prices, fewer films, and less choice. The settlement does not resolve those concerns.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve an economy where companies compete for their business, reward talent, and serve the public, not markets controlled by those with the deepest pockets.\n\n\u201cAbove all, I worry about the workers, artists, and moviegoers who always pay the price when studios consolidate, and about the creative expression that disappears when fewer companies decide what gets made. Past entertainment mergers brought layoffs, shelved projects, and higher prices.\n\n\u201cOur country\u2019s origin story begins with a revolt against monopoly: colonists dumped the East India Company\u2019s tea into the Boston Harbor rather than accept a Crown-granted monopoly. Two hundred and fifty years later, that fight continues. I have called, and will continue to call, for the vigorous and fair application of our antitrust laws. I will watch this merger, and others, closely to make sure it does not threaten competition, raise prices, or invite corruption.\u201d", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-secures-over-2-million-hire-more-clifton-firefighters", "Congresswoman Pou Secures Over $2 Million to Hire More Clifton Firefighters", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "PATERSON, NJ \u2013 Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today announced that she helped secure a $2,139,724.80 federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for the Clifton Fire Department. Awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the funding will allow the department to hire additional firefighters.\n\n\u201cClifton\u2019s firefighters put themselves in harm\u2019s way seven days a week. They deserve to have the people they need beside them when the alarm sounds,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou. \u201cI am proud to help bring more than $2.1 million home to Clifton to put additional firefighters on the job. More firefighters mean a stronger department and more support for the men and women already serving on the front lines. I will always fight to make sure our local fire departments have the federal money they need to protect our communities and bring their firefighters home safely.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a vibrant, growing community, Clifton\u2019s fire heroes need every dollar of federal resources to do their jobs. Thanks to this federal funding secured by Congresswoman Pou, Clifton will be able to hire more firefighters and protect our residents when the worst strikes,\u201d said Clifton Mayor Ray Grabowski.\n\nCongress created the SAFER program in 2003 to address staffing shortages at fire departments across America. While existing federal fire grants largely helped departments purchase equipment and improve training, SAFER was designed specifically to help communities put more firefighters on the job and ensure departments have adequate personnel to respond to emergencies. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Pou sent a letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee requesting increased funding for the SAFER program.\n\nSAFER was created through the efforts of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., who was also the longtime head of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.\n\nAdministered by FEMA, SAFER supports two primary activities: hiring additional career firefighters and recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters. Over 20 years, the program has provided billions of dollars to fire departments across America.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-introduces-resolution-celebrating-bangladeshs-global-leadership", "Pou Introduces Resolution Celebrating Bangladesh\u2019s Global Leadership", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "PATERSON, NJ \u2013 Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, has introduced a bipartisan House resolution congratulating the People\u2019s Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and reaffirming the importance of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States. The Republican lead cosponsor is Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC-02).\n\n\u201cBangladesh\u2019s leadership at the United Nations is a proud moment for Bangladeshis around the world, including the thousands of Bangladeshi Americans I am honored to represent in North Jersey,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou. \u201cOur two nations share deep economic, security, and personal ties that have grown stronger over more than half a century. As co-chair of the Bangladesh Caucus, I want Congress to recognize this historic achievement and continue building a relationship that benefits the people of both our nations.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for Congresswoman Nellie Pou\u2019s leadership in introducing this important resolution and working hard to deepen the ties between the United States and Bangladesh,\u201d said Paterson Second Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique.\n\nPou represents one of the largest Bangladeshi-American communities in the United States. In Congress, she has worked to elevate the voices of Bangladeshi Americans in Washington and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh. As her new resolution notes, an estimated 300,000 people of Bangladeshi heritage live in the United States.\n\nThe United States and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations in 1972 and maintain important economic, military, security, and humanitarian ties. The Congresswoman\u2019s resolution finds that bilateral trade in goods and services totaled an estimated $13.7 billion in 2025 and highlights Bangladesh\u2019s major contributions to U.N. peacekeeping and its hosting of more than one million Rohingya refugees.\n\nBangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st General Assembly on June 2, 2026 and began serving as President when the session opened on September 8, 2026.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senators-kim-and-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-deliver-essential-maternal-supply-kits-to-new-parents/", "Senators Kim and Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Deliver Essential Maternal Supply Kits to New Parents", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act to deliver starter maternity kits to new moms in communities with high rates of infant or maternal mortality. The kits include supplies for both mother and baby such as diapers, wipes, educational materials, and more.\n\n\u201cThose first couple days of my sons\u2019 lives were filled with immense joy but also the very real anxiety and uncertainty every parent faces. The NEST program has been a helping hand to new moms in the precious and daunting first chapter of their kids\u2019 lives. I\u2019m proud to work with Senator Murkowski to codify and continue its success,\u201d said Senator Kim.\n\n\u201cThe time immediately after childbirth is an especially vulnerable time for mothers and their newborns. Evidence supports providing critical supplies during the postpartum period can improve families\u2019 experiences, including reduced anxiety and financial stress,\u201d said Senator Murkowski. \u201cI am pleased to join Senator Kim in introducing legislation to codify this successful program and offer this support to growing families across the country.\u201d\n\nThe United States has consistently ranked highest for maternal mortality when compared to peer nations; while the infant and maternal mortality rates started leveling off, since 2020 rates have been on the rise again. Mental health conditions and substance use disorder are the leading cause of death among women during the postpartum period, and postpartum deaths account for 63% of maternal deaths in the perinatal period.\n\nThe bipartisan NEST Act addresses maternal and infant health disparities by codifying a pilot program at the Department of Health and Human Services that partners with local community organizations and federally qualified health centers to distribute toolkits to expectant mothers in areas of highest need. Every expectant mother in the program will receive a Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit that includes:\n\ndiapers, wipes, hygiene items, blankets, and thermometers for infants;\n\npostpartum pads, lotion, cold packs, and breastfeeding supplies for the mother\u2019s postpartum recovery; and\n\neducational materials, such as information on maternal health resources, hotlines she can call, and information on other programs that may provide support.\n\nThe NEST Act is endorsed by: Shades of Blue Project and Save the Children.\n\n\u201cThe introduction of the NEST Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring new parents\u2019 access to essential resources during one of life\u2019s most vulnerable moments,\u201d said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director at the Shades of Blue Project. \u201cAs someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of the perinatal period, I know how transformative it can be when families receive the right support at the right time. I\u2019m grateful to Senators Andy Kim and Lisa Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership on pro-family and cost of living issues\u2014when we invest in moms and babies, we\u2019re investing in American communities, especially those who have been historically underserved.\u201d\n\n\u201cSave the Children is proud to support the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act and is grateful to Senators Murkowski and Kim for their leadership in improving outcomes for mothers and babies by investing in proven programs that save lives,\u201d said Allison Dembeck, Head of Policy at Save the Children U.S. \u201cThe NEST Act is a common-sense investment in families that will help ensure parents in rural America have access to critical care, supplies, and supports needed to give their babies a healthy start.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-hosts-hispanic-heritage-month-roundtable-with-north-jersey-community-leaders-and-advocates", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Roundtable with North Jersey Community Leaders and Advocates", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable for Hispanic American Heritage Month.\n\nBERGENFIELD, NJ \u2014 Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month Roundtable in Bergenfield, bringing together community leaders, advocates, educators, local elected officials, county officials, faith leaders, veteran advocates, and workforce professionals from across North Jersey to celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community and discuss the challenges families continue to face.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s this diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures, honestly, that makes North Jersey strong and such a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family,\u201d Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cIf we work together to lift one another up and highlight the diversity that gives us our strength, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.\u201d\n\nIn New Jersey\u2019s Fifth District, more than 151,000 constituents are part of the Hispanic and Latino community, with towns like Hackensack, Englewood, and Bergenfield \u2014 where roughly a third of residents are Hispanic \u2014 among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the state.\n\nThis roundtable was hosted during National Hispanic American Heritage Month, which is celebrated every year from September 15th to October 15th to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. First, this observance originated as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Then, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover this 30-day period, from mid-September to mid-October.\n\nThis event discussed a range of priorities, including access to affordable and culturally competent health care and mental health care, rising costs and housing affordability, community safety and immigration enforcement concerns, language barriers, and barriers to education.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Camelia Valdes, Passaic County Prosecutor; Ra\u00fal Ruiz, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers; John Lucas, President of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Gladis Cuadros, Career Services Supervisor at the Women\u2019s Rights Information Center; Matilde Villacorta, Career Counselor at the Women\u2019s Rights Information Center; Ramon Hache, Ridgewood YMCA President and former Bergen County Commissioner; Francisco Galindo, Director of Coaching and Mentoring at ALPFA New Jersey; Bol\u00edvar Flores, Vice President of the New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers; Larry F. Mantilla, President of Latino Veterans of NJ; Zoila Cassanova, Surrogate Judge of Passaic County; Roberto Diaz, Hackensack Councilman; Daisy Velez, Washington Township Councilwoman;Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner; Nathalie Salinas, Councilwoman and Vice President of the Fair Lawn Latin Heritage Committee; Arvin Amatorio, Mayor of Bergenfield; Hernando Rivera, Bergenfield Councilman; Matthew Gonzalez, Social Media and Student Outreach Fellow at the New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development; and Gladys Ciron-Ricci, Program Officer at the New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable for Hispanic American Heritage Month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-calls-nj-federal-officials-survey-damage-after-storm-anticipating", "Pallone Calls for NJ, Federal Officials to Survey Damage After Storm, Anticipating Federal Disaster Declaration", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LONG BRANCH, NJ \u2013 Following heavy rain and coastal flooding caused by a powerful nor\u2019easter that impacted areas across New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today called on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to conduct a prompt survey to assess the damage to the state in anticipation of the necessity for a federal disaster declaration.\n\n\u201cIn some parts of my district 6 to 7 feet of tidal flooding inundated businesses and homes, municipal infrastructure such as piers and bulkheads are severely damaged, and cars on the street are submerged in flood water,\u201d Pallone wrote. \u201cWhile it appears that flood control projects, berms, and raised homes saved many areas from even worse damage, the destruction left behind from this storm is significant.\u201d\n\nPallone also thanked Governor Sherrill for her proactive state of emergency declaration, and reiterated his willingness to work with state officials to provide the necessary federal funds to help towns, businesses, and residents recover from the storm.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\n\nDear Commissioner Potosnak and Acting State Director Hengemuhle:\n\nOver the weekend, my district and areas across New Jersey were hit by a powerful nor\u2019easter storm that resulted in intense rainfall, tidal surges, and forceful winds. I appreciate your willingness to conduct a prompt survey to assess damage to our state. This is necessary in my effort to secure a federal disaster declaration, should the damage survey thresholds be met.\n\nFrom power outages to substantial coastal erosion, this nor\u2019easter has brought dangerous conditions to our state. In its most recent forecast, the National Weather Service warned that the nor'easter would likely continue heavy rain and tidal surges on mid-Atlantic and northeastern states through Monday night. Coastal sections of New Jersey are seeing significant flooding. In some parts of my district, six to seven feet of tidal flooding inundated businesses and homes, municipal infrastructure such as piers and bulkheads are severely damaged, and cars on the street are submerged in flood water. While it appears that flood control projects, berms, and raised homes saved many areas from even worse damage, the destruction left behind from this storm is significant.\n\nI appreciate Governor Sherrill\u2019s proactive state of emergency declaration, and I urge the DEP and OEM to gather information on the full extent of the damage as soon as it is safe to do so.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I stand ready to work with you to provide the necessary federal funds to help towns, businesses, and residents recover from this devastating storm.\n\nSincerely,\n\nFRANK PALLONE, JR.\n\nMember of Congress\n\nCC: US Army Corps of Engineers\n\nFederal Emergency Management Agency", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-urges-ferc-protect-pjm-customers-stronger-data-center-rules", "Pallone Urges FERC to Protect PJM Customers with Stronger Data Center Rules", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today urging the Commission to use its authority to approve and strengthen recent proposals put forth by PJM surrounding its handling of data centers.\n\n\u201cAmericans are deeply frustrated and concerned that the rapid and unceasing development of data centers is driving up their monthly energy bills. At the end of the day, protecting Americans\u2019 power bills is FERC\u2019s responsibility,\u201d Pallone wrote in his letter to FERC Chairman Laura Swett. \u201cWhile I support many of the provisions included in the proposals, I am concerned that they do not go far enough and believe [FERC] should use its authority to improve PJM\u2019s proposals to protect families across the mid-Atlantic region.\u201d\n\nPallone explained that data centers are responsible for an increase in PJM capacity market costs of nearly $30 billion since the summer of 2024. Meanwhile, demand for electricity over the next decade is expected to explode, with PJM forecasting a roughly four percent increase in peak demand each year driven almost entirely by data centers.\n\nPJM is therefore suggesting it implement three reforms: requiring data centers to pay for new power plants to make PJM\u2019s grid reliable, requiring data centers to bring their own new generation capacity online, and creating a registry of data centers within PJM\u2019s boundaries.\n\nPallone writes that while he supports these goals, FERC should impose the following improvements to strengthen them:\n\nEnsure that data centers are responsible for all the costs they cause, not just for new power plants designed to shore up reliability;\n\nMake the requirement for data centers to bring their own new generation capacity online permanent; and\n\nMake the proposed data center registry public so that every American has access to the information they need to protect and empower their communities.\n\n\u201cLast year, my constituents saw an outrageous 20 percent increase in their power bills, fueled by skyrocketing prices in PJM\u2019s capacity market. Over 90 percent of the increased demand PJM expects to see on its system by the end of the decade is from data centers,\u201d Pallone continued. \u201cIf FERC gets this right, then it will have granted American families a measure of protection from the costs imposed by data centers. If the Commission falls short, then American families will pay the price.\u201d\n\nPallone has publicly and repeatedly called for substantial federal guardrails to protect communities against data centers\u2019 impact on their air, water, power grid, and monthly utility bills. If Congress fails to adopt strong guardrails, he has said a federal moratorium on data centers should be put in place.\n\nWhile the guardrails proposed by PJM are not sufficient to fully protect consumers, Pallone writes that they represent important progress, and FERC should incorporate the critical improvements highlighted in his letter and approve them.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-introduces-safe-water-schools-act-protect-students-lead", "Pou Introduces Safe Water for Schools Act to Protect Students from Lead", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "PATERSON, NJ \u2013 Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, last week introduced H.R. 10596, the Safe Water for Schools Act, legislation to help schools across the country replace aging drinking water fountains and monitor their water for dangerous lead contamination.\n\n\u201cEvery parent should be able to send their child to school knowing the water they drink is safe,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou. \u201cLast year, testing in Paterson in our district found lead in water fountains and faucets throughout our schools, including dangerous levels that forced some fixtures out of service. This is a problem we can fix. My new bill will help schools in New Jersey and across America replace old fountains, monitor water, and keep lead away from our children. Safe drinking water isn\u2019t political and should be something every family can count on, no excuses.\u201d\n\nThe Safe Water for Schools Act would reauthorize a federal grant program under the Safe Drinking Water Act at $7 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The program helps local school districts replace older drinking water fountains and cover the costs of monitoring lead levels in school drinking water.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association and the American Federation of Teachers.\n\nThe need for this investment has hit close to home in the Garden State. Testing conducted in Paterson Public Schools last year found excessive lead levels in fountains and faucets at 10 schools. Fourteen fixtures registered above the federal action level (15 parts per billion, or ppb), while testing found some amount of lead in a whopping 29.5 percent of the district's fountains and faucets.\n\nCongresswoman Pou has made improving water infrastructure a major focus of her first term in Congress. Earlier this month, the House overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Development Act, which includes more than a dozen priorities Pou championed to advance flood protection and water projects across North Jersey. The legislation also includes Pou\u2019s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, designed to remove barriers that have delayed environmental remediation and flood mitigation projects by the U.S. Army Corps.\n\nEarlier this Congress, Pou also introduced H.R. 5072, the Water Crisis Prevention Act, to strengthen the federal response to major water infrastructure failures and direct a federal review to improve infrastructure resilience against flooding.\n\nPou helped secure $500,000 to improve the Lower Saddle River channel and, with Senator Andy Kim, delivered another $1.2 million this year for stormwater improvements along River Street in Paterson.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-coons-merkley-van-hollen-kaine-call-for-secretary-rubio-to-act-to-de-escalate-tension-in-ethiopias-tigray-region", "Booker, Coons, Merkley, Van Hollen, Kaine Call for Secretary Rubio to Act to De-escalate Tension in Ethiopia\u2019s Tigray Region", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee (SFRC) on Africa and Global Health Policy issued the following statement after reports of renewed violent conflict in Ethiopia\u2019s Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions. In the statement, Booker was joined by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in condemning the Trump Administration for allowing sanctions to expire on those who facilitated human rights violations in Tigray and urged for mediation to continue:\n\n\u201cWe are alarmed by the deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia. As conflict in the Tigray, Oromia and Afar regions escalate, we are seeing the unraveling of the agreement that ended the 2020\u20132022 Tigray war, which the African Union brokered and the United States strongly supported. The international community must push signatories to the agreement to de-escalate tensions and return to mediation or risk seeing another conflict in the Horn of Africa.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, this resumption of hostilities comes less than a week after the Trump Administration let sanctions expire on individuals and entities that facilitated gross human rights abuses in Tigray. Allowing these sanctions to expire emboldens belligerents that see no checks against their horrific actions and leaves victims without much needed justice. Last week, a truck transporting U.S.-funded food assistance for internally displaced people in Northwestern Tigray was hit in a drone strike by the Ethiopian military. A significant portion of the food assistance was damaged or destroyed, and critical assistance was disrupted for people already facing significant humanitarian needs after the 2020-2022 conflict. The Ethiopian military\u2019s expansive use of drones in Amhara and Oromia is extremely concerning, will only worsen the humanitarian situation and risks widening the conflict. The Tigray People\u2019s Liberation Front has also failed to live up to its commitments by undermining the Interim Regional Administration, displacing IRA-appointed officials, refusing disarmament and forcefully conscripting civilians.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-hirono-smith-blumenthal-introduce-legislation-to-allow-use-of-us-foreign-assistance-for-abortion-care-overseas", "Booker, Duckworth, Hirono, Smith, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Allow Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance for Abortion Care Overseas", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In recognition of International Safe Abortion Day, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act and 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. U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Diana DeGette (D-CO-1), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nThe Helms Amendment has prohibited any U.S. foreign assistance funds from being used for \u201cthe performance of abortion as a method of family planning\u201d and has acted as a total ban on U.S. foreign aid being used for any abortion services. Due to the Helms Amendment, women are being denied abortion care, and even basic information and counseling. The Helms Amendment also forces providers to distinguish between abortion and all other health services and puts an essential health care service out of reach for too many. 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\n\u201cFor more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has restricted the use of U.S. foreign assistance for abortion care, with real consequences for women around the world,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cWomen are turned away from safe care and denied information and counseling about their options. Providers are forced to treat abortion differently from other essential health services. That is not a policy grounded in science, compassion, or dignity. The Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act would end these restrictions and make clear that U.S. global health assistance can support comprehensive reproductive health care, including safe abortion care.\u201d\n\n\u201cReproductive health care is a basic human right,\u201d said Senator Duckworth. \u201cNo one should ever die or have their lives endangered because they\u2019re denied access to basic health care, but that\u2019s the reality for too many women here at home and around the world. Our legislation would lift misguided restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance so it may be used to provide safe and legal access to reproductive health care.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Trump regime is not only attacking reproductive rights within our borders, they are preventing critical medications worth millions of dollars in foreign aid from reaching those who need it most,\u201d said Senator 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 reproductive services in some of the world\u2019s most vulnerable communities. As we fight to restore reproductive freedom in the U.S., this legislation will help millions around the world access comprehensive reproductive health care services.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith reproductive health care access under attack worldwide, our measure makes critical services available across countries\u2014including in some of the world\u2019s most vulnerable communities. It guarantees a basic human right\u2014 quality reproductive health care. By increasing global access, it ultimately saves lives and resources for all nations,\u201d said Senator Blumenthal.\n\n\u201cComprehensive abortion care is health care. That is not a political assertion, it is a public health reality,\u201d said Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, President and CEO of PAI. \u201cWhen safe abortion care is not available, abortions do not stop. They become more dangerous, contributing to preventable maternal death and morbidity. For more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has restricted U.S. foreign assistance for this care, putting women\u2019s health and lives at risk. U.S. global health policy should be grounded in evidence and focused on preventing needless maternal deaths and illness. It\u2019s time for Congress to pass the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act and repeal Helms.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has denied people around the world reproductive freedom. It undermines global health and human rights. It\u2019s an archaic remnant of U.S. abortion politics that has always been completely divorced from the reality of the lives of the people it harms. It\u2019s long past time to repeal this disgraceful law and we are grateful to Senator Booker and Congresswoman Schakowsky for introducing this important legislation. We look forward to its passage,\u201d said Brian Dixon, Sr. Vice President, Population Connection Action Fund.\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves to be able to get the healthcare they need when they need it. For over 50 years, the Helms Amendment has put safe abortion care out of reach for people around the world served by U.S. foreign assistance, including global health, gender-based violence, and humanitarian programs. As we continue to fight back against abortion bans and restrictions in the U.S., we must also work to expand access and eliminate barriers abroad. We\u2019re thankful to Rep. Schakowsky, Sen. Booker, and their co-leads for their leadership in expanding access to essential healthcare,\" said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.\n\n\u201cWith the Trump Administration undermining foreign aid for sexual and reproductive health care, the stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. Repealing the Helms Amendment, which has long prohibited US support for abortion services around the world, is a critical step toward ensuring people everywhere can access safe abortion care. We thank Sen. Booker, Rep. Schakowsky and their co-leads for introducing the Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act. Guttmacher\u2019s research makes the impact clear: ending Helms and supporting health care systems around the globe would avert 19 million unsafe abortions and 17,000 maternal deaths annually, \u201d said Kelly Baden, Vice President of US Policy & Communications, Guttmacher Institute.\n\n\u201cAbortion is health care \u2014 full stop. For over 50 years, the racist Helms Amendment has robbed women in the Global South, including many Latinas, of their right to bodily autonomy and access to lifesaving abortion care. It's time to end this deadly amendment and pass the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act! We are grateful to Sen. Booker and Rep. Schakowsky for taking the necessary steps to reaffirm abortion access and reproductive justice around the world,\u201d said Katherine Olivera, director of government relations, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.\n\nThe Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM).\n\nSee the full list of endorsing organizations here.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-takes-to-senate-floor-to-oppose-the-protect-college-sports-act", "Booker Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose the Protect College Sports Act", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON. DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a former Division I college football player, took to the Senate floor to oppose the Protect College Sports Act, standing with college athletes and organizations including the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, and AFL-CIO who have raised serious concerns about a bill that was written without athlete input, shields the NCAA from accountability, and puts the burden of enforcement on athletes themselves.\n\n\u201cAt its core, it's a bill that undermines the rights of young people who pour their blood, sweat, tears, countless hours of work, and more into their craft, \u201d said Senator Booker.\n\nFrom his earliest days in the Senate, Senator Booker has been a leading voice on college athletes\u2019 rights, standing with athletes against efforts to roll back the hard-fought protections they have earned.\n\n\u201cListen to the athletes. Listen to those who represent them. This so-called \u201cProtect College Sports Act\u201d isn\u2019t about protecting college athletes\u2014it\u2019s about protecting wealthy coaches, powerful institutions, and an NCAA that\u2019s held unbridled power for decades while athletes faced discrimination and injustice, \u201d continued Senator Booker.\n\nCollege sports is now a roughly $20 billion industry, with more than 40 football coaches earning over $5 million a year. Just 15 fired coaches collected nearly $250 million in contract buyouts in 2025 alone.\n\n\u201cCollege athletes put their bodies on the line, and generate billions, they deserve a real voice and real rights. This bill pulls the rug out from under them. Athletes deserve leaders who stand with them and I\u2019ll keep fighting alongside them,\u201d said Senator Booker.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-watson-coleman-bynum-krishnamoorthi-calls-for-review-of-epas-microplastics-monitoring-and-research", "Reps. Watson Coleman, Bynum, Krishnamoorthi Calls for Review of EPA\u2019s Microplastics Monitoring and Research", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) led 21 of their colleagues in a letter requesting Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Brown, to conduct a review of the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s efforts to monitor and evaluate the risks of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics.\n\nThe lawmakers argue that to continue protecting Americans\u2019 health, they need to understand what the EPA has accomplished in its work on microplastics and what progress still needs to be made. They also emphasize the urgency of this review amid emerging research connecting microplastics to adverse health consequences and serious environmental risks.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers write:\n\n\u201cEven as the EPA's FY2023-FY2026 research plan approaches its conclusion, Congress lacks a clear assessment of what the EPA has accomplished in its work on microplastics and what work remains necessary to support reliable monitoring, risk assessment and potential regulatory action.\u201d\n\nLater, they write: \u201cAddressing microplastic pollution is critical for protecting the health of Americans and safeguarding our waterways and ecosystems. Our constituents deserve to know what microplastic exposure means for their families\u2019 health, and the requested information above will be critical in informing Congress\u2019s work in tackling this challenge.\"\n\nThe letter was also signed by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representatives Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C), Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Dave Min (CA-47), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Judy Chu (CA-28), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Mike Levin (CA-49), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18).\n\nResearchers at the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) define microplastics as plastic particles ranging in size from 5 millimeters to one nanometer. Microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, as well as in food, beverages, and animal and human tissue. When Environment Oregon sampled 30 of Oregon\u2019s most iconic rivers, lakes, and urban waterways, they found microplastic fibers in 100% of the samples.", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-celebrates-bergen-county-seniors-at-annual-senior-citizens-festival", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Celebrates Bergen County Seniors at Annual Senior Citizens Festival", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer with Bergen County seniors.\n\nPARAMUS, NJ \u2014 Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) attended Bergen County\u2019s Annual Senior Citizens Festival. Gottheimer helped serve lunch, greeted and thanked local seniors and veterans for their contributions to the community, and enjoyed the festival\u2019s games, music, and food at Van Saun County Park. He also spoke to seniors about his focus on helping them battle back senior scams and ensure their veterans benefits, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are protected.\n\n\u201cBergen County\u2019s Annual Senior Citizens Festival is one of the great North Jersey traditions, and there\u2019s nothing I enjoy more than spending the day with our Fifth District seniors,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cBergen County seniors make invaluable contributions to our North Jersey community, and I\u2019ll always work to make their lives more affordable by cutting taxes, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and healthcare, and helping them access the Social Security they\u2019ve earned.\u201d\n\nGottheimer is fighting to support Jersey\u2019s seniors by:\n\nLowering the cost for prescription drugs and health care: Gottheimer helped pass legislation to lower prescription drug costs by capping the cost of insulin under Medicare at $35 per month for thousands of residents from the Fifth District and for more than 77,000 residents across New Jersey. The legislation also caps annual out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 under Medicare. Gottheimer is also working to expand Medicare coverage for lung cancer and expand Alzheimer\u2019s testing, helping seniors get timely answers about their health and the care they need.\n\nMaking life more affordable for Jersey seniors by helping lower property taxes: Gottheimer announced that New Jersey\u2019s Fifth District has now clawed 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States since he took office, helping to lower property taxes, make life more affordable and safer, and improve North Jersey communities amount to an average of more than $750 clawed back for each household in the Fifth District.\n\nProtecting Social Security and helping North Jersey seniors access their benefits: Gottheimer has helped more than 6,100 seniors access their earned Social Security checks since taking office and is continuing to fight to protect the vital Social Security program that North Jersey seniors paid into for their entire lives.\n\nStopping financial scams targeting our seniors: Building on his past record of protecting seniors, Gottheimer introduced the GUARD Act, which passed the House by a vote of 414-7 on September 15, 2026. The GUARD Act empowers state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to fight back against the fraud epidemic targeting older Americans.\n\nAs an active member of the Expand Social Security Caucus, Gottheimer is also working to pass bipartisan legislation to support organizations that operate senior legal hotlines. This will help seniors access free legal information, advice, and referrals on topics related to health, long-term care, finances, housing, and disability.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer with Bergen County seniors.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-hosts-local-veterans-100th-birthday-celebrates-american-heros-achievements", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Local Veteran\u2019s 100th Birthday, Celebrates American Hero\u2019s Achievements", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer celebrates August \u201cAugie\u201d Caccavone\u2019s 100th Birthday.\n\nFORT LEE, NJ \u2014 Today, Friday, September 25, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a 100th birthday celebration for local WWII veteran August \u201cAugie\u201d Caccavone, honoring his life and his service to his country.\n\nWatch Gottheimer\u2019s remarks here.\n\n\u201cAugie is a living symbol of perseverance, strength, and service. From fighting in the Battle of the Bulge to earning the Bronze Star for his heroism, he represents the very best of the Greatest Generation,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to celebrate this incredible milestone with him. Augie and every veteran who wore the uniform had our backs when our country needed them most, and we will always have theirs \u2014 that\u2019s a promise I\u2019ll never stop working to keep.\u201d\n\nRetired U.S. Army Sergeant August \u201cAugie\u201d Caccavone is a lifelong Bergen County resident and a proud World War II veteran. A veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, Augie served as a Sergeant in the 7th Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for destroying two German machine guns. He also served in the Philippines and with the 8th Army in Japan, exemplifying courage in defense of our nation. At 100 years old, Augie remains an active member of VFW Post 2342, where he continues to support fellow veterans with kindness and good humor.\n\nGottheimer was joined by; Bergen County Clerk John Hogan; Deputy Commissioner of the NJ Dep. of Veterans Affairs Esther Chucaralao; 108th Mission Support Group Commander, Colonel Eric Balint; Bergen County Commissioner Dr. Joan Voss; Senator Gordon Johnson; Fort Lee Mayor Mark J. Sokolich; Fort Lee Councilman Harvey Sohmer; Fort Lee Council President Bryan Drumgoole; Fort Lee Councilman Paul Yoon; Upper Saddle River Mayor Arman Fardanesh; Vernon Township Mayor Anthony Rossi; Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko; Leonia Mayor Bill Ziegler; Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna; Palisades Park Mayor Paul Kim; Palisades Park Councilman Charlie Shin; Palisades Park Councilman Christopher Kwak; Tenafly Councilwoman Jenny Jackson; Harrington Park Mayor Joon Chung; Allendale Mayor Amy Wilczynski; Allendale Council President Susanne Lovisolo; Waldwick Councilwoman Alyson Wingate; Waldwick Councilwoman Angela Smith; Glen Rock Councilman Jon Hendl; Paramus Councilman Alfredo Nadera; New Milford Councilman Matt Seymour; Fort Lee Police Chief Matthew Hintze.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer celebrates August \u201cAugie\u201d Caccavone\u2019s 100th Birthday.", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/mejia-secures-six-new-jersey-water-infrastructure-priorities-in-house-passed-bill", "Mejia Secures Six New Jersey Water Infrastructure Priorities in House-Passed Bill", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: September 21, 2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov\n\nThe bipartisan water resources bill includes provisions to advance flood protection, protect wetlands, address harmful algal blooms, and improve access to U.S. Army Corps programs across NJ-11\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) announced that six priorities she championed to strengthen flood protection and protect waterways across New Jersey\u2019s 11th Congressional District were included in the House-passed version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week by a vote of 415-9. The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate.\n\nThe legislation includes provisions directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to advance flood mitigation efforts along the Whippany River, Rockaway River, and Den Brook, and throughout the Passaic River Basin. It also expands support for natural flood protection, calls for additional federal attention to harmful algal blooms affecting Lake Hopatcong, and makes it easier for communities to navigate USACE programs and access technical assistance.\n\n\u201cFlooding is one of the greatest natural threats to families and businesses across New Jersey\u2014it is something our communities have experienced again and again. I fought to make sure that the voices of our communities were heard and that these initiatives moved forward,\u201d said Congresswoman Mejia. \u201cThese projects will help us better prepare for flooding, protect our waterways, and give local communities more tools to build the resilient infrastructure they need, before disaster strikes. I will continue working to make sure New Jersey gets its fair share of federal support as we confront the growing impacts of climate change.\u201d\n\nThe House-passed WRDA includes six priorities championed by Congresswoman Mejia:\n\nWhippany River Flooding: The bill directs USACE to expedite its ongoing study of flooding along the Whippany River, helping move the project closer to potential design, funding, and construction of flood-control improvements.\n\nRockaway River and Denville Flooding: The legislation calls for an update on efforts to reduce flooding along the Rockaway River and Den Brook, including solutions that can protect homes and businesses without relying solely on major construction projects.\n\nPassaic River Basin Flooding: WRDA directs USACE to accelerate its work on the Passaic River Basin and report on the status of flood-management efforts, helping identify projects that could provide flood protection while broader regional strategies continue to move forward.\n\nProtecting Wetlands and Natural Flood Protection: The bill expands support for wetlands, floodplains, green infrastructure, and other natural solutions that can reduce flooding and strengthen long-term resilience. These natural systems can absorb and store stormwater while complementing traditional infrastructure.\n\nLake Hopatcong and Harmful Algal Blooms: WRDA requires an update on USACE efforts to combat harmful algal blooms, with Lake Hopatcong identified as a priority area. Harmful algal blooms can threaten water quality, restrict recreational activities, and affect businesses that depend on the lake.\n\nMaking USACE Programs Easier for Towns to Use: The legislation includes reforms intended to provide communities with additional technical assistance and a more workable federal feasibility process. These changes can help smaller municipalities with limited staff and resources navigate USACE programs and advance local water infrastructure projects.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mejia-supports-victims-calls-for-immediate-resignation-of-lt-governor-caldwell", "Rep. Mejia Supports Victims, Calls for Immediate Resignation of Lt. Governor Caldwell", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: 9/25/2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov\n\nGlen Ridge, NJ \u2014 Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) released the following statement on the independent investigation into Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell:\n\n\"Lieutenant Governor Caldwell\u2019s conduct is deeply disappointing and falls far short of the standard we should expect from anyone entrusted with public office. I stand with the victims who had the courage to come forward, and they deserve to be heard, supported, and protected. I have spent my life fighting for accountability and justice for workers facing harassment, which is why I support the actions taken by Governor Sherrill and her call for the Lieutenant Governor\u2019s resignation,\" said Congresswoman Mejia. \"When harassment and ethical violations go unchecked, it sends a message to the public and to state employees that this kind of conduct is tolerated. That is simply unacceptable. Government officials have a responsibility to protect workers, stand up for our values, and fight every day to make life better for everyday New Jerseyans.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-icymi-judge-directs-paramount-state-ags-to-respond-to-booker-letter-challenging-paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement", "ICYMI: Judge Directs Paramount, State AGs to Respond to Booker Letter Challenging Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger Settlement", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Judge assigns \u201chomework:\u201d Respond to Booker\u2019s concerns about proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement by Monday\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, is drawing attention following Thursday\u2019s hearing on the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger for sending a letter to District Judge Araceli Martinez- Olguin urging an independent public-interest review of the settlement, resulting in her specifically \u201cquestioning attorneys Thursday about concerns raised by Sen. Booker.\u201d In his letter, Booker urged the court to conduct an independent public-interest review of the agreement.\n\n\u201cThe proposed settlement has reached the Court without a competitive impact statement, without a public comment period, and without any formal opportunity for theaters, distributors, workers, or consumers to be heard,\u201d Booker wrote in his letter. \u201cThe Court should not approve this agreement without first ensuring that the public interest has been adequately considered.\u201d\n\nSEE FOR YOURSELF:\n\nVariety\n\nJudge Questions Legal Points of Paramount\u2019s Settlement With States at Hearing, Says a Ruling Will Come in \u2018Due Course\u2019 \u2014 Judge Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn requests parties submit replies to Sen. Booker's request for an independent public-interest review\n\nBy Todd Spangler\n\nSeptember 24, 2026\n\nBooker sent a letter Thursday urging the court to subject the settlement to an independent public-interest review before approving it, noting it reached the court without a competitive impact statement, public comment period, or chance for theaters, distributors, workers, or consumers to weigh in.\n\nParamount Skydance filed a brief opposing what it called Booker's improper \"pseudo-amicus submission.\"\n\nJudge Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn opened by saying the court \"isn't a rubber stamp\" of the agreement and that she wanted to confirm the deal resulted from an arm's-length process rather than collusion.\n\nCalifornia senior assistant AG Paula Blizzard and a Paramount attorney both affirmed it was an arm's-length process.\n\nAsked how the deal addresses competition concerns, Blizzard said the states worried that blocking the merger outright would just send Warner Bros. Discovery looking for another buyer.\n\nForbes\n\nParamount Merger Settlement Won\u2019t Be Resolved Until At Least Next Week As Judge Questions Agreement\n\nBy Alison Durkee\n\nSeptember 24, 2026\n\nJudge Araceli Martinez-Olguin held a hearing Thursday after the states and Paramount announced Monday they\u2019d reached a settlement in the states\u2019 antitrust lawsuit\u2014paving the way for the merger to go through\u2014which the judge scheduled to \u201caddress certain outstanding questions regarding the factual and legal underpinnings of\u201d the agreement, \u201cas well as [its] implementation.\u201d\n\nThe fate of Paramount Skydance\u2019s controversial merger with Warner Bros. Discovery won\u2019t be decided until at least next week as a federal judge put off ruling on whether to approve Paramount\u2019s settlement with states challenging the merger, posing questions about the agreement at a hearing Thursday and suggesting she had concerns with some of its provisions.\n\nSen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., also filed a request Thursday for the judge to have the settlement undergo an independent review before she rules on whether or not to approve it. Martinez-Olguin asked the parties to respond to Booker\u2019s letter and any of the outside briefs by noon PDT on Monday, meaning any ruling on the agreement\u2019s fate would not come until after that deadline.\n\n@Daniel Miller, POLITICO Reporter\n\nHere\u2019s the judge\u2019s \u201chomework\u201d for the parties in the Paramount-WBD case: She asked them to address, by noon Monday, the letter the court received from Sen. Cory Booker. Read the senator\u2019s letter in full below\n\nBy Daniel Miller\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nIn a letter filed w/ the court, Sen. Cory Booker urged the judge handling the Paramount-WBD antitrust litigation to independently review the proposed settlement before approving it, questioning whether its temporary commitments would adequately restore competition.\n\nLos Angeles Times\n\nJudge holds off on ruling in states\u2019 antitrust settlement with Paramount\n\nBy Samantha Masunaga and Cerys Davies\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nA federal judge declined Thursday to rule immediately on the settlement between Paramount Skydance and 12 state attorneys general, leaving the last major hurdle to the $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition unresolved for now.\n\nJudge Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn gave no indication of how she'd rule but said she wanted more information before deciding whether to approve the consent decree.\n\nLos Angeles Magazine\n\nJudge\u2019s Questions Put Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal in New Uncertainty\n\nBy Camryn Rael\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nThe proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance has stirred debate over the future of Hollywood and the growing consolidation of the entertainment industry. That debate moved back into the courtroom Thursday, when U.S. District Judge Araceli Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn questioned a proposed settlement between Paramount and the 12 state attorneys general who sued to block the acquisition. The settlement would resolve the states\u2019 antitrust challenge under a series of conditions, but it still requires the judge\u2019s approval before the merger can move forward.\n\nThe judge\u2019s request came as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., urged the court to subject the proposed settlement to an independent public-interest review before approving it. Booker, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, has argued the agreement does not adequately address the competitive concerns raised by the merger.\n\n\u201cThis merger is illegal,\u201d Booker said in a statement this week. \u201cIt shrinks two of Hollywood\u2019s major studios from five to four and combines two of the largest basic cable owners \u2014 putting nearly a third of the theatrical film market and nearly a third of basic cable programming under one roof.\u201d\n\nThe.Desk.net\n\nJudge hits pause on settlement between states, Paramount over Warner Bros acquisition\n\nBy Matthew Keys\n\nSeptember 24, 2026\n\nA federal judge in California paused the pending settlement, questioning attorneys Thursday about concerns raised by Sen. Booker.\n\nMart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn asked the parties to respond by noon Monday local time (3 p.m. Eastern) to Booker's letter, which argued the settlement lacked a competitive impact statement, public comment period, or opportunity for stakeholders to be heard.\n\nParamount opposed the filing, calling it an improper submission made after the settlement was already reached.\n\nPOLITICO\n\nNOT A DONE DEAL\n\nBy Daniel Miller and Hassan Kanu\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nThe judge overseeing the 12 states' case against Paramount's Warner Bros. acquisition questioned the parties for 50 minutes Thursday but stopped short of approving the settlement.\n\nMart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn said she wasn't a \"rubber stamp\" and that a ruling would come in due course.\n\nShe opened with detailed questions and closed by giving both sides a \"homework\" assignment: respond by noon Monday to Booker's letter questioning whether the settlement's temporary commitments would adequately restore competition.\n\nThe five-year settlement would require Paramount to release at least 30 theatrical films annually for two years, then 32 a year for three more, and would create an editorial-independence board for CNN and CBS News \u2014 but calls for no upfront divestitures or structural remedies.\n\nSEE ALSO:\n\nBooker Introduces Legislation to Review and Unwind Anticompetitive Corporate Mergers Approved Under Second Trump Administration\n\nBooker Demands Answers on Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest in $111 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery-Paramount Skydance Merger\n\nBooker Statement on Paramount - Skydance/ Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Shareholder Vote\n\nICYMI: Booker Holds Forum on Risks of Paramount\u2013Skydance / Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Ahead of Shareholder Vote\n\nNEW VIDEO: Ahead of Paramount Shareholder Vote, Booker Releases Documentary Exposing Consequences of Proposed Paramount\u2013Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Merger\n\nBooker Holds Forum on Risks of Paramount\u2013Skydance / Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Ahead of Shareholder Vote\n\nBooker, Schumer, Durbin, Blumenthal, Hirono, Whitehouse, Warren Challenge FCC to Conduct Full Review of Foreign Investment Concerns in Paramount & Warner Bros. Merger\n\nBooker Statement: \u201cThe proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is far from settled.\u201d\n\nBooker, Schumer, Durbin, Klobuchar, Warren, Blumenthal, Hirono, Welch Demand Paramount CEO & Chairman David Ellison Preserve All Records Related to Proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Transaction\n\nBooker, Durbin Demand Answers on Trump Administration's Removal of DOJ Antitrust Chief Gail Slater", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/09/25/2026/booker-introduces-transit-oriented-housing-development-act", "Booker Introduces Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act, legislation to expand affordable and workforce housing near major transit hubs across the nation. If enacted, the legislation is projected to create more than two million new housing units across the country and increase access to affordable homes for low-income families. The bill also invests $300 billion over ten years into the national Housing Trust Fund to support the construction of affordable housing.\n\n\u201cOur nation faces a housing crisis that threatens the very bedrock of the American dream. For millions of families around the nation and in New Jersey, affordable housing is simply out of reach,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cWhen I was Mayor of Newark, I doubled the production of affordable housing across the city, even when the housing market faced severe turbulence. I am proud to build upon that success at the federal level because it will help address one of New Jerseyans\u2019 most urgent challenges; ensuring our families have access to more affordable housing, high-quality schools and opportunities to thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cHousing affordability is an escalating crisis in New Jersey and communities across the country,\" said Arnold Cohen, senior policy advisor for the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ. \"The need for more homes people can afford is undeniable, and this bill would make a significant investment in building those homes where people can connect to jobs, transit, and opportunity. By expanding access to housing near transit, it would also help communities attract and retain workers, support local businesses, and strengthen our economy.\"\n\n\"We appreciate Senator Booker introducing the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act to address our state and national housing affordability challenges in a way that supports transit-oriented development, smart growth, and the creation of more walkable places and connected communities. By expanding funding for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the National Housing Trust Fund, this bill will help create more housing affordable to a range of different incomes, helping New Jersey retain more individuals and families struggling with the cost of housing,\"said Peter Kasabach, Executive Director of New Jersey Future.\n\n\"Newark is a transit-rich city, and too many of our families have been priced out of the neighborhoods they built. In Lower Broadway, only 15 percent of residents own a car, yet many live too far from Broad Street Station to walk to it. Senator Booker's Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act would help communities like ours build workforce housing where working families need it most: close to the trains and buses that connect them to jobs, school, and opportunity,\" said Peter Rosario, President and CEO of La Casa de Don Pedro.\n\n\u201cIn a state as densely populated as New Jersey, it makes sense to encourage development where transit infrastructure already exists. New Jersey Realtors\u00ae supports transit-oriented initiatives that create new housing opportunities and help address the ongoing housing supply and affordability challenges. We applaud the senator for his work to address problems that uniquely affect housing in New Jersey,\u201d said Doug Tomson, New Jersey Realtors\u00ae CEO.\n\nThe Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act addresses the urgent need to expand the housing supply in New Jersey and nationwide by leveraging existing federal tools. It strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program by increasing private activity bond allocations and establishing a dedicated set-aside for mixed-income workforce housing projects located within a half-mile of transit hubs, including rail stations and bus corridors.\n\nThe Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act would specifically:\n\nPrioritize transit access: Require projects to be located within a half-mile of major transit hubs, connecting residents to jobs, education, and essential services.\n\nStrengthen workforce housing incentives: Provide additional tax credit value for developments that meet prevailing wage standards and serve mixed-income communities.\n\nExpand the LIHTC program: Increase tax-exempt private activity bond authority by 30% and enhance the 4% tax credit for projects that pay prevailing wages, improving feasibility in high-cost areas.\n\nInvest in the national Housing Trust Fund: Provide $300 billion over ten years, prioritizing transit-oriented developments serving very low- and extremely low-income households.\n\nEstablish clear affordability standards: Reserve units for households earning up to 120% of area median income (AMI), with at least 20% of units set aside for households at or below 50% AMI and 10% at or below 30% AMI.", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-judge-directs-paramount-state-ags-to-respond-to-booker-letter-urging-court-to-scrutinize_paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement", "ICYMI: Judge Directs Paramount, State AGs to Respond to Booker Letter Urging Court to Scrutinize  Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger Settlement", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Judge assigns \u201chomework:\u201d Respond to Booker\u2019s concerns about proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement by Monday\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, is drawing attention following Thursday\u2019s hearing on the proposed $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger for sending a letter to the Court oversee the transaction urging an independent public-interest review of the settlement. District Judge Araceli Martinez- Olguin questioned attorneys representing the studios and states \u201cabout concerns raised by Sen. Booker.\u201d In his letter, Booker urged the court to conduct an independent public-interest review of the agreement.\n\nSEE FOR YOURSELF:\n\nVariety\n\nJudge Questions Legal Points of Paramount\u2019s Settlement With States at Hearing, Says a Ruling Will Come in \u2018Due Course\u2019 \u2014 Judge Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn requests parties submit replies to Sen. Booker's request for an independent public-interest review\n\nBy Todd Spangler\n\nSeptember 24, 2026\n\nBooker sent a letter Thursday urging the court to subject the settlement to an independent public-interest review before approving it, noting it reached the court without a competitive impact statement, public comment period, or chance for theaters, distributors, workers, or consumers to weigh in.\n\nParamount Skydance filed a brief opposing what it called Booker's improper \"pseudo-amicus submission.\"\n\nJudge Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn opened by saying the court \"isn't a rubber stamp\" of the agreement and that she wanted to confirm the deal resulted from an arm's-length process rather than collusion.\n\nCalifornia senior assistant AG Paula Blizzard and a Paramount attorney both affirmed it was an arm's-length process.\n\nAsked how the deal addresses competition concerns, Blizzard said the states worried that blocking the merger outright would just send Warner Bros. Discovery looking for another buyer.\n\nForbes\n\nParamount Merger Settlement Won\u2019t Be Resolved Until At Least Next Week As Judge Questions Agreement\n\nBy Alison Durkee\n\nSeptember 24, 2026\n\nJudge Araceli Martinez-Olguin held a hearing Thursday after the states and Paramount announced Monday they\u2019d reached a settlement in the states\u2019 antitrust lawsuit\u2014paving the way for the merger to go through\u2014which the judge scheduled to \u201caddress certain outstanding questions regarding the factual and legal underpinnings of\u201d the agreement, \u201cas well as [its] implementation.\u201d\n\nThe fate of Paramount Skydance\u2019s controversial merger with Warner Bros. Discovery won\u2019t be decided until at least next week as a federal judge put off ruling on whether to approve Paramount\u2019s settlement with states challenging the merger, posing questions about the agreement at a hearing Thursday and suggesting she had concerns with some of its provisions.\n\nSen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., also filed a request Thursday for the judge to have the settlement undergo an independent review before she rules on whether or not to approve it. Martinez-Olguin asked the parties to respond to Booker\u2019s letter and any of the outside briefs by noon PDT on Monday, meaning any ruling on the agreement\u2019s fate would not come until after that deadline.\n\n@Daniel Miller, POLITICO Reporter\n\nHere\u2019s the judge\u2019s \u201chomework\u201d for the parties in the Paramount-WBD case: She asked them to address, by noon Monday, the letter the court received from Sen. Cory Booker. Read the senator\u2019s letter in full below\n\nBy Daniel Miller\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nIn a letter filed w/ the court, Sen. Cory Booker urged the judge handling the Paramount-WBD antitrust litigation to independently review the proposed settlement before approving it, questioning whether its temporary commitments would adequately restore competition.\n\nLos Angeles Times\n\nJudge holds off on ruling in states\u2019 antitrust settlement with Paramount\n\nBy Samantha Masunaga and Cerys Davies\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nA federal judge declined Thursday to rule immediately on the settlement between Paramount Skydance and 12 state attorneys general, leaving the last major hurdle to the $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition unresolved for now.\n\nJudge Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn gave no indication of how she'd rule but said she wanted more information before deciding whether to approve the consent decree.\n\nLos Angeles Magazine\n\nJudge\u2019s Questions Put Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal in New Uncertainty\n\nBy Camryn Rael\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nThe proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance has stirred debate over the future of Hollywood and the growing consolidation of the entertainment industry. That debate moved back into the courtroom Thursday, when U.S. District Judge Araceli Mart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn questioned a proposed settlement between Paramount and the 12 state attorneys general who sued to block the acquisition. The settlement would resolve the states\u2019 antitrust challenge under a series of conditions, but it still requires the judge\u2019s approval before the merger can move forward.\n\nThe judge\u2019s request came as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., urged the court to subject the proposed settlement to an independent public-interest review before approving it. Booker, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, has argued the agreement does not adequately address the competitive concerns raised by the merger.\n\n\u201cThis merger is illegal,\u201d Booker said in a statement this week. \u201cIt shrinks two of Hollywood\u2019s major studios from five to four and combines two of the largest basic cable owners \u2014 putting nearly a third of the theatrical film market and nearly a third of basic cable programming under one roof.\u201d\n\nThe.Desk.net\n\nJudge hits pause on settlement between states, Paramount over Warner Bros acquisition\n\nBy Matthew Keys\n\nSeptember 24, 2026\n\nA federal judge in California paused the pending settlement, questioning attorneys Thursday about concerns raised by Sen. Booker.\n\nMart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn asked the parties to respond by noon Monday local time (3 p.m. Eastern) to Booker's letter, which argued the settlement lacked a competitive impact statement, public comment period, or opportunity for stakeholders to be heard.\n\nParamount opposed the filing, calling it an improper submission made after the settlement was already reached.\n\nPOLITICO\n\nNOT A DONE DEAL\n\nBy Daniel Miller and Hassan Kanu\n\nSeptember 25, 2026\n\nThe judge overseeing the 12 states' case against Paramount's Warner Bros. acquisition questioned the parties for 50 minutes Thursday but stopped short of approving the settlement.\n\nMart\u00ednez-Olgu\u00edn said she wasn't a \"rubber stamp\" and that a ruling would come in due course.\n\nShe opened with detailed questions and closed by giving both sides a \"homework\" assignment: respond by noon Monday to Booker's letter questioning whether the settlement's temporary commitments would adequately restore competition.\n\nThe five-year settlement would require Paramount to release at least 30 theatrical films annually for two years, then 32 a year for three more, and would create an editorial-independence board for CNN and CBS News \u2014 but calls for no upfront divestitures or structural remedies.\n\nSEE ALSO:\n\nBooker Introduces Legislation to Review and Unwind Anticompetitive Corporate Mergers Approved Under Second Trump Administration\n\nBooker Demands Answers on Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest in $111 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery-Paramount Skydance Merger\n\nBooker Statement on Paramount - Skydance/ Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Shareholder Vote\n\nICYMI: Booker Holds Forum on Risks of Paramount\u2013Skydance / Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Ahead of Shareholder Vote\n\nNEW VIDEO: Ahead of Paramount Shareholder Vote, Booker Releases Documentary Exposing Consequences of Proposed Paramount\u2013Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Merger\n\nBooker Holds Forum on Risks of Paramount\u2013Skydance / Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Ahead of Shareholder Vote\n\nBooker, Schumer, Durbin, Blumenthal, Hirono, Whitehouse, Warren Challenge FCC to Conduct Full Review of Foreign Investment Concerns in Paramount & Warner Bros. Merger\n\nBooker Statement: \u201cThe proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is far from settled.\u201d\n\nBooker, Schumer, Durbin, Klobuchar, Warren, Blumenthal, Hirono, Welch Demand Paramount CEO & Chairman David Ellison Preserve All Records Related to Proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Transaction\n\nBooker, Durbin Demand Answers on Trump Administration's Removal of DOJ Antitrust Chief Gail Slater", 1, "2026-09-27T10:23:37Z", "2026-09-27T10:25:08Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senators-kim-heinrich-introduce-legislation-to-give-hungry-military-children-access-to-school-meal-assistance-programs/", "Senators Kim, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Give Hungry Military Children Access to School Meal Assistance Programs", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In recognition of September being Hunger Action Month, Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act to combat hunger among military families and ensure military children are no longer excluded from school meal assistance programs.\n\n\u201cNo child in our country should go hungry, but right now, red tape is preventing many military children from getting nutritious breakfast and lunch at school. While they\u2019d otherwise be eligible for school meal programs, these kids are unfairly being penalized because their parent serves in uniform. This is a simple but critically important fix, and just one of many actions we need to take to fully tackle hunger amongst servicemembers and their loved ones,\u201d said Senator Kim.\n\n\u201cMilitary families sacrifice enough for our country \u2014 they should not have to worry about their children accessing school meals.\u201dsaid Senator Heinrich. \u201cOur Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act will cut through that red tape and make sure military kids in New Mexico and across the country can get healthy meals at school, so they can focus on learning, growing, and being kids.\u201d\n\nThe legislation was previously introduced in the House by Representatives Mike Levin (D-CA-49) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-7).\n\n\u201cThe men and women who risk their lives for our country should never struggle to feed their children,\u201d said Rep. Levin. \u201cThough there is much more we must do to improve the financial well-being of service members, this is an important step towards ensuring military families based at Camp Pendleton in my district and across the country can focus on executing their mission rather than on where their families will find the next meal. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Kim and Senator Heinrich for introducing this legislation in the Senate and partnering with us to help more military families access the school meals their children need.\u201d\n\nCongressman Mackenzie\u2019s quote: \u201cNo children of servicemembers should lose access to school meals because of how housing benefits are counted,\u201d said Rep. Mackenzie. \u201cMilitary families already sacrifice for their country, and while Congress has passed a nearly 4% pay increase for servicemembers, factors like family size, geographic location, and housing costs mean some families still need additional support. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to work with Congressman Levin to support bipartisan, commonsense changes that better serve military dependents and ensure kids can focus on learning, not hunger. I appreciate Senators Kim and Heinrich joining this bipartisan effort and helping move this commonsense solution forward in the Senate.\n\nDespite the extraordinary sacrifices that servicemembers and their families make, many still struggle to put food on the table. Studies conducted by the Department of Defense have found that approximately one-in-four active-duty servicemembersexperience food insecurity, while military family surveys continue to report elevated risks of food insecurity among military households. Despite this need, many military children are unable to access free and reduced-priced school meals because their family\u2019s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is counted as income when determining eligibility.\n\nThe Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act would make sure military families are not unfairly excluded from school meal programs by excluding BAH from income calculations used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals.\n\nSpecifically, this legislation would:\n\nExclude BAH from income calculation for military families\u2019 eligibility in free and reduced-price meals provided under the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program.\n\nRequire the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense to submit a report to Congress on the feasibility and cost of creating a program to directly certify military children for free and reduced-price school meal programs, including breakfast and lunch.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by AMVETS, Alliance to End Hunger, Food Research Action Center, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, National Education Association, National Military Family Association, Hunger Free America, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, San Diego Hunger Coalition, Service Women\u2019s Action Network, School Superintendents Association, and TREA: The Enlisted Association.\n\n\u201cThe Military service members dedicate their lives to protect our country. We cannot expect service members to maintain mission readiness if they are concerned about their families\u2019 basic needs. The Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act allows them to know their children are well fed while at school. It gives them one less thing to think about so they can concentrate on the task at hand,\u201d said Andrew Zuckerman, Superintendent, Northern Burlington County Regional Schools.\n\n\u201cChildren can\u2019t be expected to learn if they\u2019re hungry,\u201d said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association.\u201cThe National School Lunch Program exists to ensure that children receive the balanced meals they need to succeed in school, even when families face financial strain. Military families should not be penalized by counting housing allowances as income. We thank Senator Andy Kim for introducing the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act, which would remove unnecessary barriers and help ensure military-connected children have access to school meals.\u201d\n\n\u201cMilitary-connected students and their families make important sacrifices in support of our country, and they should not face unnecessary barriers to accessing the resources they need to thrive. This legislation will help ensure that a service member\u2019s basic allowance for housing does not inadvertently prevent their children from qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals. NAFIS thanks Senators Kim and Heinrich and Representatives Levin and Mackenzie for their leadership on this important issue. We are proud to support this legislation and efforts to strengthen support for federally connected students and the school districts that serve them,\u201d said Cherise Imai, Executive Director, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS).\n\nThis legislation builds on Senator Kim\u2019s ongoing work to end hunger, including previously introducing his Summer Meals REACH Act to end summer hunger, introducing the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act alongside Senator Heinrich, and joining Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and 17 other Senators in introducing the Universal School Meals Program Act which would offer free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack to every student in America.\n\n###", 1, "2026-10-01T11:23:28Z", "2026-10-01T11:25:15Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-figures-hayes-ezell-introduce-bill-to-cover-college-costs-for-children-of-longtime-educators-first-responders-and-social-workers", "Booker, Figures, Hayes, Ezell Introduce Bill to Cover College Costs for Children of Longtime Educators, First Responders, and Social Workers", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), and Mike Ezell (R-MS-04) introduced the Public Service Educational Assistance Act, legislation that would cover the cost of college or job training for the children of educators, first responders, and social workers who have dedicated at least 20 years to public service.\n\n\"Educators, first responders, and social workers show up for us in our classrooms, our emergencies, and our hardest moments, year after year,\" said Senator Booker. \"Their families carry that sacrifice too, often quietly, through long hours and stretched budgets. After 20 years of service, the least we can do is make sure their kids can go to college without drowning in debt. I'm proud to work with Representative Figures to get this done.\"\n\n\u201cThese public service employees perform among the most challenging and important functions in our communities, so that is why I am proud to introduce this bill that relieves the financial burden of them sending their children to college or job training programs,\u201d said Representative Figures. \u201cI\u2019m committed to making sure that we recognize the sacrifices made by people who are the backbone of communities in Alabama and across America, and that we invest in real opportunities for their families.\"\n\n\u201cTeachers, social workers, and first responders dedicate their lives in service to our communities, oftentimes unable to provide opportunities they fight so hard for others to enjoy, to their own children,\u201d said Representative Hayes. \u201cI am pleased to introduce the Public Service Educational Assistance Act alongside Congressman Figures to honor the work of public servants and make it easier for their own families to pursue higher education.\"\n\n\u201cAs someone who spent more than four decades in law enforcement, I know the sacrifices that come with a career dedicated to serving your community\u2014not just for the individual wearing the badge, but for their entire family,\u201d said Representative Ezell. \u201cThe Public Service Educational Assistance Act recognizes that commitment by helping provide educational opportunities for the children of those who have devoted decades of their lives to public service. I\u2019m proud to help introduce this legislation to support the families of our law enforcement officers, first responders, educators, and others who dedicate their careers to serving their neighbors.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe men and women of law enforcement make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our communities safe, and their families serve alongside them every step of the way,\u201d said President Mathew Silverman of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. \u201cThe \u2018Public Service Educational Assistance Act\u2019 recognizes that shared commitment by opening doors to education and opportunity for the children of career federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and other vital public servants. We appreciate the leadership of Reps. Figures, Ezell, and Hayes and Sen. Booker on this legislation and are proud to support this important investment in the families who stand behind those who protect and serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Association of Social Workers (NASW) understands the financial demands that face social workers across workforce settings. NASW applauds Reps. Shomari Figures, Jahana Hayes, and Mike Ezell, and Senator Cory Booker, for introducing the Public Service Educational Assistance Act,\u201d said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, Chief Executive Officer, NASW. \u201cEstablishing an educational assistance program for dependents of social workers, first responders, and educators is a great way to encourage public service and help public servants meet the needs of their children. Too often, social workers struggle to support their children financially for post-secondary education. This legislation would help social workers\u2019 children achieve their dreams.\"\n\nUnder the Public Service Educational Assistance Act, eligible dependents of full-time educators, first responders, and social workers with at least 20 years of qualifying service would receive:\n\nFull coverage of tuition, fees, and books at eligible colleges, universities, or qualifying training programs in their state of residence or domicile.\n\nUp to four years of assistance, available until the dependent turns 26.\n\nContinued eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other federal, state, and local loan repayment, forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge programs.\n\nThe Public Service Educational Assistance Act is endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/kim-warner-schatz-take-to-senate-floor-to-demand-passage-of-new-ai-security-legislation/", "Kim, Warner, Schatz Take to Senate Floor to Demand Passage of New AI Security Legislation", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee\u2019s National Security and International Trade and Finance Subcommittee, Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced sweeping legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. Later in the day, Kim, Warner and Schatz spoke about the legislation on the Senate floor.\n\nWatch Senator Kim\u2019s Full Remarks\n\n\u201cInnovation without control just leads to chaos, and this is our moment to make sure that the American people have control over the incredible strides we\u2019re seeing on AI,\u201d said Senator Kim. \u201cControl means making sure that the technology does not outpace safety and common sense. It means making sure it can be used to advance quality of life instead of hurdling us towards the doomsday scenarios we\u2019ve been warned about. The actions we are proposing are in pursuit of meeting the moment that the American people are demanding; to work with urgency to keep our families safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe companies building the most powerful AI systems in the world are sounding the alarm: the step-change increase in AI models\u2019 capacity for cyber-offense, combined with clear failures to securely host and deploy these capabilities, could pose serious risks to our national security, our critical infrastructure, and the systems Americans rely on every day,\u201d said Senator Warner. \u201cI remain enormously optimistic about the potential of AI, but optimism cannot be an excuse for inaction, nor can we normalize these kinds of concerning incidents. If a model is capable of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in a bank, a water system, or our electric grid, we ought to know that before it is released to the public \u2013 not after something goes catastrophically wrong. This legislation establishes basic, enforceable rules of the road to make sure the most powerful models are tested, secured, and responsibly deployed.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day, we\u2019re seeing new reports of AI models going rogue and hacking systems without our knowledge or oversight. The risks of AI are not theoretical \u2013 they are happening in real-time,\u201d said Senator Schatz. \u201cOur bill is about making sure humans remain in control of AI models and preventing future breaches with rigorous standards, testing, and oversight. Immediate risk requires immediate action.\u201d\n\nThe Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 comes as leading AI companies and cybersecurity researchers have issued increasingly urgent warnings about the rapidly advancing capabilities of frontier AI systems. Leading AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Deepmind, Meta, and Microsoft have issued warnings about the rapidly advancing cybersecurity capabilities of their models, warning that the newest frontier models can identify and exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities without human guidance. Recent incidents have also highlighted alarming deficiencies in frontier labs\u2019 security practices. The combination of these factors underscores a rapidly emerging challenge: AI systems are becoming increasingly capable of performing sophisticated cybersecurity tasks that can be enormously valuable to defenders but could also pose serious risks if misused or inadequately secured.\n\nThe legislation would establish a permanent Artificial Intelligence Safety Board within the Department of Commerce, bringing together representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of the Treasury, along with independent technical experts, to evaluate emerging AI risks and establish technical safety and security standards.\n\nCritically, developers of frontier AI models would be required to provide the Board access to their models at least 45 days before public release, including model weights, configuration files, runtimes, and software libraries necessary to operate the model, allowing experts to evaluate powerful models before deployment.\n\nThe legislation would also require AI developers to create and follow Model Safety Plans identifying the capabilities and risks of their systems, the specific steps they will take to mitigate those risks, and the corporate officer responsible for implementing the plan.\n\nUnder the legislation, the AI Safety Board would develop enforceable standards for evaluating frontier models and securing testing environments, including safeguards and monitoring procedures for models capable of discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities without direct human prompting. Developers would be legally required to comply with applicable standards, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, per day.\n\nThe bill would also:\n\nCreate a secure reporting process and a national AI incident database to track AI safety and security incidents, recurring flaws, and near misses so researchers, government agencies, and developers can learn from failures across different systems. The database would be established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.\n\nRequire frontier AI companies to report serious safety and security incidents, generally within 30 days, and within 72 hours when an incident poses an imminent threat to national security, critical infrastructure, or public safety. Critical infrastructure operators using AI to manage industrial control systems or other operational technologies would also be covered.\n\nEstablish secure federal testing environments that can use resources at the National Security Agency and Department of Energy National Laboratories to conduct sensitive pre-deployment testing of frontier models.\n\nDevelop new standards specifically for autonomous AI agents, including risks involving identity, authentication, authorization, access to data and systems, and differing levels of autonomy.\n\nRequire standardized documentation for AI agents, including their intended uses, authority boundaries, access to data and tools, known limitations, and results of independent evaluations where applicable.\n\nThe legislation specifically focuses on advanced artificial intelligence models \u2013 systems that exhibit, or could be modified to exhibit, high levels of performance on tasks posing serious risks to national security, national economic security, or public health and safety.\n\nThe legislation is designed to address a range of risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems, including their potential to facilitate cyberattacks, evade the control of their developers or operators, assist in the development of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or other weapons, or have their model weights stolen or maliciously modified.\n\nText of the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026 is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-and-colleagues-urge-trump-to-raise-chinas-island-building-campaign-in-south-china-sea-during-summit-with-xi/", "Senator Kim and Colleagues Urge Trump to Raise China\u2019s Island Building Campaign in South China Sea During Summit with Xi", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 As President Trump begins a summit today with China\u2019s President Xi Jinping, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and a group of Democratic Senate colleagues are urging Trump to address China\u2019s posturing in the South China Sea and the strategic consequences of its renewed island building campaign for the United States, our partners, and allies in the region.\n\nSenator Kim sent a letter to President Trump yesterday alongside Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The Senators write:\n\n\u201cWe are concerned that your administration appears to be ignoring this renewed island building campaign while pursuing diplomacy with China. The fact that China has chosen this moment to resume artificial island-building on your watch, after a decade of dormancy, indicates that your administration\u2019s efforts to bolster frontline states and deter Chinese maritime coercion in the South China Sea have, to date, proven insufficient.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter\n\nIn the letter, the Senators point to how China has previously claimed 90 percent of the South China Sea as its own territory, despite there being no legal basis in international law for China\u2019s claims and strong condemnation by the international community. By building artificial islands in the South China Sea, China has been able to house surveillance technology, long runways for military aircraft, military bases, and other capabilities, threatening regional actors like Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Most recently, China has started to undertake large-scale dredging and land reclamation activities to convert the maritime feature named \u201cAntelope Reef.\u201d\n\nThe Senators warn: \u201cA Chinese presence on Antelope Island could further reinforce its broad, sweeping territorial claims over the South China Sea in violation of international law and opposition to longstanding U.S. policy, reinforcing Beijing\u2019s vision of a \u201cmight makes right\u201d world. Potential air and naval facilities on the island will provide the People\u2019s Liberation Army, China Coast Guard, and Chinese Maritime Militia, with another platform from which to intimidate, harass, and coerce our regional allies and partners. Experts have warned that the island will also likely be used to surveil and constrain U.S. naval activity in the South China Sea.\u201d\n\nThe letter builds on Senator Kim\u2019s work to ensure U.S. foreign policy with China prioritizes Americans\u2019 needs and national security, including by introducing legislation to safeguard American technology, urging the administration to reaffirm support for Taiwan and engage in bilateral discussions on export controls, and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-introduces-series-of-legislation-to-root-out-corruption-in-government/", "Senator Kim Introduces Series of Legislation to Root Out Corruption in Government", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "The three bills build on Senator Kim\u2019s anti-corruption agenda to restore trust and integrity in government and fix America\u2019s broken politics\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced three new bills to tackle public corruption and empower individuals to hold government officials accountable for betraying the public\u2019s trust.\n\n\u201cAmericans look at their government and think, \u2018corruption.\u2019 They\u2019ve lost trust that their public officials are looking out for them first, instead of themselves. It\u2019s a threat to our democracy and our responsibility to fix,\u201d said Senator Kim. \u201cIt isn\u2019t enough to call out each corrupt act of the Trump administration. We need to dig deeper and move true legislative solutions forward that take on corruption no matter your party, position, or how wealthy you are. Enough is enough.\u201d\n\nAll three bills are co-sponsored by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.).\n\nAnti-Bribery Improvement Act (aka \u201cthe McDonnell Fix\u201d)\n\nIn 2016, the Supreme Court ruled in McDonnell v. United States to narrow federal bribery law and the definition of \u201cofficial act,\u201d making it harder to prosecute public officials who accept loans, gifts, or anything of value from individuals seeking an action from the public official in return.\n\nFor example, their ruling would allow a public official to accept $175,000 in loans and gifts from an individual seeking government approval of a nutritional supplement.\n\nSenator Kim\u2019s Anti-Bribery Improvement Act expands the current definition of bribery to include buying or selling access to a federal official by:\n\nExpanding the federal bribery statute to explicitly criminalize corrupt access to public officials by defining \u201caccess\u201d to mean \u201cuse of a public official\u2019s ability to influence any decision or action on any question or matter, which may at any time be pending, or which may by law be brought before such public official, in such official\u2019s official capacity, or in such official\u2019s place of trust or profit.\u201d; and\n\nAddressing the Supreme Court\u2019s concern about criminalizing routine legislative work by requiring a showing of an express agreement to exchange access for the thing of value.\n\nNo Gratuities for Governing Act (aka \u201cthe Snyder Fix\u201d)\n\nIn 2024, the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling in Snyder v. United States all but permitted government officials to accept gratuities, which are \u201ctypically payments made to an official after an official act as a token of appreciation.\u201d Notably, their ruling pointed out that federal corruption law prohibits bribes, which is defined as payments made before the official act.\n\nFor example, their ruling allows a public official to ask for and accept $13,000 from a local company after the company has just been awarded a public contract worth $1 million, but if the $13,000 was given before the contract was awarded then it would be corruption.\n\nSenator Kim\u2019s No Gratuities for Governing Act would prevent corrupt use of gratuities and make it easier to prosecute the solicitation and acceptance of these \u201ctips\u201d by:\n\nEstablishing a gratuity threshold of $1,000 or more for any official act by a state, local, or tribal official involved in government business or contracts valued at $5,000 or more;\n\nImposing sentencing of up to two years in line with federal officials who accept gratuities; and\n\nAligning the maximum sentence for state, local, or tribal officials convicted of bribery to 15 years from 10 in line with the maximum sentence for federal officials.\n\nThis bill is the Senate companion to Representative Dan Goldman\u2019s H.R.4175 No Gratuities for Governing Act.\n\nHonest Services Fraud Improvement Act (aka \u201cPrivate Right of Action\u201d)\n\nTo combat corruption, prosecutors have often relied on the federal statutory provisions that criminalize \u201ca scheme or artifice to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services\u201d through \u201cwire, radio, or television communication.\u201d However, over the years, the courts have narrowed the scope of the provision based on concerns that the statute is vague, ultimately limiting its application to mail and wire fraud cases where bribes or kickbacks are involved, and thus eliminating the statute\u2019s use for general self-dealing and conflicts of interest.\n\nSenator Kim\u2019s Honest Services Fraud Improvement Act would create a private right of action to empower individuals to hold their public officials accountable and allow them to sue public officials for honest services fraud. Specifically, this bill would:\n\nHold liable any local, state, and federal government officials engaged in quid pro quo bribery when the U.S. Department of Justice foregoes prosecuting.\n\nWhere the government is pursuing a separate criminal enforcement action, allow DOJ to intervene ex parte and under seal in place of the individual.\n\nJust as with private rights of action under the False Claims Act, an individual who brings a claim under this bill is entitled to a share of the damages, with any punitive damages going into DOJ\u2019s Asset Forfeiture Fund.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-bill-to-confront-neglected-diseases-of-poverty-in-america", "Booker Reintroduces Bill to Confront Neglected Diseases of Poverty in America", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the STOP (Study, Treat, Observe, and Prevent) Neglected Diseases of Poverty Act, legislation that would give public health officials the tools to track, treat, and ultimately eliminate neglected diseases of poverty in the United States. These chronic, often disabling infections spread where families lack basic sewage systems, safe drinking water, and adequate housing.\n\n\"In many parts of our country, there are disabling conditions commonly associated with developing nations that continue to impact Americans here at home,\" said Senator Booker. \"This injustice is largely hidden. We need to address this challenge by raising awareness and boosting investment in research and monitoring to combat these neglected diseases.\"\n\nAn estimated 12 million Americans live with at least one neglected parasitic infection, which are more common in places where there is a lack of sewage infrastructure, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate housing and sanitation. Chagas disease alone, which can cause severe heart and digestive problems, affects 300,000 or more people in the U.S., most of whom don't know they are infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to research by CDC scientists, more than 5,000 of them live in New Jersey. Yet, due to reporting gaps, the true burden of this disease remains unknown.\n\nThe bill would create an interagency task force, fund state surveillance systems and diagnosis and treatment at community health centers, support research into affordable vaccines and treatments, and train health care providers to recognize these diseases.", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-senate-democrats-statement-on-president-trump-and-president-xis-summit-in-washington", "Booker, Senate Democrats' Statement on President Trump and President Xi\u2019s Summit in Washington", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "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), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) \u2014 all Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee \u2014 along with Dick Durbin (D-IL), Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Michael Bennet (D-CO); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Raphael Warnock (D-GA); Peter Welch (D-VT); Andy Kim (D-NJ); Adam Schiff (D-CA); and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), released the following statement on President Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.\n\n\u201cDiplomacy with China remains vital to preventing conflict and protecting American interests, but it must ultimately produce results for hardworking Americans. President Trump\u2019s summit today with President Xi Jinping failed to deliver. This outcome was predictable: Over the past 19 months, President Trump has systematically hollowed out the foundations of American competitiveness. The Trump Administration has traded away long-term technological dominance for short-term commercial gains, decimated the scientific and talent ecosystem that drives our domestic innovation and inflicted lasting damage on the network of global alliances that keep Americans safe, prosperous and free.\n\n\u201cAt a time when Americans are struggling with rising costs of gas, electricity and groceries, President Trump rolled out the red carpet for Xi. Rather than confronting China\u2019s unfair trade practices, technology theft, complicity in attacks against our troops or economic and military aggression against our allies, President Trump opted for pageantry over purpose\u2014trading tough diplomacy for a ballroom tour and a lavish dinner with his billionaire friends.\n\n\u201cOn the economic and security issues that will shape America\u2019s future, this summit\u2019s results fell short:\n\nArtificial Intelligence: The President cannot claim to defend American AI dominance while greenlighting sales of high-end chips and manufacturing equipment to China. Instead of establishing a framework to manage AI safety risks, the Trump Administration doubled down on its failure to implement and enforce meaningful guardrails at home.\n\nTrade and Critical Minerals: Extending the tariff truce is a temporary band-aid on a crisis of the President's own making. Airplane and agricultural deals do nothing to dismantle Beijing's state subsidies, including for Chinese cars; intellectual property theft; and near-monopoly on global rare earth refining. The Trump Administration has left our critical supply chains dangerously vulnerable.\n\nIran: The United States should never have launched the reckless and illegal war against Iran. Beijing has exploited the conflict to purchase discounted Iranian oil, while U.S. munitions and strategic stockpiles have been expended at alarming rates. Even worse, President Trump failed to hold Xi accountable for support to Iran by Chinese companies that contributed to attacks against American soldiers, marking an unconscionable dereliction of his duty to protect our men and women in uniform.\n\nRussia\u2019s War in Ukraine: The summit\u2019s appeals for de-escalation do nothing to halt the flow of Chinese dual-use goods keeping Vladimir Putin\u2019s war machine alive. If President Trump is serious about ending Putin\u2019s war, he should honor Lindsey Graham\u2019s memory by responsibly implementing the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The Trump Administration must end its stunning year-and-a-half-long failure to impose any sanctions to counter evasion in support of Russia\u2019s war, including China\u2019s dual-use exports to Moscow and preeminent purchases of Russian oil.\n\nTaiwan and Regional Security: America\u2019s support for Taiwan\u2019s self-defense is non-negotiable and crucial to preventing a cross-strait conflict that would destabilize the region and threaten the global economy. The Trump Administration must immediately deliver congressionally approved defense assistance to Taiwan, including the $1.3 billion in funds provided by this Congress, existing weapons sales and the $14 billion package of new arms sales approved nine months ago. To mitigate regional risk, the U.S. must stand with Indo-Pacific allies in combating PRC economic and military coercion as well as directly confront China\u2019s renewed island-building in the South China Sea and increasing aggression in the East China Sea.\n\nWrongfully Detained Americans: Protecting American citizens is a core national security obligation. President Trump has so far failed to secure the release of wrongfully detained U.S. citizens Min Zin and Dr. Youlin Chen; it is unclear if he pressed Xi on these urgent cases. Presidential appeals have produced results across U.S. administrations, and we urge President Trump to continue to prioritize the release of wrongfully detained Americans.\n\nHuman Rights: Beijing\u2019s repression is deepening across China and expanding beyond the PRC\u2019s borders. Its new \u201cethnic unity\u201d law codifies the forced assimilation of Tibetans and Uyghurs, while Beijing continues its transnational repression of Uyghur, Tibetan and Hong Kong activists, including here in the United States. Gulshan Abbas, Ekpar Asat, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu remain unjustly detained in China, while Jimmy Lai, 78, remains imprisoned in Hong Kong. Human rights cannot be an afterthought in our relationship with China.\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve leaders who fight for their financial security and defend our national interests with purpose and measured strategy, not pageantry. We will compete successfully with China only through sustained investment in our own strengths, close coordination with allies and an unwavering defense of our democratic values. As we saw in May, this summit gave President Xi an international stage to project strength without a meaningful change in Beijing\u2019s coercive economic practices or its support for our adversaries.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-bergen-community-college-hispanic-heritage-month-celebration", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins Bergen Community College Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer joins students, faculty, families, and community members for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Bergen Community College.\n\nPARAMUS, NJ \u2014 Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined students, faculty, families, and community leaders at Bergen Community College to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey\u2019s Hispanic and Latino community is central to who we are \u2014 our small businesses, our schools, our hospitals, and our neighborhoods are all stronger because of it,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cDuring Hispanic Heritage Month, I\u2019m here to do what I always try to do: listen and keep fighting for the families of the Fifth District every single day.\u201d\n\nGottheimer was joined by County Executive Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Dr. Joan M. Voss, President of Bergen County Community College Dr. Eric M. Friedman, President & CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Deborah Visconi, Consulate General of Ecuador in New Jersey & Pennsylvania \u2013 Acting Consul General Dr. Ramiro Hidalgo Tandazo, Consulate General of Peru in New Jersey & Pennsylvania \u2013 Consul General Dr. Ramiro Hidalgo Tandazo.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer joins students, faculty, and community members for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Bergen Community College.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cortez-masto-culinary-union-call-on-senate-to-pass-bipartisan-faster-labor-contracts-act", "Booker, Cortez Masto, Culinary Union Call on Senate to Pass Bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "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) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) joined leaders and members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 to call on the Senate to pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act, bipartisan legislation that would guarantee workers who vote to form a union a first contract without years of delay.\n\nUnder current law, there is no deadline for an employer to reach a first agreement once workers vote to unionize. Workers wait an average of 465 days for a first contract, and many never get one at all. The Faster Labor Contracts Act would require employers to begin bargaining within 10 days of a union's written request to negotiate, allow either party to request mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service if no agreement is reached within 90 days, and refer the dispute to a three-person arbitration panel if mediation fails to produce a contract within an additional 30 days. An arbitration panel's decision would be binding for two years.\n\nThe House passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) on June 9 by a vote of 230-193, with 20 Republicans joining every House Democrat, after a discharge petition led by Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) forced the bill to the floor over the objections of Republican leadership. The Senate companion, S. 844, was introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), with Sen. Booker as the lead Democratic cosponsor. Cosponsors include Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). The bill has been endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.\n\n\"For too long, workers have voted to organize and then waited years for a company to bargain with them in good faith,\" said Senator Booker. \"That's not how this is supposed to work. The Faster Labor Contracts Act sets clear, reasonable deadlines so that when workers speak up and vote to unionize, they actually get a seat at the table. I'm proud to stand with Culinary Union members today, and I'm calling on my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill without further delay.\"\n\n\u201cMy father was a Teamster, so I know just how important unions are to ensuring one job is enough,\u201d said Senator Cortez Masto. \u201cUnfortunately, bad actors are using every trick in the book to stall union negotiations, keeping wages low and working conditions poor. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to stand along with the Culinary Union to urge my colleagues to immediately pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor 17 years, Station Casinos has done everything it can to block workers from exercising their right to a union contract - from firing leaders who organized their co-workers to using the pandemic as a scheme to break their union support,\u201d said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union. \u201cWorkers at Station Casinos won their union through National Labor Relations Board elections and yet they\u2019ve been dragged through endless delays, appeals, and bad-faith tactics by the company. Culinary Union and Station Casinos\u2019 workers demand justice, applaud Senators Booker and Cortez Masto for their continued leadership, and urge the swift passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act. This legislation is needed because it puts real timelines and consequences on bad employers who stall. We stand with Station Casinos workers who are organizing and we won\u2019t stop fighting until we win strong union contracts.\u201d\n\n\u201cI've been working at Station Casinos since 1991, but I still have nothing to show for it,\u201d said Casiano Corpus Jr., a casino porter employed at Station Casinos\u2019 Palace Station Casinos for 34 years in Las Vegas, Nevada. \u201cI wear my union button every day inside non-union Station Casinos and I'm proud because a union contract there could provide a better life for our families and give us a voice and representation. When I retire after two decades with this company, I don\u2019t have a retirement pension. I\u2019m not a second class worker and I believe that we deserve the same pension and raises the Culinary Union members have. I will not stop until we finish this fight and I know for sure we will win a union contract at Station Casinos.\u201d\n\nThe Culinary Workers Union Local 226, an affiliate of UNITE HERE, represents 60,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas and Reno.\n\nThe full text of the Faster Labor Contracts Act is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-during-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-gottheimer-announces-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-fight-pediatric-cancer", "RELEASE: During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation To Fight Pediatric Cancer", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer announces \u201cKylie\u2019s Law\u201d at Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen.\n\nMONTVALE, NJ \u2014 Today, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen in Montvale, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Kylie\u2019s Voices for Childhood Cancer Act, or \u201cKylie\u2019s Law,\u201d with his colleague Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).\n\nNamed in honor of a close family friend of Gottheimer, Kylie Kupperman, the bill would require states to include at least two pediatric cancer experts on the coalitions that write state cancer control plans, ensuring children\u2019s needs aren\u2019t overlooked in blueprints built largely around adult cancer.\n\nKylie was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and grew up in Chappaqua, New York. Just weeks before her fourth birthday, she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare and fast-growing pediatric brain tumor. After undergoing months of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she was declared cancer-free. Just as she was starting her freshman year at the University of Delaware, her cancer returned. She tragically passed away on September 10, 2025, at age 19.\n\nEvery state has a Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition that shapes its long-term cancer plan, but only about a third of states build specific childhood cancer goals into those plans. New Jersey ranks third in the nation for pediatric cancer incidence, with roughly 440 children and teens diagnosed every year and nearly 1,900 cases across Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties over one recent 25-year stretch.\n\nWatch Gottheimer\u2019s remarks here.\n\n\u201cKylie should be starting her junior year of college right now \u2014 and wow, you should have heard how her friends gushed about her \u2014 and how her brother and sister who played games and music for her \u2014 and carried her up the stairs when she was too weak.\u201d said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cBut, instead of being at the University of Delaware, her parents are here today, along with friends from Jersey, Chappaqua, and beyond, to honor and celebrate her memory, and to continue fighting Kylie-style, so that no other family has to go through what they went through.\u201d\n\nKylie\u2019s Law will:\n\nRequire Pediatric Representation on State Cancer Coalitions. States receiving federal funding for their comprehensive cancer control plan would be required to include at least two pediatric cancer experts on their coalitions.\n\nEstablish a National Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a new Cancer Control Plan Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee, bringing together representatives from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\u2019s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Title V and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded state programs, and pediatric cancer survivors and caregivers. The committee would develop best practices for addressing pediatric cancer, survivorship, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) care in state cancer plans.\n\nExpand the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program. Amends the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program to include pediatric cancer as an explicit purpose of the program, allowing states to use existing federal dollars to support children with cancer and their families.\n\nGottheimer\u2019s additional actions:\n\nWork with Trenton to Act at the State Level. Gottheimer is partnering with Senator Joe Lagana, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, and Assemblyman Chris Tully, who are introducing State legislation here in New Jersey to codify the requirement that pediatric cancer representatives sit on our state\u2019s cancer control coalition. This ensures no future administration can remove pediatric cancer experts from their cancer coalitions.\n\nDesignate November 13 as \u201cKylie\u2019s Day.\u201d Gottheimer will introduce a House resolution on November 13, 2026, which would have been Kylie\u2019s 21st birthday, to formally honor her life, her fight, her love of pink, and her legacy.\n\n\u201cWhen a child is diagnosed with cancer, the last thing their family should have to worry about is whether they can afford the care or find the treatment their child needs. We must keep working together and investing in lifesaving research and care so that every child has the chance to grow up, follow their dreams, and live a long, healthy life,\u201d said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).\n\n\u201cAs the father of a childhood cancer survivor, I know the toll this awful disease has on our families. Our community deserves to be heard, and I am thankful to Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler for their steadfast support. We are proud to stand alongside the Kupperman family as we honor their daughter\u2019s memory through the Kylie\u2019s Voices for Childhood Cancer Act. Together, we will ensure that the pediatric cancer community has a seat at the table, \u201d said Jeff Gelfand, CEO, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.\n\n\u201cAt the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, we fought to ensure kids with cancer were part of the state cancer plan and efforts in Georgia. Childhood cancer offers unique challenges, and our families deserve a voice in the process. This new bill would guarantee our advocates can be heard throughout the country. We are happy to support this legislation,\u201d said Dean Crowe, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.\n\n\u201cCoalition members have worked tirelessly to make sure kids with cancer aren\u2019t an afterthought, but in too many spaces, they still are. This bill gives patients, families, clinicians, and researchers real power to fix that. We thank Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler for standing up for kids with cancer, and we urge their colleagues to join them,\u201d said Ginny McLean, Board Chair, Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2).\n\nThe bill builds on Gottheimer\u2019s record of leading actions on childhood cancer. He is co-leading the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act to align federal cancer research funding with the share of kids affected by the disease, and helped pass the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act into law, which gives the FDA new authority to require pediatric studies of combination cancer therapies. In 2018, he helped enact the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, strengthening research and survivorship tracking, and he is currently a cosponsor of the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, which improves care for survivors of childhood cancer. This year, he also led an appropriations letter calling on the CDC to develop better guidance for adolescent and young adult cancer patients, which was included in the House appropriations bill that passed committee this summer.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Senator Holly Schepisi, Memorial Sloan Kettering Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Andrew Kung and pediatric oncologist Dr. Ira Dunkel, Congressman Mike Lawler\u2019s District Director Donna Chiapperino, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Director of Advocacy Mike Henry, the Christopher Brandle Joy of Life Foundation, Adam and Haley Kupperman, and the family and friends of Kylie Kupperman.\n\nGottheimer remarks as prepared for delivery:\n\nGood morning, everybody. My name is Congressman Josh Gottheimer, and I represent New Jersey\u2019s Fifth Congressional District, just a stone\u2019s throw from the Kupperman\u2019s congressional district and where they live in Chappaqua, New York \u2014 represented by my friend, Congressman Mike Lawler. Thank you, Donna, for being here, and to Senator Schepisi, and to Mike Henry from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.\n\nThank you to Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen for having us here today, right in the heart of my district, and in North Jersey, for all you and your incredible doctors, nurses, and techs do as a global leader in the fight against cancer. By being right here in Montvale, families in our Jersey communities can receive your critical care closer to home, without having to drive into New York City.\n\nJust last week, MSK\u2019s pediatric cancer program, MSK Kids, where Kiley was treated, was named among the nation\u2019s best children\u2019s hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report.\n\nFor thousands of families across our district, state, and country\u2014including some of my own friends and family \u2014 MSK has been a place of hope, comfort, and support when they have needed it most.\n\nThat kind of care and compassion doesn\u2019t happen by accident. That happens because of the incredible doctors, the nurses, the techs, and every single person who walks these halls and decides, every single day, that the fight against cancer is worth everything they\u2019ve got. So, before I say another word: to everyone who works here, thank you, and North Jersey is lucky to have you.\n\nWhile cancer is brutal and unforgiving for anyone, I think we\u2019d all agree that when a child gets it, there is something that\u2019s extra cruel and heart-wrenching about it. Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children in America. This year alone, more than 15,000 children and teenagers across America will be diagnosed with it. One in 264 children in America before they turn 20 will develop cancer.\n\nAnd while, thank God, today about 85% of children survive at least five years after diagnosis, the challenges don\u2019t end with treatment. Between 60 and 90% of survivors will develop a chronic health condition later in life because of what the treatment did to their growing bodies.\n\nHere in New Jersey, this isn\u2019t an abstract issue. Our state ranks third in the entire country for pediatric cancer incidence. Roughly 440 children and teenagers in New Jersey are diagnosed with cancer every single year.\n\nThat\u2019s more than one every single day. These are the kids that play on our neighborhood playgrounds, get picked up on the school bus, and compete on the Little League field.\n\nIt goes without saying that we should be doing everything humanly possible \u2014 from research, to treatments, to public policy \u2014 to protect America\u2019s children from cancer.\n\nWe\u2019re here this morning, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, because there\u2019s one area where we can and must be doing more to help pediatric cancer \u2014 and it\u2019s one most don\u2019t even know exists.\n\nEvery state in America has what\u2019s called a Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, which brings together public health officials, medical professionals, researchers, and advocates to help develop the state\u2019s cancer control plan. These plans serve as a roadmap for how states address cancer \u2014 from prevention and treatment to support for patients and survivors \u2014 for five to ten years at a time. Think of these plans as the state\u2019s attack plan for curing cancer and treating patients.\n\nBut, here\u2019s the problem: pediatric cancer experts are too often missing from the table. And, when the people who understand childhood cancer best aren\u2019t helping write these plans, our children\u2019s needs can \u2014 and too often do \u2014 get overlooked. Currently, only about a third of states include specific childhood cancer goals or recommendations in their plans. That\u2019s unacceptable. We\u2019re lucky, because New Jersey actually includes pediatric cancer goals and representatives in our state cancer plans. New York doesn\u2019t right now, but, apparently, they\u2019ve recently agreed to add pediatric experts to their state cancer coalition. Still, that leaves more than thirty states that don\u2019t.\n\nLet me explain why this matters. What many people don\u2019t realize is that childhood cancer is very different from adult cancer. It requires different research, different treatments, and different survivorship care. A five-year-old\u2019s body doesn\u2019t respond to chemo, radiation, and medication the way a fifty-year-old\u2019s does, and it doesn\u2019t recover the same way either. But, when the folks writing these plans are focused almost entirely on adult cancer, children\u2019s needs too often get left out. That\u2019s why having pediatric cancer experts at the table matters.\n\nFor decades, children weren\u2019t even considered in addressing pediatric cancers. The same goes for drugs and treatments. Research shows a six-and-a-half-year gap between when cancer drugs were first tested in adults and when they were first tested in children. For children with sarcomas and brain cancer, the treatment gap is even greater\u2014nearly two decades behind adults. Our kids deserve better.\n\nThe bottom line: when it comes to cancer, caring for our children is different than adults \u2014 and they deserve attention, plans, research, and treatment tailored for them, because our children aren\u2019t just statistics.\n\nThey are our loved ones \u2014 our family members, our neighbors, our closest friends.\n\nIf you\u2019ll allow me, I want to talk about a victim of childhood cancer \u2014 a very special young woman none of us will ever forget. Kylie Kupperman. She\u2019s the reason this fight is deeply personal for me \u2014 and I want you to know her story.\n\nKylie\u2019s parents, Hayley and Adam, who you heard from, are very dear friends of mine. We all went to college together, including with my wife, Marla, who is here.\n\nAdam is my best friend. I was his best man at his wedding, and he was mine. So, I had the privilege of knowing Kylie from the day she was born here in Englewood, New Jersey, and watching her grow up in Chappaqua. Just weeks before her fourth birthday, and I\u2019ll never forget this phone call, Kylie was diagnosed with medulloblastoma \u2014 a rare and fast-growing pediatric brain tumor. She went through surgery, followed by months of chemo and proton therapy, which is targeted radiation, up in Boston. She was a trooper. Kylie beat her first battle with pediatric cancer. After a few years, she was declared cancer-free.\n\nBut, that was just the beginning of her fight. The very treatments that saved her life slowed her growth and made school a real struggle. She was smaller than all her classmates. She had to work twice as hard just to keep up. She was small but mighty \u2014 I can relate. While she was raised in New York, she had the Jersey fight she was born with \u2014 Adam is a Bergen County guy \u2014 and the tenacity to rise to the occasion. And through every bit of it, everyone who loved her called her \u201cSmiley Kylie\u201d because that smile never left her face, no matter what her body had been through.\n\nShe kept dancing at her ballet recitals. Loved camp and her friends \u2013 and the color pink. She kept being the big sister her siblings \u2014 Alexa and Jared \u2014 adored. And, she kept working, and working, and working in school, even when it wasn\u2019t always easy \u2014 until she got into her first-choice college, the University of Delaware, to study fashion and design, and with a merit scholarship to go with it. That\u2019s the Kylie I knew. Pretty, sweet, and a determined young woman who built the life she wanted, no matter what obstacles anyone put in front of her. Everyone loved her.\n\nAnd then, just as she was starting her freshman year, Kylie\u2019s cancer sadly came back. It spread to parts of her brain that doctors couldn\u2019t operate on. But, the Kuppermans and Kiley fought it the way she\u2019d always fought \u2013 with more courage than most adults I have ever known, but it was too much, even for her. Kylie passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 10 last year. She was a sophomore at the University of Delaware. She was nineteen years old.\n\nKylie should be starting her junior year of college right now \u2014 and wow, you should have heard how her friends gushed about her \u2014 and how her brother and sister who played games and music for her \u2014 and carried her up the stairs when she was too weak. But, instead of being at Delaware, her parents are here today, along with friends from Jersey, Chappaqua, and beyond, to honor and celebrate her memory, fighting Kylie-style so that no other family has to go through what they went through.\n\nHere\u2019s the thing: when Kylie was first diagnosed in 2009, we know that the studies, treatments, and plans were years behind those for adults with cancer. As a member of Congress, that\u2019s unacceptable to me. We must make sure that kids like Kylie are part of the plan when states decide how to fight cancer.\n\nAs I said, right now, only seventeen states in our entire country have set specific goals for childhood cancer in their state cancer plans or through other state initiatives.\n\nEven while New Jersey has a dedicated pediatric cancer research fund and pediatric cancer groups on our cancer coalition, our state\u2019s cancer plan still lacks a dedicated section laying out goals and recommendations for childhood cancer. In other words, there is still room for improvement. Every state should have comprehensive requirements.\n\nThat\u2019s why today, on the anniversary of her bat mitzvah seven years ago, I\u2019m introducing Kylie\u2019s Voices for Childhood Cancer Act, or \u201cKylie\u2019s Law,\u201d with Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. This is a bipartisan bill, because keeping children supported and healthy shouldn\u2019t be a Democrat or a Republican issue.\n\nHere\u2019s what it does. First, it requires that any state receiving federal funding for its comprehensive cancer control plan include at least two pediatric cancer experts on its coalition. Not zero. Not \u201cmaybe, if there\u2019s room.\u201d At least two dedicated champions for pediatric cancer and voices in every single state. This makes sure our states are building plans, studies, and initiatives that support, fund, and are tailored to pediatric patients.\n\nSecond, Kylie\u2019s Law directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services \u2013 or HHS \u2013 to establish a new national committee, the Cancer Control Plan Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee.\n\nIt will bring together representatives from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the CDC\u2019s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, state programs funded through Title V and HRSA, and pediatric cancer professionals, survivors, and caregivers who have lived this fight themselves. This committee will develop best practices and recommendations for addressing pediatric and adolescent cancer in state cancer plans. That means sharing what\u2019s working and helping states use available HRSA and Title V funding to better support children with cancer and their families.\n\nWe are not just adding representatives in each state, but we are also creating a national committee that will support those representatives and ensure real change.\n\nThird, Kylie\u2019s Law expands the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program to make pediatric cancer an explicit part of its mission. That allows states to use federal dollars that are already there, right now, to help children like Kylie, instead of leaving that money on the table.\n\nBut, we\u2019re not stopping at the federal level.\n\nI\u2019m proud to be partnering with Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Senator Joe Lagana, and Assemblyman Chris Tully, who are introducing new state legislation here in New Jersey to codify requiring pediatric cancer representatives on our state\u2019s cancer control coalition. Yes, we have good people on it right now, and I commend the current administration for having representatives. But, we need to make sure it stays that way. What one administration gives, the next administration can take away. Their legislation ensures children and their families have a seat at the table under any future administrations. I\u2019m also calling on the state department of health to release their cancer goals that I know they have been working on.\n\nFinally, on November 13th, on what would have been Kylie\u2019s 21st birthday, I will introduce a congressional resolution in the United States House of Representatives, commemorating November 13th as \u201cKylie\u2019s Day\u201d \u2014 formally honoring her life, her fight, her legacy, and the color pink. For all of us, Kylie Kupperman was so much more than a tenacious fighter against cancer \u2014 she was a loving daughter. A sister. A friend. A dancer. A fashion student with a whole life ahead of her. And, now, when we pass \u201cKylie\u2019s Law,\u201d her name will forever be attached to bipartisan legislation that gives a voice to children with cancer for generations to come.\n\nLook, this fight didn\u2019t start today, and it isn\u2019t going to end today either. Kylie\u2019s Law will be another critical step. As a member of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I\u2019m also proudly leading the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act to ensure that the share of federal cancer research dollars going to pediatric cancer actually reflects the number of kids in this country.\n\nEarlier this year, I helped get the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act signed into law that gives the FDA new authority to require studies of combination cancer therapies in children, so that our children get treatments built and tested for their bodies, not just hand-me-downs from adult medicine. Back in 2018, I helped pass the Childhood Cancer STAR Act into law, which expanded research into childhood cancer, improved how states track cases, and strengthened care for survivors long after treatment ends.\n\nAnd, right now, I\u2019m sponsoring the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, to build coordinated, patient-centered care for the hundreds of thousands of childhood cancer survivors living across this country today.\n\nI want to be clear: this fight doesn\u2019t stop when children turn eighteen. Young adults with cancer face a completely different set of challenges. They may be starting college, beginning a career, getting married, or thinking about having a family \u2014 and now suddenly they\u2019re dealing with cancer on top of all of it.\n\nThat\u2019s why this year, I led an effort calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, to develop better guidance in caring for adolescent and young adults \u2014 known as \u201cAYA\u201d cancer patients and survivors \u2014 to help address the unique challenges these young people face \u2014 including psychological, reproductive, and financial challenges. I am proud to say that my request was included in the House appropriations funding bill that passed out of committee this summer.\n\nLike Kylie Kupperman, like her parents, like the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and so many other cancer organizations and advocates, I\u2019ll never stop fighting for our children.\n\nI\u2019ll keep fighting until every state in this country has pediatric cancer experts in the room where decisions get made.\n\nSo, to everyone here today, let\u2019s get Kylie\u2019s Law passed. Let\u2019s get it done, for her, and for every child with cancer and family still fighting.\n\nIf we all work together and fight for our children with just a fraction of Kylie\u2019s strength, I know, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.\n\nThank you. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-media-advisory-for-wednesday-september-23-2026-at-12pm-", "*** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 AT 12PM ***", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Booker, Cortez Masto, Culinary Union to Call for Senate Passage of Bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 will host a press conference to call on the Senate to pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act legislation that would guarantee workers who vote to form a union a first contract without years of delay.\n\nWorkers who vote to unionize currently wait well over a year on average for a first contract, and many never get one at all. The Faster Labor Contracts Act would require employers to begin bargaining within 10 days of a union\u2019s request, bring in federal mediation if no agreement is reached within 90 days, and send the dispute arbitration if mediation fails. The House passed the bill in June by a vote of 230-193 with the support of 20 Republicans after a discharge petition forced a floor vote. The Senate companion, led by Sen. Booker and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), is now awaiting action.\n\nWHO:\n\nU.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), lead Democratic sponsor of the Faster Labor Contracts Act\n\nU.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)\n\nTed Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer, Culinary Workers Union Local 226\n\nHospitality workers employed at Station Casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada\n\nWHAT: Press conference calling for the Senate Passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act (S.844).\n\nWHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 12:00PM\n\nWHERE: SVC 208\n\nPRESS PLEASE RSVP TO: press_@booker.senate.gov", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-tillis-introduce-resolution-celebrating-65-years-of-the-peace-corps-and-honoring-nearly-250000-americans-who-answered-the-call-to-serve", "Booker, Tillis Introduce Resolution Celebrating 65 Years of the Peace Corps and Honoring Nearly 250,000 Americans Who Answered the Call to Serve", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "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) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a resolution celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps and commending its volunteers for more than six decades of public service focused on enhancing U.S. global leadership, strengthening international stability, empowering communities, and expanding people-to-people ties. U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) introduced a companion resolution in the House.\n\nSince President John F. Kennedy issued his historic call to service and established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, nearly 250,000 Americans have served as volunteers in 144 countries. They have worked side by side with local communities to advance education, health, agriculture, environmental resilience, youth development, and economic opportunity. That work has built lasting partnerships around the world, promoting global stability and American values beyond what can be achieved through traditional policy measures alone.\n\n\"For 65 years, the Peace Corps has sent some of our nation's best ambassadors across the world,\" said Senator Booker. \"Nearly a quarter of a million Americans have taken on 'the toughest job you'll ever love,' teaching in classrooms, strengthening health systems, and helping communities, often in remote and hard-to-reach areas, build their own futures. Their service makes our country safer, our workforce stronger, and our democracy richer. As we mark this milestone, we must not only honor that legacy but recommit to it, so that the next generation of Americans can answer the same call.\"\n\nBy strengthening international stability, promoting economic growth, and addressing the root causes of conflict through education and community development, Peace Corps volunteers have advanced U.S. national security while improving lives. This resolution also highlights the value returned volunteers bring home. Their language, cultural, and technical skills strengthen the U.S. workforce, expand America's global competency, and enhance the nation's diplomatic and economic competitiveness.\n\nPeace Corps service has also inspired generations of Americans to pursue careers in public service, education, diplomacy, health, and economic development. This has created a lasting pipeline of globally minded civic leaders.\n\nThe resolution:\n\nCelebrates the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps;\n\nHonors the nearly 250,000 individuals who have served as Peace Corps volunteers for their dedication to peace, friendship, and community-driven development; and\n\nCommends the Peace Corps' enduring mission to put purpose, passion, and skills to work for the United States and the world.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker_statement-on-state-attorneys-general-settlement-clearing-paramounts-takeover-of-warner-bros-discovery", "Booker Statement on State Attorneys General Settlement Clearing Paramount\u2019s Takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, issued the following statement after a coalition of state attorneys general announced a settlement with Paramount Skydance in their lawsuit to block its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The settlement clears the way for the deal to close:\n\n\u201cAttorney General Bonta said it plainly: this settlement is not an endorsement of this merger. He is right. He and the attorneys general of 11 other states took on one of the most powerful media companies in the world, a company backed by the full weight of the White House. Paramount answered with what amounted to extortion. It threatened to pull jobs out of California if they blocked the deal, after calling its artists and workers a priority. It promised its own shareholders a ticking fee it never expected to pay because it assumed the Justice Department would wave the deal through, and then used the mounting cost as leverage against the states when the balance came due.\n\n\u201cThis is what happens when federal enforcers abandon their posts. States are left to carry the fight alone, and even the strongest state enforcers cannot outlast a company willing to say anything and spend anything. That is not justice. That is a price tag.\n\n\u201cThis merger is illegal. It shrinks two of Hollywood\u2019s major studios from five to four and combines two of the largest basic cable owners\u2014putting nearly a third of the theatrical film market and nearly a third of basic cable programming under one roof. Behavioral promises cannot fix a structural problem. Media merger after media merger has ended the same way, with fewer jobs, lower wages, fewer stories told, and higher prices for families. Writers, crews, artists, theater owners, and consumers will pay the price.\n\n\u201cThis merger threatens the First Amendment. Paramount will control two major news networks, CNN and CBS News. An \u2018independent\u2019 editorial board handpicked by David Ellison and reporting directly to him will not stop the sweeping changes at CNN that President Trump says the Ellisons promised him. We have already seen what this administration does to the press\u2014the President just barred reporters from the White House.\n\n\u201cThis merger is the product of corruption hiding in plain sight. Secretary Hegseth stood in the Pentagon press room and said he couldn\u2019t wait for the Ellisons to take over. Paramount was a constant presence at the Justice Department once it needed the deal pushed through. But when Congress asked questions, the company ignored our inquiries and refused invitations to testify. On the night of the shareholder vote, Ellison hosted a dinner honoring President Trump. Then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the official responsible for approving this deal, was in attendance.\n\n\u201cThis administration has turned merger review into a marketplace for political favors. That is why I will examine every merger this administration has approved, and why I will keep fighting to pass the CLEAN Mergers Act, so that no company can ever again buy its way past the law.\u201d\n\nEarlier this year, Booker sent letters to Warner Bros. Discovery, Allen & Company, and Evercore, demanding information about undisclosed conflicts of interest in the proposed $111 billion acquisition of WBD by Paramount Skydance Corporation and requested responses from all parties by May 5, 2026.\n\nThe letters are part of Booker\u2019s broader oversight of the proposed merger, which has included unanswered inquiries to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding foreign ownership implications, and a request to the Department of the Treasury and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to initiate a review of the role of the Gulf sovereign wealth fund\u2019s financing in the transaction. This summer, Booker held a congressional forum on the dangers of the merger, with testimony from actor and advocate Mark Ruffalo; Academy Award-winning filmmaker David Borenstein; Director of Legal Services at the Writers Guild, Michael Isaac; attorney and journalist Katie Phang; and Co-founder and Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, Mara Verheyden-Hilliard. Each of the witnesses warned that the merger would put tens of thousands of media professionals at risk of losing their jobs and pose a threat to democracy itself.\n\nRead the full text of the Allen & Company letter here.\n\nRead the full text of the letter to CFIUS here.\n\nRead the full text of the Evercore letter here.\n\nRead the full text of the FCC letter here.\n\nRead the full text of the Warner Bros. Discovery letter here.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-lawler-push-bipartisan-plan-on-ai-safety", "RELEASE: Gottheimer, Lawler Push Bipartisan Plan on AI Safety", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer and Lawler discuss their bipartisan AI legislation.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) held a press conference to amplify the importance of their bipartisan Stop Rogue AI Act, legislation that would establish clear, practical guardrails for the powerful new AI \u201cagents\u201d now operating inside America\u2019s networks. This commonsense legislation ensures that businesses and agencies have the ability to see and stop rogue agents before they cause real damage. The Representatives also highlighted several other bipartisan actions they\u2019ve led this Congress on AI \u2014 including legislation to protect consumers, develop America\u2019s workforce, and boost innovation.\n\nWatch Gottheimer and Lawler\u2019s remarks here.\n\n\u201cYou can\u2019t drive a car in this country without a license plate, without insurance, without some way for a cop \u2014 or the person you just rear-ended \u2014 to know who\u2019s behind the wheel and who\u2019s responsible,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy. \u201cAI agents right now don\u2019t have any of that. Our bill puts a driver\u2019s license on every AI agent operating in this country \u2014 so organizations can find every agent on their network, verify who built it, watch it in real time, and cut off its access the second something looks wrong. That means putting humans back in the driver\u2019s seat. It\u2019s time for Congress to get back to work and get this done.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t about stopping AI or stifling innovation. It is about making sure we can safely deploy AI. A pause is not a safeguard. Some states have put a moratorium on the infrastructure that powers this technology. That does not invent a kill switch. It does not inventory the agents already on a hospital network or a utility system,\u201d said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17.) \u201cIf the United States taps the brakes while others floor it, we do not get safer AI. We get someone else\u2019s AI. We are not going to regulate ourselves into second place.\u201d\n\nRight now, most organizations have no reliable way to know how many unauthorized AI agents are running in their systems, who built them, or what they have access to. AI agents can be activated by employees, embedded in third-party software, or deployed by vendors \u2014 often with little to no visibility for the organization whose networks they\u2019re operating on to know that they are there. That blind spot is becoming more dangerous by the day. The recent Hugging Face incident and other autonomous cyberattacks have shown AI systems are being used to hack organizations at scale, without a person ever watching or stepping in.\n\nDrafted and introduced by Gottheimer and Lawler, the Stop Rogue AI Act would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop national standards, guidelines, and best practices for discovering, verifying, monitoring, and controlling AI agents.\n\nOther Bipartisan AI Initiatives from Gottheimer and Lawler include:\n\nAI Workforce Training Act (H.R. 7576) \u2014 Helps workers upgrade their AI skills without leaving their jobs. More than 60% of small businesses now use AI \u2014 double the share from 2023 \u2014 and the challenge isn\u2019t that AI is replacing workers, it\u2019s that workers need help keeping up with the tools their employers are already using. The bill provides a 30% tax credit, capped at $2,500 per employee, for training in practical AI skills. The goal: help workers adapt to AI, not get replaced by it.\n\nAdvancing American Quantum Leadership Act of 2026 (H.R. 9585) \u2014 Expands the definition of \u201cquantum\u201d under the Export-Import Bank\u2019s China and Transformational Exports Program, broadening \u201cquantum computing\u201d to \u201cquantum information science and technology.\u201d\n\nNo Rigged Grocery Prices Act (H.R. 8895) \u2014 Bans grocery stores and delivery apps from using AI-driven personal data to charge different customers different prices for the exact same item.\n\nThe two members have also pressed the administration and industry on AI accountability \u2014 urging the Federal Trade Commission to protect anti-discrimination measures for AI systems; calling on the CEOs of leading AI companies to ensure voters get accurate, unbiased information ahead of the 2026 midterms; and urging DHS, DOJ, CISA, and the FEC to coordinate against AI-related threats to the 2026 elections.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer and Lawler discuss their AI legislation.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-bills-to-combat-ai-driven-cyberattacks-and-protect-americans-from-scams-pass-out-of-committee", "Menendez Bills to Combat AI-Driven Cyberattacks and Protect Americans from Scams Pass Out of Committee", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that two of his bipartisan bills with Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bills are as follows:\n\nH.R. 7294, AI for Secure Networks Act (Menendez and Pfluger)\n\nThe AI For Secure Networks Act strengthens the cybersecurity of America\u2019s communications networks by promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence while addressing the risks posed by its misuse.\n\n\u201cAs our communications networks face growing threats, we must advance forward thinking solutions to protect the communications, emergency services, critical infrastructure, and financial systems Americans depend on,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cOur legislation promotes the responsible use of AI while confronting the growing risks posed by its exploitation, including the potential for more sophisticated cyberattacks on the communications systems Americans rely on every day. I look forward to working to pass this legislation and strengthen protections for our networks and the people who depend on them.\u201d\n\nClick here to view Congressman Menendez\u2019s remarks.\n\nH.R. 5967, Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act (Menendez and Houchin)\n\nThe Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act establishes a federal task force to develop a national scam prevention strategy that strengthens support for victims, provides local law enforcement stronger tools to stop scams, and lowers the risk of financial losses from fraudulent activity.\n\n\u201cAs scams become increasingly more sophisticated, we need a national strategy to protect American families and consumers,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cThe Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act brings together the federal government, law enforcement, and corporations to protect our families and seniors from being targeted by bad actors online and over the phone. I am proud that our legislation has passed the full Committee and is one step closer to becoming law and look forward to its passage through the House.\u201d\n\nClick here to view Congressman Menendez\u2019s remarks.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-condemns-trump-administration-attempts-to-hijack-nih-research-grants", "Rep. Watson Coleman Condemns Trump Administration Attempts to Hijack N.I.H. Research Grants", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, theNew York Times reported that White House officials were attempting to make massive cuts to research grants at the National Institutes of Health, conflicting with months of denials from NIH officials. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who sits on theLabor, Health and Human Services and Education subcommittee, released the following statement:\n\nToday, we learned that the White House is trying to cancel funding that \"does not conform to Trump's political agenda.\"\n\nOver the last year and a half, the NIH director and his sub-directorshave assured my colleagues and me that politics would bekept out of decisions for health research that saves millions of lives in the United States.\n\nLast June, I introducedlegislation to insulate vital NIH research grants from Trump's political attacks.\n\nAs recently as this past Tuesday, NIH Institute directors told members of the Appropriations Committee that grant funding was still on track. Yet today, we get the news that President Trump and OMB Director Vought are moving to cut funding that doesn\u2019t align with their extreme ideology.\n\nFunding decisions are supposed to be made by experts based on scientific merit and the likelihood of outcomes that could save lives and reduce suffering.\n\nThe Trump Administration's public health record has been an abysmal failure. Instead of correcting course, they're doubling down and playing political games with the lives of the American people. Congress MUST reassert its authority over the budget and ensure the government works for the American people regardless of partisan politics.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T10:42:50Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-honors-local-veterans-at-the-bergen-county-sheriffs-annual-veterans-appreciation-bbq", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Honors Local Veterans at the Bergen County Sheriff\u2019s Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ", "2026-09-20", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer at Bergen County Sheriff\u2019s Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ.\n\nPARAMUS, NJ \u2014 U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined the Bergen County Sheriff\u2019s Office, local veterans, and their families for their Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ, honoring the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform.\n\n\u201cOur veterans answered the call to serve and protect our great country, and we owe them a debt we can never fully repay,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cIt was an honor to spend the day with the brave men and women who wore the uniform, and their families who have stood beside them. I want to thank the Bergen County Sheriff\u2019s Office for putting on this event and for standing with our veterans year after year. In Congress, I\u2019ll always keep fighting to make sure our veterans get the care, recognition, and respect they\u2019ve rightfully earned.\u201d\n\nThe Bergen County Sheriff\u2019s Office Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ brings together local veterans, their families, and community members each year to recognize and thank those who have served in our nation\u2019s Armed Forces.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer at Bergen County Sheriff\u2019s 3rd Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-21T10:25:24Z", "2026-09-21T10:26:54Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-announces-new-bipartisan-legislation-on-ai-safety-to-protect-jersey-families-national-security", "RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation on AI Safety to Protect Jersey Families, National Security", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer announces new AI safety legislation at FDU.\n\nTEANECK, NJ \u2014 Today, Friday, September 18, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House AI Commission and a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, announced a new bipartisan agenda to put real guardrails on AI development to ensure the U.S. can win the global AI race in the right way.\n\nWatch Gottheimer\u2019s remarks here.\n\n\u201cRight now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing of frontier AI models,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cThat doesn\u2019t work in banking, it doesn\u2019t work in food safety, it doesn\u2019t work in medicine, and it sure as hell shouldn\u2019t work with the technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. This isn\u2019t about stopping AI or stifling innovation, it is about making sure \u2014 with warning signs flashing red \u2014 that we can safely deploy AI, and win the race the right way.\n\n\u201cArtificial intelligence is one of the most consequential technologies of our time, and we have a responsibility to make sure it strengthens our national security rather than becoming a tool for those who seek to harm Americans. The American AI Security Act takes a commonsense approach: before the most powerful AI models are deployed, we should know whether they could be used to launch devastating cyberattacks or facilitate the development of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons,\u201d said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).\n\nGottheimer\u2019s AI safety agenda includes two new bipartisan pieces of federal legislation and an inquiry into the Administration\u2019s new cybersecurity plan, including:\n\nThe American AI Security Act, co-led by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), establishes a mandatory, pre-deployment national security review for the most powerful AI models. Before releasing a covered model, developers would be required to give the National Security Agency full access to evaluate whether it could be used to launch a serious cyberattack or help build a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon. The review operates on a firm clock \u2014 30 days, with a single 30-day extension if needed \u2014 so it functions as a serious national security check rather than either a rubber stamp or endless bureaucracy. Companies would be able to provide technical support for the reviews, and appeal decisions through an expedited process modeled on the courts already used for national security cases.\n\nThe China FIREWALL Act, co-led by Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-1), keeps Chinese-developed AI off of U.S. government systems. The bill would ban all Chinese-developed open-weight AI models from government-issued devices and prohibit federal agencies from procuring software that relies on those models. The legislation builds on Gottheimer\u2019s No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act, which became law as part of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and blocked the Chinese AI model DeepSeek from federal devices. The China FIREWALL Act closes the loophole that still allows other Chinese open-weight models to be used at federal agencies.\n\nAnd finally, Gottheimer announced he is sending a letter to Sean Cairncross, the President\u2019s Cyber Director, about the Administration\u2019s new AI cybersecurity clearinghouse and how it can help the government respond to growing fears of autonomous cyberattacks.\n\nThe announcement was made at Fairleigh Dickinson University, which is launching a new state-of-the-art Health Humanics Innovation Hub, that\u2019s designed to train the next generation of healthcare workers to use AI tools without losing the human being in front of them.\n\nGottheimer was joined by New Jersey State Senator Gordon Johnson, Teaneck Mayor Mark Schwartz, FDU Senior VP of Government Affairs, Robert Pignatello, Engineer Lab Director, Reggie Joseph, and students from Fairleigh Dickinson University.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer announces new AI safety legislation at FDU.\n\nGottheimer\u2019s remarks as prepared for delivery.\n\nThank you all for having me here today, and thank you to Fairleigh Dickinson University for opening up your campus for a discussion on this critical topic.\n\nNow, I\u2019ve been to a lot of events at a lot of great institutions across the Fifth District, but I want to take a second to recognize FDU, because this school has a story worth telling.\n\nIt started in 1942, right down the road in Rutherford, as a little two-year junior college founded by Peter and Sally Sammartino. Today, it\u2019s the largest private university in the entire state of New Jersey, with 12,000 students, more than 100 degree programs, and students coming here from all over the world. It\u2019s a great American story of true leadership.\n\nSpeaking of leadership, President Avaltroni and his team have built something they call \u201cHumanics.\u201d The idea is simple: as AI gets built into everything, especially health care, you don\u2019t throw out empathy, ethics, and equity.\n\nYou build them in from day one. They\u2019re standing up a Health Humanics Innovation Hub right here on the Metropolitan Campus, which Senator Johnson helped secure funding for, that brings together a healthcare humanity lab, a storytelling data lab, and partnerships with Epic Systems to make sure the doctors and nurses of tomorrow know how to use these tools without losing sight of the human being in front of them. That\u2019s exactly the mindset we need to bring to the AI policy debate right now \u2013 as the AI race accelerates, we have to remember that the benefits of innovation are boundless in the new opportunities they offer, but can be equally boundless in the new threats they pose.\n\nAI can change the world. It can make our businesses more productive, help Americans develop new skills, strengthen our national security, and keep the United States at the forefront of technological innovation, especially in the competition with China. It can make incredible discoveries in medicine; it can personalize education, make government more efficient and accessible, and help workers focus more on key decisions.\n\nBut, as we learned in the last weeks with Hugging Face, and yesterday, with more disclosures from OpenAI of rogue agents with basically a mind of their own, the downsides of this transformative technology, if not controlled, are real.\n\nIn these cases, agents deceived their developers, coordinated amongst themselves, and escaped from what were supposed to be secure sandboxes. If this technology gets into the wrong hands, you can imagine the potential for destruction \u2013 cybersecurity, biosecurity, our national security. Used maliciously, the government of China or Iran or a non-state actor could wreak havoc on the world. Two weeks ago, an engineer from Anthropic quit his job, declaring that this technology \u201ccould kill us all by the end of the decade.\u201d As Bill Gates recently put it, \u201cAI models could begin to act against our interests, and we could lose control.\u201d\n\nAs I just mentioned, last month, a swarm of AI agents broke out of a locked-down sandbox test, found a security hole nobody even knew existed, and used it to hack straight into Hugging Face \u2014 one of the biggest and most important AI platforms on the planet. Hundreds of AI agents were coordinating with each other on a hidden message board, running for days all on their own, and they even lied to their programmers about what they did. That incident was one of the most alarming AI-driven cybersecurity failures on record \u2014 and it was conducted without any human oversight. That might sound like a movie plot or an unreleased Terminator sequel, but unfortunately it\u2019s not.\n\nAnd that\u2019s not the only warning sign. Two weeks ago, a researcher who worked at both OpenAI and Anthropic made headlines when he quit his job at Anthropic and posted publicly that the industry is racing toward superintelligence and, in his words, gambling with our lives. That single post got 150 million views in just a day and a half. That should tell you something about how many Americans are scared of AI\u2019s risks, and how few of them think anyone in Washington has their back. And in response, several of the leading AI CEOs acknowledged the technology\u2019s dangers.\n\nThe runaway agents are just one of many new challenges AI poses \u2014 there are issues related to energy, water, and data centers; deepfakes, disinformation, and discrimination; chip policy and the need to protect our children; effects on the workforce. The list goes on.\n\nAnd, when you\u2019re in a race like this one, there is a great deal of pressure to go faster, both between our leading frontier labs \u2014 including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta \u2014 and between nations, particularly our competition with the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nUltimately, like in the Cold War, it will decide who has the military and economic might, which countries ally with others, and who will lead the world in areas like science, health care, and the humanities. While I believe deeply that we can\u2019t afford to lose this race, we must win in the right way, or we like during the nuclear arms race, ultimately, we will all lose. I don\u2019t mean to sound dark, but, as a member of the Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the House AI Commission, I have seen the briefings.\n\nThis is not a hypothetical threat. I\u2019ve concluded that we are at a critical crossroads \u2026 on the precipice of changes that none of us can even imagine \u2026 and either we are going to get it right, or the ramifications will be unimaginable. This is happening now, and Congress needs to act like it.\n\nThis morning, I want to focus on one area of that race that is central to how we protect our children, our families, and our national security \u2014 and that is how we test the latest AI frontier models before they are let out into the wild \u2026 before the public is able to utilize them.\n\nRight now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing. We are solely reliant on the Trump Administration\u2019s voluntary cybersecurity review process based on a June 2026 Executive Order. It\u2019s caused mass confusion in the AI world \u2013 nobody really knows who\u2019s covered, what the rules actually are, or what happens if you don\u2019t play along. It seems nuts to me that we wouldn\u2019t want to require testing from the best and brightest in our government before these models are released \u2014 to protect our cybersecurity, biosecurity, critical infrastructure \u2014 our families and our national security.\n\nBut, that\u2019s where we are here. And why? Because there are many who believe that the AI labs can handle it themselves \u2013 or, as some of the founders suggested this past week, that they rely on third-party testers or auditors to handle it. My problem with that is multi-fold: one, there are very few of these outside testers; they have limited people, compute, and access to the labs; they lack national security clearances; they don\u2019t have broad enough expertise on the threats posed, and they rely, in part, on the labs themselves for funding. In short, it\u2019s like having the fox guard the hen house.\n\nIt doesn\u2019t work in banking, it doesn\u2019t work in food safety, it doesn\u2019t work in medicine, and it sure as hell shouldn\u2019t work with technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. The answer isn\u2019t, like some have suggested, to just shut it all down. That\u2019s not tenable. Like it or not, AI is here. We can\u2019t just cede the race to China. If we panic or stop AI development, we won\u2019t actually stop AI \u2014 that\u2019s not a safeguard. China is not slowing down for anybody. We will just hand the future to Beijing. It will put us right in the bullseye of our adversary. We will just get someone else\u2019s AI.\n\nThat brings me to what we\u2019re actually doing about it.\n\nFirst, I\u2019m announcing the American AI Security Act \u2014 new bipartisan federal legislation that I\u2019m introducing with Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. This bill ensures that before any company releases one of the most powerful AI models in the world, they have to give the government full access to evaluate it first \u2014 to check whether that model could be used to launch a serious cyberattack, attack our critical infrastructure, or help build a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon.\n\nIt\u2019s a real, time-bounded review that other frontier developers can help coordinate. Not endless bureaucracy, but also not a rubber stamp. A serious national security check, with a deadline, with industry input, and a proper appeals process modeled on the courts we already use for national security cases. This isn\u2019t about stopping AI or stifling innovation; it is about making sure \u2014 with warning signs flashing red \u2014 that we can safely deploy AI, and win the race the right way.\n\nSecond, I\u2019m announcing the China FIREWALL Act to stop Chinese AI on all government systems.\n\nRight now, DeepSeek is blocked on most federal devices \u2014 because I fought to put that block in place, through my No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act. It became law through last year\u2019s defense spending bill. But, here\u2019s the problem: other Chinese open-weight models, like Moonshot\u2019s Kimi K3 and Alibaba\u2019s Qwen, are still walking right through the front door of our federal agencies, and they can still buy software with these models baked in without anyone even knowing it.\n\nSo, alongside Congressman Nick LaLota of New York, I\u2019m introducing this new bipartisan legislation to close that loophole for good \u2014 banning Chinese-developed open-weight models from government devices, and blocking agencies from procuring software that relies on them. If we can\u2019t trust Beijing with our data, we shouldn\u2019t allow our government to use their AI systems.\n\nThird, I\u2019m sending a letter to the President\u2019s Cyber Director about the Administration\u2019s new AI cybersecurity clearinghouse. Look, the idea behind it is the right one. But right now, it\u2019s only built to catch known vulnerabilities. That is, the stuff we already know to look for.\n\nIt does nothing about what happens when you\u2019ve got swarms of AI agents operating at machine speed, coordinating attacks faster than any human can respond. My letter asks the hard question: is this clearinghouse actually built for the threat we\u2019re facing in 2026, or the threat we were facing two years ago? And it raises whether the AI supply chain itself should be treated as critical infrastructure, the same way we treat our power grid and our water systems. If AI breaks, everything built on top of it breaks with it.\n\nThis Congress alone, I\u2019ve led more than a dozen bipartisan bills that put up immediate guardrails to keep pace with the rapid rise of AI.\n\nThere is nothing partisan about protecting our country. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve repeatedly teamed up with Republican and Democratic colleagues alike \u2013 and why I\u2019m co-chairing the new AI Problem Solvers Task Force. My bills tackle critical issues from rogue AI agents and cybersecurity to commonsense consumer and child protections to AI digital literacy. These bills would both protect our families and national security, and ensure we can seize upon the opportunities ahead of us.\n\nUnfortunately, Republican leadership has refused to directly bring any of these critical pieces of legislation to the floor for a vote. And they sent us home from Washington without acting. I think that\u2019s a huge mistake \u2014 and, right now, every week matters for America\u2019s safety. I strongly urge the Speaker to bring us back before the election to pass AI safety legislation like the bills I\u2019m proposing today.\n\nFinally, let me ask this question: How did another generation handle a technology terrifying enough to end the world, without either burying their heads in the sand or torching the relationship with their biggest rival? Go back to the Cold War.\n\nThe United States and the Soviet Union were racing each other on nuclear weapons \u2014 real enemies, real stakes, real distrust. And yet, at the height of that rivalry, President Kennedy stood up and said something that still holds up today. He said, \u201cAmong the traits the peoples of our two countries have in common, none is stronger than our mutual abhorrence of war.\u201d Soon after, we signed a nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviets. We never stopped competing with them, but we understood that some risks are big enough that even fierce rivals have to keep the guardrails up.\n\nThat is exactly the balance we need with AI: compete like hell to win, and put real safety rails in place so winning doesn\u2019t destroy us in the process.\n\nOur country has never been a country that waits around scared of the future \u2014 we go out, and we build it, safely, and better than anyone else on Earth. The choice is not between innovation and responsibility. We need both. We need Americans to know that as AI becomes more powerful, there are commonsense guardrails in place.\n\nI believe that if we keep working together across the aisle for our future, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.\n\nThank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-sends-follow-up-letter-to-dhs-secretary-demanding-information-on-the-status-of-sick-constituent-at-delaney-hall", "Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Follow-up Letter to DHS Secretary Demanding Information on the Status of Sick Constituent at Delaney Hall", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella demanding answers on the investigation into the death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo and the status of detainee Amro Sehaim.\n\nThe letter comes after the Department failed to respond to an inquiry sent by the Congresswoman and several members of the New Jersey Delegation on August 7th calling for answers surrounding the death of Lopez Cornejo and demanding the immediate humanitarian release of Amro Sehaim, an Egyptian national and small business owner in the 12th District who, before his detention, was undergoing treatment for cancer.\n\nThe letter reads in part:\n\nIndividuals in your custody are your responsibility. The shocking number of deaths within ICE custody, including Mr. Lopez Cornejo\u2019s, is appalling and unforgivable. The conditions in ICE detention facilities across the country are atrocious and bring shame to your Department, this Administration, and our nation.\n\nThe September 17th letter demands detailed explanations as to the conditions that led to the death of Mr. Lopez Cornejo and of the actions being taken to provide Mr. Sehaim with adequate, independent medical care.\n\nRelated Files", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-booker-blasts-fbi-director-kash-patel-drawing-praise-for-demanding-accountability-at-committee-hearing", "ICYMI: Booker \u201cBlasts\u201d FBI Director Kash Patel, Drawing Praise for Demanding Accountability at Committee Hearing", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Booker to Patel: \u201cYou\u2019re an embarrassment to this agency\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON, DC\u2014In case you missed it, earlier this week U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, \u201cgrilled\u201d FBI Director Kash Patel at a committee hearing and called him an \u201cembarrassment to the agency,\u201d drawing widespread praise for \u201claying out the degree to which he is not qualified\u201d for the role. He specifically pressed Patel on the FBI\u2019s investigation into a New York Times reporter who covered his use of agency resources, as well as grand jury subpoenas issued to Times reporters after they reported on security lapses involving Trump\u2019s Qatari-gifted Air Force One replacement.\n\nSEE FOR YOURSELF:\n\nMS NOW\n\nThe Weeknight: Cory Booker on Kash Patel\n\nSeptember 15, 2026\n\nCommentator: \u201cI think that Cory Booker did a great job of laying out the degree to which Kash Patel is not qualified for this.\u201d\n\nBooker: \u201cWe have a lackey here who is using [the FBI]. And frankly, he\u2019s not even a good lackey. He\u2019s an incompetent lackey. He\u2019s like an 18-year-old kid who wants to join a fraternity that he could never be a member of, doing keg stands and chugging with friends. He\u2019s an embarrassment to the agency and wouldn\u2019t qualify even to be an FBI agent. What\u2019s bad is that we have Republicans in the Senate that are enabling him to go without any objective oversight or transparency or accountability.\u201d\n\nCommentator: \u201cI thought that point was so important because Trump has a lot of lackeys. The issue is, they are all incompetent for the most part. And secondly, to have the head of the FBI likely not even pass a background check to be an agent speaks volumes of where we are.\u201d\n\nABC News\n\nSen. Cory Booker and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman\n\nSeptember 15, 2026\n\nFBI Director Kash Patel during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday was pressed about whether he would send the FBI agents to polling places -- clashing with Democrats over the topic.\n\nCentralJersey.com\n\nBooker Calls FBI Director Patel a \u201cLackey\u201d as GOP Lawmaker Moves to Impeach Hegseth\n\nSeptember 16, 2026\n\nBy: Josh King\n\nU.S. Senator Cory Booker, D-NJ, told FBI Director Kash Patel that the bureau no longer has a real director, only someone doing another person's bidding.\n\nBooker made the remark directly to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, while Patel sat in the room during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on FBI oversight held on September 15, 2026.\n\nBooker did not stop there. He said Patel was not even competent at deferring to others, comparing him to a teenager trying to join a fraternity he could never actually get into, complete with drinking games.\n\nBooker said Patel was an embarrassment to the agency who would not even qualify to be a rank-and-file FBI agent, and he separately called the director a thug.\n\nBooker argued the real problem goes beyond Patel himself. He said Senate Republicans are letting a rogue FBI director intimidate reporters without any objective oversight, transparency, or accountability, per Insider NJ.\n\nInsider NJ\n\nBooker Shreds Patel as Massie Moves to Impeach Hegseth\n\nBy Max Pizarro\n\nSeptember 16, 2026|\n\nU.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) criticized FBI Director Kash Patel at yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee\u2019s hearing on FBI oversight.\n\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have an FBI director, we have a lackey here,\" Booker told Chairman Chuck Grassley, as Patel looked on.\n\nBooker continued of the FBI Director: \"[He's] using govern\u2014and frankly, he\u2019s not even a good lackey, he\u2019s an incompetent lackey. He\u2019s like an 18-year-old kid who wants to join a fraternity that he could never be a member of. Doing keg stands and chugging with friends. He\u2019s an embarrassment to the agency and wouldn\u2019t qualify, even, to be an FBI agent.\"\n\nThe senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey also referred to Patel as a \"thug.\"\n\n\u201cWhat is bad is not just that we have a rogue FBI agent intimidating reporters, what\u2019s bad is that we have Republicans in the Senate enabling him to go without any objective oversight or transparency or accountability!\u201d Booker added.\n\nBooker's clash with Patel came on the same day that a Republican congressman introduced articles of impeachment against U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.\n\nPOLITICO\n\nFBI\u2019s Kash Patel brawls with Senate Democrats at Judiciary hearing\n\nBy: Chris Marquette\n\nSeptember 15, 2026\n\nSenate Democrats battered FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday at a Senate Judiciary oversight hearing, combatively criticizing a broad swath of his behavior and performance to the point the panel\u2019s chair asked one to \u201cshut up.\u201d\n\nThe scrutiny from Democrats previews how they may try to hold members of the Trump administration accountable if they take the majority after the midterms. It also highlights how the party has embraced the course confrontations common from Cabinet member testimony during the second Trump administration.\n\nBooker had called Patel a \u201cthug\u201d who targets reporters and their families when they write stories critical of him and the broader Trump administration and who investigated a journalist after writing a story on his girlfriend. When Grassley asked Booker to wrap up his comments, Booker said Grassley wasn\u2019t being equitable with members\u2019 time to speak. \u201cHe\u2019s like an 18-year-old kid who wants to join a fraternity that he could never be a member of doing keg stands and chugging with friends,\u201d Booker said.\n\nSen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) questions FBI Director Kash Patel about the use of FBI resources and accused Patel of retaliating against the media. Booker went on to clash with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) at the hearing.\n\nHuffington Post\n\nA Heated Exchange Between Patel, Sens. Cory Booker, and Chuck Grassley\n\nSeptember 16, 2026\n\nSen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) accused Patel of abusing his role as FBI director and of \u201cstonewalling\u201d the committee over questions about using the FBI to go after reporters who have put out stories unfavorable to him. The New York Times reported in April that the FBI investigated its reporter, Elizabeth Williamson, after she reported that Patel spent agency money on her to protect her and drive her around.\n\nBooker also referenced another instance where New York Times reporters were served with grand jury subpoenas after reporting on security issues with Trump\u2019s Qatari-gifted new Air Force One plane.\n\n\u201cIt is interesting that he is using resources from the FBI in a way that he\u2019s not willing to be transparent and open about,\u201d Booker said. \u201cThe message that every reporter in America is getting right now is that we have an FBI director that is attacking the most vaunted of our amendments, which is our first one: freedom of the press. If you write about this director, this FBI will run your name through government databases. That\u2019s not law enforcement. That is this man before us using a police agency to settle personal grievances about a story that embarrassed him.\n\nDaily Kos\n\nSen. Cory Booker lays into FBI Director Patel AND his GOP colleagues during Tuesday hearing\n\nBy: Janesaunt, Democratic Party Spotlight\n\nSeptember 15, 2026\n\nToday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel. When it was time for Sen. Booker\u2019s questioning things got a little heated. By then Patel was getting tired of being in the hot seat and Booker DID NOT CARE.\n\nThe questioning starts out with Booker asking Patel about a New York Times article that said an FBI Swat Team was driving his girlfriend. Director Patel tried to pretend that Sen. Booker was questioning his relationship, which was obviously not what was asked. The question was did Patel ask agents to search federal databases about the reporter. No surprise that Patel refused to answer the question\n\nBooker also brought up the story about the prez sneaking off of the fake Air Force 1 to a smaller jet, and the FBI searching records for the reporters that broke that story. Not only did they search recent records, and subpoena reporters and their families, according to Sen. Booker, but records going back to January 2026, adding, \u201cThe Judge admonished you for this! The Judge saw it for what it was, an abuse of power\n\nThe Wrap\n\n\u201cThis is a mockery and a sham,\u201d Booker says of the FBI director\u2019s oversight hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee\n\nSeptember 16, 2026\n\nBooker: \u201cMy concluding remark is: We don\u2019t have an FBI director, we have a lackey here who\u2019s using government \u2013 and frankly, he\u2019s not even a good lackey, he\u2019s an incompetent lackey,\u201d\n\nBooker: \u201cHe\u2019s like an 18-year-old kid who wants to join a fraternity that he could never be a member of, doing keg stands and chugging with friends. He\u2019s an embarrassment to the agency and wouldn\u2019t qualify even to be an FBI agent. He won\u2019t answer questions for a committee. He insults Democrats here, and you don\u2019t step in. He has a little book by his side that he literally is using to try to intimidate people, in the same way he intimidates reporters.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-garcia-hayes-reintroduce-legislation-to-create-a-well-prepared-and-diverse-educator-workforce", "Booker, Garc\u00eda, Hayes Reintroduce Legislation to Create a Well-Prepared and Diverse Educator Workforce", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "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. Representatives Jes\u00fas \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) reintroduced the Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth (DIVERSIFY) Act, legislation that would increase the TEACH Grant award to support middle- and low-income students interested in becoming teachers, ensuring an education workforce as diverse as the students it serves. The DIVERSIFY Act would ensure the grant amount more closely matches rising college costs and student loan debt which are major deterrents to students of color pursuing careers in education.\n\nThe $4,000 a year award has not increased since it was created nearly 20 years ago. Not only has it failed to keep up with the rising cost of college, but since 2013 it has also been cut annually. Meanwhile, since 2007, college costs have continued to climb and the total student loan debt owed has increased by more than $1.2 trillion. The failure to protect and increase the award amount limits the program\u2019s potential. The DIVERSIFY Act would combat these reductions to support all students, but especially students of color who perform exponentially higher in test scores, increase high school graduation rates, and better likelihood of college success with teachers of color.\n\n\u201cResearch shows that a diverse educator workforce can improve student achievement and close opportunity gaps,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cYet, the high cost of teacher preparation remains a barrier to developing and sustaining a workforce that adequately represents the diversity of our nation\u2019s students. By doubling the TEACH Grant and ending harmful annual cuts to the program, this legislation will provide greater support to current and future educators while helping strengthen and diversify our teacher workforce. Every student deserves access to great teachers, including educators who reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities they serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cStudents deserve to see their own diversity reflected in those who teach them. In Chicago, less than 50% of teachers come from diverse backgrounds while Latino and Black students make up nearly 90% of the student population. As the cost of higher education and student loan debt continue to place a growing financial burden on students, we must do more to make a career in education accessible and affordable,\u201d said Congressman Garc\u00eda. \u201cIncreasing the TEACH Grant will help remove financial barriers for aspiring educators, expand opportunities for students, and ensure this critical program keeps pace with the rising cost of earning a degree.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery student should have the opportunity to learn from educators who understand their experiences, reflect their communities, and help them to break down negative stereotypes and biases. A diverse teacher workforce can strengthen student outcomes, improve school engagement, lower absentee and discipline rates and decrease incidents of misdiagnosis for special education,\u201d said Congresswoman Hayes. \u201cThe DIVERSIFY Act will help encourage more individuals with multiple viewpoints and life experiences to enter the teaching profession and bring their talent back to the communities they call home. I am pleased to partner with Senator Booker and Representative Garc\u00eda on this important legislation.\u201d\n\nThe DIVERSIFY Act will help create a well-prepared and diverse educator workforce by:\n\nAligning the TEACH Grant\u2019s maximum award with the cost of college today\u2014which exceeds $31,000 a year at four-year colleges and universities\u2014by increasing it to $8,000 per year.\n\nEnding annual cuts to the TEACH Grant award, which this year alone resulted in a decrease to the maximum award of over $225. Without Congressional action, these cuts will continue through 2029.\n\nEliminating the harsh loan conversion penalty, which can serve as a deterrent to entering the program, and therefore teaching.\n\nEnsuring that the TEACH Grant program effectively covers the full cost of comprehensive preparation and reduces debt burdens by amending the program to cover the full cost of attendance, rather than just tuition, fees, and institutionally owned housing.\n\nRequiring the Secretary of Education to send TEACH Grant recipients who have completed their service an electronic certification noting this accomplishment.\n\nSupporting early educators by ensuring that they are eligible for TEACH Grants by including service in a high-need early education program, in addition to serving in a high-need school, as an eligible service area and adding early childhood education as a codified shortage subject.\n\nEnsuring that only educator preparation programs at public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education are eligible to participate in the TEACH Grant program.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-calls-on-trump-to-convene-congress-for-special-session-on-ai", "Booker Calls on Trump to Convene Congress for Special Session on AI", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) took to the Senate floor to call on President Trump to use his authority under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution to convene Congress for a special session to address the rapidly evolving risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Article II, Section 3 gives the President the power, on \"extraordinary occasions,\" to convene both Houses of Congress.\n\n\"We find ourselves in such an extraordinary moment. The safety of artificial intelligence systems demands urgent attention. The President should convene Congress at once to address it,\" said Senator Booker.\n\n\"This is not a moment for panic or despair. It is a moment for the government to govern,\" continued Senator Booker.\"Congress will soon leave Washington for two months. Artificial intelligence will not recess.\"\n\nAmericans are already experiencing the effects of AI through scams, privacy threats, workplace disruption, and surveillance, while increasingly powerful systems present new risks that policymakers have yet to fully address. Booker called for Congress to address three urgent challenges: protecting Americans from potentially catastrophic AI risks, including dangerous biological and cyber capabilities; confronting harms already affecting Americans; and ensuring Americans can benefit from AI's potential to advance science, improve health care and education, boost productivity, and help small businesses compete.\n\n\"AI will not recess. These issues demand our urgent attention. Mr. President: It's time for a Special Session,\" concluded Senator Booker.\n\nWATCH FLOOR SPEECH HERE.\n\nSenator Booker\u2019s Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:\n\nArticle II, Section 3 of the Constitution gives the President the power, on \u201cextraordinary occasions,\u201d to convene both Houses of Congress.\n\nThe last time a president used that power was Harry Truman in 1948. Seventy-eight years ago.\n\nWe find ourselves in such an extraordinary moment.\n\nThe safety of artificial intelligence systems demands urgent attention.\n\nThe President should convene Congress at once to address it.\n\nThis is not a moment for panic or despair.\n\nIt is a moment for government to govern.\n\nTo protect the American people and to prepare soberly for risks before they become crises.\n\nPresidents have invoked this authority at moments when the stakes were extraordinarily high\u2014from the earliest days of the Republic through periods of war, economic crisis, and national emergency.\n\nThat is the purpose of this power: to bring Congress together when circumstances demand it, and to give the country the full attention of its elected government.\n\nCongress will soon leave Washington for two months. Artificial intelligence will not recess.\n\nThe technology will continue to advance. The risks will continue to evolve. And the consequences of getting this wrong will not wait for Congress to return.\n\nThis should stand above petty partisanship. It should be about one thing: putting the safety and security of the American people first.\n\nThere are three challenges before us right now.\n\nFirst, we must protect against potentially catastrophic harms.\n\nSerious people, including researchers and leaders inside the companies developing the most advanced AI, are warning about dangerous biological or cyber capabilities\u2014and the emergence of systems that behave in ways humans cannot reliably predict or control.\n\nWe do not know whether the most catastrophic scenarios will ever occur. But when credible experts warn of consequences this grave, responsible government does not panic and it does not dismiss them. It gets to work.\n\nSecond, we must confront the harms happening right now. Americans are already encountering AI through increasingly sophisticated scams targeting seniors and families, mass surveillance, threats to privacy, disruption in the workplace, and systems that can affect the prices people pay. The future risks of AI demand our attention, but so do the people being harmed by it today.\n\nFinally, we must seize the extraordinary possibilities this technology offers. AI could help scientists discover lifesaving drugs, detect diseases earlier, accelerate scientific breakthroughs, transform education, increase the productivity of American workers, help small businesses compete, and give millions of people access to capabilities that were once available only to those with wealth and power.\n\nBut none of these positive outcomes are possible without action by the government to make sure AI is safe, trusted by people, and that its benefits are broadly shared.\n\nAI cannot become another chapter in an old story where extraordinary new technologies create extraordinary new wealth and power for a small number of people while working Americans are asked to absorb the disruption, bear the costs, and wait patiently for the benefits to reach them.\n\nI have been calling for safety interventions for years.\n\nIn July 2023, I wrote to the White House about the future of AI and what we should do as a country to prepare for it.\n\nIt was clear to me then that we were seeing the early sparks of a technology that could have profound effects on our society, economy, and security.\n\nI advocated for:\n\nRigorous pre-deployment testing of advanced models\n\nIndependent evaluations and audits\n\nIncident reporting and investigation\n\nSupply chain security\n\nInternational coordination\n\nAnd the need for a careful and disciplined approach to the pace of AI development.\n\nIn addition, we should:\n\nEstablish whistleblower protections for lab employees\n\nStrengthen requirements for securing frontier model weights\n\nEstablish a National Transportation Safety Board-like entity for investigating AI incidents\n\nPrepare for the potential emergence of AI systems capable of autonomously improving themselves\n\nPreserve states\u2019 ability to protect their own people in the absence of meaningful federal standards\n\nReject antitrust exemptions that hurt consumers and competition\n\nAnd yes, put the brakes on the development of capabilities whose risks outrun our ability to manage them\n\nAmericans feel beat down right now. Forgotten. That feeling is justified.\n\nPrices are up. Rent, food, utilities. Hiring is flat. We have a government that moves too slow to deliver what people need, and corruption that moves too fast to protect people in power.\n\nAnd now, Americans are seeing multi-trillion-dollar firms building technology that they say will exceed humans at all cognitive and physical tasks.\n\nTheir anxiety is warranted. It cannot be set aside. It cannot be dismissed like Donald Trump is doing\u2014calling it a hoax.\n\nAmericans are demanding that we act. They're demanding leadership. And we need to deliver.\n\nWe have a rare convergence of early warning signs, practical options available, and a growing consensus for action\u2014including among the American people, who understand what\u2019s at stake and are rightfully demanding that policymakers step up.\n\nIn my letter to the White House more than three years ago, I closed by emphasizing the importance of human agency: our collective responsibility to decide what role this technology should play in our lives, rather than letting the technology or its developers decide for us.\n\nThat profound responsibility remains ours today.\n\nI am a prisoner of hope.\n\nI will never let despair have the last word.\n\nI know how technology can lift people up. I lived it. My dad came from humble beginnings and became one of IBM's top salesmen.\n\nBut we will only unlock the promise of this technology if it's done in a democratic fashion.\n\nWhere the people decide.\n\nNot the tech billionaires or trillionaires.\n\nNot Donald Trump.\n\nAnd it's ridiculous that the House of Representatives decided to pack up and leave town.\n\nAgain, AI will not recess.\n\nThese issues demand our urgent attention.\n\nMr. President: it's time for a Special Session.\n\nThank you.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-introduces-bill-to-eliminate-delays-for-americans-with-disabilities-to-receive-social-security-and-medicare-benefits/", "Senator Kim Introduces Bill to Eliminate Delays for Americans with Disabilities to Receive Social Security and Medicare Benefits", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced legislation to eliminate the delay leaving Americans with disabilities waiting months to years for their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare benefits.\n\n\u201cIt is horrifying that any American should be forced to endure months or even years of waiting for benefits they worked hard to earn. Care cannot be put on hold. Congress needs to step up for our disability community and end these harmful waiting periods once and for all,\u201d said Senator Kim.\n\nThe Government Accountability Office found that between Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2019, over 109,000 individuals died while awaiting a determination of their SSDI application. And in 2023, approximately 30,000 Americans died while waiting. An estimated 1.8 million people with disabilities are caught up in the Medicare waiting period at any given time.\n\nWorkers who become disabled can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, but the process to apply for benefits is slow, and even once an individual qualifies, there is a statutory five-month waiting period before they receive their first disability check, and 24 months before becoming eligible for Medicare insurance coverage. In total, individuals face a 29-month waiting period from the onset of disability before fully receiving their SSDI benefits.\n\nSenator Kim\u2019s Stop the Wait Act specifically would:\n\nPhase out the five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits over the next five years, eliminating it entirely by 2031; and\n\nEliminate the 24-month waiting period for Medicare disability benefits for individuals who are uninsured or unable to afford health insurance.\n\nThe legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA) and endorsed by: Federation of American Hospitals, American Association of People with Disabilities, UnidosUS, The Arc, Alzheimer\u2019s Association, Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement, Autism Society of America, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Little Lobbyists, American Lung Association, American Council of the Blind, National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), National Brain Tumor Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Spina Bifida Association, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, Solve M.E./Solve Long COVID Initiative, COVID-19 Health and Safety Taskforce (CHeST), Pandemic Patients, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Disability Institute, Families USA, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Social Security Works, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, Alliance for Retired Americans, Justice in Aging, Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives (NOSSCR), National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Paralyzed Veterans of America, Special Needs Alliance, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), American Association on Health and Disability, Center for Law and Social Policy, Lakeshore Foundation, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Public Citizen, Caring Across Generations, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Medicare Rights Center, Access Ready, Easterseals, United Spinal Association, Lutheran Services in America, Association of Assistive Technology Program, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Domestic Workers Alliance, Care in Action, and AFL-CIO.\n\n\u201cFor families already stretched thin by caregiving, every month without health coverage is a month of impossible choices. The Stop the Wait Act closes a dangerous gap where people with disabilities are approved for support but still forced to wait years for the coverage that makes it possible to actually use it. No one\u2019s health should have a waiting period,\u201d Nicole Jorwic, Chief Program Officer at Caring Across Generations.\n\n\u201cThe five-month SSDI waiting period and the two-year Medicare waiting period unjustly deny people with disabilities the income and health benefits they earned when they need them most. These delays aren\u2019t just cruel, they\u2019re dangerous because many people are forced to put off necessary medical care,\u201d said Darcy Milburn, Director of Social Security and Healthcare Policy, The Arc of the United States. \u201cAs people with disabilities face ever-higher prices for basic necessities and rising healthcare costs, ending these waiting periods is more important than ever. We strongly endorse the Stop the Wait Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cWaiting periods for SSDI can be deadly for disabled people. The Stop the Wait Act will allow workers with disabilities to access the benefits they have earned and get the healthcare they need to survive,\u201d said Michael Lewis, Vice President of Policy, American Association of People with Disabilities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-jayapal-wilson-introduce-legislation-to-combat-high-rate-of-heart-disease-in-south-asian-americans", "Booker, Jayapal, Wilson Introduce Legislation to Combat High Rate of Heart Disease in South Asian Americans", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "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) as well as U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Joe Wilson (SC-02) reintroduced the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, legislation that would establish a federal grant program to expand cardiovascular research, raise awareness of heart disease, and improve health outcomes for South Asian Americans\n\n\"Heart disease is taking a devastating toll on South Asian families in New Jersey and across the country, yet their risk is still too often overlooked in the doctor's office,\" said Senator Booker. \"This bill invests in the research and community resources we need to catch heart disease early, treat it effectively, and save lives.\"\n\n\u201cAs the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, I\u2019m fully committed to increasing understanding of heart disease and the unique risk factors in the South Asian community while ensuring that all those living with it get the resources, treatment, and support they need,\u201d said Representative Jayapal. \u201cHeart disease has been the leading cause of death for over a century, and it is even more dire in the South Asian community. The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act is essential legislation that ensures that we have the research, resources, and treatments to prevent heart disease cases and deaths in the South Asian community and beyond.\u201d\n\n\u201cHeart disease disproportionately affects certain populations such as the South Asian community, and this bill will expand research and education to benefit those communities. I am grateful that this bipartisan bill passed the House in multiple previous Congresses, and I look forward to its final passage into law,\u201d said Representative Wilson.\n\nStudies show that South Asians in the United States \u2013 people who immigrated from or whose families immigrated from countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal \u2013 are experiencing a dramatic rise in heart disease and face four times the risk of heart disease compared to the general population. Despite making up 25 percent of the world\u2019s population, South Asians account for a disproportionate 60 percent of the world\u2019s heart disease cases and over 50 percent of the world\u2019s cardiovascular deaths. Almost two-thirds of middle-aged South Asian Americans are at intermediate or high risk for heart failure within the next 10 years, and because research agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) do not disaggregate medical data for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, it is nearly impossible to examine data on South Asian Americans.\n\nHeart disease is widely prevalent in the United States, but is not well understood. One person in America dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease, and costs associated with heart disease in the United States \u2014 including indirect costs \u2014 exceed $500?billion annually and is projected to surpass $1?trillion by 2035.\n\nThe South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act would authorize the HHS Secretary to make grants available to states to promote awareness of the increasing prevalence of heart disease in South Asian communities. These grants can be used to:\n\nDevelop culturally appropriate materials on topics such as nutrition education, optimal diet plans, and programs for regular exercise.\n\nSupport heart health promotion activities of community organizations that work with or serve communities disproportionately affected by heart disease.\n\nSupport conferences or workshops on research practices, methodology, and design to include more members of communities disproportionately affected by heart disease in scientific studies.\n\nThe legislation also directs the HHS Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the grant activities and any data gathered related to heart disease in disproportionately impacted communities and authorizes funding for these programs through 2028.\n\nThe legislation has been endorsed by the American Heart Association, the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), El Camino Health, Indian American Impact, MASALA Study, the National Asian Pacific American Women\u2019s Forum, the South Asian Health Initiative (SAHELI) and the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA).", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-calls-for-investigation-into-trumps-blm-letting-wild-horses-go-to-slaughter", "Booker Calls for Investigation Into Trump\u2019s BLM Letting Wild Horses Go to Slaughter", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "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) joined U.S. Representative Dina Titus (NV-01) and 17 congressional colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a review of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program, following reports that wild horses sold by BLM were sent to slaughter.\n\nThe letter follows reporting from the New York Times describing how BLM sold wild horses to buyers who quickly shipped them to slaughter in Canada. Signers include other Congressional Wild Horse Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Mark Pocan (WI-02). This letter is also endorsed by the American Wild Horse Conservation and Rewilding America Now.\n\n\u201cWild horses are among some of America\u2019s most respected national treasures. Year after year, Congress has barred the Bureau of Land Management from slaughtering them. I\u2019m deeply concerned by the report that Trump\u2019s agency is recklessly selling these animals to buyers who send them to slaughter. The GAO must investigate these allegations,\u201d said Senator Booker.\n\n\u201cWe now know what we have long suspected \u2014 that the BLM has been selling off wild horses that end up in slaughterhouses,\u201d said Congresswoman Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus. \u201cThis practice must end now. I am leading my Congressional colleagues in demanding an investigation of the Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program to ensure wild horses and burros received the protections they are guaranteed by federal law.\"\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s long past time to fix the ongoing failures in how America\u2019s wild horses are managed. For years, across both Republican and Democrat administrations, we\u2019ve seen alarming reports of hostility toward these animals and serious questions about how the Bureau of Land Management is carrying out its responsibilities. This cannot be a partisan issue. It\u2019s a stewardship issue. I\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan effort to demand accountability, protect our wild horses, and push for real solutions that address the problem head-on,\u201d said Congressman Juan Ciscomani.\n\n\"The Administration knows what it is doing. They are circumventing the law to benefit landowners who want to get rid of all the wild horses, which are American heritage that we should value. More oversight is needed,\u201d said Congressman Steve Cohen.\n\n\u201cOur laws demand that we protect wild horses, not send them to slaughter. Congress has always worked in a bipartisan manner to protect these animals, and we need accountability and oversight at the Bureau of Land Management immediately. We hope this request will force the Administration to do the right thing,\u201d said Congressman Mark Pocan.\n\nThe letter asks the GAO to examine:\n\nHow BLM has implemented its authority to sell wild horses\n\nHow BLM screens wild horse purchasers and conducts oversight of high-risk or repeat buyers\n\nWhat happens to horses and burros after they are sold, and how often BLM has repossessed animals or suspended purchasers\n\nWhether BLM\u2019s current practices comply with Congressional restrictions and the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act\n\nRead the full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-house-passes-bill-first-championed-by-gottheimer-am-radio-for-every-vehicle-act", "RELEASE: House Passes Bill First Championed by Gottheimer, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, September 15, 2026, the House of Representatives passed the \u201cAM Radio for Every Vehicle Act,\u201d supported by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), delivering a major win for public safety and moving the country one step closer to guaranteeing that every new car and truck sold in America comes equipped with AM broadcast radio.\n\nGottheimer, who first announced and introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress to protect public safety and encourage electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to include AM radio in their cars and trucks, applauded the bill\u2019s passage.\n\n\u201cAM radio is a lifeline. When the power goes out, when the cell towers go down, and when the Internet cuts off during a storm or an emergency, AM radio is often the only way families can get the life-saving information they need,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cIt\u2019s outrageous that some automakers want to rip out a basic, free feature \u2014 one that helps keep people safe \u2014 just to pad their own bottom line. I\u2019m proud to have helped lead this bipartisan bill from day one, and today the House stood up for every driver, every first responder, and every family who counts on AM radio when it matters most.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor more than 100 years, AM radio stations have provided music, sports, news, and entertainment to listeners across the Garden State and the country. More importantly over the last century, radio has provided a critical lifeline in times of emergency. Ensuring that this free service utilizing the public\u2019s airwaves is readily available in every vehicle sold in the United States by passing the AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act is the right decision for public safety,\u201d said New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) Executive Director Jordan Walton. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to imagine that what started as a conversation over a cup of coffee has evolved into this legislation being passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. New Jersey\u2019s broadcasters thank Rep. Gottheimer, leaders in the House, and all who advanced AM4EVA today.\u201d\n\nMore than 50 million Americans listen to AM broadcast radio every month, and it remains one of the most reliable ways to reach the public during emergencies. AM radio is the backbone behind America\u2019s National Public Warning System, which provides emergency-alert and warning information to the public during major natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, chemical incidents, health emergencies, and other domestic threats, often when cellular and Internet networks fail. In the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, AM broadcast radio provided a crucial lifeline for life-saving information, and for many rural communities it remains a primary source of local news, weather, and emergency alerts.\n\nDespite the clear public safety uses of AM broadcast radio, many manufacturers had stopped including AM broadcast radio in their vehicles because they did not want to spend the minimal funds to ensure public safety during emergencies.\n\nThe AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act will require the Department of Transportation to issue a rule mandating that all automakers include AM radio as standard equipment in their vehicles, at no additional cost to consumers.\n\nSince first taking on this back in 2023, Gottheimer pushed manufacturers directly, called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to add AM broadcast radio to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and helped secure a critical federal investment of $56 million for the Next Generation Warning System to improve the capabilities of public broadcasters to send vital emergency and civil defense warnings.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-house-passes-bipartisan-gottheimer-led-guard-act-to-protect-seniors-from-financial-fraud-and-scammers", "RELEASE: House Passes Bipartisan, Gottheimer-Led GUARD Act to Protect Seniors from Financial Fraud and Scammers", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan GUARD Act (Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception Act, H.R. 2978) legislation that U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) co-led to protect seniors and their families from the financial fraud and scams costing Americans billions every year.\n\nThe GUARD Act was introduced alongside Representatives Zachary Nunn (IA-3) and Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5), and now heads to the Senate.\n\n\u201cEvery day, scammers are targeting our seniors \u2014 draining the hard-earned savings they spent a lifetime building, often with a single phone call or a fake investment scheme,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus and member of the House Financial Services Committee. \u201cThese criminals don\u2019t play it straight, and too often they hide behind overseas networks that make them nearly impossible to track. The GUARD Act gives our cops and investigators the tools and the resources to hunt these fraudsters down, claw back stolen money, and protect the people who built this country. Protecting our parents and grandparents is just common sense, and I\u2019m proud this bipartisan bill is one step closer to becoming law.\u201d\n\nThe GUARD Act empowers state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to fight back against the fraud epidemic targeting older Americans. Specifically, the legislation:\n\nAllows law enforcement to use existing federal grant funds to investigate elder financial fraud, \u201cpig butchering\u201d cryptocurrency investment scams, and general financial fraud \u2014 including by hiring analysts and experts and providing specialized training on complex, often transnational financial crimes;\n\nClarifies that federal law enforcement agencies may assist state, local, and Tribal partners and fusion centers in using blockchain-tracing tools and related technology to follow the money and identify the criminals behind these scams;\n\nInstructs the Treasury Department, FinCEN, and federal partners to report to Congress on the true scale of scams in the United States \u2014 including how much Americans are losing each year, how many of these schemes trace back to overseas actors and organized crime, and how effective enforcement efforts have been.\n\n\u201cIowa retirees spent a lifetime building their savings, and scammers are using increasingly sophisticated technology to steal it out from under them,\u201d said Rep. Nunn (IA-3). \u201cThe GUARD Act came directly from an Iowa sheriff\u2019s deputy who told me officers were watching criminals steal the life savings of hardworking Iowans but lacked the tools to track them down and recover the money. Today, the House voted to give state and local law enforcement the resources they need to pursue fraudsters, recover stolen funds, and deliver justice for victims. I urge the Senate to take it up without delay and get these protections to the Iowans who need them.\u201d\n\n\u201cElder fraud and financial scams are robbing older Americans of their life savings at an alarming rate, and the 4,200 credit unions across the country see that firsthand,\u201d said Kathleen Coulombe, Chief Advocacy Officer, America\u2019s Credit Unions. \u201cAmerica\u2019s Credit Unions strongly supports the GUARD Act and measures like it, which take concrete steps to defend seniors and preserve the savings they spent a lifetime earning. By directing real investigative resources to local law enforcement and providing advanced tools to trace stolen funds, the GUARD Act strengthens our front lines against scammers. We thank Representative Nunn for championing this bill and urge Congress to quickly pass this legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe GUARD Act will help provide state and local law enforcement with necessary resources to combat fraud and the organized crime rings that are hurting retirees and communities,\u201d said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. \u201cThe U.S. Chamber is proud to support this legislation and thanks Rep. Nunn for his leadership in this critical battle against scammers.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Crypto Council for Innovation supports the bipartisan GUARD Act. Strong consumer protection requires that law enforcement have the tools, training, and resources necessary to identify and pursue illicit activity in digital asset markets,\u201d aid Ji Hun Kim, Chief Executive Officer, Crypto Council for Innovation. \u201cWe commend Representatives Nunn, Gottheimer, and Fitzgerald for their leadership and for their bipartisan work on this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepresentative Nunn is a close partner on a number of fraud issues, especially the GUARD Act that directs federal grant money toward local law enforcement for the tools and training they need to fight fraud,\u201d said Iowa AARP. \u201cHe\u2019s been a champion in his district and across Washington, D.C., and we\u2019re proud to see the GUARD Act move through the House.\u201d\n\n\u201cProtecting consumers from sophisticated financial crime requires a united front across government, law enforcement, and the private sector,\u201d said Chris Sparks, Head of Card Fraud, Capital One. \u201cBy passing the GUARD Act today, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a decisive step toward filling critical gaps to help stop criminal scammers before they strike. Capital One applauds Representatives Nunn, Fitzgerald, and Gottheimer for this bipartisan achievement in advancing legislation that will safeguard older Americans and reinforce trust in our financial system.\u201d\n\nA \u201cpig butchering\u201d scam is a type of financial fraud where scammers target individuals, commonly retirees, to convince them to invest money in a fake opportunity. The term \u201cpig butchering\u201d refers to the process of \u201cfattening up\u201d a victim with false promises before \u201cbutchering\u201d them by stealing their invested funds.\n\nThe FBI\u2019s 2025 IC3 report states that total internet crime losses reached $20.9 billion in 2025, a 26% increase over 2024 and the first time the figure surpassed $20 billion. Cryptocurrency-related losses hit a record $11.37 billion across 181,565 complaints, up 22% from 2024. Investment fraud, the category that captures most pig butchering activity, was the single largest loss type at more than $8.6 billion.\n\nThe bipartisan GUARD Act is supported by the AARP, the Iowa State Police Association, the Financial Technology Association, Consumer Bankers Association, America\u2019s Credit Union Association, Digital Chamber, National Police Association, Crypto Council for Innovation, and the Iowa Bankers Association.\n\nGottheimer has been a leading voice for protecting seniors and cracking down on financial fraud and emerging-technology threats.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-small-business-committee-advances-mejia-bill-to-ensure-accurate-disaster-assistance-information", "House Small Business Committee Advances Mejia Bill to Ensure Accurate Disaster Assistance Information", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: September 16, 2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov\n\nDisaster Loan Outreach Consistency Act would require SBA to provide consistent, current disaster loan information to small business owners\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The House Committee on Small Business today advanced legislation introduced by Representative Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) to strengthen federal disaster assistance for small businesses and ensure owners have accurate, up-to-date information when recovering from natural disasters. The legislation will advance to the House floor when scheduled for a vote.\n\nSmall businesses are increasingly on the front lines of natural disasters, facing flooding, severe storms, blizzards, and other events that can threaten their ability to stay open. The Disaster Loan Outreach Consistency Act would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish standardized procedures to ensure disaster outreach materials are consistent, current, and accurate across its field operations centers\u2014equipping businesses with the information to seek and receive aid in a timely manner.\n\n\u201cWith nearly 99 percent of all businesses in my home state of New Jersey are small businesses and each one facing the threat of coastal storms and severe floods, these are over 1 million owners and potential borrowers who need all the relevant information. This is why my bill, the Disaster Loan Outreach Consistency Act, offers a simple solution and basic oversight to this issue,\u201d said Congresswoman Mejia. \u201cI urge my colleagues and members of this committee to support this legislation. In a period of time where misinformation is rampant, we must work to ensure small business owners have all the possible information they can have to make the best decision for themselves. We cannot let our federal agencies misguide, misdirect, and withhold vital information, especially when they make regulatory changes that affect Americans. The disaster loan program is one crucial step in recovery after a natural disaster.\u201d\n\nSmall businesses make up nearly 99 percent of businesses in New Jersey, making access to reliable disaster assistance particularly important as communities across the state face increasingly severe storms and flooding.\n\nThe legislation would provide greater consistency and accountability across SBA\u2019s disaster outreach efforts, helping ensure that the small business owners who rely on federal disaster loans receive the information they need to make informed decisions and recover more quickly.\n\nClick here to read the full bill text.\n\nClick here to view Rep. Mejia\u2019s remarks.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-legislation-to-strengthen-electric-grid-planning-amid-rapidly-growing-energy-demand-passes-the-house", "Menendez Legislation to Strengthen Electric Grid Planning Amid Rapidly Growing Energy Demand Passes the House", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last night, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that his bipartisan legislation, the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act, passed the House of Representatives. The legislation, introduced in June with Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12), would help protect families and strengthen grid planning amid rapidly growing energy demand due to AI data centers.\n\n\u201cFamilies across America are facing rapidly rising utility bills as a result of unprecedented strain on our power grids, including increased demand from AI data centers,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cI am pleased that our legislation has passed the House of Representatives and is one step closer to becoming law. We will continue working to lower energy costs for families, protect ratepayers, and ensure our electrical grid can meet growing needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo protect Americans from higher electric bills and make sure our grid can keep up with rising demand, we need to plan ahead,\u201d said Congressman Balderson. \u201cThe bipartisan Load Forecasting Enhancement Act gives states and utilities the tools they need to better understand future electricity demand and prepare for it. I applaud my House colleagues for supporting this practical legislation and helping make electricity reliable and more affordable for American families.\u201d\n\nThe bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (\u201cFERC\u201d) to convene regional joint boards with state public utility commissions to identify best practices for electric load forecasting. The legislation also requires FERC to report its findings and recommendations to Congress and encourages states to consider adopting improved forecasting procedures to support reliable, affordable electric service.\n\nThe United States is experiencing unprecedented growth in electricity usage and demand. At the same time, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation\u2019s 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment warns that much of North America faces a growing risk of energy shortfalls over the next five years, with PJM\u2014the regional transmission organization serving New Jersey\u2014classified as \u201chigh risk.\u201d Accurate load forecasting is critical to ensuring that the electric grid can meet future demand without blackouts or forcing consumers to pay for unnecessary infrastructure.\n\nIn addition to directing FERC to develop recommendations for improving load forecasting, the legislation:\n\nAmends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act to encourage state consideration of those recommendations; and\n\nUpdates the Policy and Conservation Act to promote greater accuracy, oversight, and transparency in utility forecasting practices.\n\nCongressman Menendez serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he has been a leader on tackling rising costs for families in New Jersey and across the country. He recently introduced legislation to address skyrocketing energy bills and the environmental impacts of AI data centers across the country. To learn more about his work, click here.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallones-bipartisan-am-radio-every-vehicle-act-passes-house", "Pallone\u2019s Bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act Passes House", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today applauded House passage of his bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bill to ensure AM radio remains available in new vehicles sold in the United States.\n\nPallone introduced the legislation with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in response to automakers removing AM radio from some new vehicles, threatening access to an important source of emergency information when other communications systems fail. Their bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue a rule to require automakers to include AM radio as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles.\n\n\u201cToday, the House acted to protect a service that millions of Americans rely on every day and that can become a lifeline when disaster strikes,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cDuring Superstorm Sandy \u2013 when power, cell service, cable, and internet went down across New Jersey \u2013 radio listenership in my district surged 247 percent as people tuned in for critical information on AM radio stations. I\u2019m proud we passed this bipartisan bill today, and I\u2019ll keep working to get it across the finish line.\u201d\n\nAM radio remains an important part of the nation\u2019s Emergency Alert System. A network of AM broadcast stations serves as Primary Entry Points for emergency alerts, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) invests in maintaining their ability to continue broadcasting during major disasters.\n\nPallone\u2019s AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would:\n\nRequire automakers to maintain free AM radio in new passenger vehicles sold in the United States.\n\nRequire clear disclosure to consumers if a vehicle lacks AM radio access before the new requirement takes effect.\n\nThe legislation previously advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support in September 2025. Today\u2019s House passage sends the legislation to the Senate for further consideration.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kennedy-launch-bipartisan-senate-creators-caucus", "Booker, Kennedy Launch Bipartisan Senate Creators Caucus", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "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 Booker (D-NJ) and John Kennedy (R-LA) launched the Senate Creators Caucus, a first-of-its-kind, bipartisan effort to recognize and engage creators shaping public conversation for millions of Americans.\n\nThe new caucus highlights the growing creator economy and the role that creators play in elevating cultural, social, and political issues. To mark the launch, Booker and Kennedy hosted a panel and reception featuring 15 leading creators whose work spans tech, politics, beauty, mental health, sports, and lifestyle content\u2014collectively reaching tens of millions of viewers across the country.\n\n\u201cContent creators are more than our favorite teachers, cooks, music critics, and voices online. They are also entrepreneurs who create jobs, drive economic growth, and invest in their communities. Creators represent a growing sector of the economy, but Congress and our laws haven\u2019t kept up. The bipartisan Senate Creators Caucus seeks to change that by educating lawmakers, advocating for policies that have creators in mind, and ensuring that creators are recognized as legitimate small businesses, \u201d said Senator Booker.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s content creators are entrepreneurs. They\u2019re turning good ideas into careers, building businesses and reaching millions of people in ways that weren\u2019t possible a generation ago. Creators and social media have tremendous influence over how Americans communicate and get information, and that influence comes with a responsibility to be honest and tell the truth. Senator Booker and I started this caucus to hear directly from creators, better understand this growing part of our economy and make sure they have a voice in Congress,\u201d said Senator Kennedy.\n\n\"YouTube creators are online storytellers, entrepreneurs, and employers in every state across the country. We're grateful to Senators Booker and Kennedy for launching the Senate Creators Caucus to ensure America\u2019s digital creators have a strong voice in Washington,\u201d said Leslie Miller, VP of Government Affairs and Public Policy, YouTube.\n\nThe panel was moderated by Washington Post reporter and inaugural Creator Host Dylan Wells. Panelists included Avery Smith of Louisiana Crawfish Company; Ian Schwartzman, CEO and co-host of the Joe Budden Network; Jackie Aina, a beauty and lifestyle creator; Sage Steele, former SportsCenter co-anchor and host ofThe Sage Steele Show; Matthew Patrick, creator advocate and co-founder of Theorist Media; and Mark Vins, Emmy Award-winning wildlife filmmaker and co-founder of Brave Wilderness.\n\nThe launch was also attended by creators from across various industries, including Javoris Hollingsworth ofGracie\u2019s Corner; mental health creators Dr. Tracey Marks and Kati Morton; Ericka \u201cBoze\u201d Bozeman ofBOZEvstheWORLD; lifestyle creator Destiny Adams; psychiatrist and creator Dr. Judith Joseph; tech creator Jacklyn Dallas of The Next Big Thing; and digital culture creator Shira Lazar of What\u2019s Trending.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-committee-passage-of-farm-bill", "Booker Statement on Committee Passage of Farm Bill", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement on the Committee\u2019s passage of the Republican Farm Bill:\n\n\u201cThe Republican Farm Bill that passed the Senate Agriculture Committee today on a party line vote fails to meet this moment of crisis our farmers and our families are facing. Not only does the bill fail to meaningfully fix the massive cuts to SNAP that Republicans made last year, it also does not provide funding or policy changes to help the hundreds of thousands of struggling small and mid-sized farmers across our country. Since Congress passed the last Farm Bill in 2018, we have lost over 150,000 farms in our country. That is an average of over 50 farms going out of business every single day. The repeated need for emergency assistance demonstrates that our current farm programs are no longer working as intended. Congress cannot continue responding to every farm crisis with another hasty bailout while leaving the underlying problems unaddressed. This Farm Bill needs to be amended into a better bill that would help to build a more resilient agricultural economy by restoring fair markets, strengthening local and regional food systems, and investing in the production of the healthy foods Americans need.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-blasts-pairing-unchecked-trump-tariffs-russia-sanctions", "Congresswoman Pou Blasts Pairing of Unchecked Trump Tariffs with Russia Sanctions", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) tonight blasted sabotage of Ukrainian support by authorizing broad new tariff authorities to President Trump.\n\n\u201cFor nearly five years, Ukrainians have fought bravely for their survival, and against all odds, Ukraine is now winning the war. America should be giving Ukraine the necessary support it needs to expel Russia from its borders and end this war of aggression,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou. \u201cI support providing broad aid to Ukraine, strong sanctions against Russia, and the message that Congress stands with Ukraine. Tragically, the substance of this bill does not match the message and this bill wrongly pairs Russian sanctions with giving Donald Trump destructive tariff powers that would go beyond this conflict.\n\n\u201cAnd for nearly two years, the President has imposed widespread tariffs on allies, yet has waived Russian sanctions and has refused to apply similar tariffs on Russia, despite Russia\u2019s repeated attacks on Ukrainian civilians and its refusal to engage in good-faith peace negotiations.\n\n\u201cNothing is preventing the President from imposing sanctions on the Russian war machine and he could have imposed harsh sanctions on day one of his administration nearly two years. I call upon him to do that today. To my Ukrainian friends: Americans are with you, and I am with you. Slava Ukraini!\u201d concluded Pou.\n\nCongresswoman Pou\u2019s support for Ukraine\n\nPou was a cosponsor of a discharge petition that, in June, forced Speaker Johnson to bring H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, to a vote on the House floor. The legislation \u2013 which Pou voted in favor of \u2013 would provide fresh funding to Ukraine in its fight for survival and help impose long-sought sanctions on Russia for its cruel and illegal war.\n\nPou has advocated for the U.S. Department of State to increase funding to assist Ukraine with tracking and returning children abducted by Russia and has repeatedly called on the Department of Homeland Security to uphold legal protections for Ukrainian refugees in the United States. When the Department of Defense announced it would halt munitions shipments to Ukraine last year, Pou joined her colleagues in demanding that the decision be reversed.\n\nCongresswoman Pou is a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and represents one of the nation\u2019s largest Ukrainian American communities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-backed-flood-protections-pass-house", "Pou-Backed Flood Protections Pass House", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House\u2019s Water Resources Subcommittee, spoke on the floor of the House in favor of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The legislation includes over a dozen priorities Pou championed to help protect North Jersey from flooding and advance critical local water infrastructure projects. The legislation passed the House overwhelmingly, 415-to-9.\n\nThe passed legislation includes provisions that will help move long-delayed flood mitigation projects forward, launch new studies, and strengthen protections for communities across North Jersey that have endured repeated flooding.\n\nThe bill also incorporates Congresswoman Pou\u2019s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, legislation she introduced earlier this year to remove barriers that have stalled environmental remediation projects.\n\n\u201cIn our North Jersey communities, flooding is not some distant threat. In just the last few weeks, our communities have seen terrible flash floods turn streets into rivers, destroying homes, cars, and small businesses, and upending lives,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou. \u201cThis bill takes action by moving long-delayed flood protection projects forward across Bergen and Passaic Counties. I am especially proud this package includes my bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act. We cannot keep waiting until after disaster strikes to act. We must be proactive and give our communities the tools to protect themselves before the next storm comes.\u201d\n\nSince taking office, Congresswoman Pou has made flood mitigation one of her key priorities in Congress.\n\nEarlier this year, she introduced the CLEAN-UP Act to remove barriers delaying Army Corps projects and authored the Water Crisis Prevention Act to improve the federal response to infrastructure failures. During the Surface Transportation Reauthorization mark-up, Pou also secured an amendment into the bill that would direct the Government Accountability Office to review Department of Transportation PROTECT grants and produce a report identifying best practices and strategies to prevent flooding, improve safety, and strengthen infrastructure resilience.\n\nAdditionally, the annual spending bill for FY2026 included $500,000 in federal funds supported by Pou to improve the Lower Saddle River channel.\n\nThe House\u2019s passage of the Water Resources Development Act builds on that record and represents another significant step toward delivering long-awaited relief for communities living with chronic flooding.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-thanedar-watson-coleman-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-ice-reporting-standards", "Reps. Thanedar, Watson Coleman Introduce Legislation to Strengthen ICE Reporting Standards", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13) and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the No ICE Deaths in the Dark Act, comprehensive legislation that will ensure that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports quickly and transparently on any deaths that occur in ICE custody. In a reversal from previous policy, ICE is no longer required to report certain deaths that occur within 30 days after release from custody, even when ICE detention or release conditions may have contributed to the death. This legislation would codify Biden-era reporting rules that required full reporting on these and all other deaths in ICE custody.\n\n\u201cSince President Trump took office, ICE has gotten out of control, detaining a record number of Americans in horrific conditions,\u201d said Thanedar. \u201cIt is beyond unacceptable that detainees are dying in custody and ICE is refusing to report their deaths. I\u2019m proud to introduce this necessary legislation with Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman to ensure ICE finally acts with the transparency the American people deserve and to protect the lives of those in detention centers.\u201d\n\n\u201cICE has had free reign to attack people in front of cameras, so it\u2019s imperative we demand to see what is going on behind closed doors,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cEdwin Lopez-Cornejo, one of my constituents, was denied medical care and died in ICE custody. How many other detainees have suffered from medical neglect while in custody, only to die once released? These people deserve justice too.\u201d\n\nThis legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesus G. \u201cChuy\u201d Garcia (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Al Green (TX-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Mike Quigley (IL-05). It has also been endorsed by the following organizations: Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Coalition on Human Needs, Emgage Action, ICE Out of NJ Collective, Make the Road NJ, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Public Citizen, and the Vera Institute of Justice.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-presses-doj-on-antitrust-nominees-reported-work-at-the-department-before-senate-confirmation", "Booker Presses DOJ on Antitrust Nominee\u2019s Reported Work at the Department Before Senate Confirmation", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "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), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, demanded answers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) about reports that Adam Candeub, President Trump\u2019s nominee to lead the Antitrust Division, is already working at DOJ while his nomination is still pending before the Senate and he seemingly still serves at the Federal Communications Commission.\n\nPresident Trump nominated Candeub on July 21 to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division. The Senate Judiciary Committee held his confirmation hearing on August 5 but has not voted on his nomination. Recent reporting indicates that Candeub has been working at DOJ headquarters for several weeks as Counselor to the Attorney General and has taken part in antitrust-related briefings. The Department has disputed part of that account, saying Candeub has not attended leadership or policy briefings. In a letter to DOJ\u201ds Office of Legislative Affairs, Booker pressed the Department to clarify Candeub\u2019s role and authority.\n\nThe letter also raises questions about Candeub\u2019s dual roles. The FCC has identified Candeub as its General Counsel since January 2025. Booker asked whether Candeub had resigned or taken leave from the Commission, and what legal authority, if any, allows him to serve at both agencies at the same time. Particularly when the DOJ and FCC have overlapping jurisdiction over broadcast, cable, and wireless transactions.\n\n\u201cThe Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution conditions Mr. Candeub\u2019s service in this office on the Senate\u2019s advice and consent,\u201d wrote Senator Booker. \u201cThe Senate Judiciary Committee assesses a nominee\u2019s qualifications, independence, and conflicts before he assumes authority, not after he has spent substantial time inside an agency directly or indirectly influencing the very matters he would inherit.\u201d\n\nBooker asked the DOJ to respond in writing by Monday, September 21. The Senator requested details on when Candeub began working at the Department, his title and legal authority, and any documents establishing his appointment. He also asked whether Candeub has participated in Antitrust Division matters, accessed nonpublic DOJ information, or been involved in antitrust briefings or deliberations.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-merkley-grassley-hinson-and-adams-lead-bipartisan-push-for-stillbirth-prevention-and-awareness", "Booker, Merkley, Grassley, Hinson, and Adams Lead Bipartisan Push for Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "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) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. Nearly one-fourth of stillbirths are potentially preventable, and the resolution underscores the need to advance evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts across the United States.\n\n\"Every year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable,\" said Senator Booker. \"Losing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies.\"\n\n\"No family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there's still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies' lives,\" said Senator Grassley.\n\n\"Every parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss,\" said Senator Merkley. \"Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for necessary action to save lives and spare families this devastating loss.\"\n\n\"Improving prenatal education and access to maternal care\u2014especially in rural areas where women may travel over an hour to see a provider\u2014is critical to protecting babies and reducing maternal deaths. Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was a major step, but more must be done to support expecting moms and prevent stillbirths. I'm proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and will continue working across the aisle to end the tragedy of stillbirth,\" said Representative Hinson.\n\nSenator Booker also leads, with Senator Merkley, the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, which would improve data collection, research, education, and public awareness around stillbirth.\n\nAccording to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, one out of every 183 U.S. births, more than 20,000 per year, results in a stillbirth. That is more than the number of babies who die during their first year of life. Parents who experience stillbirth also face an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity, depression, and mortality.\n\n\"Nearly five thousand babies' lives could be saved annually through greater focus on stillbirth prevention efforts. National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day is an opportunity to address the urgent stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and share free resources and tools like Count the Kicks which are saving lives. Our message to the country: it doesn't have to be this way,\" said Emily Price, CEO, Healthy Birth Day, Inc.\n\n\"The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses applauds Senator Jeff Merkley for introducing the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution and for elevating awareness of an issue that affects thousands of families across the United States each year. Stillbirth is a devastating loss with lasting emotional, physical, and psychological impacts on parents, families, and communities. While not all stillbirths can be prevented, research continues to demonstrate that increased awareness, equitable access to high-quality prenatal care, evidence-based clinical practices, and timely recognition of warning signs can help reduce the risk of preventable stillbirths. This resolution helps shine a spotlight on the urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts, support families who have experienced loss, and address persistent disparities in maternal and infant health,\" said Elizabeth A. McIntire, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, C-EFM, President, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.\n\n\"Every year, thousands of families experience the devastating loss of a stillborn baby with lasting impacts on mom and her health,\" said Stacey Y. Brayboy, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, March of Dimes. \"Yet, research shows that many stillbirths are potentially preventable. We must do more to support moms, protect babies, and care for their families. March of Dimes is proud to endorse the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution and urges action to advance research, strengthen prevention, address maternal health risks, and ensure families have access to the care and resources they need.\"\n\nIn 2024, the bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, led by Senator Merkley in the Senate and Representatives Hinson and Adams in the House, was signed into law to help save the lives of mothers and babies across America.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/statement-gottheimer-says-third-party-audits-alone-dont-meet-the-moment", "STATEMENT: Gottheimer Says Third-Party Audits Alone Don\u2019t Meet the Moment", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, September 15, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cHanding independent auditors the job of protecting America\u2019s national security just won\u2019t cut it and certainly doesn\u2019t meet the moment. With our cybersecurity, biosecurity, critical infrastructure, and national security on the line, every AI developer should have to submit their frontier models to the U.S. government for a shot-clocked review before they release them to the public. It can\u2019t only be voluntary, and we can\u2019t rely on third-party organizations that don\u2019t have the compute power, expertise, or security clearances to actually test and assess these models effectively. When AI developers cheer on the framework meant to hold these companies accountable, it should raise red flags, not confidence.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/co-chairs-of-defend-the-14th-amendment-task-force-introduce-resolution-to-protect-voting-rights-and-defend-free-and-fair-elections", "Co-Chairs of Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force Introduce Resolution to Protect Voting Rights and Defend Free and Fair Elections", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Co-Chairs of the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force, Representatives Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), today introduced a resolution reaffirming the House of Representatives\u2019 commitment to enforcing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and protecting every eligible American\u2019s right to vote.\n\nThe resolution comes as fundamental voting-rights protections face growing threats, including efforts to deploy armed federal or immigration enforcement personnel at or near polling places, impose documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, compile sensitive voter registration information into a national database, and use executive authority to interfere with election administration. In response, the resolution condemns voter intimidation and suppression, opposes efforts to restrict access to the ballot, and calls for protecting every eligible voter\u2019s ability to cast their ballot free from fear.\n\nThe resolution also calls for restoring federal voting rights protections weakened by recent Supreme Court decisions, including the preclearance protections struck down in Shelby County v. Holder and protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act weakened by Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee and Louisiana v. Callais. It supports legislation including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Protect Our Polls Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act.\n\n\u201cThe right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and that foundation is under attack. We are witnessing a coordinated assault on the people\u2019s power to choose their leaders: voter intimidation, barriers to the ballot, the weaponization of voter data, and threats of federal interference at the polls,\u201d said the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force members. \u201cThe Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments were born out of a struggle to make our democracy more inclusive and more representative. Generations of Americans fought, marched, organized, and sacrificed to secure the right to participate fully in our democracy. We will not allow the rights they secured to be dismantled, and we will defend the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot freely, safely, and without fear.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by Popular Democracy.\n\n\u201cThe Fourteenth Amendment is where this country finally cemented into our Constitution the promise that citizenship, equal protection and the rights of this country belong to all of us. That promise is at the heart of so many of the fights we face today, from voting rights and immigrant rights to equal protection under the law. Defending the 14th must be central to the fight for a multiracial democracy because these fights are all connected. At a moment when those fundamental protections are being chipped away, defending them requires a coordinated and sustained movement at every level. This resolution meets this moment by putting Congress on record and making clear that defending the 14th and 15th Amendments, and their promise of equal protection, due process and the right to vote for all, must be at the heart of our fight to protect our democracy and our fundamental rights,\u201d said DaMareo Cooper, Executive Director, Popular Democracy.\n\nRead the full resolution text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-applauds-major-passaic-river-cleanup-milestone-following-pressure-on-epa-and-doj", "Menendez Applauds Major Passaic River Cleanup Milestone Following Pressure on EPA and DOJ", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement after a proposed $125,000,000 settlement agreement was reached by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (\u201cEPA\u201d) and the Department of Justice (\u201cDOJ\u201d) in the long-overdue cleanup of the Passaic River.\n\n\u201cThe Passaic River cleanup agreement is a necessary step forward for families in Newark and our neighboring communities who have borne the brunt of toxic pollution for far too long,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cWe demanded action from the EPA and DOJ to protect our residents, and we fought alongside dedicated community advocates to get our residents long overdue progress. I will not stop fighting until the Passaic River is fully cleaned up, our families\u2019 health is protected, and environmental justice is served.\u201d\n\nThe proposed consent decree comes after Congressman Menendez led an effort with Congresswomen LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and former Attorney General Pam Bondi to hold polluters accountable, accelerate the cleanup of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site, and protect the health and well-being of New Jerseyans.\n\nThe Diamond Alkali Superfund Site was added to the National Priorities List in 1984, but the complex cleanup remains incomplete. The Passaic River continues to suffer from the impact of industrial waste, including dioxins discharged during the Vietnam War-era production of Agent Orange.\n\nThis new proposed agreement will support the next phase of the cleanup and ensure that liable polluters pay for the restoration, not taxpayers.\n\nCongressman Rob Menendez has represented New Jersey\u2019s Eighth Congressional District since 2023. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Subcommittees on Environment, Energy, and Communications and Technology.", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-vote-against-clarity-act", "Booker Statement on Vote Against Clarity Act", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "\u201cAfter nearly a year of negotiating in good faith towards a bill that protects consumers, cracks down on Trump\u2019s corrupt crypto schemes and sets fair rules of the road for the crypto industry, I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans brought a bill to the floor without bipartisan agreement. I said from the start of my work on this issue, I will not support legislation that allows President Trump to line his own pockets. It's outrageous that the President of the United States and Senate Republicans decided to protect President Trump\u2019s corruption, self-dealing and schemes to turn the White House into his personal ATM over the interests of American consumers.\"", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-introduces-bill-to-support-veteran-owned-small-businesses-mciver-introduces-bill-to-support-veteran-owned-small-businesses", "McIver Introduces Bill To Support Veteran-Owned Small Businesses", "2026-09-15", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "LaMonica McIver", "M001229", "mciver.house.gov", "mciver", "https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the Ensuring SBA Implementation of GAO Recommendations Act of 2026. This bill would require the Small Business Administration\u2019s (SBA) Office of Veteran Business Development (OVBD) to establish procedures to comply with existing reporting requirements on veteran-owned small businesses. The bill would strengthen SBA support for veteran entrepreneurs by requiring the SBA to report on ways to improve veteran-owned small businesses' access in areas such as federal contracting and programing.\n\n\u201cThis bill does the important work of supporting veteran entrepreneurs in creating, maintaining, and growing their businesses,\u201d said McIver. \u201cVeterans are essential members of our communities and their work deserves to be lifted. Making sure the proper procedures are in place to support them allows for our small businesses and communities to thrive.\u201d\n\nCurrently, the SBA provides entrepreneurial training and education through Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs). However, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the SBA lacked procedures for submitting the required annual report on veteran-owned small businesses and had not complied in recent years. By developing procedures to ensure compliance with reporting requirements, the SBA and Congress will have better information to serve America\u2019s hardworking veteran-owned businesses.\n\nThe full text of the Ensuring SBA Implementation of GAO Recommendations Act of 2026 can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/icymi-as-ai-advances-gottheimer-leads-bipartisan-charge-to-put-up-immediate-guardrails", "ICYMI: As AI Advances, Gottheimer Leads Bipartisan Charge to Put Up Immediate Guardrails\u00a0", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Led an Extensive Series of AI Bipartisan Bills\n\nCalls on Republican Leadership to Stop Delaying & Take Real Action\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House AI Commission, has led an extensive series of bipartisan bills this Congress to put up immediate guardrails to keep pace with the rapid rise of AI. Teaming up with Republican and Democratic colleagues alike, Gottheimer\u2019s bills tackle current issues from rogue AI agents and cybersecurity to commonsense consumer and child protections to AI digital literacy. Unfortunately, Republican leadership has refused to directly bring any of these critical pieces of legislation to the floor for a vote.\n\n\u201cAI is moving lightning fast, and Washington needs to keep up. This isn\u2019t about losing this race to our adversaries. It\u2019s about winning the right way, in a way that protects our children, families, and country. We need mandatory, commonsense guardrails and clear rules of the road, so that we innovate safely,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cOver the last year, we have introduced a series of bipartisan bills that will both protect our families and national security, and ensure we can seize upon the opportunities ahead of us. I\u2019m calling on Republican leadership to immediately bring these critical, bipartisan bills to the floor. We should not go home until we take action.\u201d\n\nGottheimer\u2019s Bipartisan AI Bills", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-following-labor-day-gottheimer-hosts-roundtable-with-local-labor-leaders", "PHOTO RELEASE: Following Labor Day, Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable with Local Labor Leaders", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer meeting with North Jersey labor leaders.\n\nPARAMUS, NJ \u2014 U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable with North Jersey labor leaders to discuss his ongoing work to help create jobs, lower costs, and support the hard-working men and women of labor. The roundtable was held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 164.\n\nGottheimer and North Jersey labor leaders discussed affordability, future of AI, next generation of workers, health care costs, rising taxes, and Gottheimer\u2019s continued work in Washington to support Jersey families.\n\nWatch video from his event here.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to stand with North Jersey and our hardworking families,\u201d said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cLabor unions helped build this state, this country, and create the most competitive workforce in the world. I\u2019ll keep fighting in Washington for better wages, safer working conditions, more job opportunities, and the dignity and respect every worker has earned.\u201d\n\nGottheimer fighting to support Jersey\u2019s workforce:\n\nGottheimer helped write, negotiate, and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, delivering more than $10 billion to fix Jersey\u2019s crumbling roads and bridges and creating hundreds of thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs \u2014 all without increasing the tax burden on our families.\n\nGottheimer also fought hard for strong Davis-Bacon protections in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ensuring that unions can compete for infrastructure contracts and that workers are well-paid.\n\nGottheimer voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill to protect tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs.\n\nAs Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus, Gottheimer introduced and is fighting to pass the Invest to Protect Act, which makes critical, targeted investments in our local police departments.\n\nGottheimer has announced the Fight Fires and Fight Cancer Act to stop extremists from recklessly slashing programs that support firefighters\u2019 safety, training, and health care.\n\nGottheimer introduced and is fighting to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters across America \u2014 whether volunteer or professional \u2014 can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.\n\nAs Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Gottheimer helped get the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law to ensure workers can get their full public sector pension and Social Security benefits.\n\nGottheimer helped introduce the bicameral FAMILY Act to guarantee up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who have to take leave for serious medical and family events.\n\nGottheimer helped introduce the Protect America\u2019s Workforce Act, which reverses an Executive Order from the current Administration that would eliminate collective bargaining rights across multiple federal agencies.\n\nGottheimer supports the Faster Labor Contracts Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that will speed up the collective bargaining process for newly unionized workers and their employers.\n\nGottheimer helped introduce the bicameral Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which guarantees the right of public service employees to organize and bargain collectively, regardless of state law.\n\nGottheimer helped introduce the Tax Fairness for Workers Act, which allows union members to deduct their dues from their taxes.\n\nAs Co-Chair of the House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy, Gottheimer introduced and is fighting for the bipartisan AI Workforce Training Act to help American workers and businesses prepare for the rapid integration of artificial intelligence across the economy.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Bergen County Commissioner and IBEW Local 164 President Tom Sullivan; Park Ridge Mayor and IBEW Local 164 Business Agent Keith Misciagna; IBEW Local 164 Business Agent Victor Docherty; IBEW Local 164 Business Agent Vincent Colucci; Professional Firerfighters Association of New Jersey Labor Vice President Dave Hines; New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association Labor Chair Jason Kurdyla; NJEA President Steve Beatty; NJEA-Bergen County Education Association President Sue McBride; NJEA-Sussex County Education Association President Angela DeLuccia; NJEA-Passaic County Education Association President Rob Sarti; Bergen County Central Labor Council President Andrew Mattson; Passaic County Central Labor Council and IBEW 827 President Tom Kelly; Passaic County Central Labor Council and IBEW 827 Political Director Pat Glover; Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association President James Griglio; Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association 2nd Vice President Matthew Reheis; State Troopers NCO Association President Daniel Oliveira; State Troopers Fraternal Association President Wayne Blanchard; State Troopers Fraternal Association Trooper Michael Basti; Teamsters Local 560 President and Principal Officer Joseph DiPalma; Teamsters Local 560 Vice President Joe DiLeo; Teamsters Joint Council Local 73 and Local 863 President Al Rispoli; Teamsters Local 127 President and Principal Officer Paxton Ryan; Health Professionals and Allied Employees Vice President Barbara Rosen, RN; Health Professionals and Allied Employees Executive Director Chris Whalen; Operating Engineers Local 825 Community Affairs Director Daniel Ortega; Operating Engineers Local 825 Business Representative John Alvarado; Ironworkers Local 11 Business Agent Mike Kenny; Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Council Representative Gino Zilocchi; Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation International Region 1 Organzier Robert Rotolo; Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Union Local 137 Organizer Robert Soto; Sheetmetal Workers Local 25 Business Agent and Recording Secretary Rea McIntosh; Building Construction Laborers Local 3 Business Agent Tom Salerno; Laborers Heavy Highway Construction Local 472 Business Representative Daniel Pizzone; Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 10 President Rich Silva; Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 10 Business Manager Brian Jackson; Carpenters Local 253 Business Representative Pedro Navedo; Bricklayers Local 4 1st Vice President Mike Fasulo; Heat and Frost Insulators Local 32 Business Manager Jeremiah Farmer; Tile Marble Terrazzo Local 7 Business Agent Adolfo DiCosmo; Pipefitters Local 274 Business Agent Chet Rozmus; Pipefitters Local 274 Business Agent James Lutz; and former Assemblyman and Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO NJ President Thomas Giblin.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer meeting with North Jersey labor leaders.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-calls-united-save-nonstop-newark-lima-flights", "Congresswoman Pou Calls on United to Save Nonstop Newark\u2192Lima Flights", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "PATERSON, NJ \u2013 Congressmember Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the Vice Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, today called on United Airlines to reconsider its plan to eliminate a popular direct route between Newark Liberty International Airport and Lima, Peru, long relied on by New Jersey\u2019s large Peruvian-American community.\n\n\u201cI write to express my concern about United Airlines\u2019 recent decision to eliminate nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Jorge Ch\u00e1vez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru. Ending this longstanding route would have a serious impact on New Jersey communities that rely on direct service to Peru, while potentially leaving travelers with fewer choices and higher costs,\u201d Congresswoman Pou writes United CEO Scott Kirby.\n\nUnited announced earlier this month that it will end nonstop service between Newark and Lima on March 27, 2027, ending a route that has operated since 1996, first under Continental Airlines and later United following its merger. United plans to double its Houston-Lima service to two daily flights when the Newark route ends.\n\n\u201cGiven the impact this decision would have for New Jersey\u2019s Peruvian community and for travelers across the Tristate area, I am asking United Airlines to pause its plan to eliminate the Newark\u2013Lima route and consider alternatives that could preserve direct service, including operating the route on a reduced schedule,\u201d Pou concludes in her call to United\u2019s CEO.\n\nAccording to Census data, New Jersey has roughly 95,000 people of Peruvian origin living in the state. New Jersey\u2019s Ninth District is home to one of the largest Peruvian communities in the United States. At the heart of this community is Paterson\u2019s \u201cLittle Lima,\u201d which is full of Peruvian bakeries, salons, restaurants, and other small businesses.\n\nCongresswoman Pou is the lead sponsor of the PERU Act (H.R. 5335) which seeks to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Peru by adding Peru to the list of countries eligible to obtain E1 and E2 visas, so long as the Peruvian government treats United States nationals similarly.\n\nThe text of Congresswoman Pou\u2019s letter is below.\n\nDear Mr. Kirby:\n\nI write to express my concern about United Airlines\u2019 recent decision to eliminate nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Jorge Ch\u00e1vez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru. Ending this longstanding route would have a serious impact on New Jersey communities that rely on direct service to Peru, while potentially leaving travelers with fewer choices and higher costs.\n\nNew Jersey has deep-rooted ties with Peru, with roughly 95,000 people of Peruvian origin living in the state, the third largest Peruvian population in the country. New Jersey\u2019s Ninth Congressional District, and Paterson in particular, is home to one of the largest Peruvian communities in the United States. At the heart of this community is Paterson\u2019s \u201cLittle Lima,\u201d which is full of Peruvian bakeries, salons, restaurants, and other businesses. These ties led Paterson to establish \u201csister city\u201d partnerships with Machu Picchu and the Municipality of Lurigancho-Chosica in 2024 and 2025, respectively. For decades, our local community members have also worked to strengthen ties between Peru and the United States and rallied to support Peru in times of crisis, including the devastating 2007 earthquake.\n\nFor over 30 years, United Airlines and its predecessor Continental Airlines have maintained direct service between Newark and Lima. This route is far more than a convenience. It connects New Jersey families with loved ones in Peru and supports business, tourism, and trade between our two countries. Eliminating it would force many travelers to take connecting flights or travel to other airports, adding time and expense to trips that are already prohibitively expensive.\n\nI recognize that rising fuel prices have created new challenges for the airline industry this year. United Airlines must make business decisions that reflect fast-changing market conditions. However, United has also reported increased revenues and strong passenger demand while announcing plans to expand its network. Given the company\u2019s strong business performance over the last two quarters, United Airlines should provide greater clarity about when a long-established route serving a major New Jersey community is being eliminated. This is particularly true given that United has told investors that it expects to recover 100% of higher fuel cost by the fourth quarter.\n\nThe decision to eliminate the non-stop Newark-Lima route comes as United Airlines is announcing new routes to destinations in Luxemburg, Slovenia, France, and elsewhere. This growth is exciting for travelers, but new service should not come at the expense of a route that has served New Jersey\u2019s Peruvian community for decades, particularly when the Newark-Lima route has continued to see strong demand and frequently full flights. United Airlines should be able to expand its network without leaving behind communities that have relied on established routes for decades.\n\nGiven the impact this decision would have for New Jersey\u2019s Peruvian community and for travelers across the Tristate area, I am asking United Airlines to pause its plan to eliminate the Newark\u2013Lima route and consider alternatives that could preserve direct service, including operating the route on a reduced schedule.\n\nI appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, along with representatives of our large Peruvian community, to discuss this decision and explore ways to preserve direct service between Newark and Lima. I hope we can work together toward a solution that keeps this important connection in place.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###\n\nCongresista Pou hace un llamado a United para mantener los vuelos entre Newark y Lima\n\nLa congresista hace un impulso para pausar la cancelaci\u00f3n de una ruta con 30 a\u00f1os de servicio que atiende a la numerosa comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey\n\nPATERSON, NJ \u2013 La congresista Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), vicepresidenta de mayor rango de la Subcomisi\u00f3n de Aviaci\u00f3n de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes, pidi\u00f3 hoy a United Airlines que reconsideren la decisi\u00f3n de eliminar la popular ruta directa entre el Aeropuerto de Newark y Lima, Per\u00fa, de la cual la numerosa comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey ha dependido durante d\u00e9cadas.\n\n\u201cLe escribo para expresar mi preocupaci\u00f3n por la reciente decisi\u00f3n de United Airlines de eliminar el servicio sin escalas entre el Aeropuerto Internacional Newark Liberty (EWR) y el Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Ch\u00e1vez (LIM) en Lima, Per\u00fa. El fin de esta hist\u00f3rica ruta tendr\u00eda un grave impacto en las comunidades de Nueva Jersey que dependen del servicio directo a Per\u00fa, y podr\u00eda dejar a los viajeros con menos opciones y costos m\u00e1s altos\u201d, escribi\u00f3 la congresista Pou al director ejecutivo de United, Scott Kirby.\n\nUnited anunci\u00f3 a principios de este mes que pondr\u00e1 fin al servicio sin escalas entre Newark y Lima el 27 de marzo de 2027, terminando as\u00ed una ruta que ha operado desde 1996, primero a trav\u00e9s de Continental Airlines y posteriormente de United. United planea duplicar su servicio entre Houston y Lima a dos vuelos diarios cuando finalice la ruta desde Newark.\n\n\u201cDado el impacto que esta decisi\u00f3n tendr\u00eda en la comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey y en los viajeros de toda el \u00e1rea triestatal, estoy pidiendo a United Airlines que suspenda su plan de eliminar la ruta Newark-Lima y considere alternativas que permitan preservar el servicio directo, incluida la posibilidad de operar la ruta con una frecuencia reducida\u201d, concluy\u00f3 Pou en su llamado al director ejecutivo de United.\n\nDe acuerdo con el Censo, Nueva Jersey cuenta con aproximadamente 95,000 residentes de origen peruano. El Noveno Distrito Congresional de Nueva Jersey alberga una de las comunidades peruanas m\u00e1s grandes de Estados Unidos. En el coraz\u00f3n de esta comunidad se encuentra Little Lima en Paterson, donde abundan panader\u00edas, salones de belleza, restaurantes y otros peque\u00f1os negocios peruanos.\n\nLa congresista Pou es la principal patrocinadora de la Ley PERU (H.R. 5335), que busca fortalecer los lazos entre Estados Unidos y Per\u00fa al agregar a Per\u00fa a la lista de pa\u00edses cuyos ciudadanos pueden solicitar visas E-1 y E-2, siempre que el gobierno peruano otorgue un trato similar a los ciudadanos estadounidenses.\n\nEl texto de la carta de la congresista Pou se encuentra a continuaci\u00f3n.\n\nEstimado Sr. Kirby:\n\nLe escribo para expresar mi preocupaci\u00f3n por la reciente decisi\u00f3n de United Airlines de eliminar el servicio sin escalas entre el Aeropuerto Internacional Newark Liberty (EWR) y el Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Ch\u00e1vez (LIM) en Lima, Per\u00fa. El fin de esta hist\u00f3rica ruta tendr\u00eda un grave impacto en las comunidades de Nueva Jersey que dependen del servicio directo a Per\u00fa, y podr\u00eda dejar a los viajeros con menos opciones y costos m\u00e1s altos.\n\nNueva Jersey tiene profundos lazos con Per\u00fa, con aproximadamente 95,000 residentes de origen peruano, la tercera poblaci\u00f3n peruana m\u00e1s grande del pa\u00eds. El Noveno Distrito Congresional de Nueva Jersey, y Paterson en particular, alberga una de las comunidades peruanas m\u00e1s grandes de Estados Unidos. En el coraz\u00f3n de esta comunidad se encuentra Little Lima en Paterson, donde abundan panader\u00edas, salones de belleza, restaurantes y otros negocios peruanos. Estos v\u00ednculos llevaron a Paterson a establecer relaciones de \u201cciudades hermanas\u201d con Machu Picchu y la Municipalidad de Lurigancho-Chosica en 2024 y 2025, respectivamente. Durante d\u00e9cadas, miembros de nuestra comunidad local tambi\u00e9n han trabajado para fortalecer los lazos entre Per\u00fa y Estados Unidos y se han movilizado para apoyar a Per\u00fa en momentos de crisis, incluido el devastador terremoto de 2007.\n\nDurante m\u00e1s de 30 a\u00f1os, United Airlines y su predecesora, Continental Airlines, han mantenido un servicio directo entre Newark y Lima. Esta ruta es mucho m\u00e1s que una comodidad. Conecta a familias de Nueva Jersey con sus seres queridos en Per\u00fa y apoya los negocios, el turismo y el comercio entre nuestros dos pa\u00edses. Eliminarla obligar\u00eda a muchos viajeros a tomar vuelos con conexiones o trasladarse a otros aeropuertos, agregando tiempo y gastos a viajes que ya tienen costos prohibitivos.\n\nReconozco que el aumento de los precios del combustible ha creado nuevos desaf\u00edos para la industria a\u00e9rea este a\u00f1o. United Airlines debe tomar decisiones comerciales que reflejen las condiciones r\u00e1pidamente cambiantes del mercado. Sin embargo, United tambi\u00e9n ha reportado un aumento en sus ingresos y una fuerte demanda de pasajeros mientras anuncia planes para ampliar su red. Dado el s\u00f3lido desempe\u00f1o comercial de la compa\u00f1\u00eda durante los \u00faltimos dos trimestres, United Airlines deber\u00eda ofrecer mayor claridad cuando decide eliminar una ruta de larga trayectoria que presta servicio a una importante comunidad de Nueva Jersey. Esto es particularmente cierto dado que United ha dicho a sus inversionistas que espera recuperar el 100 por ciento del aumento en los costos del combustible para el cuarto trimestre.\n\nLa decisi\u00f3n de eliminar la ruta sin escalas Newark-Lima se produce mientras United Airlines anuncia nuevas rutas a destinos en Luxemburgo, Eslovenia, Francia y otros lugares. Este crecimiento es una buena noticia para los viajeros, pero los nuevos servicios no deber\u00edan implementarse a costa de una ruta que ha servido durante d\u00e9cadas a la comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey, especialmente cuando la ruta Newark-Lima contin\u00faa registrando una fuerte demanda y vuelos que con frecuencia est\u00e1n llenos. United Airlines deber\u00eda poder ampliar su red sin dejar atr\u00e1s a comunidades que han dependido de rutas establecidas durante d\u00e9cadas.\n\nDado el impacto que esta decisi\u00f3n tendr\u00eda en la comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey y en los viajeros de toda el \u00e1rea triestatal, estoy pidiendo a United Airlines que suspenda su plan de eliminar la ruta Newark-Lima y considere alternativas que permitan preservar el servicio directo, incluida la posibilidad de operar la ruta con una frecuencia reducida.\n\nAgradezco su pronta atenci\u00f3n a este asunto y agradecer\u00eda la oportunidad de reunirme con usted, junto con representantes de nuestra numerosa comunidad peruana, para hablar sobre esta decisi\u00f3n y explorar maneras de preservar el servicio directo entre Newark y Lima. Espero que podamos trabajar juntos para encontrar una soluci\u00f3n que mantenga esta importante conexi\u00f3n.\n\nAtentamente,\n\nNellie Pou\n\nMiembro del Congreso\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-calls-on-senate-to-reassert-control-over-ai/", "Senator Kim Calls on Senate to Reassert Control over AI", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cAI is moving faster than anyone \u2013 including its creators \u2013 can understand or control. We need to act and act now to ensure that humans remain in control of this technology and that all people \u2013 not just the elite few \u2013 benefit from it.\n\n\u201cThe warnings we\u2019ve gotten after multiple concerning AI incidents need to serve as a wake-up call to establish a comprehensive approach including government action to put guardrails on our own technology, and ensure that our competitors and adversaries aren\u2019t able to develop dangerous technologies.\n\n\u201cTechnology and innovation must move forward; it\u2019s what has powered our nation\u2019s economy and kept us safe. But moving forward recklessly without sensible controls is a recipe for chaos and danger. The American people don\u2019t want this technology to advance without rules that they have a say in writing.\n\n\u201cThe Senate will reconvene this week. We should call together a Senate wide discussion on next steps and set out to pass critical bipartisan legislation that we can get done before the end of the year like the MATCH Act and BLADE Act that I\u2019ve put forward along with other legislation to protect our kids. I\u2019ve also pushed to develop a protocol to \u201cMythos-proof\u201d our critical infrastructure and financial/healthcare sectors from AI-driven attacks and vulnerabilities. These are steps we can take right now as we build out broader solutions and regulations.\n\n\u201cIt should be a focus of ours to discuss how to reassert control over AI for the American people. Control based on a set of principles, enforced by a set of rules, all built for a common purpose: to ensure the technology and innovation that moves us forward never leaves us behind. And controls to ensure our competitors and adversaries aren\u2019t able to proceed recklessly while we take sensible steps.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-on-25th-anniversary-of-9-11-attacks-gottheimer-honors-the-fallen-of-north-jersey", "RELEASE: On 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks, Gottheimer Honors the Fallen of North Jersey", "2026-09-11", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer commemorates the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.\n\nNEW JERSEY \u2014 Today, Friday, September 11, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in the 25th anniversary of 9/11 remembrance ceremonies in Mahwah and Hackensack to honor North Jersey community members and first responders who lost their lives in the horrific attacks, commemorating those lost since, and recommitting to protecting America from extremism and terror.\n\nNearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks, including more than 400 firefighters, police, and other first responders. New Jersey lost nearly 750 residents, and Bergen County alone lost 147 residents. Since then, more than 9,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died as a result of toxic exposure.\n\nSee Gottheimer\u2019s full remarks here.\n\n\u201cOut of the worst morning in this country\u2019s history, we decided to be loud, united, and unafraid. That\u2019s the Jersey I know, and the America I strive for,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cA place where our memory and our pride outlast our fear. A place where every one of the neighbors we lost that day will never, ever be forgotten. We will never forget.\u201d\n\nGottheimer was joined by Mayor Caseen Gaines, Deputy Mayor Agatha Toomey, Councilman Roberto Diaz, Councilwoman Sonya Clark-Collins, Councilman Philip Carroll, City Manager Thomas Freeman, Fire Chief Keith Rosazza, Police Chief Michael Antist.\n\nOver the past year, Gottheimer served as co-chair of the bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report. Last week, the committee released its bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force Report, that lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations for the Intelligence Community to protect against the new and emerging threats \u2014 including faster information sharing between agencies, adopting AI to stay ahead of our enemies, and deeper partnerships with our state, local, and private-sector partners to fight terror.\n\nGottheimer also introduced legislation with Rep. Stefanik to ensure that 9/11 education is taught in every classroom in America; today, just 25 states have requirements on the books. Of those who are between the ages of 18 and 24, none of whom were alive on 9/11, 60% first learned about 9/11 in class or through school assignments.\n\nGottheimer also recently clawed back $5 million to my district for local and state police for counterterrorism equipment to prevent tragedy and be ready in case one does happen.\n\nAnd this week, he also introduced a resolution with the entire Jersey House Congressional delegation to honor the service and sacrifice of Jersey first responders on 9/11.\n\nLast year, Gottheimer helped lead the reintroduction of the bipartisan American Victims of Terror Compensation Act, which provides funding for the United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, or USVSST Fund. This legislation will help ensure the USVSST consistently provides compensation to more than 18,000 American victims of State Sponsors of Terrorism, including the families of the more than 3,000 victims of September 11th.\n\nGottheimer helped fight for and pass legislation like the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fully fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families for injuries, medical expenses, and other benefits.\n\nGottheimer also helped pass the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Act, which requires the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial passenger aircraft to prevent terrorist attacks similar to 9/11.\n\nGottheimer is continuing to fight to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters, especially those exposed on and after 9/11, can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer commemorates the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-joins-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-victims-survivors-and-first-responders-on-25th-anniversary-of-9/11", "Booker Joins Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Victims, Survivors, and First Responders on 25th Anniversary of 9/11", "2026-09-11", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution honoring the victims, survivors, and first responders of 9/11, as well as the service members who defended the United States in the years that followed.\n\nThe resolution pays tribute to the 2,977 people killed in Lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It honors the 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and eight emergency medical technicians and paramedics who were killed responding to the attacks; the 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon; and the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, who fought back and kept the hijackers from reaching their target in Washington. The resolution also recognizes the charitable foundations, nonprofits, labor and faith-based organizations, and community groups that have spent a quarter century serving survivors and the families of those lost.\n\n\"Twenty-five years later, we still carry that day with us \u2014 the nearly 3,000 lives lost, and the courage of the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who ran toward danger to save others,\" said Senator Cory Booker. \"New Jersey lost hundreds of our neighbors that morning, and families across our state have carried that grief every day since. This resolution is the Senate's way of saying we have not forgotten \u2014 not the victims, not their families, and not the heroes whose sacrifice is a debt we can never fully repay. I'm proud to join Senator Gillibrand and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in honoring their memory.\"\n\nThe resolution is led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). In addition to Booker, it is cosponsored by Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and John Boozman (R-AR).", 1, "2026-09-16T09:43:13Z", "2026-09-16T09:44:22Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-claws-back-more-than-1-7-million-in-federal-security-funding-for-nj-houses-of-worship", "RELEASE: Gottheimer Claws Back More than $1.7 Million in Federal Security Funding for NJ Houses of Worship", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer visits Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn ahead of the High Holidays.\n\nNORTH JERSEY \u2014 Today, September 10, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced $1.7 million clawed-back for eight nonprofit organizations across North Jersey for Fiscal Year 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding, delivering critical resources to help churches, synagogues, temples, and faith-based schools in the Fifth District protect their communities from the growing threat of hate and violence. Gottheimer also announced the funding at Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn and visited Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman and Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky ahead of the High Holidays.\n\nSee video of Gottheimer\u2019s visit here.\n\nGottheimer also hosted a briefing with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) and Jewish faith leaders from across North Jersey to address the security threats facing the Jewish community as they prepare for the High Holidays. The meeting brought together NJOHSP Director Hauck, state leadership, and Jewish faith leaders to discuss the current threat landscape, coordination between law enforcement and religious institutions, and the urgent need to deliver federal security resources to houses of worship \u2014 the very resources this NSGP funding provides.\n\nGottheimer has been pushing for the long-delayed resources, passed in 2024, to be distributed after clawing it back for the district. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), administered by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides funding to nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attacks or hate-related incidents, with a particular focus on houses of worship and other faith-based institutions like schools and community centers. The funding allows organizations to invest in physical security upgrades like cameras, gates, bollards, and blast-resistant film, and to provide training that helps staff and congregants recognize and respond to threats.\n\nAnti-Jewish hate crimes account for nearly two-thirds of all religion-based hate crimes reported to the FBI nationwide. Antisemitic incidents in the United States have increased by 68% since 2022, before October 7. In 2025, ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the United States. That means Jewish Americans were targeted an average of 17 times per day. New Jersey recorded the third-highest total of antisemitic incidents across the nation in 2025, with Bergen County ranking first in highest rates of antisemitic incidents in New Jersey.\n\nGottheimer has been a vocal advocate for this vital funding to be distributed. Last year, Gottheimer led a bipartisan group of 78 colleagues in urging the Administration to reverse its decision to pause the drawdown of federal grant funding at FEMA, which includes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.\n\n\u201cNo one should ever have to worry about their safety while praying, learning, or gathering with their community,\u201d said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cWith hate crimes and antisemitic incidents spiking at historical levels, this funding is crucial. It gives our religious communities the resources they need to strengthen their security and protect the people who walk through their doors every day. I\u2019ll keep fighting in Washington to make sure North Jersey\u2019s nonprofits and religious institutions get every dollar they need to stay safe.\u201d\n\nThe following North Jersey organizations were awarded funding:\n\nBris Avrohom of Fair Lawn (Fair Lawn) \u2014 $380,000\n\nYoung Israel of Fort Lee (Fort Lee) \u2014 $190,000\n\nGrace Redeemer Church (Glen Rock) \u2014 $190,000\n\nHindu Samaj Temple of Mahwah (Mahwah) \u2014 $175,750\n\nThe Frisch School (Paramus) \u2014 $380,000\n\nThe Church Gathered and Scattered (Teaneck) \u2014 $95,000\n\nThe Young Israel of Teaneck (Teaneck) \u2014 $190,000\n\nTemple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley (Woodcliff Lake) \u2014 $190,000\n\nGottheimer will continue working in Congress to protect and expand funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and push FEMA for faster turnaround and greater transparency so that at-risk organizations can plan and receive their security investments with confidence.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-celebrates-grand-opening-of-revitalized-reading-center-for-trenton-community", "Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates Grand Opening of Revitalized Reading Center for Trenton Community", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) attended a ribbon cutting celebrating the grand reopening of the renovated Reading Senior Center in Trenton, New Jersey and gave the following remarks:\n\nWhen the senior center closed years ago, it was a tremendous loss to the Trenton senior community. The road to bring it back was a long one \u2013 and not without bumps along the way. But Mayor Reed, the City Council, and Mercer County were committed to serving the community and to getting this center back up and running\u2026 and better than it was before.\n\nThe city secured $600,000 in federal American Rescue Plan money, which I was proud to vote for, and it was signed by President Biden. In addition, the county secured matching Community Development Block Grants that I fought to protect from cuts in the Appropriations Committee.\n\nThe Reading Senior Center is a shining example of what can be accomplished when city, county, and federal officials work together, with one vision, to deliver for the seniors who have given so much to our city.\n\nPeople have asked me, \u201cWhat has been the most rewarding part of your time in Congress?\u201d It\u2019s days like this, when we can deliver results and give back to people who have put their hearts and souls into their communities.\n\nThe 11,000 square-foot facility will open its doors for the first time in over eight years, with its new operations and programs beginning Tuesday, September 15th. The Reading Senior Center will also become the new home of the City of Trenton Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Division of Community Relations and Social Services, beginning Wednesday, September 16, providing seniors with convenient access to City programs and assistance.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-lt-gov-investigation", "Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Lt. Gov. Investigation", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) made the following statement regarding the reported investigation into Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell:\n\nFor more than three decades, I have known Lt. Gov. Caldwell to be a good and decent man. I also take any allegation of improper actions very seriously. I have full confidence in the investigatory process the Governor has established.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-addresses-housing-affordability-and-equity-at-panel-event-in-trenton", "Rep. Watson Coleman Addresses Housing Affordability and Equity at Panel Event in Trenton", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) spoke to the Capital Region Minority Chamber of Commerce (CRMCC) about housing affordability. Joined by CRMCC President Herb Ames and industry experts, the Congresswoman highlighted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a comprehensive bipartisan package passed earlier this year that addresses many dimensions of housing policy.\n\nOver the past few years, Americans have dealt with rising housing costs, putting a strain on millions of families looking to pay their bills and in 2023, the Brookings Institute estimated that there is a shortage of about 4.9 million housing units. This highlights the importance of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which is the largest bipartisan housing law in a generation. President Trump did not sign it into law, however, calling it \u201ca big yawn.\u201d Per the United States Constitution, the bill eventually became law on July 11th, 2026 after the President failed to sign it or veto it within the 10 days following its delivery by Congress. Based on track-record, there is reason to be concerned that the Trump Administration may ignore the law.\n\nThe Congresswoman gave the following remarks:\n\nIt's been over 50 years since the New Jersey Supreme Court handed down the Mount Laurel Doctrine that said exclusionary zoning practices that prevent low- and moderate-income families from living in a town are unconstitutional. Yet today, safe, affordable housing remains out of reach for so many. Fewer than four in ten non-homeowning families can afford a typical starter home.\n\nIt is not enough to remove legal barriers to the middle class while leaving socioeconomic barriers in place. Economic predators have filled the vacuum left behind by the law. Money is like water; it'll find the cracks.\n\nThe result is that young people and Black people suffer. The homeownership rate for Black households is barely half that of white households, at about 41%. Meanwhile, over 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year. This astonishing number consists of a disproportionate number of people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Not coincidentally, in 2023 the Brookings Institute estimated that there is a shortage of about 4.9 million housing units.\n\nThis is not only immoral - it is unsustainable in an economy in which homeownership plays such an important role in wealth accumulation. Housing is a right; it is not a privilege. Shelter is as fundamental a need as food and water. And, in a country as wealthy as ours, the difference between a housing crisis and a roof over everyone's head is a policy choice.\n\nThe policy choices of the Trump administration have been clear. After passing their latest round of tax cuts for the mega rich and corporate donors, they had the gall to cut the HUD budget by 51%. That included a $27.25 billion cut to rental and homeless assistance programs- or 40%. A $53 billion cut to Section 8. An $8.8 billion cut to public housing. And a $1.25 billion cut to the HOME program, to name a few.\n\nIn addition, HUD withdrew legal guidance for the Fair Housing Act's coverage of appraisal discrimination of undervalued homes in majority-black neighborhoods. They also disbanded the Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity taskforce and repealed the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing subregulatory policies, removing federal requirements for local governments to proactively desegregate their communities.\n\nNow I've worked to fight back on these abysmal policies, including during Appropriations hearings with Secretary Scott Turner, and through legislation like my Homes for Young Adults Act and Rep. Omar's Homes for All Act. But the biggest dent we've made was with the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which passed earlier this summer.\n\nThis new law is not perfect, but it does some important things like prohibiting large institutional investors, like BlackRock, from purchasing new single-family homes, a practice that has priced millions out of their own neighborhoods, forcing people who rent who would otherwise buy, and leaving many homes vacant in the process.\n\nIt also increases grants to local governments that successfully increase housing supply through zoning reform and density bonuses. And it raises the public welfare investment cap for community development banks.\n\nIncorporated into the final package were six Democratic priorities including, the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act to codify the Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery, the PRICE Act to help manufactured communities preserve affordability, the VALID Act to improve transparency for veteran homebuyers, the Build Now Act to incentivize housing development in certain CDBG jurisdictions while protecting disaster-hit areas, a Moving to Work provision to add up to 25 Public Housing Authorities while prohibiting these PHAs from imposing overwhelming work requirements, and a provision to codify Rental Assistance Demonstration to help convert aging public housing into long-term Section 8 contracts to fund critical property repairs.\n\nThis bill passed the Senate 85 - 5 and the House 358 - 32. The president did not sign it, but he also did not veto it, so it became law on July 11th this year. We have the law passed now. But Trump\u2019s refusal to engage with the bill, even just to sign it, hints at the likelihood that he will ignore the law.\n\nHe\u2019s done this before and his administration is filled, at the highest levels, with people who believe a President can simply ignore a law he doesn\u2019t agree with. So, we need a Congress that will hold the Administration accountable. That starts this November.\n\nDuring his testimony last summer, HUD Secretary Turner repeatedly referred to the administration's efforts at dismantling housing assistance as a so-called \u201cparadigm shift.\u201d However, the real shift we've seen is how Americans of vastly different stripes and political persuasions view housing.\n\nPeople are fed up. They see their grown children unable to afford homes, they see rents skyrocketing, and they see more and more of their budgets going to rent and mortgage payments while they struggle to stay afloat.\n\nWe are at the precipice of a revolution in how people view housing. And while I may not be in Congress to see universal housing become a reality, I am confident that if we keep working in this space, it will.\n\nThank you and God bless.", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/recap-what-senator-kim-heard-during-town-hall-and-tour-of-flemington/", "Recap: What Senator Kim Heard During Town Hall and Tour of Flemington", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "FLEMINGTON, N.J. \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) was joined by hundreds of New Jerseyans in Flemington for a standing room only town hall. Senator Kim spoke on a full range of topics, including the impact Trump\u2019s tariffs have had on the Hunterdon community, his legislative efforts to rid corruption from public service and bring universal healthcare to children, and the affordability crisis New Jersey continues to navigate.\n\nBefore taking questions from attendees, the Senator also provided updates on the war in Iran and its impact at home and discussed both his recent oversight visits to Delaney Hall and his work to rid New Jersey of private detention centers.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m going around Hunterdon County [earlier] today \u2013 overwhelmingly everyone is saying they are feeling an anxiety right now; someone I spoke to said it feels hard to breathe sometimes, wondering what is going to happen,\u201d said Senator Kim during his opening remarks. \u201cIn this day and age, why are we making it harder for people to be able to live with dignity and decency?\u201d\n\nImportantly, Senator Kim explained, \u201cI\u2019m tired of performative politics\u2026the question is what comes next \u2013 we have to end [the Iran] war that is costing our country billions, reverse the tariffs, and we have to reverse the Medicaid and budget cuts\u2026we must close corruption loopholes and put forward a new vision as to where our country can go.\u201d\n\nThroughout the evening, Senator Kim discussed topics and answered questions ranging from concerns about climate change to concerns about Trump\u2019s dangerous foreign policy, including:\n\nThe overwhelming red tape people with disabilities have to navigate to receive needed healthcare, including recertifications for Medicaid\n\nThe impact that Trump\u2019s tariffs have had on Hunterdon farmers and families\n\nSenator Kim\u2019s oversight leadership when it comes to Delaney Hall\n\nThe affordability crisis that Hunterdon families are navigating, especially when it comes to gas prices\n\nThe Senators legislative work tackling government corruption\n\nThe Senators role on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) and how that impacts FEMA decisions\n\nThe attack on election integrity and vote-by-mail ballots\n\nAt the end of his opening remarks, Senator Kim reflected on the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th terrorist attacks, which occurred when he was in college, and which was the catalyst for Senator Kim to dedicate his life to public service. Senator Kim said, \u201c[September 11th] was a moment that really shook us, rightfully so, but reminded us that we are something bigger than all of us \u2013 I feel like we are losing that \u2013 we are having a crisis of empathy right now\u2026 but in the aftermath of September 11th \u2013 we, in all corners of this country, grieved. I\u2019ll be standing with families [of 9/11 victims] this Friday at Ground Zero, and yes, it\u2019s a moment for us never forget, but hopefully it\u2019s a moment to never forget what it means to be a country, and to feel a commonality and a bond with one another \u2013 to remember what it means to be a democracy. We have a lot of challenges right now \u2013 but I still believe in America.\u201d\n\nEarlier in the day, Senator Kim traveled throughout Hunterdon County meeting with students, educators, and disability community advocates. He was first joined by members of the Hunterdon County Education Services Commission in Flemington to discuss their concerns over funding gaps for workforce programs and their desire to increase adult literacy. He then met with members of Progressive Center for Independent Living in Lebanon, where he heard about the devastating impacts that Trump\u2019s cuts to Medicaid have had on those they serve and the importance of continued access to care for adults with disabilities.\n\nSenator Kim is a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey\u2019s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=49B0E3DF-BC2D-415A-8D9C-FDAB739A37D8", "Norcross, Pallone, Camden leaders meet to discuss nationwide lithium battery fires", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "September 10, 2026: EMR USA CEO Joe Balzano (second from left) gives tour of Camden recycling plant to Rep. Norcross, Rep. Pallone, and Mayor Carstarphen (left to right)\n\nCAMDEN \u2014 Congressmen Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today met with representatives from EMR\u2019s Camden recycling plant and local elected officials to discuss the nationwide issue of lithium battery fires.\n\nLithium batteries contain more power and charge faster than other batteries, but those efficiencies can also create a fire hazard if exposed to physical damage or excess heat. While these risks require special disposal processes, many consumers are unaware when they are disposing lithium batteries and recycling facilities are often underequipped to identify them in the waste stream. As such, there are an estimated 5,000 fires at recycling plants in the United States each year, with most being ignited by improperly disposed lithium batteries.\n\nWithout action the problem will only continue to grow: Lithium batteries are used in a large amount of modern products such as handheld electronics, e-cigarettes, medical devices, and the total amount of lithium consumption nearly quadrupled between just 2010 and 2021. Municipalities from coast to coast, including Camden, are increasingly being forced to respond to large battery fires.\n\n\u201cLithium batteries aren\u2019t going away, and communities are struggling to safely recycle them across the world. Reducing these fires will take a team effort, and the producers of these batteries need to play a more active role \u2013 especially since they know what happens to these batteries at the end of their lifecycle,\u201d Norcross said. \u201cThere\u2019s no one silver bullet solution, but my visit with Congressman Pallone and folks on the frontlines here in Camden certainly helps me feel that more people are taking this issue seriously.\u201d\n\n\u201cLithium-ion batteries shouldn\u2019t be turning recycling facilities into fire hazards. When these batteries end up where they don\u2019t belong, they can put entire communities at risk. I came to Camden with Congressman Norcross to see the problem firsthand and figure out what we can do in Congress to prevent these fires before they start,\u201d said Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue.\n\n\u201cEveryone wants to ensure that fires of this magnitude never occur,\u201d Victor Carstarphen, mayor of Camden said. \u201cI commend Congressman Norcross for looking at potential solutions to this issue and for working with local officials to help safeguard against the threat of a future event. Improving federal regulations and requiring standardized labeling of materials would be a positive step forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cRecyclers everywhere are reckoning with the risks that lithium batteries pose to the waste stream, and no one has more stake in preventing these fires than the hardworking men and women staffing these facilities in their own communities,\u201d Joe Balzano, chief executive officer of EMR USA said. \u201cEMR appreciates the leaders who came to Camden today to see the issue up close \u2013 and for elevating the need for solutions about what can be done about this national problem.\u201d\n\nMultiple efforts have been launched this Congress to prevent lithium battery fires. In October, Norcross introduced the Battery Fire Prevention Act, which includes measures to boost recycling facilities\u2019 access to battery detectors and create a lithium battery buyback fund. Earlier this month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee also advanced the Battery Recycling for America\u2019s Competitive Economy (BRACE) Act \u2013 legislation that would modernize and clarify regulations and safeguards for lithium battery storage and recycling.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-stefanik-discuss-combating-antisemitism-on-college-campuses-at-vanderbilt-university-launch-new-bipartisan-caucus-on-campus-antisemitism", "RELEASE: Gottheimer, Stefanik Discuss Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses at Vanderbilt University, Launch New Bipartisan Caucus on Campus Antisemitism", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer announces Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus at Vanderbilt University.\n\nNASHVILLE, TN \u2014 Today, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) announced the launch of the new bipartisan Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus while visiting Vanderbilt University. The caucus aims to hold colleges and universities accountable for protecting Jewish students, faculty, and staff.\n\nThe Representatives announced the formation of the caucus during a conversation at Vanderbilt University featuring Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and five visiting university leaders from across the country, including leaders from The University of Kentucky, The University of Texas at Austin, Dartmouth College, The University of Alabama, and Washington University in St. Louis. The panel discussed how their campuses are working to combat antisemitism while protecting free expression.\n\n\u201cSince October 7th, Jewish students on too many campuses have been harassed, intimidated, and made to feel like strangers in their own school,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cThat\u2019s why Elise and I are teaming up to launch this caucus to hold universities accountable, back up the schools getting it right, like Vanderbilt, and make sure every Jewish kid can have a college experience without fear of discrimination or violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom asking questions at the most watched hearing in Congressional history with university presidents that led to an earthquake in higher education to passing key legislation, I have been proud to be the leader in Congress on combatting antisemitism and anti-Americanism at our colleges and universities,\u201d said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY- 21). \u201cI am proud to launch this bipartisan Congressional Caucus with my friend and colleague Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) who has been a leading partner and legislator with whom I have worked on this critical issue. We are committed to saving American higher education for the next generation.\u201d\n\nSince the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, antisemitism on American college campuses has surged to levels never before recorded. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents on campuses spiked more than 300 percent in 2023 alone, followed by a further sharp rise in 2024, with well over a thousand incidents logged in the year after October 7th. The vast majority of Jewish college students say they have personally witnessed or experienced antisemitism since that day.\n\nThe Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus will:\n\nServe as a bipartisan forum for Members of Congress to coordinate oversight of how colleges and universities respond to antisemitism.\n\nPress institutions to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff, and to enforce their own anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies.\n\nAdvance and track federal legislation targeting campus antisemitism and BDS-driven discrimination, including the Antisemitism Awareness Act, the HEAL Act, and the newly House-passed Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act.\n\nSpotlight schools that are getting it right and share best practices across campuses nationwide.\n\nGottheimer has been a leading voice in Congress against antisemitism, including:\n\nAuthoring the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which directs the Department of Education to use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination law. The bill passed the House 320\u201391 last Congress.\n\nHelping pass the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, restricting federal student aid to colleges that engage in commercial BDS boycotts of Israel. The bill cleared the House 237\u2013169 on September 3rd and now heads to the Senate.\n\nAuthoring the HEAL Act (Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act) and the October 7th Remembrance Education Act to strengthen Holocaust and October 7th education in schools.\n\nLeading H.Res. 883, declaring the \u201cfrom the river to the sea\u201d chant antisemitic, and the IGO Anti-Boycott Act, both of which have passed the House.\n\nPressing university presidents directly, sending letters to schools including Rutgers, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, MIT, Princeton, Brown, GW, and NYU demanding concrete plans to protect Jewish students.\n\nServing as a member of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer announces Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus at Vanderbilt University.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-09T09:27:09Z", "2026-09-09T09:29:04Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-ahead-of-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11-gottheimer-announces-more-than-5-million-in-federal-funds-to-combat-terrorism", "RELEASE: Ahead of the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, Gottheimer Announces More Than $5 Million in Federal Funds to Combat Terrorism", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer unveils 9/11 legislation package.\n\nNEW MILFORD, NJ \u2014 Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced several concrete actions including more than $5 million clawed back from Washington to Jersey for local law enforcement in North Jersey to combat terrorism.\n\nWatch Gottheimer\u2019s remarks here.\n\nThe new funding will go toward expanding and modernizing intelligence and coordination, officer training, and additional resources to protect Jersey families.\n\nThe resources include:\n\nMore than $5 million in counterterrorism funding clawed back for local law enforcement across Bergen, Sussex, and Passaic Counties.\n\nEvery single town \u2014 all 65 in the Fifth Congressional District \u2014 in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties \u2014 will receive $50,000 to be utilized for counter-terrorism training.\n\n$1.5 million dollars for Bergen County to expand and modernize the Bergen County Real-Time Intelligence Center.\n\nNewton in Sussex County will receive $200,000 in funding to be able to purchase a real-time intelligence platform to enhance its capabilities.\n\nBloomingdale will receive $100,000 to purchase a response drone and active-threat gear \u2014 ballistic shields, armor, breaching kits.\n\nVernon will receive $30,000 in funding for a thermal search-and-overwatch drone for fast response at any time of day or conditions.\n\nHighlighted the bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force Report that lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations for the Intelligence Community to protect against the new and emerging threats \u2014 including faster information sharing between agencies, adopting AI to stay ahead of our enemies, and deeper partnerships with our state, local, and private-sector partners to fight terror.\n\nSent a letter pressing the FAA and Secretary Duffy to fully implement secondary flight deck barriers on all commercial aircraft \u2014 the only 9/11 Commission recommendation still not fully implemented 25 years later \u2014 to require the barriers on every plane, including older aircraft already flying. In 2018, I wrote the bipartisan Saracini Aviation Safety Act, requiring these barriers on all new aircraft and it was signed into law in 2018. Years later, the FAA still hasn\u2019t finalized the rule to retrofit the existing fleet.\n\nIntroduced a 9/11 education bill with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) to ensure that 9/11 is taught in every school across America. Only 15 states require 9/11 education.\n\nIntroduced a resolution, cosponsored by every member of the New Jersey House congressional delegation, formally recognizing the state\u2019s law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who responded to the World Trade Center attacks and carried out the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts in the days and months that followed. The resolution honors their service and sacrifice, remembers those who have since died \u2014 including from 9/11-related illnesses \u2014 and reaffirms the federal commitment to the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.\n\n\u201cWe all have a responsibility, in honor of those who gave their lives, and for the sake of our democracy, to teach our children, our students, and our future leaders the history of our homeland,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cToday, I unveiled a package of federal action that lays out a series of steps we must take to not only honor those who perished on 9/11 and in its aftermath, but to be prepared to stop any future attacks. With today\u2019s actions, we will keep fighting to protect our state, our homeland, and ensure that a tragic day like that one in September of 2001 never happens again.\u201d\n\nGottheimer was joined by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Sussex County Prosecutor Dan Perez, New Milford Mayor Michael Putrino, New Milford Councilwoman Lisa Sandhusen, New Milford Councilwoman Randi Duffie, New Milford Councilman Matt Seymour, Bloomingdale Councilman David Bronkhurst, Newton Police Chief Dan Finkle, Vernon Mayor Anthony Rossi, Vernon Police Chief Daniel Young, Sussex County Chief of Detectives Nicholas T. Elmo, Sussex County Lieutenant Kyle Phlegar, Sussex County Detective Andrew Moore, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer unveils 9/11 legislation package.\n\nGottheimer\u2019s remarks as prepared for delivery:\n\nGood morning, everyone.\n\nTwenty-five years ago, this week, New Milford lost one of its own.\n\nStephen Dorf (DOOR-F) was 39 years old. He worked as a communications technician for Euro Brokers, on the 84th floor of the South Tower.\n\nStephen was one of six kids in a close-knit family from Brooklyn, and by every account I\u2019ve read, he was exactly the kind of guy you\u2019d want as a neighbor and friend. He was the neighbor grilling in the backyard, the guy who\u2019d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. That\u2019s who New Milford and Jersey lost on September 11, 2001. Not a statistic. Not a name on a wall. A friend from this remarkable community and our great state.\n\nThe steel beam behind us from the towers, the plaque, this plot of land \u2014 they mean something. Because behind them is a piece of New Milford\u2019s story that this town will never be torn down.\n\nBecause of 9/11, and the havoc monsters wreaked that day, we have memorials like this one across our state and country. I\u2019ve prayed at beautiful memorials like this one more times than I can count over the years. They are both powerful remembrances of our loved ones, a reminder of the strength of our democracy and the flag we pledge to, the indefatigable will of our people, and, in our hours of need, our ability to come together as a nation.\n\nLast week, I was at memorials at the Pentagon, in Lower Manhattan, in Shanksville \u2014 and every time, I think about the same thing: the people we lost and their families.\n\nThe nearly 3,000 souls that day, and the 750 who called New Jersey home. One hundred and forty-seven from Bergen County alone.\n\nI think about the passengers on Flight 93, who fought back over a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, so that plane never reached its target \u2014 the United States Capitol. They literally came together and voted, on the spot, to swap their lives for the terrorists \u2014 to protect us.\n\nI think about the more than 400 first responders who ran into those towers instead of running away \u2014 because that\u2019s what they do, and that\u2019s what they still do, every day, right here in New Milford.\n\nAnd I think about something that doesn\u2019t get said enough: more than 9,000 first responders and survivors have died from illnesses tied to what they breathed in at Ground Zero. That is three times the number of people who died on the day of the attack itself. I think about the 60,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in or were injured in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.\n\nFor those of us who lived through this tragedy, where we were and how we learned about the attacks is seared in our memory. But, twenty-five years is a long time.\n\nIt\u2019s long enough that we have college students graduating this spring who weren\u2019t alive for 9/11. We have educators in our classrooms who weren\u2019t alive. 100 million Americans have been born since that tragic morning \u2014 nearly a third of our country. Their only connection to that day is a memorial like this one, a story from their parents, a paragraph in a textbook, if they\u2019re lucky enough to get a paragraph at all.\n\nSo, when we say never forget, we all have a responsibility, in honor of those who gave their lives, and for the sake of our democracy, to teach our children, our students, our future leaders the history of our homeland. Otherwise, TikTok will do it \u2014 and they may say what the most despicable people are posting and what some of our enemies are spreading \u2014 that 9/11 was our fault. I will do everything in my power, and I know you will, too, to ensure that our children learn the truth, honor the fallen, and protect the greatest country the world has ever known.\n\nBut that takes work. In 2004, the 9/11 Commission published a report with clear steps to help prevent another terror attack on our soil. As a result, Congress established the National Counterterrorism Center. We created the Director of National Intelligence. We built a system where our intelligence agencies can escape their silos and share information \u2013 it was one of the great weaknesses that contributed to the attack that day.\n\nTwenty years later, there is still one 9/11 Commission recommendation \u2014 just one \u2014 that has never been fully carried out: secondary barriers, to keep terrorists out of the cockpit on every commercial flight in America. Many of us have been working on that for years \u2013 but we\u2019re still not there, and there\u2019s no excuse for the airlines\u2019 failure to fully meet that demand. And, there is still work to be done to make sure threats are better shared between our intelligence agencies, especially as they develop faster and grow more sophisticated\n\nAs we\u2019ve said, twenty-five years is a long time. America is facing new threats that didn\u2019t exist in 2001, like Artificial Intelligence and the government of China.\n\nFor the past year, I served as Co-Chair of the House Intelligence Committee\u2019s bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force, with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Chairman Rick Crawford, and Ranking Member Jim Himes. We spent a year in hearings and briefings, grading our own government\u2019s homework: how well did we actually carry out the original 9/11 Commission\u2019s recommendations, what worked and what didn\u2019t \u2014 and how do we prepare for the next generation of threats.\n\nOur report [hold up a copy] lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations to close the gaps for the next 25 years. Things like faster information sharing between agencies, adopting AI to stay ahead of our enemies, and deeper partnerships with our state, local, and private-sector partners to fight terror.\n\nToday, I want to lay out a series of steps we must take to not only honor those who perished on 9/11 and its aftermath, but to be prepared to stop any future attacks.\n\nThe first step starts here, in our communities, and it\u2019s about ensuring that our towns and first responders have the resources they need to protect our families here in Bergen, Sussex, and Passaic Counties. This morning, I\u2019m announcing $5 million in new federal counter-terrorism resources that I secured for every community in the Fifth District.\n\nEvery single town \u2014 all 65 in the Fifth Congressional District \u2014 in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties \u2014 will receive $50,000 to be utilized for counter-terrorism training \u2014 to be prepared for any threats, especially the new ones. That\u2019s $3.25 million in new training dollars.\n\nThat funding will allow our towns to receive advanced tactical training for responding to active shooters and violent threats. New specialized training will help identify and mitigate threats to our schools and houses of worship, and it will ensure the maximum number of officers can receive this crucial training without impacting day-to-day operations.\n\nWhat worked twenty-five years ago doesn\u2019t work today. We must invest in our first responders so they can protect themselves and our families.\n\nIn addition, to ensure we are prepared and coordinating, we are investing more than 1.5 million dollars here in Bergen County to expand and modernize the Bergen County Real-Time Intelligence Center. That\u2019s the hub that connects more than 70 law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies countywide \u2014 to better integrate and coordinate emergency response across the county.\n\nThe Intelligence Center ensures that agencies don\u2019t miss a beat when a thief flees from one town to the next, and all hands will be on deck for major events at MetLife Stadium.\n\nAs part of the federal dollars I secured, Newton in Sussex County will be able to purchase a real-time intelligence platform and help existing systems that aren\u2019t connected. Vernon will receive funding for a thermal search-and-overwatch drone for fast response at any time of day or conditions. And Bloomingdale will receive dollars to purchase a response drone and active-threat gear \u2014 ballistic shields, armor, breaching kits. Those are major tools \u2014 major federal investments \u2014 in the hands of the men and women who are the first on the scene when we need them most \u2013 to handle any major threat thrown at them, including terror.\n\nMy hope is that all of our communities and agencies will be able to work hand-in-hand, locally, seamlessly, across the state, and with federal partners. That is so critical and one of our biggest lessons from the original 9/11 report and our review.\n\nSecond, I\u2019m sending an urgent letter to the FAA and Secretary of Transportation Duffy to finally finish the job on secondary cockpit barriers. Years ago, I wrote the bipartisan Saracini Aviation Safety Act, requiring these barriers on all new aircraft. It was signed into law in 2018.\n\nI then helped pass legislation to require the barriers on every plane \u2014 including older aircraft already flying. Yet, years later, the FAA still hasn\u2019t finalized the rule to retrofit the existing fleet. When it finally happens, it will take years to implement. We need the FAA to implement a final rule and get every plane in our skies equipped with a secondary cockpit barrier.\n\nIt makes no sense for flight attendants to drag a drink cart into the aisle when the pilot needs to leave the cockpit to use the restroom.\n\nWe know that won\u2019t work if a terrorist wants it \u2014 studies show that they will literally push over the cart.\n\nThird, I\u2019m leading a resolution this week with the entire New Jersey Congressional House delegation formally honoring New Jersey\u2019s 9/11 first responders. The cops, the firefighters, the EMTs who ran toward the towers, who searched the rubble for months afterward, drawn from all twenty-one of our counties. The ones who helped run the largest waterborne evacuation in American history, carrying an estimated half a million people to safety across the Hudson.\n\nThis resolution remembers them, and it reaffirms our commitment to funding the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund for as long as they\u2019re needed.\n\nFinally, this step addresses what I discussed at the beginning of my remarks. With my colleague Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, I just introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure that 9/11 is taught in every classroom in America. Not on TikTok, but in our textbooks.\n\nWhy? Because if a generation of kids grows up not understanding what happened that day, and why, we haven\u2019t just failed the memory of those lost. We\u2019ve failed the future, we\u2019ve our democracy, and our ability to protect our country. I will not let that happen. Only fifteen states have a requirement to teach about 9/11 \u2013 and, believe it or not, New Jersey isn\u2019t one of them. We should change that today, and, in the meantime, I will fill that gap with bipartisan federal legislation.\n\nTwenty-five years ago, I remember, like a lot of you probably do, watching President Bush stand on a pile of smoking rubble at Ground Zero, grab a bullhorn, and shout back to rescue workers who couldn\u2019t hear him: \u201cI can hear you. The rest of the world hears you.\u201d Out of the worst morning in this country\u2019s history, that\u2019s what America decided to be \u2014 loud, united, and unafraid.\n\nThat\u2019s the New Jersey I know. That\u2019s the New Milford I know. A place where our memory and our pride outlast fear. A place where a guy named Stephen Dorf, who just wanted to go to work and come home to his family, will never, ever be forgotten.\n\nWith today\u2019s actions \u2014 with real funding, a real report, and real legislation \u2014 with the best first responders in the country, the best service men and women, and intelligence officers in the world, we will keep fighting to protect our state, our homeland, and ensure that a tragic day like that one in September of 2001 never happens again.\n\nBecause in the greatest country in the world, I know that if we work together, our best days will always be ahead of us.\n\nThank you. God bless you, God bless our first responders, and God bless the United States of America.", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-stop-rogue-ai-agents-and-keep-people-in-control", "RELEASE: Gottheimer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Rogue AI Agents and Keep People in Control", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the bipartisan Stop Rogue AI Act to ensure businesses and federal agencies have the ability to see rogue and dangerous AI agents operating inside their own networks, and stop them before they cause real damage.\n\nRight now, most organizations have no reliable way to know how many unauthorized AI agents are running in their systems, who built them, or what they have access to. AI agents can be activated by employees, embedded in third-party software, or deployed by vendors \u2014 often with little to no visibility for the organization whose networks they\u2019re operating on to know that they are there. That blind spot is becoming more dangerous by the day. The recent Hugging Face incident and other autonomous cyberattacks have shown AI systems are being used to hack organizations at scale, without a person ever watching or stepping in.\n\n\u201cRight now, AI agents are running loose in our networks, and nobody can see them or verify who built them \u2014 making it increasingly hard to stop them,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cThat\u2019s a five-alarm security risk. We\u2019ve already seen AI systems hack organizations on autopilot, with no person at the wheel. My bipartisan bill with Congressman Lawler puts humans back in the driver\u2019s seat so we can find agents and know exactly who\u2019s behind them so that organizations can effectively protect their systems.\u201d\n\n\u201cAI agents are becoming more capable and more deeply integrated into our government and economy. We need to make sure we know what these systems are, what they can access, and who is responsible for them. We can harness the benefits of AI while making sure these systems don\u2019t operate in the shadows of the networks they have access to,\u201d said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).\n\nThe Stop Rogue AI Act would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to develop national standards, guidelines, and best practices for discovering, verifying, and controlling AI agents.\n\nUnder the bill, those standards will provide guidance to organizations on how to:\n\nFind and track every AI agent operating on their systems, in a continuous, easily readable inventory;\n\nVerify who built and operates each agent, using verifiable identity and provenance \u2014 not just a vendor\u2019s word;\n\nMonitor agents in real time, including detecting prompt injection, data theft, and agents behaving outside their approved limits; and\n\nAllow, deny, or revoke an agent\u2019s access, actions, and interactions at any time \u2013 so people have the final say over what it can access or do.\n\nThe bill also requires federal contractors and agencies to build these safeguards into how they buy and deploy AI agents, and directs NIST and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to fold the standards into existing federal cybersecurity guidance.\n\nThe bipartisan legislation has already earned support from a broad coalition spanning network security, internet infrastructure, and AI governance, including:\n\nPalo Alto Networks\n\nGoDaddy\n\nInfoblox\n\nAI Policy Network\n\nAlliance for Secure AI\n\n\u201cAs AI agents become more capable of acting and transacting on our behalf, identity and accountability are foundational. We need open, interoperable standards that make it possible to know which agent is acting, who stands behind it, and whether its credentials are valid. Representatives Gottheimer and Lawler\u2019s bipartisan effort is an important step toward establishing those standards and putting them to work through federal adoption. GoDaddy is pleased to support an approach that can strengthen security while keeping the agentic web open to businesses and innovators of every size,\u201d said Jared Sine, Chief Strategy & Legal Officer, GoDaddy.\n\n\u201cSecuring AI agents starts with knowing they exist and being able to trust who they are. This bill rightly treats agent discovery as foundational cybersecurity, giving agencies the ability to continuously find, verify, and control the AI agents interacting with their systems. We\u2019re especially encouraged that this legislation promotes open, vendor-agnostic, and interoperable discovery standards built on existing internet infrastructure like the domain name system, rather than locking agencies into proprietary platforms. That approach is scalable, resilient, and the right foundation for agent security. Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler are doing commendable work, and we look forward to supporting the bill\u2019s advancement,\u201d said Wei Chen, Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Regulatory Strategy, Infoblox\n\n\u201cAs AI agents rapidly scale across government and enterprise systems, security and governance must evolve to address the novel risks of agentic decision-making. Palo Alto Networks applauds Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mike Lawler for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the AI Agent Standardization and Security Act. This legislation provides a strong foundation for organizations to safely adopt agentic AI while maintaining continuous visibility, runtime monitoring, identity verification and control,\u201d said Daniel Kroese, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Palo Alto Networks\n\nThe Stop Rogue AI Act builds on Gottheimer\u2019s work as Co-Chair of the House AI Commission and his bipartisan track record on AI safety and consumer protections. It comes as Congress and federal regulators face growing pressure to keep pace with the rapid development and deployment of autonomous AI systems.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mejia-menendez-and-espaillat-conduct-oversight-visit-at-delaney-hall-following-reports-of-negligent-conditions", "Reps. Mejia, Menendez, and Espaillat Conduct Oversight Visit at Delaney Hall Following Reports of Negligent Conditions", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: September 9, 2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | Beth.Wiesinger@mail.house.gov\n\nNEWARK, NJ \u2014 U.S. Representatives Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) today conducted an oversight visit at Delaney Hall, operated by GEO Group, following repeated complaints regarding conditions inside the detention facility, including reports of spoiled food, inadequate or non-functioning air conditioning, and grave concerns about access to timely and appropriate medical care.\n\nFollowing the visit, the members issued the following joint statement:\n\n\"ICE and GEO Group have a responsibility to the people they are holding in federal custody. What we heard and observed today makes clear that those held in Delaney Hall are dangerously neglected.\n\nWe met with individuals who detailed medical care being delayed or denied when people are sick or in pain, spoiled and unsafe food being served, and inadequate air conditioning leaving people to endure dangerous conditions. This is a federally funded failure of care and oversight.\n\nWe will continue to demand clear answers about what is happening inside this facility, including the deaths of individuals held at Delaney, what DHS is doing to address these conditions, and why people in federal custody have been forced to endure them in the first place.\"\n\nThe members will continue to review information gathered during today's visit and pursue additional oversight as warranted, including seeking answers from federal officials and facility operators regarding the conditions reported at Delaney Hall.\n\nCLICK HERE TO WATCH remarks from the Representatives.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/los-reps-menendez-espaillat-y-mejia-realizan-visita-de-supervision-en-delaney-hall-tras-reportes-de-condiciones-negligentes", "Los Reps. Menendez, Espaillat y Mejia realizan visita de supervisi\u00f3n en Delaney Hall tras reportes de condiciones negligentes", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "JERSEY CITY, NJ \u2013 El mi\u00e9rcoles, los Representantes Rob Menendez (NJ-08), el Presidente del Caucus Hispano del Congreso, Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) y Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) realizaron una visita de supervisi\u00f3n en Delaney Hall, operado por GEO Group, tras las repetidas denuncias sobre las condiciones dentro del centro de detenci\u00f3n, incluyendo reportes de comida en mal estado, aire acondicionado inadecuado o no funcional y graves preocupaciones sobre el acceso a atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica oportuna y adecuada.\n\nTras la visita, los miembros emitieron la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n conjunta:\n\n\"El ICE y GEO Group tienen una responsabilidad con las personas que mantienen bajo custodia federal. Lo que escuchamos y observamos hoy deja en claro que quienes se encuentran en Delaney Hall contin\u00faan siendo peligrosamente desatendidos.\n\nNos reunimos con personas que detallaron la demora o negaci\u00f3n de atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica cuando las personas est\u00e1n enfermas o con dolor, la entrega de alimentos en mal estado e inseguros, y un aire acondicionado inadecuado que obliga a las personas a soportar condiciones peligrosas. Esto es un fracaso de atenci\u00f3n y supervisi\u00f3n financiado con fondos federales.\n\nSeguiremos exigiendo respuestas claras sobre lo que est\u00e1 ocurriendo dentro de esta instalaci\u00f3n, incluyendo las muertes de personas detenidas en Delaney, qu\u00e9 est\u00e1 haciendo el DHS para abordar estas condiciones y por qu\u00e9 las personas bajo custodia federal se han visto obligadas a soportarlas en primer lugar.\"\n\nLos miembros continuar\u00e1n revisando la informaci\u00f3n recopilada durante la visita de hoy y llevar\u00e1n a cabo una supervisi\u00f3n adicional seg\u00fan sea necesario, incluyendo la b\u00fasqueda de respuestas de los funcionarios federales y los operadores de la instalaci\u00f3n con respecto a las condiciones reportadas en Delaney Hall.", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-espaillat-and-mejia-conduct-oversight-visit-at-delaney-hall-following-reports-of-negligent-conditions", "Menendez, Espaillat, and Mejia Conduct Oversight Visit at Delaney Hall Following Reports of Negligent Conditions", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "JERSEY CITY, NJ \u2013 Congressional Hispanic Caucus (\"CHC\") Vice Chair of Policy Rob Menendez (NJ-08), CHC Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and U.S. Representative Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) today conducted an oversight visit at Delaney Hall, operated by GEO Group, following repeated complaints regarding conditions inside the detention facility, including reports of spoiled food, inadequate or non-functioning air conditioning, and grave concerns about access to timely and appropriate medical care.\n\nFollowing the visit, the members issued the following joint statement:\n\n\u201cICE and GEO Group have a responsibility to the people they are holding in federal custody. What we heard and observed today makes clear that those held in Delaney Hall continue to be dangerously neglected.\n\nWe met with individuals who detailed medical care being delayed or denied when people are sick or in pain, spoiled and unsafe food being served, and inadequate air conditioning leaving people to endure dangerous conditions. This is a federally funded failure of care and oversight.\n\nWe will continue to demand clear answers about what is happening inside this facility, including the deaths of individuals held at Delaney, what DHS is doing to address these conditions, and why people in federal custody have been forced to endure them in the first place.\u201d\n\nThe members will continue to review information gathered during today\u2019s visit and pursue additional oversight as warranted, including seeking answers from federal officials and facility operators regarding the conditions reported at Delaney Hall.", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-espaillat-introduce-legislation-to-expand-mental-health-workforce-and-bring-care-to-underserved-communities", "Booker, Espaillat Introduce Legislation to Expand Mental Health Workforce and Bring Care to Underserved Communities", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "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. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) introduced the Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act, legislation to strengthen the nation\u2019s mental health workforce and expand access to culturally and linguistically responsive mental health services in underserved communities.\n\nNearly one in five U.S. adults \u2014 approximately 58 million people \u2014 experience mental illness each year, yet only about half receive treatment. Provider shortages, cost, stigma, language barriers, and a lack of culturally responsive care prevent millions of Americans from getting the support they need.\n\nThe Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act would establish a competitive federal grant program to help certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, hospitals, and other behavioral health organizations develop and expand training programs for community mental wellness workers. These frontline workers would help individuals identify mental health concerns early, navigate available services, and connect with appropriate treatment and recovery resources.\n\n\u201cRight now, too many Americans are suffering in silence, with nowhere to turn and no one to catch them before things get worse. This is a crisis, and we cannot afford to wait until someone reaches a breaking point to act,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cCommunity mental wellness workers can meet people where they already are \u2014 in schools, community centers, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood health programs \u2014 so that pain doesn\u2019t go unnoticed and unanswered. This legislation invests in a trusted, culturally responsive workforce that can identify challenges early, break down stigma, and help ensure every person has a path to the care they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities around the nation are facing increased mental health needs, and our bill will address the national crisis at hand as well as specifically train and support local healthcare workers who have the cultural competency and context to best serve their neighbors,\" said Representative Espaillat. \"Expanding mental health resources that take into account culture and language considerations, will help decrease stigmas that communities, particularly minority communities, face when addressing mental health and getting the support individuals need. Our bill will create a framework tailored to remove barriers that have long prevented marginalized communities from seeking mental health services as well as provide federal grant funding to ensure these services are in place when needed.\u201d\n\n\"A deepening workforce shortage strains providers who work tirelessly on the frontlines to meet growing demand for mental health and substance use treatment and care,\u201d said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of National Council for Mental Wellbeing \u201cThe Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act would help them greatly by creating more opportunities to expand the workforce and give communities more resources to meet demand. We applaud Senator Booker for introducing this legislation to develop a new pipeline into the behavioral health field and help to make mental wellbeing \u2014 the foundation of living a strong, healthy and fulfilling life \u2014 a reality for everyone.\u201d\n\nThe Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act would:\n\nEstablish a competitive federal grant program to support certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, hospitals, and other behavioral health organizations in developing and expanding community mental wellness worker training programs.\n\nProvide evidence-based training in mental health screening, early identification of common mental health conditions, patient engagement, and connecting individuals to treatment and recovery resources.\n\nStrengthen workforce development by supporting evidence-based hiring, supervision, and training practices, including strategies to recruit workers who reflect the communities they serve.\n\nExpand culturally responsive care by helping behavioral health providers integrate trained community mental wellness workers into care teams.\n\nProvide medical malpractice liability coverage for program participants and providers while services are delivered within the scope of the training program.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Occupational Therapy Association, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, Huntington\u2019s Disease Society, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Disability Rights Network, National League for Nursing, Psychotherapy Action Network, The Kennedy Forum, Western Youth Services, and Postpartum Support International.\n\nRead the one-pager on the bill here.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-statement-against-trumps-assault-on-2030-census/", "Senator Kim Statement Against\u00a0Trump\u2019s\u00a0Assault on\u00a02030 Census", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee\u2019s Disaster Management, D.C., and Census Subcommittee, released the following statement on the Trump administration\u2019s dangerous plan to overhaul the 2030 Census:\n\n\u201cThis rule is yet another attack on democracy by Donald Trump. An accurate census count is at the very foundation of ensuring equal representation across our country and delivering federal funds where they\u2019re needed most. The Census is enshrined in our Constitution and not up for political debate. I will not stand for this attempt to silence diverse communities and use the Census as a mere pawn in a twisted crusade against our immigrant communities.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-attends-unveiling-of-joans-joy-legacy-lane-in-honor-of-joan-dalessandro", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Attends Unveiling of \u201cJoan\u2019s Joy Legacy Lane\u201d in Honor of Joan D\u2019Alessandro", "2026-09-08", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer Helps Unveil \u201cJoan\u2019s Joy Legacy Lane\u201d\n\nHILLSDALE, NJ \u2014 Yesterday, Monday, September 7, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Mayor Michael Sheinfield, the Hillsdale community, Rosemarie D\u2019Alessandro, and the D\u2019Alessandro family to unveil \u201cJoan\u2019s Joy Legacy Lane,\u201d a new street sign honoring the memory of Joan D\u2019Alessandro and her mother\u2019s decades-long fight for stronger child protection laws.\n\n\u201cJoan\u2019s joy is still here. It\u2019s on this street sign. It\u2019s in the law that bears her name. And it\u2019s in every child who is a little safer because you refused to let her story end in silence,\u201d said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5).\n\nJoan D\u2019Alessandro was a seven-year-old Girl Scout who was murdered on April 19, 1973, while delivering cookies to a neighbor\u2019s house in Hillsdale. Her mother, Rosemarie D\u2019Alessandro, turned her grief into advocacy, championing the passage of \u201cJoan\u2019s Law\u201d in New Jersey in 1997 under Governor Christie Whitman, and its federal counterpart, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1998, ensuring that anyone who murders and sexually assaults a child under fourteen is never eligible for parole. The legislation has been updated in New Jersey to apply to any child under eighteen.\n\nGottheimer is a cosponsor of the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D\u2019Alessandro Act, to raise the age for prohibition on parole to cover all minors eighteen and under who were murdered and sexually assaulted.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer Helps Unveil \u201cJoan\u2019s Joy Legacy Lane\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-09T09:27:09Z", "2026-09-09T09:29:04Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kennedy-announce-bipartisan-988-day-resolution", "Booker, Kennedy Announce Bipartisan 988 Day Resolution", "2026-09-08", "2026", "2026-09", "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 Booker (D-NJ) and John Kennedy (R-LA), announced a bipartisan resolution recognizing September 8, 2026, as 988 Day and honoring the critical role of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The date coincides with 988 Day, an annual day of action held each September 8 to raise awareness of the Lifeline and the free, confidential support it provides. A companion resolution has been introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO-1), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17).\n\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Americans ages 10 to 34 in 2024, claiming more than 48,800 lives nationwide \u2014 roughly one death every 11 minutes.\n\nSince launching nationwide in July 2022, the 988 Lifeline has received approximately 26.2 million calls, texts, and chats. In June 2026 alone, it fielded more than 770,000 contacts, a 92 percent increase over June 2023. The Lifeline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offers support in more than 240 languages, and provides specialized services for veterans, Spanish speakers, and people who are deaf or hard of hearing. By dialing 988, callers are connected to trained crisis counselors who provide free, confidential support to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental health crisis, or a substance use crisis.\n\n\u201cThe 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has become an essential resource for millions of Americans and is helping people through some of the darkest moments of their lives,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan Senate resolution to raise awareness of this lifesaving service and make sure more people know that help is available when they need it. We must continue investing in mental health care and crisis services so that no one has to face a moment of crisis alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the middle of a historic mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has proven to be a lifesaver for Americans who need help. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Booker in recognizing the seriousness of America\u2019s suicide epidemic and the important work being done to prevent these tragedies,\u201d said Senator Kennedy.\n\n\u201cThe number 988 is a cornerstone of our nation's mental health safety net, but too many people still don't know it's there to help them on one of the hardest days of their life,\" said Representative Bell. \u201cDuring an ongoing nationwide mental health epidemic that is especially impacting our nation\u2019s young people, recognizing 988 Day means making sure that in the hardest of moments, no one in Missouri or anywhere else feels they have to face the darkness alone. Help is always within reach.\"\n\n\"In 1996, I lost my first wife due to her battle with mental health struggles,\" said Representative Thanedar. \"It was a heartbreaking loss for my entire family, and this incident drives my advocacy to create a healthcare system where everyone has access to high-quality mental health care. 988 is an incredible resource that saves lives every day, and I am proud to co-lead this resolution that highlights their crucial work. Americans should know that there is no shame in seeking help, suicide is preventable, and you can call 988 at any time.\"\n\n\u201c988 Day is an opportunity to recognize the vital role the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline plays in connecting people to trained counselors, local resources, and compassionate, judgment-free support, while reminding everyone that they are never alone and that help is available,\u201d said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).\u201cThe Lifeline\u2019s remarkable growth since the nationwide launch of 988 in 2022, from 4.8 million contacts in 2023 to 7.8 million contacts in 2025, underscores the essential role 988 now plays in our nation\u2019s mental health and suicide prevention system. AFSP commends Representatives Bell, Thanedar, Lawler, and Senator Booker for their leadership in introducing this resolution honoring 988 Day and raising awareness of this lifesaving resource.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-unveils-bipartisan-back-to-school-agenda-for-ai-in-k-12-education", "RELEASE: Gottheimer Unveils Bipartisan Back-to-School Agenda for AI in K-12 Education", "2026-09-04", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement for Critical Thinking\n\nNew Bipartisan Legislation will Help K-12 Schools Build AI Labs, Train Teachers, Keep Jersey Students Ahead of Curve\n\nEmphasizes Importance of Screen Time Limits In School\n\nAbove: Gottheimer announces Bipartisan Back-to-School Agenda on AI and Screen Time in K-12 Education.\n\nRIDGEWOOD, N.J. \u2014 Today, September 4, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy, unveiled a comprehensive, bipartisan back-to-school agenda to make sure students in the Fifth District and across the country are prepared for a world increasingly shaped by AI. Speaking at George Washington Middle School, Gottheimer announced his new bipartisan AI LABS Act, co-led by Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), to help K-12 schools build dedicated AI labs and train teachers \u2014 and paired it with a broader push to keep phones out of the classroom, protect New Jersey\u2019s phone-free schools resources, boost AI literacy in the classroom, and close the digital divide so no community gets left offline.\n\nWatch full remarks here.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re not going to pretend AI doesn\u2019t exist, and we\u2019re not going to ban it and hope it goes away. So, here in Jersey, we need to do this differently,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cAI can be a powerful tool, but it can never replace the fundamentals. Give our schools the tools. Give our teachers the training. And give our children a real head start, instead of a false choice between banning technology outright and drowning in it.\u201d\n\nAI is already reshaping how students study, how teachers plan, and how employers hire, but K-12 schools have unequal access to the tools and curricula students need to learn how to use it responsibly. The bipartisan AI LABS Act tackles that gap head-on.\n\nThis legislation directs the Department of Education to create a new federal grant program or make resources from existing grant programs available to help K-12 schools establish dedicated AI labs, much like the computer and typing labs that became a fixture in schools a generation ago. Those labs would give students hands-on curricula on how to use and understand AI, help teachers better understand the technology, and incorporate it into their classrooms. The bill also directs the Department to study who receives the resources, how they are used, and to make recommendations on future investment so students and educators stay ahead on AI education.\n\nAlongside the AI LABS Act, Gottheimer announced additional steps in his AI back-to-school agenda:\n\nProtecting New Jersey\u2019s phone-free schools resources. Gottheimer is sending a letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill and New Jersey Commissioner of Education Dr. Lily Laux that emphasizes the importance of the state\u2019s Phone-Free Schools Grant Program. Public school districts across Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties \u2014 including eleven here in the Fifth District \u2014 received grants to go bell-to-bell phone-free this year.\n\nBoosting AI education in New Jersey. Gottheimer is calling on the State to dedicate K-12 resources specifically to responsibly integrate AI literacy, ethics, and practical skills into K-12 public school curriculum while limiting screen time to ensure fundamentals remain a priority in education.\n\nKeeping phones out of the classroom. Gottheimer is supporting the bipartisan UNPLUGGED Act, introduced by Representatives Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Jen Kiggans (VA-2), which supports state and local policies that keep personal electronic devices out of the classroom during school hours. It also establishes a Department of Education grant program to help schools purchase secure lock boxes and pouches, with commonsense exceptions for students with medical needs, disabilities, and English learners.\n\nEnsuring Connectivity for All Students and Families. Gottheimer is sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) urging the agencies to prioritize broadband deployment to rural and underserved school districts, so the benefits of AI are not concentrated in the wealthiest, most connected communities. This letter builds on Gottheimer\u2019s work fighting for broadband funding for New Jersey, including more than $260 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that he helped write, negotiate, and sign into law.\n\nThese actions build on Gottheimer\u2019s consistent support for New Jersey schools, including fighting against the Trump administration\u2019s proposed cuts to over $1 billion in education funding for New Jersey, which were fortunately blocked.\n\nRidgewood Public School District, one of the largest and top-ranked school districts in Bergen County, is implementing a \u201cReturn to a Strong Foundation\u201d emphasis this year focused on limiting screens in the classroom and keeping fundamentals front and center in the age of AI.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Ridgewood Councilman Frank Mortimer, Ridgewood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Schwarz, George Washington Middle School Principal Dave Bailey, Bergen County Association of School Administrators President Dr. Joseph Cirillo, NJ PTA President Jackie Gibbs, NJ PTA Federal Legislative Chairperson Sharon Roseboro, and NJ PTA Bergen County Council of PTAs President Nancy Wallace. Gottheimer was also joined by four George Washington Middle School students involved in student government \u2013 Alaiya Barnes, Landon Ponchak, Karleigh Cadaret, and Druv Kethini.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer announces Bipartisan Back-to-School Agenda on AI and Screen Time in K-12 Education.\n\nRead full remarks here:\n\nGood morning, Ridgewood!\n\nAs you close out your first week back to school, I want to start by thanking everyone here at George Washington Middle School, including the educators, the administrators and staff, the school board, and especially the students, for having me here today.\n\nNow, I did a little homework before I came, because that\u2019s what you\u2019re supposed to do at school, right? And, I learned a couple of things about this building that I did not know.\n\nFirst, some of you know the name Willie Geist. He anchors Sunday Today and co-hosts Morning Joe. Willie met his wife, Christina, in their sixth-grade homeroom right here at George Washington Middle School, back in 1986. Forty years later, they\u2019re still together. So, I don\u2019t know exactly what they were teaching in that homeroom, but whatever it was, keep doing it.\n\nSecond, Ridgewood\u2019s roots go all the way to the Revolutionary War. George Washington visited this area and wrote letters from right around here, while Patriot and British troops fought nearby. The borough was practically founded during America\u2019s fight for independence. When Washington delivered his first Annual Address to Congress, he said something I think about a lot, especially on a day like today. He said, \u201cKnowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.\u201d\n\nTwo hundred and fifty years after our founding, that\u2019s still true, and it\u2019s exactly why we\u2019re here this morning.\n\nI want to give real credit to the Ridgewood School District. While you study the past, you\u2019re not living it. You\u2019re on the cutting edge of education, including how to best use, and not use, technology to learn. This year, you launched your \u201cReturn to a Strong Foundation\u201d initiative, cutting back laptop use in the classroom for its nearly 5,500 students, especially for the youngest children. Ridgewood started limiting cell phones in school, too, with phones in lockers, all day, for every student, from elementary school right up through high school. I should add that\u2019s now the state law. No phones in the classroom.\n\nIn my opinion, that\u2019s exactly the kind of commonsense, community-driven leadership we need more of, and it\u2019s exactly the balance we need to be talking about in the age of AI. The answer isn\u2019t more screens. The answer is smarter, more purposeful use of technology, alongside real, honest-to-goodness reading, writing, and critical thinking. In other words, technology can\u2019t do your work or your thinking for you. When the calculator showed up to replace the abacus, we still learned how to count. As a kid, I used to look up facts in the World Book Encyclopedia \u2013 and then came the Internet.\n\nI still got to read about and learn about the landing on the moon, but I found the information online, not in a book on the shelf. There\u2019s a big difference. We can\u2019t let AI write our papers or do our math assignments, but it can be a tool for helping us learn. We can\u2019t allow AI to replace our educators, but it can certainly help take the busy work off their plate, or allow them to develop more personalized lesson plans for students.\n\nIt\u2019s clear that your school system and your educators already get that. Today, I\u2019m here to take that approach across our state and nationwide.\n\nWe are at a true inflection point. Technology isn\u2019t slowing down for us. It never has and never will. Just this week, OpenAI introduced Astra, its latest model. This is on the heels of Anthropic\u2019s Mythos \u2013 and new Chinese open-weight models that are coming at us nearly every week.\n\nWhether we like it or not, artificial intelligence, or AI, is already in our children\u2019s backpacks, on their laptops, and on their phones. The question isn\u2019t whether our children will encounter AI in their lives \u2013 K-12, in college, in their jobs. They will. Just the way we have iPhones and our parents didn\u2019t.\n\nThe question is whether we prepare them for it, or just cross our fingers and hope for the best.\n\nObviously, we can\u2019t take that chance. Our children absolutely need every tool available to compete, not just against others in New Jersey or in the US, but against children in China, India, and all over the world already being trained on this technology. If we sit on our hands, if we don\u2019t have the tools, we will fall behind. That\u2019s just the reality.\n\nBut, I want to be really clear about this. AI can be a powerful tool, but it can never replace the fundamentals.\n\nOur students need to learn how to think, solve problems, ask questions, and understand the material for themselves, not through a chatbot. We should use AI to strengthen those skills \u2013 not use it as a shortcut around them.\n\nHere\u2019s why I say that. A recent poll found that 45 percent of Jersey students report using AI frequently for schoolwork. But, here\u2019s the number that should get every parent\u2019s attention: nearly two out of three students admit they\u2019ve used AI to cheat in school. And nationally, the majority of teens think AI cheating happens regularly at their own school.\n\nMeanwhile, a lot of parents are flying blind \u2013 and, while there are some tools to help, it\u2019s not always easy for an educator to catch a kid using AI to do his or her assignment. In a recent survey from Montclair School District, half of parents said they had no idea how often their own kid uses AI for schoolwork, and 87 percent said they want clearer communication from schools about all of it. So, we\u2019ve got children using a powerful new technology every single day, and we\u2019ve got parents and teachers who, in far too many cases, don\u2019t even know it\u2019s happening, let alone whether it\u2019s helping or hurting their student or child.\n\nNow, some places have looked at all this and panicked. This week, Mayor Mamdani and New York City rolled out a policy banning AI tools outright for every student through eighth grade, with only high schoolers getting restricted access.\n\nI get the instinct. Fewer screens, more critical thinking. I agree with that part, one hundred percent \u2013 and I think a lot more of our tests and note-taking should be on a piece of paper, not a computer. But, an outright ban doesn\u2019t teach a single kid how to use AI responsibly, nor does it teach the skills that can help them.\n\nIt just guarantees that the first time they really encounter AI with no guardrails and no guidance is the day they get handed a diploma and shoved into a workforce that runs on this stuff. That\u2019s not a plan. That\u2019s sticking your head in the sand and hoping it goes away.\n\nThink about it this way. When I was a kid, we had typing class. Some of you probably did too, pecking away on those big clunky keyboards.\n\nThen by the 80s, and into the \u201990s, schools built computer labs because people realized that if children don\u2019t learn a new technology in school that would prepare them for life, in a structured way, with a teacher guiding them, they will learn it somewhere else: badly, unsupervised, and usually too late.\n\nAI technology is the same idea for this generation. We\u2019re not going to pretend it doesn\u2019t exist, and we\u2019re not going to ban it and hope it goes away. So, here in Jersey, we need to do this differently.\n\nWe should put AI skills in a classroom, with a curriculum, with an educator, and with guardrails, so that our children grow up to be smart users of AI, not passive victims of it.\n\nThat\u2019s why, today, I\u2019m announcing my new bipartisan AI LABS Act, with my colleague Congressman Jay Obernolte of California. This federal legislation directs the U.S. Department of Education to create a new federal grant program to help K-12 public schools set up dedicated AI labs, with real curricula, that teach students how AI actually works, and how to be prepared to utilize it smartly in the new AI world.\n\nThis builds on recommendations from the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association for real, dedicated curricula that are directed and supervised by educators. There is a reason why AI companies are now hiring college students with philosophy and history degrees, not just those with computer science degrees. They want people who can think critically. The trades also want young people who know how to use AI on the shop floor and in building and manufacturing.\n\nThat means learning how to use AI, how to question it, and how to know when to \u2013 and not to \u2014 trust it. My new legislation will also help teachers get trained up, too, so they\u2019re not scrambling to keep pace with their own students. It also requires a study on how the funds are actually being utilized, so we know what\u2019s working and can keep improving it.\n\nI don\u2019t want to raise a generation of children who can prompt a chatbot, but can\u2019t write a paragraph on their own, or think through what question to ask the chatbot.\n\nI want to raise a generation of children who can use it to genuinely improve their work, because they understand how to use it and know its limits.\n\nThat\u2019s the whole idea behind the AI LABS Act. Give our schools the tools. Give our teachers the training. And give our children a real head start, instead of a false choice between banning technology outright and drowning in it.\n\nSecond, I\u2019m sending a letter to Governor Sherrill and Education Commissioner Laux on the State\u2019s Phone-Free Schools Grant Program. That program has already helped eighty-six school districts, including eleven right here in the Fifth District. It puts real bell-to-bell cell phone policies in place, with secure pouches, lockers, and the staff training to make it actually work.\n\nHere\u2019s the problem: The current budget for next year includes a record $12.4 billion for K-12 education, but there\u2019s no dedicated earmark in there to keep this program going in the future.\n\nMy letter emphasizes the importance of this funding \u2013 school districts are just starting to get this right, and we can\u2019t pull the rug out from under them now.\n\nThird, I\u2019m also pushing for new federal funding to help supplement the state\u2019s program. That\u2019s why, I\u2019m very proud to cosponsor the bipartisan UNPLUGGED Act \u2013 legislation that directs states and school districts to actually implement phone-free policies during the school day, and it creates a federal grant program to help schools pay for the lockboxes and secure pouches to make it happen.\n\nIt includes sensible exceptions too, for children managing a medical condition like Type 1 diabetes, children with disabilities, and English language learners who need translation support.\n\nMore resources for this important effort will help implement New Jersey\u2019s new cell phone ban legislation that previous Governor Murphy signed into law in January, which requires all school districts in the state to adopt policies restricting the use of cell phones and other internet-enabled devices in K-12 public schools.\n\nFourth, I\u2019m working with the state to keep building out real K-12 AI literacy priorities. This builds on New Jersey\u2019s Department of Education\u2019s new core AI principles that were developed with TeachAI, a global partnership that helps schools and governments use AI safely and responsibly in education. These principles will ensure Jersey schools keep people in the loop and put students\u2019 own thinking front and center, not just whatever the AI spits out. This is exactly the kind of approach we need.\n\nWe can\u2019t risk losing funding for this program. That\u2019s why, along with others, I successfully fought the Trump Administration\u2019s proposed cuts to New Jersey\u2019s schools. He tried to gut more than $1 billion in federal funding \u2013 and we beat him.\n\nAnd finally, I\u2019m writing to the FCC and the NTIA about broadband access and connectivity. This is an issue that I\u2019ve been working on for years, and, while we\u2019ve made a ton of progress, we still have towns in Northern Jersey with basically dial-up connectivity, and speeds that AI can\u2019t run on. That\u2019s unacceptable.\n\nRight now, there are more than 5,000 homes in Sussex County without dial up, with more than 3,000 more who don\u2019t have access to broadband.\n\nIf we don\u2019t get high-speed internet into our rural and disadvantaged school districts, like parts of Sussex County that I represent \u2014 net inequality will be permanently baked in. The advantages that AI promises shouldn\u2019t depend on your zip code. I am urging both agencies to prioritize the communities furthest behind, so they get connected first, not last.\n\nThis builds on my work getting hundreds of millions in funding for broadband infrastructure right here in Jersey through the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, and the CARES Act, three historic bills that I helped write, negotiate, and sign into law. I\u2019m calling on the state to put to work the money that I fought for in the Care Act. New Jersey was approved for more than $260 million that I helped bring back from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. So far, only $60 million has been deployed to help connect Jersey families, but we have a long way to go.\n\nRight now, the Trump administration is holding up the last $200 million of this critical funding to connect families across Sussex County and the rest of the state. That\u2019s why the FCC and the administration need to release the rest of the funds and get broadband access to every family across the state.\n\nPut it all together, and here\u2019s what we\u2019re doing today: a bill to teach AI the right way, and a push to keep phones out of the way, a push to get real funding for AI literacy, and a push to make sure no community in America gets left offline while the rest of the world races ahead.\n\nI\u2019ll be honest with you: as Co-chair of the House Commission on AI, technology is moving fast, and some days it can feel like it\u2019s moving faster than we can keep up with. But, I have never once bet against American children and Jersey\u2019s incredible educators and schools \u2013 and I\u2019m not about to start today.\n\nI promise you, these children will run circles around whatever the future throws at them.\n\nAs long as we keep investing in our children and working together, here in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always, always be ahead of us.\n\nThank you, God bless you, and may God continue to bless and watch over the United States of America.", 1, "2026-09-05T08:49:07Z", "2026-09-05T08:50:44Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-bresnahan-scholten-unveil-aviation-safety-legislation", "Pou, Bresnahan, Scholten Unveil Aviation Safety Legislation", "2026-09-04", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressmembers Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), and Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), all members of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, today introduced the bipartisan Flight Logistics Initiative to Gain Heightened Travel Data and Enhance Communication Knowledge, or FLIGHT DECK Act.\n\nThe legislation would establish a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training program that allows air traffic controllers to observe pilots during actual flights, giving controllers better firsthand experience with the demands pilots face in the air as they interact and coordinate with air traffic controllers on the ground.\n\nAir traffic controllers and pilots work together every day to keep the American aviation system running safely, but controllers rarely have the chance to experience operations from the other side of the radio. The FLIGHT DECK Act would give controllers the opportunity to observe pilots and better understand the conditions and requirements pilots work under during a flight.\n\n\u201cAir traffic controllers and pilots depend on each other every minute of every flight. Giving controllers firsthand flight deck experience can help both sides better understand the challenges the other faces and so ultimately make our skies safer,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou, the Vice Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee. \u201cWe ask an enormous amount of our air traffic controllers while our aviation system faces serious staffing and broader infrastructure challenges. Our bipartisan FLIGHT DECK bill will give controllers another tool to do their jobs and represents a practical way to strengthen communication between the people most responsible for keeping American skies the safest on earth.\u201d\n\n\u201cPilots and air traffic controllers work together every day to keep our skies safe, but very few see their partner\u2019s side of the job,\u201d said Rep. Bresnahan. \u201cAs a pilot, I\u2019ve spent hundreds of hours talking to controllers over the radio, but touring a control tower gave me a whole new perspective on the work they do. The FLIGHT DECK Act gives controllers that same opportunity in the cockpit, helping pilots and controllers better understand each other\u2019s responsibilities, challenges, and workload. When both sides can see the full picture, our entire aviation system is safer, including the people who rely on it.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur hardworking aviation professionals rely on their team and training to keep our skies safe. Expanding training opportunities at the flight deck is critical so that air traffic controllers and pilots can ensure it remains safer than ever before to fly,\u201d said Congresswoman Scholten. \u201cI\u2019m proud to support the FLIGHT DECK Act to allow air traffic controllers to observe pilots\u2019 work at the flight deck. This will bridge the gap between controllers and pilots alike, and help our controllers understand in-flight demands. This bipartisan solution will keep our aviation system safe and reliable, including for folks who rely on air travel.\u201d\n\nThe FAA would develop the training program in consultation with air traffic controllers, pilots, and flight crews with participating airlines. After the program\u2019s first year, the FAA would report to Congress on participation and any barriers preventing controllers or aircraft operators from participating.\n\nAmerican skies have long been the safest in the world. After the crash of Flight 3407 outside Buffalo in 2009, the United States went nearly 16 years without a major commercial airline crash. That remarkable record ended with the tragic collision outside Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025.\n\nThat record was built on a highly trained aviation workforce. But today, a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers is placing greater strain on the system and on the controllers responsible for managing millions of flights each year. As Congress and the FAA work to recruit and train more controllers, it is equally important to give the existing workforce the training needed to do their jobs effectively.\n\nThe FLIGHT DECK Act would provide air traffic controllers a better understanding of what pilots experience in the air and strengthen coordination between the two critical sides of America\u2019s aviation system.\n\nAs Vice Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, Congresswoman Pou has made aviation safety and improving the nation\u2019s air traffic control system major priorities during her first term. Pou has pressed the FAA for answers on communication failures including disruptions at Philadelphia TRACON that have threatened operations at airports throughout the region. Pou also successfully pushed the FAA to install a brand-new fiber optic communications network to replace antiquated equipment affecting Newark and Teterboro Airports, the latter of which sits in New Jersey\u2019s Ninth District.\n\nPou has also demanded full implementation of the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act and supported efforts to expand the pipeline of trained air traffic controllers.\n\nDuring the government shutdown, Pou championed the cause of air traffic controllers and FAA personnel and pushed that they be paid for their hard work.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-05T08:49:07Z", "2026-09-05T08:50:44Z"], ["https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-visits-northern-border", "Congresswoman Pou Visits Northern Border", "2026-09-04", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Nellie Pou", "P000621", "pou.house.gov", "pou", "https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BUFFALO, NY \u2013 Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, joined Democratic colleagues in upstate New York to meet with law enforcement leaders and assess security along the United States border with Canada.\n\nPou was joined by Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) and fellow committee members Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26) and Lou Correa (D-CA-46).\n\n\u201cWhile it is sometimes overlooked, our nation\u2019s northern border is a critical nexus for commerce and immigration. It was essential for me to see it for myself to get a full picture of how the administration\u2019s enforcement policies are being carried out on the ground,\u201d said Congresswoman Pou. \u201cI thank our hardworking law enforcement officers at the border for managing a challenging job. Having now visited both borders, I feel as strongly as ever that America\u2019s immigration challenges can only be addressed by finding bipartisan solutions and with enforcement grounded in fairness and humanity. That is not happening now and it must change.\u201d\n\nWhile on the trip, Pou and her colleagues also held a press conference to demand greater cooperation from DHS with the homicide probe of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a New York man who was found dead earlier this year shortly after being released from DHS custody. Up to now, DHS has been blocking meaningful oversight of the tragic case.\n\nCommenting on this case, Pou said: \u201cNurul Amin Shah Alam\u2019s death was a tragic injustice that the Department of Homeland Security wants to sweep under the rug. We will never forget what happened to Mr. Shah Alam and we will never stop fighting for justice for his family and this community.\"\n\nSoon after her swearing-in, Congresswoman Pou visited the southern border, where she toured homeland security facilities and a detention center, spoke directly with officials with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, and met with groups that aid arriving migrants.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-09T09:27:09Z", "2026-09-09T09:29:04Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-telephone-town-hall-to-discuss-affordability", "RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Telephone Town Hall to Discuss Affordability", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer conducts a Telephone Town Hall with North Jersey families.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Last night, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a Telephone Town Hall with thousands of North Jersey constituents to discuss his efforts to lower the cost of childcare and learning centers, support our first responders, lower health care costs and utility bills, assist veterans in our community, and make life more affordable for Jersey families.\n\n\u201cThis Telephone Town Hall was a great opportunity to hear directly from the people that I represent about what\u2019s on their minds,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cIn Washington, I\u2019m fighting to cut taxes, lower the cost of childcare, health care, and utility bills, back our cops, EMTs, and firefighters, and make everyday life more affordable for North Jersey families.\u201d\n\nGottheimer took questions directly from constituents and outlined his work to help lower costs for Jersey families, from cutting taxes and reducing the cost of childcare to lowering utility and health care bills. He also highlighted the federal dollars he has clawed back to North Jersey to support our veterans and first responders and to rebuild the community\u2019s roads, bridges, and infrastructure.\n\nGottheimer was joined by Bloomingdale Mayor John D\u2019Amato, Fair Lawn Mayor Cutrone, Bloomingdale Mayor John D\u2019Amato, Sussex County Commissioner Chris Carney, Newton Police Chief Dan Finkle, and Valley Bible Chapel Pastor Bob Hayes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-house-passes-gottheimer-foxx-bipartisan-bill-to-hold-higher-education-accountable-for-hate-driven-bds-activity-that-targets-jewish-students-and-professors", "RELEASE: House Passes Gottheimer, Foxx Bipartisan Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Hate-Driven BDS Activity that Targets Jewish Students and Professors", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer speaks on the House floor in favor of the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, September 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, authored by U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Virginia Foxx (NC-5), by a vote of 237-169. The legislation prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial and academic boycotts promoted by the antisemitic and hate-fueled boycott-divest-sanction (BDS) movement. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.\n\nSee full bill text here.\n\nSee Gottheimer\u2019s remarks on the house floor here.\n\n\u201cNo student, no professor should be shut out of research, study abroad opportunities, or academic partnerships, or feel unwelcome in the classroom because of where they\u2019re from or what religion they practice. Yet that\u2019s exactly what the boycott-divest-sanction movement seeks to do \u2014 targeting one country and one religion: Israel and Judaism,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cMy bipartisan bill with Congresswoman Foxx is narrow and targeted \u2014 it doesn\u2019t touch anyone\u2019s speech, protest, or academic debate. It simply says that if your university takes federal taxpayer dollars, it can\u2019t discriminate against academic partnerships or investments with one country. That\u2019s it. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe antisemitic rot that has corroded college campuses must be eradicated \u2013 enough is enough. The safety and security of Jewish students, faculty, and staff should never be threatened under any circumstances. Today, the House sent a clear message: if an institution of higher education chooses to capitulate to the caustic BDS movement, there will be consequences \u2013 starting with this bipartisan legislation,\u201d said Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5).\n\nThe Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act will:\n\nRequire colleges and universities to certify that the institution is not engaging in a non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel, or forgo the ability to receive federal student aid.\n\nDefine \u201cnon-expressive commercial boycott of Israel\u201d to mean a commercial action (including engaging in refusals to deal with Israel and terminating business activities) intended to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities conducting business in Israel or Israeli-controlled institutions, and is not based on a valid business reason.\n\nDirect the Department of Education to make publicly available a list of all institutions that do not certify.\n\nRequire colleges and universities that are recipients of International Education Programs (Title VI) funding to not allow academic boycotts, but instead engage in academic exchange reciprocity.\n\nCongressman Gottheimer has long been a leading voice in Congress against antisemitism. As a member of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, he helped lead the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act to hold campuses accountable for antisemitic harassment, authored the HEAL Act to strengthen Holocaust education, and has helped secure millions in Nonprofit Security Grants to protect synagogues and Jewish institutions across NJ-5. He will keep fighting to root out antisemitism \u2014 on college campuses and everywhere else \u2014 and to keep Jewish families and communities safe.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-recent-violence-in-trenton", "Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Recent Violence in Trenton", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement in response to recent violence in Trenton, NJ including Sunday\u2019s shooting at a block party on Locust Street:\n\nThe tragedy of Sunday's shooting highlights the need to do better by the people of Trenton. The city\u2019s unique role as our state capital means responsibility falls not just on the city, but on all levels of government and community members.\n\nThis block party, while unsanctioned, was not unknown to Trenton Police. A visible police presence could very well have prevented tragedy, and the lack of communication between city departments created the conditions that allowed Sunday\u2019s events.\n\nWhile we pray for the victims and their loved ones, we have a duty to them and others to make Trenton the great city we know it can be. The people of Trenton deserve to feel safe in their communities. This will require collaborative intelligence gathering and sharing, improved community/police relationships, and visible police presence to deter those who would subject our neighbors to terrible violence.\n\nThis is not out of reach; city-wide, violent crime is down over the last decade. However, the feeling of safety is not shared equally. Too many neighborhoods still suffer from deep poverty and its impact on community safety.\n\nThe burden for this change cannot be laid squarely at the feet of the city of Trenton. An enormous amount of local property tax revenue is lost to land occupied by the State and County buildings and parks, starving the city government of financial resources. That is not unique to Trenton, but the investments required to make the Capital City the jewel I know it can be will require a change in how we view our responsibility to it.\n\nThere was a time when the city, county, and state closely collaborated to ensure Trenton's safety - and not just the blocks surrounding State Street. We recognized that the Capital City was more than merely a place where the Assembly and Senate gathered to pass laws and budgets. It represented the State of New Jersey itself: a city with a rich past and one that deserved a rich future. We need to return to that understanding of shared responsibility.\n\nLong term, we will need the state and county to pitch in the resources necessary to establish real poverty reduction and jobs programs while also collaborating on the community policing, intelligence, and visual police presence that will give the great people of Trenton confidence in their own safety as they walk the streets.\n\nThe city of Trenton has given so much to the world; it's time for all of us to come together to ensure Trenton has what it needs to shine once more.", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kim-statement-on-fema-denial-of-new-jerseys-winter-storm-major-disaster-declaration-appeal", "Booker, Kim Statement on FEMA Denial of New Jersey\u2019s Winter Storm Major Disaster Declaration Appeal", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "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. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) issued the following joint statement in response to FEMA\u2019s denial of Governor Mikie Sherrill\u2019s appeal for a major disaster declaration following the severe winter storm and snowstorm that struck New Jersey on February 22 and 23, 2026:\n\n\u201cNew Jersey rightfully qualifies for millions in disaster aid because the severe storms our state suffered this past winter exceeds the threshold for federal disaster assistance - exactly the kind of catastrophe that this support is designed to respond to. Without good explanation or justification, Trump\u2019s government is again politicizing disaster relief and denying New Jersey the support needed. This is a completely unacceptable decision - we will continue working with Governor Sherrill and communities across our state to find solutions so that New Jersey is prepared for future winter storms.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-attends-wreath-laying-ceremony-at-the-pentagon-9-11-memorial-ahead-of-25th-anniversary-of-september-11th", "PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Attends Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Ahead of 25th Anniversary of September 11th", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Josh Gottheimer", "G000583", "gottheimer.house.gov", "gottheimer", "https://gottheimer.house.gov/press", "scraper", "Above: Gottheimer attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial with other House Intelligence members.\n\nARLINGTON, VA \u2014 Yesterday, Tuesday, September 1, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, in advance of the 25th anniversary. The Congressman joined fellow Members of Congress to pay tribute to the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon and the nearly 3,000 Americans killed on 9/11.\n\n\u201cTwenty-five years later, we still carry the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost on September 11th, 750 of which were from New Jersey. We will never forget,\u201d said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). \u201cWe honor those we lost, the families who carry that grief every day, and the first responders and service members who ran toward danger. As we mark this solemn anniversary, we recommit ourselves to their memory and to keeping our nation safe.\u201d\n\nGottheimer serves as the Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report. The review evaluates the progress made on the intelligence-related recommendations produced by the 9/11 Commission Report, released in July 2004, and identifies areas of improvement to protect against the next generation of threats.\n\nGottheimer has helped lead and pass legislation like the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fully fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families for injuries, medical expenses, and other benefits.\n\nGottheimer is continuing to fight to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.\n\nBelow: Gottheimer attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial with other House Intelligence members.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-trump-stiffs-new-jersey-again-disaster-aid", "Pallone: Trump Stiffs New Jersey Again on Disaster Aid", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today blasted President Trump for denying New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill\u2019s appeal for $84.4 million in federal disaster aid following February\u2019s deadly blizzard.\n\n\u201cDonald Trump is stiffing New Jersey taxpayers out of $84 million in disaster aid that his own government determined we qualified for. Twelve people died. New Jersey communities were buried under record snowfall. But apparently if you live in a state Trump doesn\u2019t like, you\u2019re on your own,\u201d said Pallone.\n\n\u201cAnd where are the Republicans in Congress? I asked the committee chairs responsible for overseeing FEMA to investigate this weeks ago. Not one of them even bothered to respond. Trump is treating federal disaster aid like his personal political slush fund, and Republicans in Congress are too afraid to lift a finger to stop him,\u201d Pallone continued.\n\nIn August, Pallone called on the Republican chairs of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over FEMA to investigate Trump\u2019s initial denial of New Jersey\u2019s disaster declaration after reports that regional FEMA and NOAA officials determined New Jersey and other affected states met federal thresholds for assistance. The Republican chairs have not responded. Governor Sherrill appealed the denial on July 20, seeking Public Assistance, including snow assistance for 19 counties, and statewide Hazard Mitigation assistance. Today the Trump Administration denied that appeal.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-al-green-congresswoman-lateefah-simon-and-congresswoman-bonnie-watson-coleman-lead-effort-demanding-hud-protect-fair-housing-program", "Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Lead Effort Demanding HUD Protect Fair Housing Program", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Congressman Al Green, along with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, raising serious concerns about recent actions that threaten the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the local fair housing organizations that serve communities across the nation. A copy of the letter can be accessed by clicking here.\n\nThe lawmakers expressed concern that HUD\u2019s proposed funding changes threaten local fair housing organizations, which handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints nationwide. Following a federal district court order blocking the changes, the lawmakers are calling on Secretary Turner to comply with the court\u2019s order, rescind HUD\u2019s FY 2025 and FY 2026 FHIP funding notices, and ensure nonprofit fair housing organizations remain eligible for funding.\n\n\"The Fair Housing Initiatives Program was created by Congress to protect Americans from housing discrimination and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to safe, stable, and equitable housing. The Administration\u2019s repeated attempts to circumvent Congress and dismantle basic civil rights protections are unacceptable,\" said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. \"I am proud to help lead this effort alongside Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to hold this administration accountable for its unlawful implementation of this program and to stand firmly with the organizations and nonprofits doing the essential, on-the-ground work to combat housing discrimination in communities across the country.\"\n\n\u201cFrom day one, the Trump administration has tried to reshape HUD from an agency that makes housing fairer and more accessible into one that benefits wealthy developers and landlords,\u201d said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. \u201cHousing costs are skyrocketing, yet HUD is being weaponized to go after municipalities, siphon funding from non-profit organizations seeking to give people opportunities to put a roof over their heads, and gift Trump\u2019s friends instead. Considering Trump's history of housing discrimination as a developer and his eventual refusal to sign the largest bipartisan housing bill in a generation into law, an overarching theme of disregarding the needs of the working-class comes into focus.\"", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-whitehouse-urge-nih-to-protect-octopuses-and-other-cephalopods-used-in-research", "Booker, Whitehouse Urge NIH to Protect Octopuses and Other Cephalopods Used in Research", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "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 (D-NJ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) urged the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to strengthen protections for cephalopods used in federally supported research. In a letter to NIH Director Jayanta Bhattacharya, the senators urged the agency to follow Congress\u2019 direction in the 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act and expand the definition of \u201canimal\u201d under the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to include cephalopods.\n\n\u201cCephalopods, including squids, octopuses, cuttlefish, and nautiluses, are a highly intelligent, sensitive class of marine invertebrates capable of experiencing pain, distress, and suffering,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cHowever, because they are invertebrates, they are excluded from the welfare protections provided to most vertebrate animals via the PHS Policy.\u201d\n\nNIH proposed guidance for the care of cephalopods in research in 2023 but has yet to release final guidance. The senators raised concerns that the proposed guidance omitted key welfare protections provided to vertebrate animals under the PHS Policy, including post-approval monitoring, justification for animal use in grant applications, and reporting of animal program deficiencies.\n\n\u201cIf the final guidance is not meaningfully strengthened from the proposed version, it would fail to provide adequate protections for cephalopods used in NIH-supported research and would not be a sufficient substitute for applying PHS Policy to cephalopod research,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nThe senators asked NIH to provide answers about the status and timeline for its final guidance, whether it plans to expand the PHS Policy\u2019s definition of \u201canimal\u201d to include cephalopods, and whether the final guidance will include additional welfare protections.\n\n\u201cCongress addressed this issue in the report of the 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act. I encourage the NIH to swiftly act on Congress\u2019 recommendation and expand the definition of \u2018animal\u2019 under the PHS Policy to include cephalopods, and to provide comprehensive protections for cephalopods,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nRead the full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-visits-warren-county-to-talk-healthcare-and-jobs/", "Senator Kim\u00a0Visits Warren County to Talk\u00a0Healthcare\u00a0and\u00a0Jobs", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Andy Kim", "K000394", "www.kim.senate.gov", "kim", "https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WARREN COUNTY, NJ \u2013 Yesterday, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) visited Warren County with focused visits on expanding affordable healthcare and improving New Jersey\u2019s workforce development pipeline as part of his Einstein Corridor initiative.\n\n\u201cI leave these visits inspired by the dedication I witnessed from those in Warren County who are training NJ\u2019s next generation of workers and pushing to ensure access to quality healthcare in some of our most rural communities,\u201d said Senator Kim. \u201cThere is so much unique potential in each corner of our state \u2013 I\u2019m excited to bring the ideas discussed with me back to Washington as I work to make sure Warren County has the federal support it needs to thrive.\u201d\n\nHealthcare\n\nSenator Kim toured Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Center, a critical regional hospital for Warren County\u2019s residents. After meeting with Atlantic Health CEO, Saad Ehtisham, to discuss how Atlantic Health can assist in his goal of bringing affordable healthcare to all, Senator Kim toured the Emergency Department and heard from nurses and healthcare staff about the impact that Trump\u2019s One Big Beautiful Bill has had on their patients and the quality of care they are able to receive. Senator Kim also toured their Outpatient Behavioral Health Department and learned how their recent upgrades will benefit Warren County residents.\n\n\u201cAtlantic Health is proud to care for the people of Warren County and appreciates our ongoing partnership with Senator Kim on behalf of all the communities we serve across New Jersey,\u201d said Saad Ehtisham, President and CEO, Atlantic Health. \u201cToday was a valuable opportunity to share the work of our nationally recognized team at Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Center and engage in meaningful dialogue around healthcare affordability and access.\u201d\n\nWorkforce Development\n\nSenator Kim toured Warren County Community College\u2019s (WCCC) drone lab and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) program. Senator Kim personally experienced the outdoor drone flight training center with WCCC President Dr. Will Austin before he heard from students and faculty about ways their program is preparing students for jobs in next generation innovation, and what is needed to improve workforce development in aviation and emerging drone technologies.\n\nSenator Kim held a roundtable discussion, where he was joined by Peter Connolly, President of New Jersey\u2019s Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP), and leading manufacturers from across the state. Together, they discussed ways New Jersey can better its workforce retention and development pipeline, improve apprentice opportunities and cooperation between state and federal partners, and the negative impact that President Trump\u2019s tariffs have had on their businesses.\n\n\u201cTariffs, inflation, supply chain pressures, and workforce shortages are the most common concerns we hear from New Jersey manufacturers. This roundtable with Senator Kim and manufacturing leaders provided an important opportunity to discuss how these challenges are impacting companies differently and what manufacturers are doing to adapt,\u201d said Peter Connolly, CEO, NJMEP. \u201cWhether through apprenticeship programs, stronger domestic supply chains, or continued investment in their operations, these conversations help ensure policymakers understand what manufacturers need to remain competitive and continue manufacturing here in New Jersey. Senator Kim has always been a big supporter of NJMEP and the MEP program itself.\u201d\n\nSenator Kim also toured the Commercial Solar Panel Recycling Center, New Jersey\u2019s first solar panel recycling plant, and the M&M Mars Factory in Hackettstown.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-analilia-mejia-the-first-afro-latina-to-serve-in-congress-sworn-in-to-congressional-black-caucus", "Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, the first Afro-Latina to Serve in Congress, Sworn In to Congressional Black Caucus", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: September 1, 2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | Beth.Wiesinger@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, in a ceremony conducted before the exalted statue of civil rights leader Rosa Parks, Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) was sworn in as a new member of the Congressional Black Caucus by Chairwoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). Newly elected Congressman Everton Blair Jr. (GA-13) was sworn in alongside her.\n\nAfter the ceremony, Congresswoman Mejia released the following statement:\n\n\u201cIt is an honor and a privilege to join the ranks of the Congressional Black Caucus. The CBC has stood as the moral conscience of Congress for over fifty years, uplifting the voices of Black communities across the country in the halls of our nation\u2019s Capitol.\n\nAs the first Afro-Latina to serve in Congress, the daughter of a Dominican machinist and a Colombian seamstress, I am grateful for the recognition and the testament of belonging. As a member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I understand that our futures; Black, Latino, immigrant, working-class, and more \u2014 are inextricably connected. We share more in common than divides us and our ability to come together is what truly makes America great.\n\nThis insight, alongside my commitment to the people of New Jersey\u2019s 11th congressional district, will continue to fuel me in every action I take.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-passage-of-continuing-resolution", "Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), a member of the Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after her vote to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11, 2026.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s passage of this continuing resolution pushes the government funding deadline to December 11th. While keeping the government open and functioning is important, I\u2019m disappointed in the Republicans in the House who have thus far failed to seek bipartisan agreements with Democrats on eleven of the twelve appropriations bills.\n\n\u201cContinuing resolutions are not a long-term solution and deny the people their due representation. I hope that we can return to the negotiating table and produce real funding bills that meet the needs of the American people and rein in the abuses of the Trump Administration.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-booker-crisscrossed-the-state-on-21-county-tour", "ICYMI: Booker \u201cCrisscrossed the State\u201d on 21-County Tour", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Booker met with New Jerseyans in every county to hear their concerns, highlight local successes, and discuss how he\u2019s fighting for their priorities in the Senate\n\nNEW JERSEY \u2014 In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) went on his annual 21-County Tour, hosting and attending events in all 21 New Jersey counties to hear directly from New Jerseyans and bring their priorities back to the Senate. Across the state, Booker announced new legislation to help prevent drug overdose deaths, highlighted more than $33.5 million in federal investments he helped secure, honored veterans, supported families facing food insecurity, and met with farmers, small-business owners, medical researchers, college students, and more. The tour gave Senator Booker the opportunity to see firsthand what is happening in communities across New Jersey and identify new ways to work together to stand up for New Jerseyans in the Senate.\n\nSEE FOR YOURSELF:\n\nPress of Atlantic CitySenator Cory Booker Visits AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus in Atlantic City August 28, 2026\n\nSenator Cory Booker visited AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus in Atlantic City today to highlight a $1 million federal infrastructure investment to strengthen critical hospital systems that support emergency, trauma, and surgical care.\n\nHudPostSen. Booker Delivers $559,000 to Liberty Science Center for Portable Planetarium\n\nBy: James de los Santos\n\nAugust 29, 2026\n\nU.S. Sen. Cory Booker presented Liberty Science Center with a $559,000 federal grant on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to launch a portable planetarium program that will bring astronomy and science education to students across New Jersey.\n\nPaul Hoffman, President and CEO of Liberty Science Center: \u201cThis very generous grant to our center for the new portable planetarium programming is a sterling manifestation of his commitment to ensure that countless thousands of children across New Jersey can experience the same wonders of science that he did. School children and their parents across the state are equally thankful for his generosity.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker: \u201cToday\u2019s visits showcased the extraordinary breadth of New Jersey\u2019s contributions to our nation. New Jerseyans fuel the global economy. Their skill, creativity, and determination strengthen our state and our country.\u201d\n\nCape May County HeraldBooker Touts Ferry Service in Visit to North Cape May Terminal By: Bill Barlow\n\nAugust 28, 2026\n\nSenator Booker: \u201cThis ferry system right here is vital not just to Cape May County but to the entire region we\u2019re in. It\u2019s going to bring jobs to our state, economic vitality and just ease of transportation.\u201d\n\nBooker was at the terminal to discuss a grant through the Federal Transit Administration that will help fund construction of a second new ferry for the Delaware River and Bay Authority, which operates the ferry service. The money is part of a $665 million federal investment in ferries around the country.\n\nThe latest federal grant will go toward the second hybrid vessel, said Joel Coppadge, the DRBA's Executive Director. \u201cThe $30 million will be significant. It will help with the capital funding that is necessary for the second vessel,\u201d Coppadge said. \u201cThis is a huge head start.\u201d\n\nPress of Atlantic CitySenator Booker visits Atlantic City\u2019s Orange Loop district August 28, 2026\n\nU.S. Senator Cory Booker toured the Orange Loop, meeting with Mayor Marty Small Sr., local developers, community leaders, and business owners to see firsthand the investment and energy taking place in the neighborhood.\n\nAfter hearing about the vision that brought developers to Atlantic City and the opportunities they see ahead, Senator Booker had high praise for the city, calling Atlantic City an \u201curban gem\u201d and saying it could become \u201cone of the best stories in all of New Jersey over the next decade.\u201d\n\nHe also recognized the local leadership, entrepreneurs and community connections driving the city forward.\n\nWMBC-TV- Hometown NewsOfficials Present Medals to 57 Veterans at Memorial Home in Bergen County August 27, 2026\n\nOfficials say honoring that service also means making sure veterans have access to the care, benefits, and resources they earned.\n\nSenator Cory Booker talks about the spirit of service embodied in many of the veterans he has met.\n\nSenator Booker: \u201cThe thing I\u2019ve been blown away by [with] New Jersey veterans is, once they put their uniform off, they don\u2019t stop serving. They don\u2019t stop contributing. They don\u2019t stop making a difference. They don\u2019t stop helping one another.\u201d\n\nThe InquirerCory Booker says the U.S. needs a \u2018food revolution\u2019 in South Jersey visit\n\nBy: Aliya Schnieder\n\nAugust 27, 2026\n\nBooker visited Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, where he packed sandwiches as the nonprofit faces increased demand amid rising grocery costs and cuts to SNAP. He said he would work to direct federal resources to the organization and push to restore funding for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.\n\nBooker called for greater support for small farmers, criticizing agricultural subsidies that favor \u201cmassive commodity crops\u201d like corn and soybeans used in ultra-processed foods over \u201cspecialty crops\u201d like fruits and vegetables. \u201cNew Jersey farmers are suffering with tighter and tighter margins,\u201d he said.\n\nDuring his South Jersey tour, Booker presented a $2 million FY26 congressional allocation to Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill to expand technology and telehealth services and visited Salem Community College\u2019s Glass Education Center.\n\nThe Franklin ReporterSen. Booker Visits Food Bank, Vows to Save Federal Nutrition Programs August 28, 2026\n\nSen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) told food bank leaders from across New Jersey on Monday that he intends to keep the U.S. Farm Bill bottled up in the Senate Agriculture Committee unless Republicans agree to stop cutting federal nutrition programs.\n\nNJ GlobeBooker calls for generational change in Senate Democratic leadership: Senator in Trenton for his annual 21 county tour\n\nBy: Joe Seawald\n\nAugust 26, 2026\n\nBooker began Wednesday\u2019s tour at Greater Mount Zion\u2019s food pantry on Pennington Avenue, where food was being distributed to local residents. They also toured Back in Our Hands, Greater Mount Zion\u2019s planned birthing center.\n\nBooker said visiting community organizations helps him stay connected to the people whose work shapes his legislative agenda. \u201cYou need to stay connected to the communities doing the work, and this is one of them,\u201d Booker said. He also pointed to his role in crafting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. Booker said his advocacy was informed by his experiences as mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013 and by visits to organizations like the restorative justice hub.\n\nJersey Shore OnlineBooker Visits Brick to Promote Opioid Overdose Bill August 26, 2026\n\nU.S. Sen. Cory Booker visited Brick Township to discuss proposed federal legislation aimed at preventing opioid overdose deaths.\n\nThe Rory Ahern Act would expand access to naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, as well as overdose response training and lifesaving equipment for bystanders and first responders.\n\nMayor Lisa Crate, Township Council Vice President Derrick Ambrosino, EMS/Rescue Chief James Riccio and members of Brick EMS/Rescue joined Booker for the discussion.\n\nLocal officials emphasized the importance of providing residents and emergency personnel with the training and resources necessary to respond quickly during an overdose.\n\nTapInto Phillipsburg\n\nCory Booker Kicks Off 21-County NJ Tour in Phillipsburg to Address Food Access and Downtown Infrastructure Challenges for Small Businesses\n\nBy: Ally Shubert\n\nAugust 22, 2026\n\nU.S. Sen. Cory Booker kicked off a 21-county tour of New Jersey in Phillipsburg, making the town the first stop of his statewide trip and meeting with local farmers, community leaders, and residents to discuss food access, agriculture, and challenges facing the community.\n\nBooker visited the Phillipsburg Fresh Stop Market, where a roundtable discussion focused on the organization\u2019s farm share program, which connects residents with locally grown produce while supporting area farmers and addressing food insecurity.\n\nSenator Booker:\u201cWhen people have access to fresh healthy foods, their lives transform, and frankly, not only their health, but their well-being increases.\u201d\n\nWRNJ RadioU.S. Sen. Cory Booker Visits Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties During Annual 21-County Tour By: Jay Edwards\n\nAugust 24, 2026\n\nU.S. Sen. Cory Booker kicked off his annual 21-county tour this past weekend with stops in Morris, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic, and Sussex counties, visiting community events, a farmers market, a church and a historic mining museum.\n\nSenator Booker: \u201cEvery year, I look forward to traveling across New Jersey and listening directly to the people who call our state home. As I kicked off this year\u2019s 21-County Tour, I was reminded of how much pride New Jerseyans have in their communities and how much they do to make them stronger.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker: \u201cNew Jersey is full of remarkable places and stories that too often don\u2019t get the attention they deserve. Visiting Sterling Hill was a reminder that some of the most extraordinary and scientifically unique places in the world are right here in our own state.\u201d\n\nInsider NJBooker in His Element at Wharton Event By:Tom Moran\n\nAugust 22, 2026\n\nCory Booker was on the first leg of his annual 21-county state tour. And he began at the borough's Canal Day, a yearly celebration of the historic Morris Canal, which transported goods from the Delaware to the Hudson through much of the 1800's.\n\nHe posed for many photos, took many selfies with attendees, bought a Morris Canal cap for his wife, Alexis, who was with him, played a game of cornhole and more.\n\nSEE ALSO:\n\n8/28: Booker-concludes-2026-annual-21-county-tour\n\n8/27: Booker Continues Annual 21-County Tour with Stops in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties\n\n8/26: Booker Continues Annual 21-County Tour with Stops in Bergen, Ocean, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties\n\n8/25: Booker Continues Annual 21-County Tour with Stops in Middlesex, Union, and Hudson Counties\n\n8/24: Booker Continues Annual 21-County Tour with Stops in Essex and Somerset Counties\n\n8/23: Booker Continues Annual 21-County Tour with Stops in Passaic and Sussex Counties\n\n8/22: Booker Kicks Off Annual 21-County Tour in Morris, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties\n\n8/21: Booker Announces 2026 Annual 21-County Tour", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 16209, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "NJ"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 16209, 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