{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"NJ\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=37FCA562-CE65-4856-9B2D-E538FB7825D5", "Rep. Norcross Announces South Jersey Winners of 2021 Congressional App Challenge", "2021-12-31", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CHERRY HILL, NJ \u2013 Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) announced that three Cherry Hill High School East students have won the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey\u2019s 1st Congressional District.\n\nArmaan, Karina, and Gia Gupta \u2013 triplets with a passion for designing apps who also won the Congressional App Challenge in 2020 \u2013 focused on COVID-19\u2019s disruption to people\u2019s health. Their 2021 app, Tulio, allows people to track their health from the comfort of their own homes and receive medical advice from health care professionals.\n\n\u201cArmaan, Karina, and Gia saw a problem and set out to solve it,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cIt is heartening that their instinct in creating Tulio was to help improve the health of others. These past few years have been extremely challenging, especially for our students, and I applaud Armaan, Karina, and Gia for their dedication to working hard even as the pandemic disrupted their learning environment.\u201d\n\nWatch the Gupta\u2019s video explaining their app and its design process here.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in STEM fields. This nationwide event allows high school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software applications on a platform of their choice.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-watson-coleman-kim-sires-call-on-nj-state-officials-to-equitably-distribute-federal-infrastructure-funding", "Reps. Watson Coleman, Kim, Sires Call on NJ State Officials to Equitably Distribute Federal Infrastructure Funding", "2021-12-22", "2021", "2021-12", "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) and Congressmen Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Albio Sires (NJ-08) sent a letter to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the NJ Department of Transportation and NJ Transit urging them to distribute funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to underrepresented businesses.\n\nSpecifically, the letter asks that state elected officials ensure that Small, Minority, Women or Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (SMWVBE), Disability-owned businesses, and LGBTQ-owned businesses have sufficient funding to be involved in the execution of upcoming infrastructure projects.\n\nThe letter reads in part:\n\nDiversity is one of New Jersey\u2019s biggest assets. Our infrastructure investments and workforce should reflect this. This critical investment will improve our state\u2019s infrastructure and position our economy for continued growth by creating more job opportunities. Ensuring underrepresented firms are beneficiaries of this federal investment will promote a more inclusive workforce and a thriving economy for all. Systemic discrimination against women and minority-owned businesses has created barriers to obtaining these contracts and prioritizing these underrepresented populations is an opportunity to help remedy this historic and ongoing discrimination.\n\nWatson Coleman also urged state officials to adequately enforce policies that promote diversity and inclusion in infrastructure modernization. In the letter, the Congresswoman proposed that the NJ Department of Transportation improve its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program by implementing stronger accountability measures.\n\nThe letter concludes:\n\nGovernor Murphy has a proven track record building a stronger and fairer New Jersey. It is imperative and aligned with his commitment to equity that the state renews its commitment to centering equity so that this historic federal investment is used to address New Jersey\u2019s most pressing infrastructure needs and workforce disparities. For too long, discrimination and disinvestment have created various inequities which have disproportionally disadvantaged marginalized populations. I look forward to hearing updates on how you plan to prioritize SMWVBE, Disability-owned business enterprises, and LGBTQ-owned business enterprises and increasing accountability measures to ensure resources and opportunities are equitably distributed.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-watson-coleman-defazio-larsen-write-airlines-to-urge-them-to-require-and-pay-for-crew-members-to-attend-tsas-self-defense-program", "Thompson, Watson Coleman, DeFazio, Larsen Write Airlines to Urge Them to Require and Pay for Crew Members to Attend TSA\u2019s Self Defense Program", "2021-12-22", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Committee on Homeland Security Chair Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Transportation & Maritime Security Subcommittee Chair Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (D-WA) sent letters to four major airlines urging them to require their crew members to attend TSA\u2019s Crew Member Self Defense Program so that they are equipped with the necessary skills to deter and mitigate dangerous situations as unruly passenger behavior spikes across the country. The Chairs also requested that the airlines provide crewmembers with paid time, travel, and accommodations to participate in the program.\n\n\u201cThis voluntary, no-cost training is led by Federal Air Marshals to teach crew members how to defuse tense situations and defend themselves during physical altercations with passengers,\u201d wrote the Chairs. \u201cPresently, flight attendants and other members of the flight crew who wish to attend this training must do so outside of work hours and secure travel and lodging at their own expense.\u201d\n\n\u201cThough we all hope most flight crew members will never have to employ the skills they learn in this course, the disturbing increase and intensity of disruptive incidents aboard planes has accentuated the need for such training. It is our hope that you will require and provide for flight crew members to attend this training as part of your ongoing efforts to uphold safety and restore consumer confidence in air travel.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-barragn-urge-epa-to-strengthen-standards-for-freight-pollution-sources", "Booker and Barrag\u00e1n Urge EPA to Strengthen Standards for Freight Pollution Sources", "2021-12-21", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n led 48 of their colleagues in encouraging the Environmental Protection Agency to update technology standards for freight-related sources of pollution to address the high levels of air pollution in communities surrounding our nation\u2019s freight shipping facilities and freight transportation corridors.\n\nIn a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Booker, Barrag\u00e1n and their colleagues also requested information regarding EPA\u2019s regulatory schedule for updating freight-related emissions standards, technology assessments for mobile and non-mobile freight sources, and opportunities available to streamline rulemaking to update several emissions standards by 2025.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the EPA\u2019s demonstrated commitment to combatting environmental racism and advancing equal access to clean air, land and water. We specifically applaud the steps the EPA has taken to set criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. We encourage you to expand these efforts to include other freight sources, including locomotives, ocean-going vessels, and aircraft,\u201d the members of Congress wrote.\n\nIn the 10-20 years since the EPA has updated emissions standards for mobile and non-mobile freight-related emissions sources, new control technologies have become available, including zero-emissions and electric options. There are significant opportunities for reducing toxic air pollution in environmental justice communities while addressing the climate crisis.\n\nSenator Booker and Congresswoman Barrag\u00e1n were joined on the letter by Senators Richard Durbin (Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Edward J. Markey (Mass.), Christopher Murphy (Conn.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Bernard Sanders (Vt.), and Congressmembers Alan Lowenthal (Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (N.Y.), Emmanuel Cleaver (Mo.), Yvette Clarke (N.Y.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Grace Napolitano (Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Doris Matsui (Calif.), Barbara Lee (Calif.), Karen Bass (Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Jimmy Gomez (Calif.), Sean Casten (Ill.), Jared Huffman (Calif.), Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (Ill.), Linda S\u00e1nchez (Calif.), Adam Smith (Wash.), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (Ariz.), Donald Payne (N.J.), Mike Quigley (Ill.), Henry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson (Ga.), Ro Khanna (Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) Ted Lieu (Calif.), Brenda Lawrence (Mich.), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.), Betty McCollum (Minn.), Janice Schakowsky (Ill.), Judy Chu (Calif.), A. Donald McEachin (Va.), Madeleine Dean (Pa.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (N.Y.), and Marie Newman (Ill.).\n\nThe letter was also supported by the following environmental and health organizations: Earthjustice, GreenLatinos, Pacific Environment, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-calling-on-us-department-of-education-to-suspend-wage-garnishment-of-student-loan-borrowers", "Booker Leads Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Suspend Wage Garnishment of Student Loan Borrowers", "2021-12-21", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to suspend administrative wage garnishment of student loan borrowers. The letter comes nearly a month before student loan and interest payments are set to resume on January 31, 2022.\n\n\u201cCurrently, over 9 million borrowers are in default on more than $180 billion in federal student loan debt,\u201d wrote the lawmakers to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona. \u201cA disproportionate number of these borrowers are people of color, first-generation college students, veterans, parents, people with disabilities, and students who will not complete college. Even before the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, these borrowers in default were subject to aggressive collection measures, some of which only the federal government can utilize to collect on student loans. In addition to having to pay exorbitant fees, borrowers in default could expect to see their wages, tax refunds, and even Social Security checks confiscated. Low-income families that had their Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund checks seized by the federal government were often left in worse situations with limited access to jobs and housing, and fewer resources to cover basic necessities.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continued by highlighting that the USDOE\u2019s \u201ccurrent intention to resume these collection efforts in a couple of months, as cash-strapped borrowers struggle to recover from a still-ongoing pandemic, will likely result in significant financial harm.\u201d As such, they asked the Department \u201cto automatically remove eligible borrowers from default status\u201d and \u201cto suspend administrative wage garnishment and other forced collections until of the end of the COVID-19 national public health emergency.\u201d\n\nFurthermore, the lawmakers urged the USDOE \u201cto conduct an analysis of the disparate effects of these practices on Black, Latino and Indigenous people with student debt as part of any comprehensive review of the student loan debt collection system.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers concluded that reforming the harmful wage garnishment process \u201cwould play a critical role in our nation\u2019s recovery efforts and would protect the most financially vulnerable student loan borrowers. We appreciate your prompt attention to our urgent request.\u201d\n\nThe letter follows Senators Booker and Elizabeth Warren\u2019s Ending Administrative Wage Garnishment Act of 2020, legislation introduced nearly a year ago that will suspend wage garnishments for those who have defaulted on their student loans and revise income-drive repayment plans.\n\nThe letter was co-signed by Senators Warren (D-MA), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-pressley-lead-letter-to-president-biden-and-secretary-becerra-to-highlight-needs-of-children-who-have-lost-caretakers-to-covid", "Watson Coleman, Pressley Lead Letter to President Biden and Secretary Becerra to Highlight Needs of Children Who Have Lost Caretakers to Covid", "2021-12-20", "2021", "2021-12", "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), vice-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) lead 21 of their colleagues in a letter to President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra urging them to prioritize the needs of children who have lost parents and caregivers to Covid 19.\n\nThe letter reads in part:\n\nAs Members of Congress, we are concerned that these bereaved children are not receiving support, both specialized mental health counseling as well as financial assistance, in order to recover from the trauma of losing a loved one.\n\nAccording to a recent report released by COVID Collaborative, there are an estimated 167,000 children in the United States - or 1-in-450 of all children - who have lost a parent or in-home caregiver to COVID-19, including more than 13,000 children who lost their only in-home caregiver. Roughly seventy percent of caregiver loss affected children under the age of 13.\n\n\u201cThe loss of a parent is a traumatic experience for any child. The sheer number of children who have lost caregivers to this disease is tragic and will impact a generation,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cEnsuring that they receive the care they need including mental health care should be a priority for the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted unspeakable hurt, harm and trauma on millions of families and communities across the country-- especially the hundreds of thousands of young children who were robbed of a parent or grandparent caretaker,\u201d Pressley said. \u201cThis unprecedented loss and grief will have lasting impacts on an entire generation of young people and exacerbate the childhood trauma crisis that was already prevalent in so many of our most vulnerable communities. It is critical that we respond with urgency and prioritize their wellbeing so they can get the care and support they need to get on a pathway to healing. I\u2019m grateful to Congresswoman Watson Coleman and our colleagues for their partnership in this effort.\u201d\n\nResearch suggests that bereaved children have a higher risk of lower educational attainment, economic insecurity, early death, substance abuse, and mental health problems\n\nThe letter concludes:\n\nWe believe it is critical to address the growing number of children who are experiencing traumatic loss and ensure that resources are available to them to both cope with the loss of a caregiver and fulfill their basic needs. Because of this, we request a response on the following questions:\n\n\u00b7 What resources and financial support is the Administration currently providing to children who have lost a parent or caregiver due to COVID-19?\n\n\u00b7 Are any funds from previous COVID stimulus packages being dedicated towards supporting bereaved children? If so, what type of support are they receiving?\n\n\u00b7 Are there federal assistance programs available to support low-income families who may have lost their primary-income provider and caregiver due to COVID-19? What barriers currently exist for families to access these programs?\n\n\u00b7 What steps is your administration taking or planning to take to better identify bereaved children and ensure they and their families have timely access to federal resources and assistance?\n\nSignatories of the letter include Reps. Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Norma Torres (CA-35), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Karen Bass (CA-37), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), John B. Larson (CT-01), Grace Meng (NY-06) and Ro Khanna (CA-17).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-announces-trenton-mercer-airport-to-receive-34-million-from-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act", "Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Trenton-Mercer Airport to Receive $3.4 Million From Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced that $3,482,989 in new federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is headed to New Jersey\u2019s 12th District to make much-needed improvements to Trenton-Mercer Airport. The funding can be used to update runways and taxiways, improve safety and sustainability, or invest in terminals, airport-transit connections and roadway projects.\n\n\u201cThanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this nearly $3.5 million grant will deliver new, good-paying jobs for New Jerseyans while making sorely needed renovations to Trenton-Mercer Airport,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman. \u201cBy modernizing the airport\u2019s infrastructure and prioritizing safety, we will ensure that all travelers flying in and out of Trenton have a better experience from terminal to tarmac.\u201d\n\n\u201cI thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman and the Biden Administration for recognizing the importance of air transportation to the Trenton region and the associated challenges inherent in providing for Trenton-Mercer Airport\u2019s unique operating and improvement needs,\u201d said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. \u201cThe cost of maintaining an adequate airport is an investment that yields benefits to the region and the state, and this renewable grant will help us attain the goal of putting in place a long-term 21st century solution for Trenton-Mercer Airport.\u201d\n\nTrenton-Mercer Airport will receive a similar tranche of funding from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law each year for the next five years, as part of a program for airport development. The tranche could vary from year to year, as the funding reflects annual enplanement totals. In addition to these guaranteed funds, Trenton-Mercer can compete with other airports across the country for grants from an additional $5 billion nationally for terminal and landside improvements.\n\nOn November 15th, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included $15 billion in formula funding to help redevelop airports across the country. Projects that qualify for funding include: improvements to runways and taxiways, terminal development and noise prevention. The law also includes an additional $5 billion nationally for FAA towers and facilities funding, which the FAA will distribute among airports in need.\n\n\u201cUnder the leadership of President Biden and House Democrats, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has already proven to be a tremendous victory for New Jerseyans,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman. \u201cI was proud to support this historic legislation in the House, and I will keep fighting to ensure every family can benefit from these investments as we rebuild and reimagine New Jersey's infrastructure.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-urges-justice-department-to-investigate-use-of-racist-prosecutorial-tactics-in-domestic-terrorism-cases", "Rep. Watson Coleman Urges Justice Department to Investigate Use of Racist Prosecutorial Tactics in Domestic Terrorism Cases", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "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), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, led three of her colleagues in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the Department\u2019s use of prosecutorial tactics that disproportionately harm Black and brown Americans.\n\nThe letter reads in part:\n\nThis past June you gave remarks on the first National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and spoke about the efforts to prevent similar attacks and to affirm the \u201cvalues on which our justice system depends.\u201d Particularly after the events of January 6th, we know that this work is critical to maintaining our democratic norms and to preventing domestic terror. At the same time, we must draw attention to an equally troubling issue: the weaponization of prosecutorial tactics, like the domestic terrorism enhancement, that harm Black and brown Americans disproportionately.\n\nViolent incidents must meet certain criteria, per the statutory definition of domestic terrorism laid out in the U.S. Constitution, for the Justice Department to prosecute the perpetrators as domestic terrorists. The ambiguous nature of these criteria, however, has enabled the DOJ to prosecute lesser offenses, such as property destruction or disorderly conduct, as incidents of domestic terrorism.\n\nHistorically, this has allowed the DOJ to impose more severe penalties on Black and brown Americans who committed minor offenses than on white Americans whose actions were more serious. For instance, Trump\u2019s DOJ was hesitant to pursue domestic terrorism charges against violent far-right protesters at the 2017 Charlottesville rally but moved swiftly to pursue felony conspiracy cases against protestors at a January 20, 2017 protest who broke windows and set fire to a limousine.\n\nIn the letter, Watson Coleman and her colleagues asked Attorney General Garland to thoroughly investigate the ways in which the DOJ uses its powers to target Black and brown Americans. Specifically, they asked that the DOJ begin clearly tracking and reporting data on all cases for which it seeks to pursue domestic terrorism enhancements.\n\nThe letter concludes:\n\nIn seeking justice, we must continue to be alert to how tools and strategies can often be weaponized disproportionately against minorities, particularly Black and brown communities. We must seek to create stricter guidelines and stronger oversight for prosecution. These issues must be addressed with the greatest urgency.\n\nSignatories of the letter include Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-and-scott-introduce-comprehensive-legislation-addressing-sickle-cell-disease", "Senators Booker and Scott Introduce Comprehensive Legislation Addressing Sickle Cell Disease", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott(R-SC) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. This legislation would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a Medicaid demonstration program to improve access to comprehensive, high-quality, outpatient care - including clinical and support services - for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL 07) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess (R-TX 26) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act in the House last week.\n\nSickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that disproportionately impacts people of African descent. Among the most notable symptoms of SCD is severe, debilitating pain, but people with SCD also experience complications like stroke, acute chest syndrome, and organ damage. Sadly, individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population.\n\nWhile some advancements in the field have been made recently, many with SCD are not receiving the level of care needed to adequately manage the disease. A Medicaid demonstration program, such as the one outlined in the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, could significantly improve the quality of care SCD patients receive. Additionally, any improvements made as a result of this demonstration program would have the potential to meaningfully improve care for all SCD patients as approximately half of SCD patients in the U.S. are enrolled in Medicaid according to CMS data. Further, this demonstration program shows a lot of promise in saving money, as it aims to reduce patients\u2019 reliance on costly emergency room care.\n\n\u201cPeople with sickle cell disease have for too long suffered from an underinvestment in federal funding and attention,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act would improve access to high-quality, comprehensive care for SCD patients and would be the greatest investment in SCD patients and care since our Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that passed into law in 2018. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Scott.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. I\u2019m proud to support today\u2019s legislation that will help our medical community better treat individuals with this painful disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle Cell Disease Association of America welcomes the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act and hopes that this will improve access to quality medical care for more individuals with sickle cell disease,\u201d said Lewis Hsu, MD, PhDChief Medical Officer, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.\n\n\u201cWe applaud Senators Booker and Scott for acknowledging and addressing the problem of lack of comprehensive care for individuals living with SCD,\u201d said American Society of Hematology President Martin S. Tallman, MD. \u201cAs hematologists, we know that individuals living with SCD lack access to comprehensive care to manage their condition to avoid serious complications. Unfortunately, this means that these individuals \u2013 who are already burdened by a devastating disease \u2013 do not receive care that is holistic and tailored to their unique needs. The introduction of the new bill, which would provide an organized approach to primary and preventative care for individuals with SCD, is a crucial first step toward improving outcomes for the SCD community. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Senators Booker and Scott and other members of Congress to ensure that all people living with sickle cell disease get the care they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepresenting African-American physicians across the nation, the National Medical Association (NMA) continues to advocate for and find solutions to eliminate health disparities faced by individuals with Sickle Cell Disease. We proudly support the Sickle Cell Comprehensive Care Act, which authorizes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a program for Medicaid beneficiaries living with Sickle Cell Disease, particularly young adults and pregnant persons. This innovative policy improves access to comprehensive outpatient care, specialists and resources in an effort to combat this disease and address critical gaps in care. The NMA understands that passage of this legislation is a crucial step in improving health outcomes and quality of life for this underserved population, as we strive to achieve equitable health care for all,\u201d said Rachel Villanueva, MD FACOG, National President of National Medical Association.\n\nThroughout his time in the Senate, Booker has raised awareness for sickle cell disease and advocated for equitable funding, increased attention, and better access to treatments and care for people with SCD. The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act builds upon this work, including his bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that he introduced with Senator Scott and which passed and was signed into lawin 2018. Additionally, earlier this week, Senators Booker and Scott\u2019s resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month unanimously passed in the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=0F3A2C09-2E64-41CD-A297-41D9D6DF91B9", "Rep. Norcross Statement on 61st Consecutive Annual Defense Bill to Meet the Needs of Servicemembers and Military Families, Invest in Jobs for South Jersey", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) released the following statement upon the Senate\u2019s passing of bipartisan defense legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA), that strengthens America\u2019s security and meets the needs of our servicemembers, veterans and military families. This robust bill bolsters pay and improves benefits for servicemembers, combats sexual assault in the military, and modernizes our defense technology. The bill first passed through the House on December 7.\n\n\u201cThis legislation takes bold action to protect members of the Armed Forces both at home and abroad,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cNew Jersey\u2019s first congressional district and the state as a whole win with this bill. The soldiers, sailors, and airmen stationed in New Jersey, their families, and the companies that support them will benefit from the provisions I secured to support our defense industrial base and strengthen our supply chain.\u201d\n\nFor the sixty-first consecutive year, Congress will enact this essential legislation and fulfill its critical, constitutional obligation to \u201cprovide for the common defense.\u201d The FY22 NDAA authorizes historic investments in our diverse fighting force, innovation, and emerging technologies. Doing so will ensure the Department of Defense can strengthen the nation\u2019s efforts to defend democratic values and strengthen our alliances in the face of challenges from authoritarian states \u2013 while modernizing our national security institutions and processes to keep families safe on the home front.\n\n\u201cI am proud to support provisions that improve the response of the Department of Defense to sexual assault within its ranks and ensure their effective prosecution to promote the safety and wellbeing of every person who puts their life on the line to defend our nation. Joining the military entails a level of risk \u2013 but that risk should not come from those who serve under or serve with. It\u2019s past time we address the elephant in the room and update the Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assault and related crimes,\u201d added Congressman Norcross.\n\nThe congressman led efforts to strengthen partnerships between labor organizations, career and technical education programs, workforce development boards, the Department, and the defense industrial base to highlight expertise and bolster U.S. manufacturing.\n\nCongressman Norcross secured funding for five additional V-22 Ospreys which will be manufactured in the region. He also secured $170 million for new KC-46A tankers. The congressman flew on the maiden flight of the first KC-46A delivered to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in November. This funding will protect family-sustaining jobs in the district while preparing the U.S. for the future.\n\nFurthermore, Congressman Norcross secured funding for the New Jersey National Guard. The FY22 NDAA provides $100 million for the AESA radar for the Air National Guard\u2019s F-16 fleet, a vital asset that will allow units like the 177th Fighter Wing to better protect the people of New Jersey and the nation. He also secured $8 million for high performance polymer research, $8 million for rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic, and $5 million for turret gunner survivability research being conducted at universities including Rowan, which will improve the survivability of servicemembers in combat.\n\nThanks to the leadership of House Democrats, the FY22 NDAA:\n\nSecures a 2.7 percent pay increase for our men and women in uniform.\n\nMakes historic and significant changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assault and related crimes in the military.\n\nInvests in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help build a fairer and more diverse Armed Services.\n\nMakes key investments to address the threat of climate change and bolster energy resiliency.\n\nContinues aggressive oversight of DOD\u2019s most complex and expensive weapons programs.\n\nAuthorizes 2 weeks of paid parental bereavement leave for all federal employees.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cardin-sanders-introduce-legislation-to-create-special-envoy-to-monitor-and-address-islamophobia", "Booker, Cardin, Sanders Introduce Legislation to Create Special Envoy to Monitor and Address Islamophobia", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation that would require the Department of State to establish a Special Envoy for tracking and combatting Islamophobia globally. The creation of the Special Envoy will also help lawmakers and other government officials better understand anti-Muslim hatred and violence, allowing for the development of a comprehensive strategy that will establish U.S. leadership in addressing Islamophobia worldwide.\n\nThe legislation is the Senate companion to a House bill introduced by Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). The House is expected to consider Omar and Schakowsky\u2019s bill for passage as early as today.\n\nIn a recent survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), 69% of American Muslims responded that they have personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred toward Muslims had risen to \u201cepidemic proportions.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve witnessed in recent years an alarming rise in Islamophobia both in the United States and globally that has threatened the religious freedom, well-being, and lives of Muslims,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cEstablishing a Special Envoy at the State Department is an important step that we should take to develop a comprehensive plan to reverse this trend and position the U.S. as a global leader in combating hate.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor over a decade, we have seen a rise in Islamophobia around the country and around the world. The United States should be a global leader in fighting such intolerance. So I am proud today to be joining my Senate colleagues in introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This bill would elevate our commitment to freedom of religion and further protect the rights of Muslims everywhere, \u201d said Senator Cardin, who serves as the Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the 57-nation Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.\n\n\"The Council on American-Islamic Relations thanks Senator Cory Booker for introducing a Senate companion to the Combating International Islamophobia Act,\u201d said Nihad Awad, Executive Director of CAIR. \u201cIt is important to American Muslims, and Muslims around the world that Congress supports the creation of a U.S. Special Envoy at the Department of State to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia. Passing this act into law will equip our nation with the necessary tools to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Muslims here in the United States and abroad, given the transnational nature of Islamophobic hate.\"\n\n\"CAIR New Jersey thanks Senator Cory Booker for introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act,\u201d said Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director of CAIR-New Jersey. \u201cBy monitoring and confronting the rising tide of global Islamophobia, the U.S. can help ensure the religious freedom of Muslims around the world. The New Jersey Muslim community supports the creation of a special envoy position to monitor and combat this rising tide of anti-Muslim hate \u2013 and the Combating International Islamophobia Act would make this special envoy position a reality.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-norcross-celebrate-expansion-of-the-enterprise-center-into-new-jersey", "Booker, Norcross Celebrate Expansion of The Enterprise Center Into New Jersey", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) celebrated the New Jersey launch of The Enterprise Center, a nonprofit organization that has secured contracts to create two distinct entities: the New Jersey Minority Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center and the Camden Cares Business Center. Through these contracts, The Enterprise Center will help minority-owned businesses in New Jersey access capital, business development opportunities, and contracts to grow their operations as well as provide technical assistance, training services, and funding application support to COVID-impacted businesses in Camden.\n\nCiting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority small business and historical racial inequities within the financial system, Booker urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish a Minority Business Center in New Jersey earlier this year. Over the past years, he has also worked to ensure that the MBDA is permanently authorized, an effort that was recently signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.\n\n\u201cThe devastating economic effects of this pandemic have disproportionately impacted minority small businesses across America, with nearly half of Black and one-third of Latino small businesses being forced to shut down - some permanently,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cHowever, we know that minority businesses and entrepreneurs were struggling even before the pandemic, and historic inequities and barriers were merely exacerbated by this crisis. That is why I\u2019ve fought to make the MBDA permanent and fought to open the first Minority Business Center here in New Jersey so that our residents don\u2019t have to travel out of state to access these services. As it launches today, I know that The Enterprise Center will offer critical resources and assistance to our state\u2019s underserved small businesses for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that our financial institutions can and need to be better if we\u2019re going to expand equal opportunity to everyone in our community,\u201d said Rep. Norcross. \u201cI know I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today if it weren\u2019t for accessible education and career training, and I know that having The Enterprise Center in Camden will help level the playing field by opening doors to opportunity and increasing access to vital resources for local minority-owned businesses.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senate-passes-booker-scott-resolution-raising-awareness-of-sickle-cell-disease", "Senate Passes Booker, Scott Resolution Raising Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Tim Scott\u2019s (R-S.C.) resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month.\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, and yet research, treatment, and awareness efforts for the disease still lag far behind other chronic illnesses,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cMore work and research remains to be done, and we must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are largely affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health. I am proud to lead the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month resolution with Senator Scott and I will continue to champion federal initiatives to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. With this resolution, we commit to raising awareness and seeking out legislation that will help our medical community fight\u2014and one day, cure\u2014this painful disease.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bicameral-group-introduces-legislation-to-create-national-liberty-memorial-honor-african-american-revolutionary-war-patriots", "Bipartisan, Bicameral Group Introduces Legislation to Create National Liberty Memorial, Honor African American Revolutionary War Patriots", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "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) and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa along with Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-1) today introduced legislation to extend authorization of the National Liberty Memorial, a monument to commemorate enslaved and free African Americans who fought in the United States Revolutionary War. The bipartisan National Liberty Memorial Preservation Act (H.R. 6201/S. 3334) would allow a nonprofit to continue its important work to construct this memorial near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.\n\n\u201cWe would not be the country we are today if not for the valiant sacrifices of the free and enslaved Black soldiers who fought for American independence,\u201d Watson Coleman said.\u201cMy bill would honor the Black soldiers who are far too often erased from the narrative surrounding our nation\u2019s founding. Black people built this country in more ways than one, and the National Liberty Memorial will help tell their story.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Americans, our understanding of history has a tremendous impact on our sense of who we are and where we\u2019re headed. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the significant contribution that enslaved and free African Americans played in the American Revolution,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cIt\u2019s past time we dedicate a memorial to those brave men who volunteered to serve. This monument will be a tangible reminder that, despite the lingering legacy of slavery, the promise of liberty and equality is the shared heritage of all Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThousands of enslaved people and freedmen served in the Revolutionary War, risking their lives for a country that did not recognize them as full citizens. The National Liberty Memorial will commemorate the bravery, distinction, and patriotism of African American soldiers during the American Revolution and ensure that future generations of Americans can honor their sacrifice,\u201d said Murphy.\n\n\u201cMany Black Americans bravely fought in the Revolutionary War. Their stories should be told, and their contributions should be honored. I am proud to help lead the bipartisan effort in Congress to build the National Liberty Memorial to pay tribute to these patriots and commemorate their sacrifices,\u201d Hinson said.\n\nThis summer, Watson Coleman highlighted the contributions of Black soldiers in the American Revolutionary War in a Washington Post OpEd noting that Black and Indigenous \"troops represented one-quarter of the fighting strength of George Washington\u2019s Continental Army by the march to victory in Yorktown in 1781. Yet while this fact is well known to historians, if not always highlighted in their work, the larger story of these soldiers is rarely taught in primary school classrooms.\"\n\nThe National Liberty Memorial will be built by National Memorial Liberty Fund D.C., a private nonprofit established to lead the effort to raise donations and construct the memorial.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-krishnamoorthi-lead-colleagues-in-calling-on-us-department-of-education-to-facilitate-student-civic-engagement-in-institutions-of-higher-education", "Booker, Krishnamoorthi Lead Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Facilitate Student Civic Engagement in Institutions of Higher Education", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8th) led a bicameral group of over two dozen colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to address student voter registration and participation as it formulates rulemaking for higher education accountability. The letter comes as states across the country pass legislation designed to curb the voting rights of Black, Brown, and young people.\n\n\u201cAcross the country, voting rights are under attack, and new laws restricting access to voting have been transparently intended to discourage students and people of color from participating in our elections,\u201d wrote the lawmakers to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona. \u201cThe Department can and should play a significant role in supporting democracy by creating additional nonpartisan opportunities for students to register to vote, keep their voter registration up to date, and participate in state and federal elections.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers continued by highlighting that \u201cSection 487(a)(23) of theHigher Education Act requires each institution of higher education that receives federal financial aid funds to make a \u201cgood faith effort\u201d to distribute voter registration materials and to make such materials \u201cwidely available\u201d to students. A college\u2019s good faith effort to distribute voter registration information widely should reflect the most common methods by which individuals register to vote\u2014including, increasingly, online registration\u2014and the deadlines they must meet.\u201d\n\nGiven that the USDOE will only complete rulemaking for higher education institutions in early 2022, the lawmakers called on the department to\u201cswiftly issue sub-regulatory guidance that clarifies institutions\u2019 responsibilities under current regulations. This guidance should remind colleges of their existing requirement to distribute voter registration information to students well in advance of state deadlines to register to vote. And, such guidance should strongly encourage institutions to adopt best practices for providing links to voter registration online and through direct notifications to students, including links during course registration and campus-wide email reminders.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers concluded, \u201cParticipating in our democracy is consistent with the goals of federal financial aid, and the Department should take swift action to support access to voter registration and voting for students in this rulemaking process. Thank you for your attention to our request.\u201d\n\nThe letter follows Senator Booker\u2019s Help Students Vote Act, legislation introduced earlier this year that would strengthen student voter registration and civic participation on college campuses.\n\nThe letter was co-signed by the following Senators: Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-NM), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mark Warner (D-VA).\n\nThe letter was also co-signed by the following Representatives: Deborah Ross (NC-02nd), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07th), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18th), Terri Sewell (AL-07th), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07th), Stephen Lynch (MA-08th), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05th), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03rd).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=935E98D9-4246-490F-958E-EEDECEB8FA03", "Rep. Norcross Announces Bill to Increase Access to and Modernize Opioid Use Disorder Treatment", "2021-12-06", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) announced the imminent introduction of the Opioid Treatment Access Act, innovative legislation that would increase access to and modernize the process of obtaining methadone to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). The bill will lower obstacles to treatment by making opioid treatment programs more accessible, allowing patients easier access to evidence-based treatment, and empowering them to spend more time living their lives and less time waiting in line at opioid treatment programs (often referred to as methadone clinics).\n\n\u201cPeople struggling with opioid addiction shouldn\u2019t be stigmatized. They shouldn\u2019t be forced to wait in lines every morning for treatment. They deserve dignity. They should be able to get their medicine from their pharmacist, just like everyone else does. If you can get the drug at a pharmacy, you should be able to get medicine to treat the drug misuse disorder at a pharmacy,\u201d said Congressman Norcross, a member of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force and the Education and Labor Committee\u2019s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee. \u201cPeople lost hope during the 2008 financial crisis when jobs dried up. Tragically, some of my union brothers and sisters turned to opioids to numb the pain of losing their livelihoods, their ability to provide for their families, and their sense of self. We owe it to every person who has lost a loved one to addiction and every person struggling with opioid use disorder to improve access and modernize opioid treatment.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen he was alive, my brother endured such unfair stigma around his disease. This legislation provides greater flexibility in where and how a patient receives care when it is clinically appropriate. This should improve outcomes and reduce the stigma that is often associated with methadone treatment,\u201d said Laura Walker-Talbot, a Woodbury resident and ambassador for Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the addiction crisis in the United States.\n\n\u201cThe treatment of opioid use disorder with methadone has a long history and robust scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, but U.S. federal law limits its availability to heavily regulated and commonly inaccessible opioid treatment programs \u2013 a structure that has implications for access to, and quality of, care. The Opioid Treatment Access Act represents a thoughtful expansion of access to a life-saving, effective medication for many Americans with opioid use disorder,\u201d said William F. Haning, MD, DLFAPA, DFASAM, president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.\n\n\u201cCurrent federal restrictions on treatment medications for opioid use disorder, like methadone, often prohibit patients from accessing needed treatment. In order for our lifesaving, clinically proven medication treatments to work, patients need better access to them. That is why I am encouraged by the Opioid Treatment Access Act, which would allow patients to access methadone at a local pharmacy, rather than having to travel long distances, stand in line, and wait for this medication that patients must take every day to thrive,\u201d said Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM, division head of addiction medicine of Cooper University Health Care.\n\n\"With fatal overdoses surpassing 100,000 in the last 12 months, it\u2019s time to tear down the barriers to life-saving medication-assisted treatment once and for all. I applaud Congressman Norcross for introducing this bill that will absolutely save lives,\u201d said former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, founder of The Kennedy Forum.\n\n\u201cNAMA Recovery\u2019s majority-patient Board of Directors acknowledges the critical and important role opioid treatment programs must play during the induction and stabilization of methadone treatment for opioid use disorder, but it is time access to treatment reflects the realities of patients\u2019 daily lives. The Opioid Treatment Access Act ensures access to comprehensive OTP services based on patient needs and pushes federal rulemaking beyond arbitrary time-in-treatment requirements to be more evidence-based. This legislation has the potential to save and restore many lives when opioid overdose deaths continue to spike to historically unprecedented levels,\u201d said Zachary Talbott, president of the National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery.\n\n\u201cThis bill is one more example of how necessary innovation during the pandemic has shown a more effective path for treatment of opioid use disorder. Increasing access to care by eliminating the often daily trips to an opioid treatment center and the stigma that can accompany them, as well as making methadone more accessible through pharmacies and mobile units, provide great steps forward toward recovery,\u201d said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, president and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies.\n\nThe increase in opioid overdose deaths in recent years got worse during the pandemic, with over 93,000 lives lost in 2020 alone. Methadone, a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is among the most effective ways to treat opioid use disorder. Historically, patients have needed to line up every morning at methadone clinics to receive daily methadone doses from opioid treatment programs. The process is often time-consuming, stigmatizing, and logistically difficult, especially for patients in rural communities where travel over a long distance to the nearest opioid treatment program may be necessary. These obstacles to treatment can make it difficult for patients to maintain employment.\n\nDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) began allowing patients to take home larger quantities of methadone at a time, which preliminary studies have shown to increase engagement with treatment with few incidents of misuse. Though SAMHSA\u2019s exemptions were recently extended by another year, these changes are not permanent and even with the SAMHSA exemption patients must go through opioid treatment programs to receive methadone.\n\nThe Opioid Treatment Access Act is supported by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Shatterproof, the Kennedy Forum, NAMA Recovery, the National Council of Mental Wellbeing, and the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA).\n\nCompanion legislation is being led in the Senate by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).\n\nBill Details\n\nThe Opioid Treatment Access Act improves access to and modernizes the process of receiving treatment for opioid use disorder by:\n\nAllowing certain prescribers to prescribe up to 1-month take-home doses to be dispensed at a pharmacy so that patients can receive methadone for OUD at more accessible locations and allowing states to permit aspects of that care to be conducted via telehealth\n\nShortening the timeline for take-home methadone\n\nDirecting SAMHSA to conduct a full study on the impact of the COVID-19 methadone exemptions\n\nCodifying regulations that allow OTPs to operate mobile medication components without separate registration\n\nEmphasizing that states should align their regulation of OTPs in a way that is consistent with the intent of this legislation and breaks-down barriers to care\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/house-progressives-call-for-rep-lauren-boebert-to-be-removed-from-committee-assignments", "House Progressives Call for Rep. Lauren Boebert to Be Removed From Committee Assignments", "2021-12-03", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Cori Bush (MO-01), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), were joined by 34 House progressives to issue the following statement today calling for Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-03) to be removed from her committee assignments following her Islamophobic comments and incitement of anti-Muslim animus.\n\n\u201cRep. Boebert has repeatedly weaponized dangerous, anti-Muslim bigotry at our colleague Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05). Instead of apologizing, Rep. Boebert has continued her Islamophobic rhetoric and chosen to spread hateful speech even further. In the face of death threats and vitriol being spewed at Rep. Omar, Representative Kevin McCarthy (CA-23)\u2019s decision to allow and embolden continued hostility from his members speaks clearly to the Republican party\u2019s willingness to allow hate and division to grow at the expense of our people, our values, and our institutions.\n\n\u201cBut we refuse to stand by as Islamophobia, anti-Blackness, anti-immigrant sentiment, and xenophobia are trafficked into the halls of Congress by members of the Republican party. Today, we are calling for Rep. Boebert to be removed from her committee assignments. Our response to behavior that creates a dangerous work environment and furthers a climate of toxicity and intolerance cannot be silence. Congress cannot forgo accountability when a Member engages in hate speech that dehumanizes not only a colleague, but an entire people. We cannot be complicit as members of this body, who swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States, trample on the fundamental right of religious freedom.\n\n\u201cMuslims across the country are looking to Congress at this moment, watching to see if those they sent to represent their interests in Washington are going to stand up in the face of blatant, vicious Islamophobia. We owe it to them, and to every person who has been the recipient of harassment and verbal abuse based on their religion, race, gender, sexuality, or other identity, to stand up and show them that their votes to send us here mean something \u2014 that our values mean something, and are worth defending. We stand in solidarity with Rep. Omar, and urge every single one of our colleagues to join us in demanding action.\u201d\n\nThe following members joined Reps. Bowman, Bush, Carson, and Jayapal in signing on to this statement: Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Judy Chu (CA-27), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Kai Kahele (HI-02), Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez (NM-03), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Andy Levin (MI-09), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Marie Newman (IL-03), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowksy (IL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-senate-judiciary-committee-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-privacy-safety-of-federal-judges-and-their-families", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of Bipartisan Bill To Protect Privacy, Safety of Federal Judges and Their Families", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-author of the bill, and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), lead and co-author of the bill, applauded the passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation comes after the fatal, targeted attack last year on U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas\u2019s New Jersey home. The bill, named for Judge Salas\u2019s son who was murdered during the violent home invasion last year, would safeguard the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate families that could leave them vulnerable to potential threats.\n\nThe bill passed through the Judiciary Committee today without opposition and with broad bipartisan support.\n\nWATCH MEDIA AVAILABILITY HERE\n\n\u201cI am grateful that Senators of both parties came together today to support the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act\u2014 urgently needed legislation that will help protect the privacy and safety of federal judges and their families,\u201d said Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. \u201cNo person who takes on the responsibility of serving as a federal judge should ever have to live in fear that they or their family could be targeted by someone who is able to access their personal information easily online. As we continue to grieve and stand with the Salas family in honoring the memory of their son Daniel, we must never forget that tragic day, and we must ensure that this legislation is passed by the full Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cI made a personal commitment to Judge Salas that I would push for legislation to better protect those who serve on our federal judiciary. Today, we are one step closer to fulfilling that promise with this important legislation passing the Senate Judiciary Committee,\u201d said Sen. Menendez, who recommended Judge Salas to President Barack Obama for appointment to the federal bench. \u201cOver the past several years, we have witnessed increased threats against the men and women who serve on our federal judiciary. To ensure the sanctity of judicial independence and to help prevent another devastating tragedy like the one endured by Judge Salas, I urge my colleagues in Congress to swiftly pass this commonsense, bipartisan bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy husband and I thank the Senate Judiciary Committee from our hearts,\u201d Judge Salas said. \u201cDaniel\u2019s death showed tragically that threats against federal judges are real, and they have dire consequences. I urge Congress to follow the committee\u2019s lead and ensure that judges can perform their duties without fear, for themselves or their families.\u201d\n\nIn July 2020, a man posing as a delivery driver went to the home of Judge Salas and opened fire, critically wounding her husband, Mark Anderl, and killing their 20-year-old son, Daniel. The gunman had previously argued a case before Judge Salas and used publicly available information to target the judge and her family. Since the attack, Judge Salas has made advocating for greater safety and privacy protections for federal judges a personal mission.\n\nThe Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act would shield the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate family who share their residence, including home addresses, social security numbers, contact information, tax records, marital and birth records, vehicle information, photos of their vehicle and home, and the name of the schools and employers of their immediate family members.\n\nThe legislation establishes guidelines for federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial data collectors to create safeguards to protect the personal information of active, senior, recalled, or retired federal judges and their immediate families by:\n\nProhibiting government agencies from publicly posting judges\u2019 personally identifiable information and allowing judges to request the removal of their information within 72 hours if it is already posted;\n\nCreating a federal grant program for state and local governments to help cover costs to prevent the release of judges\u2019 personally identifiable information from any agency that operates a database or registry that contains this information;\n\nAuthorizing funding for state and local governments to create or expand programs to protect judges\u2019 personally identifiable information, such as programs to redact information from tax, property, and state motor vehicle records, among others, or the hiring of a third party to scrub the information from the internet;\n\nProhibiting commercial data collectors from selling, trading, licensing, purchasing, or providing judges\u2019 personally identifiable information, and authorizing the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) to provide data brokers with a current list of federal judges and their immediate family members for the purpose of compliance and;\n\nAllowing injunctive relief and a private right-of-action for violations of the law.\n\nThe bill would also authorize funding for the AO and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to monitor and assess online threats, maintain records, investigate complaints, and address acts of aggression and violations. It would also allow the USMS to hire additional intelligence analysts, deputy U.S. Marshals, and other personnel to ensure the agency is able to anticipate and deter threats against federal judges.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-sullivan-introduce-world-aids-day-resolution", "Booker, Sullivan Introduce World AIDS Day Resolution", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced a resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day, including the goal to achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The resolution recognizes current efforts made by the United States and international organizations in combatting HIV/AIDS while also encouraging greater coordination between the global community to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. A companion resolution was introduced in the House by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n.\n\n\u201cEach year, thousands of Americans are newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, with Black and Brown communities being disproportionately affected by the disease,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cAs we commemorate World AIDS Day, this is also the time for us to recommit to finally eradicating HIV/AIDS in the United States and worldwide by scaling up support for prevention, treatment and research programs and improving access to life-saving medications, especially for vulnerable populations.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we continue to battle COVID-19, World AIDS Day is an important reminder of the millions of people living with another virus\u2014HIV,\u201d said Senator Sullivan. \u201cSince coming to the Senate, I\u2019ve been an ardent supporter of robust funding for PEPFAR, a federal program started by President Bush that has treated nearly 15 million people around the world. I\u2019m glad to join Senator Booker and our House colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize World AIDS Day and the critical work being done to prevent infections and save lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their struggle against this disease, their families and loved ones, and the millions more who continue to live with and fight against it,\u201d said Rep. Lee. \u201cThis is the moment that we must all enact the political and moral will to bring equitable care and services for the LGBTQI+ community, sex workers, racial and ethnic minorities, and women and girls. We will only end AIDS if we address the deep disparities in access to sexual and reproductive care, life-saving HIV services, and education.\n\n\u201cAs we mark the 33rd World AIDS Day, it is imperative that we address stigma,discrimination, and repeal punitive laws against people living with HIV. We must come together to protect lifesaving public health programs to realize our shared goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation. I\u2019m proud to be working with co-chair Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon on this effort and I stand with the HIV community, their families, advocates, and my colleagues, to recognize the progress we have made over the years, but to fully commit to the work that remains.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we commemorate World AIDS Day, I am proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing bicameral resolution to continue our efforts in spreading awareness about HIV and continue our efforts to prevention, care and treatment,\u201d said Rep. Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n. \u201cThis is a mission I care about deeply, as in my district, two people become newly infected with HIV every day. It\u2019s imperative we continue supporting those living with this virus and their families, as we continue working in crafting common sense policies and programs to improve research and treatment and end the HIV epidemic.\u201d\n\nThe resolution was endorsed by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, AIDS Alabama, the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, Friends of the Global Fight, The AIDS Institute, RESULTS, NMAC, and ONE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-durbin-introduce-legislation-aimed-at-increasing-membership-within-us-sentencing-commission", "Booker and Durbin Introduce Legislation Aimed at Increasing Membership within U.S. Sentencing Commission", "2021-11-30", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Sentencing Commission Improvements Act, legislation that would for the first time add an ex officio member with a public defender background to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.\n\nThe U.S. Sentencing Commission, an independent agency within the federal judiciary, was created to establish policies and practices to help reduce sentencing disparities. It specifically collects and analyzes information on federal sentencing practices to help develop fairer and more effective criminal justice policies.\n\nCurrently, the Commission consists of seven members from both political parties appointed by the President and two ex officio, nonvoting members, the Attorney General or a designee and the U.S. Parole Commission chair. However, unlike the majority of state sentencing commissions, the federal Commission lacks a representative from a public defender background who would provide an essential perspective on the criminal justice system.\n\n\u201cThe federal Sentencing Commission was created to be fair, impartial, and capable of providing evidence-driven improvements to our sentencing system, which is fraught with disparities,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAdding a statutory member to the Commission with a public defender background will ensure that the Commission\u2019s ranks include this distinct and essential perspective on our criminal justice system and, thus, bring us one step closer to a more balanced and just system.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Sentencing Commission is tasked with establishing practices and policies to promote transparency and reduce sentencing disparities, but the Commission is missing a crucial perspective from the federal public defender system. If we hope to improve sentencing policies in America, we must balance the Commission\u2019s membership by adding a nonvoting federal defender,\u201d said Senator Durbin. \u201cThe Sentencing Commission Improvements Act will remedy the Commission\u2019s blind spot and move us toward a fairer sentencing process.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe welcome Senators Booker and Durbin\u2019s support for a federal defender ex officio,\u201d said Jon Sands, co-chair of the Federal Public & Community Defenders Legislative Committee & Federal Defender for the District of Arizona. \u201cThe time is past due for Congress to ensure defender representation on the United States Sentencing Commission. As the Judicial Conference has long recognized, a defender ex officio would make federal sentencing fairer and more just.\u201d\n\nThe Sentencing Commission Improvements Act adds an ex officio, nonvoting federal defender member to the U.S. Sentencing Commission designated by the Defender Services Advisory Group, the body under the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that represents defender offices and advises the federal judiciary.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/as-thanksgiving-approaches-booker-khanna-announce-legislation-to-protect-meatpacking-workers", "As Thanksgiving Approaches, Booker, Khanna Announce Legislation to Protect Meatpacking Workers", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) announced the Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act which would provide stronger workplace protections for meat and poultry processing workers.\n\nOur nation\u2019s food system has long been broken, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on just how broken the system truly is for workers, farmers and ranchers, animals, and consumers. Unfortunately, the workers responsible for getting food from the farm to our table are often overlooked and underappreciated. It is clear that our food system is not safe for most farm and food chain workers including meatpacking workers that, due to the power and influence of large multinational corporations, have been forced to risk their lives, crowded into meatpacking plants that became hotbeds for COVID-19 outbreaks. In fact, recent reports indicate that over 59,000 meatpacking workers employed by JBS, Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill, and National Beef contracted COVID-19, and at least 269 died.\n\nThe Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act would provide much needed protections for meatpacking workers along with systemic reforms such as creating a fair market that allows independent farmers, ranchers and robust local food systems to thrive and ensuring that consumers can actually identify where their food comes from so that food giants cannot simply shift the burden of their unfair system to others in the supply chain or import more unsustainable meat from other parts of the world.\n\n\u201cAs we sit down with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let it also be a day of gratitude for the workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have food on our tables,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cUnfortunately, meatpacking workers, including those processing the turkeys on the plates of many Americans this week, often face exploitative and dangerous work conditions. We must end this era of abusive practices and begin to ensure that all workers, farmers, and ranchers have a safe and fair opportunity to earn a living. The Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act would provide essential protections to meatpacking workers and is a critical piece in transforming our food system to one that is rooted in resilience, fairness, and justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic publicly exposed the dangerous conditions that meatpackers employed by large multinational corporations face, but this has been a problem for a long time,\u201d said Rep. Ro Khanna. \u201cI\u2019m glad to join Senator Booker to establish enhanced protections and safety standards at these mega meatpacking plants. It\u2019s time to prioritize people over profits and implement real reforms that will keep workers safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s meatpacking and food processing workers have put their health on the line every day of this pandemic to ensure our families can put food on the table. These hard-working men and women on the frontlines of our food supply chain deserve safe workplaces,\u201d said Marc Perrone, International President, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s introduction of the Protecting American Meatpacking Workers Act by Senator Booker and Representative Khanna is a critical step toward strengthening protections in these plants, increasing consumer protections, and holding the industry accountable. Americans deserve to know that their food is safe, made here in the United States, and comes from American workers who are protected on the job.\n\n\u201cWith action to strengthen safety inspections, improve transparency and require more injury reporting, this bill would deliver the real reforms this industry needs. As America\u2019s largest union for meatpacking workers, UFCW is calling on both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to quickly pass this legislation which supports good American jobs and will keep our food supply chain secure for years to come.\u201d\n\n\"The members of Wisconsin Farmers Union stand in solidarity with food system workers seeking workplace safety through the \u2018Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021,\u2019\u201d said Lauren Langworthy, Special Projects Director at Wisconsin Farmers Union. \u201cAs both farmers and eaters, we depend on the laborers who process our meat products. Issues of workplace safety and abuse - especially in the most consolidated processing plants - have endangered the health and wellbeing of laborers and added to the fragility of our food system as a whole. Workers deserve the basic protections brought forth in this bill, better enforcement of existing workplace safety laws, and meaningful consequences for employers who neglect the safety and wellbeing of this important workforce.\"\n\n\u201cNELP applauds Senator Booker and Representative Khanna for this legislation that secures robust health, safety, and legal protections for meatpacking workers and our food system,\u201d said Rebecca Dixon, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project. \u201cThis legislation is a culmination of the fierce advocacy of workers, advocates, and policymakers to protect the meat and poultry workforce, a community that is critical to our nation\u2019s wellbeing as we continue to work towards an inclusive and just recovery.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe want to thank Senator Booker for leading this effort,\u201d said Suzanne Adely, Co-Director, Food Chain Workers Alliance. \u201cMeat processing workers have been organizing for safe working conditions and for a voice in their workplace for years, and the COVID pandemic showed us just how much these workers are at risk. While there is still much more to do to protect workers and support worker organizing in meat processing plants, we think the provisions in this Bill are a critically important step.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor too long, poultry companies have been exposing workers to inhumane working conditions while profiting from their labor,\u201d said Magaly Licolli, Executive Director, Venceremos. \u201cThey have failed to take full accountability for the abuse, injuries, illnesses and financial stress their workers are subject to. This bill will address some of the most urgent protections for workers who have been undervalued to ensure they have dignity as they work to put food on our tables.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act would do the following:\n\nProtect meat and poultry works by:\n\nPreventing the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing line speeds waivers unless meat and poultry plants agree to a USDA inspection which must show that an increase in line speeds will not adversely impact worker safety;\n\nEstablishing occupational safety and health standards to protect employees in meat and poultry plants;\n\nImplementing a regional emphasis inspection program for meat and poultry plants which will cover multiple aspects of worker safety including amputation hazards, ergonomics, and hazards related to line speeds, bathroom breaks, use of certain antimicrobials, and temperatures of work sites;\n\nAllowing meat or poultry plant employees the ability to authorize a representative, who may be a member of a worker-based community group, to accompany physical inspections;\n\nStrengthening existing protections against retaliation from employers when employees refuse to perform work duties under conditions of reasonable apprehension and sets up a system wherein employees may file a complaint in the event retaliation has occurred;\n\nEstablishing a standardized, publicly available, reporting process for use during pandemics, which will require meat or poultry plants to report the number of employees who have become ill, their racial demographics, and their employment status;\n\nReform the farm system by:\n\nRequiring that all grants funded under USDA AMS for Expanded Meat & Poultry Processing include labor peace agreements and prohibiting small processing plants that received a grant from being sold to meat and poultry packers with over 10 percent of market share for a period of 10 years;\n\nStrengthening the Packers & Stockyards Act to crack down on the monopolistic practices of meatpackers and corporate integrators;\n\nRestoring mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements\n\nCalling for GAO reports that would explore:\n\nThe fragility of our nation\u2019s food system with respect to meat and poultry;\n\nRacial and ethnic disparities in meat and poultry processing;\n\nThe actions taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the effectiveness of those actions in protecting animal, food, and worker safety.\n\nLast year, Senator Booker introduced the Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act, that suspended all current and future USDA waivers and regulations that allowed companies to increase production line speeds at meatpacking plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nA list of the organizations endorsing the Protecting America\u2019s Meatpacking Workers Act can be found here.\n\nThe following Senators co-sponsored this legislation: Gillibrand (D-NY), Blumenthal (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), and Warren (D-MA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-legislation-aimed-at-banning-dangerous-pesticides-from-our-agriculture-system", "Booker Announces Legislation Aimed at Banning Dangerous Pesticides from our Agriculture System", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) that would remove dangerous pesticides within our farm system. Specifically, this legislation would update the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) by banning the most damaging pesticides that have been scientifically proven to harm the safety of people and our environment.\n\nEach year, the United States uses over a billion pounds of pesticides \u2014 nearly a fifth of worldwide use. Once they\u2019re approved, pesticides often remain on the market for decades, even when scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows a pesticide is causing harm to people or the environment. In 2017 and 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency registered more than 100 pesticides containing ingredients widely considered to be dangerous.\n\nApproximately one-third of annual U.S. pesticide use \u2014 over 300 million pounds from 85 different pesticides \u2014 comes from pesticides that are banned in the European Union. The pesticide regulation statute, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA), contains many loopholes that put the interests of the pesticide industry above the health and safety of people and our environment.\n\n\u201cAs we sit down with family and friends for Thanksgiving, let this day also be one of gratitude for the workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have food on our tables,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cFarmworkers are often exposed to dangerous and toxic pesticides, risking their health as they work to provide our food. It is imperative that we address this issue directly by updating our laws in order to protect farmworkers, frontline communities, and our environment.\u201d\n\n\u201cPesticide hazards haunt farm workers, especially those that are parents. No parent should worry that hugging their children after a long day of work could expose them to brain-harming chemicals. No pregnant worker should have to wonder what the effects will be on a developing baby. Just living in an agricultural community places farm worker families at the front lines of exposure to dangerous nerve agents. This silent risk extends to every consumer who could unknowingly put food with toxic residue on their family\u2019s table,\u201d said Teresa Romero, President of the United Farm Workers of America.\n\n\u201cFor our union, at the heart of the fight against harmful pesticides are countless tragic incidents of workers who experienced pesticide poisoning, and of parents whose children are dealing with developmental injuries, learning disabilities or other health impairments.\n\n\u201cThe Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act recognizes that our nation\u2019s farm workers and consumers deserve better and puts an end to the unacceptable risks to our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFarmworkers and their families are exposed to highly toxic pesticides in the fields where they work and the communities where they live,\u201d said Iris Figueroa, Director of Economic and Environmental Justice, Farmworker Justice. \u201cThe reforms in this bill provide long-overdue protections for the essential workers who provide our food, facing significant risks to their own health as they do so.\u201d\n\n\u201cChildren and farmworkers should not have to risk suffering serious harm from dangerous pesticides, including many that are banned in other countries,\u201d said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. \u201cThese critical reforms are long overdue. They\u2019ll ensure that people\u2019s health comes before the pesticide industry\u2019s greed.\"\n\n\u201cExposure to paraquat increases risk for Parkinson\u2019s disease \u2014 as well as causes lung damage and other issues. This herbicide must be banned,\u201dsaid Todd Sherer, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research Strategy of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson\u2019s Research. \u201cIt is irresponsible to continue allowing a chemical on the market that is a known contributor to developing a neurodegenerative disease. In addition to the human toll, Parkinson\u2019s brings a high financial cost to the individual and the government. Banning paraquat will reduce the number of people who develop Parkinson\u2019s and ease the economic burden.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) would provide desperately-needed improvement to FIFRA that would better protect people and the environment, including:\n\nBans some of the most damaging pesticides scientifically known to cause significant harm to people and the environment:\n\nOrganophosphate insecticides, which are designed to target the neurological system and have been linked to neurodevelopmental damage in children;\n\nNeonicotinoid insecticides, which have contributed to pollinator collapse around the world (the European Union and Canada have significantly restricted or banned their use to protect pollinators and other wildlife) and have recently been shown to cause developmental defects, heart deformations, and muscle tremors in unborn children;\n\nParaquat, which is one of the most acutely toxic herbicides in the world \u2014according to the EPA, just \u201cone sip can kill.\u201d Science has shown that chronic exposure to paraquat increases the risk of developing Parkinson\u2019s disease by 200% to 600%. It is already banned in 32 countries, including the European Union.\n\nRestores balance to protect ordinary citizens by removing dangerous pesticides from the market by:\n\nCreating a petition process to enable individual citizens to petition the EPA to identify dangerous pesticides so that the EPA would no longer be able to indefinitely allow dangerous pesticides to remain on the market;\n\nClosing dangerous loopholes that have allowed the EPA to issue emergency exemptions and conditional registrations to use pesticides before they have gone through full health and safety review by the agency;\n\nEnabling local communities to enact protective legislation and other policies without being vetoed or preempted by state law;\n\nSuspending the use of pesticides deemed unsafe by the E.U. or Canada until they are thoroughly reviewed by the EPA.\n\nProvides protections for frontline communities that bear the burden of pesticide exposure by:\n\nRequiring employers of farmworkers to report all pesticide-caused injuries to the EPA, with strong penalties for failure to report injuries or retaliating against workers;\n\nDirecting the EPA to review pesticide injury reports and work with the pesticide manufacturers to develop better labeling to prevent future injury;\n\nRequiring that all pesticide label instructions be written in Spanish and in any language spoken by more than 500 pesticide applicators.\n\nSenators Gillibrand (D-NY), Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), and Padilla (D-CA) co-sponsored this legislation.\n\nA list of the organizations endorsing the Protect America\u2019s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F40D230D-B6B9-4EB3-9E35-2BF3AF8D2558", "Rep. Norcross\u00a0Statement on Build Back Better Vote", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement regarding his vote in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act:\n\n\u201cToday, I voted for the Build Back Better Act, a blue-collar blueprint for rebuilding the American middle class.\n\n\u201cThis historic legislation puts workers and their families first. It was workers who kept us running through the pandemic \u2013 from staffing emergency rooms to stocking grocery store shelves \u2013 and it is working people who will pull us forward. But despite America\u2019s dependence on hard-working families \u2013 they have gotten a raw deal for far too long.\n\n\u201cThe Build Back Better Act is a game-changer and a job-generator. It will provide access to affordable, quality child care so parents don\u2019t have to choose between their family and their livelihoods, and it will make jobs in the care economy more sustainable. It reins in runaway health care costs so workers can keep more of their pay. It closes critical gaps in Medicare coverage so seniors on fixed incomes don\u2019t go bankrupt. It lowers excessive prescription drug costs so people aren\u2019t price-gouged for needed medicines. And it tackles climate change by creating good-paying jobs and making America a leader in the green economy. Together, these measures add up to the largest investments the middle class has seen in generations, and we do this while ensuring anyone making under $400,000 a year will not pay a penny more in taxes.\n\n\u201cCongressional Republicans have coddled the wealthy for too long. They spent $1.9 trillion on tax giveaways for the rich. Now, they balk at investing in the true drivers of our economic success \u2013 America\u2019s workers. Today, House Democrats said: Enough is enough. It\u2019s time to rebuild the middle class by making wealthy individuals and corporations pay their fair share.\u201d\n\nRead more about what is included in the Build Back Better Act here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-murray-menendez-maloney-kelly-and-porter-lead-over-100-democrats-in-introducing-the-access-to-birth-control-act", "Booker, Murray, Menendez, Maloney, Kelly, and Porter Lead Over 100 Democrats in Introducing the Access to Birth Control Act", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led the reintroduction of the Access to Birth Control Act in the Senate. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Katie Porter (D-CA) reintroduced the bill in the House. Over 100 Democrats are cosponsors of the bill.\n\nThe legislation\u2014which has been endorsed by 50 national and local advocacy organizations\u2014would guarantee patients\u2019 timely access to birth control at the pharmacy\u2014including by addressing pharmacies\u2019 refusals of contraception that prevent patients from obtaining their preferred form of birth control medication.\n\n\u201cBirth control is a vital part of reproductive health care and basic family planning,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAt a time when reproductive rights are under increasing attack throughout the country, protecting Americans' access to contraception is more important than ever. The Access to Birth Control Act would ensure that all people not only have autonomy over their health but also have affordable and timely access to birth control.\u201d\n\n\u201cBirth control is essential health care\u2014full stop. And it\u2019s health care that helps ensure everyone can control their own bodies, lives and futures,\u201d said Senator Murray. \u201cWith reproductive rights under attack from every angle, we\u2019ve got to stand up and make clear that no one should be able to come between a patient and the birth control they need\u2014including being turned away at the pharmacy.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to lead my colleagues in reintroducing the Access to Birth Control Act to ensure patients seeking birth control can access their health care without unnecessary barriers or delay,\u201d said Chairwoman Maloney. \u201cDuring the Trump Administration, some health care providers\u2014including pharmacists\u2014denied patients care simply based on their personal views. Health care providers must do their jobs based on science\u2014not ideology\u2014and we cannot let this dangerous trend continue. I\u2019ve been a fierce advocate for equitable access to reproductive health care for many years, and I won\u2019t stop fighting until everyone can access the care they need, when they need it.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to join Senators Booker and Murray in introducing this important legislation to ensure women are able to access their contraceptive of choice at the pharmacy of choice without fear of intimidation or harassment,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cThis is a critical step forward in making sure we protect a woman\u2019s settled right to access full and equitable reproductive care, including birth control.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccess to birth control is an essential part of women\u2019s healthcare, and a pharmacist\u2019s or provider\u2019s personal views should not factor into a woman\u2019s access to birth control,\u201d said Representative Kelly. \u201cWomen\u2019s healthcare is constantly under attack, and we must provide solutions to protect their access to care. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to ensure that every woman who wants to access birth control is able to easily obtain it.\u201d\n\n\u201cBodily autonomy is essential to social equality and economic security,\u201d said Representative Porter. \u201cEveryone ought to have the freedom to make their own health care decisions, including if and when they would like to have children. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues today in introducing legislation that will better protect patients seeking to make decisions about their own bodies.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople\u2019s access to birth control should never be restricted by a pharmacy employee\u2019s personal beliefs,\u201d said Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of National Women\u2019s Law Center. \u201cWe\u2019re glad to support this bill that will make sure everyone can leave a pharmacy with the birth control they need, without discrimination, harassment, or delay. At a time when extremist politicians are trying every way possible to take away our reproductive health care, it\u2019s urgent to secure federal protections like the ABC Act. We thank Senator Booker and Representative Maloney, Chairwoman of the Oversight Committee, along with Senator Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, and Representatives Kelly and Porter for taking action and urge Congress to pass it.\u201d\n\n\u201cContraception is a protected fundamental right and access to contraception is necessary for people to make and exercise decisions about whether and when to become pregnant,\u201d said Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, Founder and President National Birth Equity Collaborative. \u201cThe Access to Birth Control Act will especially aid in closing the disparities gap for women of color who historically have faced challenges accessing contraception and medication due to systemic racism. Establishing certain duties for pharmacies to ensure safe and equal access to contraception is a critical step in protecting women's sexual reproductive health and wellbeing. \u201d\n\n\"Birth control is a lifeline used at some point by 98% of U.S. Catholics to plan and support their families, manage health conditions, and achieve their educational and employment goals,\u201d said Jamie Manson, President of Catholics for Choice. \u201cIt is dangerous and wrong for a pharmacist to refuse essential care based on their personal religious beliefs, because refusal compromises a patient\u2019s health, economic security, and moral autonomy \u2013 all of which our Catholic social justice values compel us to protect. Catholics for Choice is proud to support the Access to Birth Control Act to ensure that people can get the care they need without delay, following their own individual consciences without obstruction or coercion.\"\n\nAccording to the National Women\u2019s Law Center, pharmacists have refused to fill prescriptions for birth control or provide emergency contraception over the counter to patients in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the ongoing coronavirus crisis has exacerbated barriers to contraception access, with one in three women experiencing delays in obtaining their birth control during the pandemic.\n\nThe Access to Birth Control Act ensures patients seeking FDA-approved contraception, including emergency contraception and medication related to contraception, are able to access it in a timely manner and not be prevented from doing so by a pharmacy.\n\nIf a contraception medication is out of stock, the bill requires pharmacies to either refer the patient to another pharmacy or order the medication, depending on the patient\u2019s preference.\n\nThe bill also protects patients from being intimidated, threatened, or harassed by pharmacy employees who personally object to the use of contraception.\n\nIn the event that a pharmacy violates one of these requirements, the bill establishes liability for civil penalties for the pharmacy and a private cause of action for patients to seek relief.\n\nClick here to read a summary of the Access to Birth Control Act.\n\nClick here to read the full legislative text of the Access to Birth Control Act.\n\nClick here to read the full list of Members introducing the Access to Birth Control Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=583F38CF-D021-484E-965E-6F70C7D0DB26", "Rep. Norcross Statement on the Unanimous Passing of the BRAVE Act", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement regarding the unanimous House passage of his legislation, H.R. 147, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education (BRAVE) Act:\n\n\u201cWe provide America\u2019s servicemembers with world-class training to fulfill their responsibilities to our nation, and it is only right that we provide them with world-class opportunities as they transition back into civilian society,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross, the author of the bill. \u201cThe men and women of the U.S. Armed Services are highly skilled and uniquely qualified for Registered Apprenticeships, which allow apprentices to earn while they learn and build toward a fulfilling career in a skilled trade.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Department of Labor, 92% of apprentices who complete a Registered Apprenticeship retain employment, with an average annual salary of $72,000. For comparison, the average starting salary for a graduate of a traditional four-year college is around $55,000 a year.\n\n\u201cPrograms like Helmets to Hardhats act as pipelines for the veteran community into the skilled trades. But without the education and training piece, these vital career pathways aren\u2019t being tapped to their fullest potential,\u201d continued Norcross. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m proud the BRAVE Act passed today. It will bridge servicemembers to long-term, family-sustaining careers.\u201d\n\nThere are an estimated 3 million veterans who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom are considered \u201cprime working age\u201d or between the ages of 25-54.\n\nThe BRAVE Act provides servicemembers transitioning off active duty better access to information about and access to VA-certified registered apprenticeship programs. It also extends Post-9/11 GI Bill stipend benefits to participants in these registered apprenticeship programs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7D514E5F-D26F-47E2-9F92-C2CA8E1DF5E0", "Rep. Norcross Statement on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Signing", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement regarding his attendance of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signing ceremony:\n\n\u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is going to help rebuild America and will create millions of good-paying jobs. And as I\u2019ve said, the best social program is a good-paying job. Today marked a historic investment in America\u2019s workforce, which will improve South Jersey\u2019s roads, bridges, rail, ports, and build the first-ever national electric vehicle charging network. It expands reliable and high-speed internet to every household, and replaces lead water pipes, ensuring communities and schools have clean drinking water. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will put South Jerseyans to work and enable everyone to get to work safely while reducing congestion for commuters.\n\n\u201cI was honored to be present for the signing of this historic bill. I know the importance of large-scale infrastructure projects. As an IBEW union electrician, I worked on the Ben Franklin Bridge and PATCO, and those jobs allowed me to provide for my family. Infrastructure investment creates jobs and opportunities for our communities. But they also have a more fundamental impact: when we work to build bridges in our communities and in Congress, we deliver for the American people. That\u2019s what rebuilding our infrastructure is about: creating jobs and building opportunities for people and our nation for generations to come.\u201d\n\nRead how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act delivers for New Jersey here.\n\nNew Jersey Infrastructure Background\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act meets critical needs for New Jersey. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave New Jersey infrastructure a grade of \u201cD+.\u201d In New Jersey 502 bridges and nearly 4,000 miles of highway are in poor condition. Poor road conditions cost the average New Jersey driver over $700 in vehicle repairs. Investments to expand broadband access will connect the 31% of New Jersey households that do not currently have an internet connection.\n\nInfrastructure Investments for New Jersey\n\nThe Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act includes historic investments for New Jersey, including:\n\n$7.9 billion to repair highways, roads, and bridges.\n\n$4.1 billion to improve public transit infrastructure.\n\n$1 billion to improve water infrastructure, including ensuring drinking water is clean and safe.\n\n$272 million to improve airport infrastructure.\n\n$104 million to support the expansion of an EV charging network.\n\n$100 million to help provide broadband coverage.\n\n$17 million to protect against cyberattacks against vital infrastructure.\n\n$15 million to protect against wildfires.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-resource-handbook-for-new-jersey-veterans", "Booker Releases Resource Handbook for New Jersey Veterans", "2021-11-11", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a comprehensive resource guide for New Jersey veterans and their families. The handbook, accessible on Booker\u2019s website here, includes added information on COVID-19 resources and VA benefits for conditions related to toxic exposure as well as information on health benefits, crisis support services, federal and state education programs, and employment resources.\n\n\u201cAs a nation, we must make sure that our veterans are given the resources, care, and support they need to succeed as they return to civilian life,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cAhead of Veterans Day, I am proud to release this handbook that provides the 400,000 veterans who call New Jersey home and their loved ones information on accessing critical services - from healthcare benefits, employment programs, to COVID-19 assistance.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-votes-to-pass-infrastructure-bill-and-advance-build-back-better-act", "Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Infrastructure Bill and Advance Build Back Better Act", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "On Friday, under the leadership of President Biden, Congress delivered a long awaited \u201cinfrastructure week.\u201d The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, is a once-in-a generation investment that will modernize our nation\u2019s infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying union jobs.\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will fund and jumpstart the manufacture of solar panels, wind farms, and electric vehicle charging stations to grow our clean energy supply chains and solidify the United States as a global leader in clean energy technology.\n\nAdditionally, the act will put plumbers and pipefitters to work replacing lead pipes across the country to ensure safe drinking water. It will repair and modernize rails, roads, public transit and tunnels including funding the vitally important Gateway Tunnel project between New York and New Jersey linking the entire Northeast. New Jersey\u2019s seaports and airports will also see the revitalization they need to continue to serve the region.\n\nOf utmost importance to New Jersey, the act will help build up our resilience to the damaging superstorms, flooding, and hurricanes that have impacted the state as we feel the effects of global climate change.\n\nAs we continue to deliver on the critical needs for every American and working family, I am excited for the next opportunity with the \u201cBuild Back Better\u201d agenda that extends more support to our struggling families, seniors, and children.\n\nMy progressive colleagues and I have worked for months to ensure that despite zero support for BBB from Republicans, we\u2019ve kept the bill moving forward while ensuring as many of the overwhelmingly popular and important priorities as possible were included. The agreement struck Friday night with Moderates to support this tremendous bill is a more tangible commitment than ever before and brings us that much closer to delivering for the American people.\n\nThe Build Back Better Act will represent one of the greatest investments in American families and children in generations:\n\nproviding affordable childcare and universal Pre-K\n\nextending the popular Child Tax Credit which has already begun to lift millions of American children out of poverty\n\nproviding paid leave for new mothers to both allow them to recover and bond with their children in those critically important first weeks\n\nensuring a healthy planet for generations to come by cutting pollution, reducing energy costs, creating good paying jobs\n\nallowing Medicare to negotiate to lower the prices on New Jerseyans\u2019 medications and capping out of pocket costs while easing the financial burdens on homeowners\n\nAll these provisions were included without adding to the debt that we leave our grandchildren by making sure the super-wealthy and corporations pay their fair share in taxes and ensure others have the opportunities they\u2019ve enjoyed.\n\nEach of these provisions exists to ensure that as we climb out of the devastation of the covid pandemic we don\u2019t return to the \u201cnormal\u201d that had left so many behind but build back better to a fairer, more equitable country for all. I look forward to supporting this next measure.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-leads-letter-to-january-6th-select-committee-urging-them-to-move-swiftly-despite-resistance-from-witnesses", "Watson Coleman Leads Letter to January 6th Select Committee Urging Them to Move Swiftly Despite Resistance from Witnesses", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "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) \u2013 Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation & Maritime Security, along with six other members of the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, sent a letter to Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02) \u2013 Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack of the United States Capitol, calling on the Committee to continue its work despite recent resistance to subpoenas for witnesses and documents.\n\nThe letter reads in part:\n\nAs more time passes, we write to you and the Committee to say that this cannot be forgotten, or even normalized, and we must swiftly to bring justice and accountability to the perpetrators. We are thankful for the work you and the Committee have done thus far and ask that you continue to push for the answers we desperately need.\n\nThe letter also requests that the committee look into the seeming discrepancy between the seriousness of the crimes and the leniency of charges. It also requests that all effort be taken by the Select Committee and other agencies and Departments to preserve all documentation and make them available to the public.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/on-eve-of-veterans-day-booker-klobuchar-announce-legislation-to-improve-access-to-mental-health-services-for-veterans", "On Eve of Veterans Day, Booker, Klobuchar Announce Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act, legislation that would expand access to mental health services for veterans and their families. The bicameral bill would allow 10 additional states, including New Jersey and Minnesota, to be eligible for at least one additional Vet Center which would provide mental health counseling to veterans, survivors of military sexual assault, and Gold Star families. Companion legislation was earlier introduced in the House by Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands-At-Large). This legislation has been endorsed by The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Service Women\u2019s Action Network, and New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group.\n\n\u201cVet Centers play a critical role in ensuring that our veterans and their families receive access to affordable and potentially lifesaving care, including vital mental health resources and gender specific services,\u201d said Sen. Booker.\u201cUnfortunately, as data shows, such centers are not always available in communities with high veteran populations. This bicameral legislation will help expand Vet Center services in several states, allowing more of our nation\u2019s veterans to receive the VA care they have earned and deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans have sacrificed for our country, and we need to repay this service by providing access to care that meets their unique needs, whether that be mental health needs or readjustment counseling,\u201d said Sen. Klobuchar. \u201cThe VA estimates that about 11 to 20 out of every 100 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been diagnosed with potential symptoms of PTSD, making it all the more crucial that we ensure every veteran has access to Vet Center services, regardless of where they live. I am proud to partner with Senator Booker on this legislation to prioritize the mental health of our veterans.\u201d\n\n\u201cVet Centers play a critical role in assisting veterans as they transition into civilian life and aiding those who are experiencing readjustment issues. Unfortunately, not all veterans have access to Vet Centers because of their geographic location, said Paul E. Dillard, National Commander of The American Legion. \u201cTo address this issue, The American Legion supports efforts to establish new Vet Centers that consider factors not measurable, but rather reflective of the unique characteristics of each state, its resources, and limitations to reach as many veterans as possible. Therefore, The American Legion is pleased to endorse the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act. Expanding the number of Vet Centers in certain high-population states that have high veteran to Vet Center ratios will help to reduce gaps in VA healthcare coverage and provide veterans the support they desperately need.\u201d\n\n\u201cVet Centers are vital community-based lifelines to mental health care and readjustment services for veterans, service members, and families,\u201d saidBrittany Dymond, Associate Director with the VFW\u2019s National Legislative Service. \u201cHowever, some communities lack access to a Vet Center while others experience demand that exceeds their Vet Center\u2019s capacity. The VFW supports the Veterans Census-Enabled National Treatment Equitable Resource Supplement for Mental Health Act of 2021 (Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2021), which would require VA to increase the number of Vet Centers. We applaud Senators Booker and Klobuchar for their attention to this issue in order to provide additional touch points to VA services.\u201d\n\n\u201cVET Centers are a critical lynchpin in VA\u2019s ability to support Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors and other veterans in need of services to support their mental health,\u201d said Lory Manning, Director Of Government Relations for the Service Women\u2019s Action Network. We need more VET Centers in more locations so more veterans can be helped by the healing programs and peer support they provide.\u201d\n\n\u201cCatholic Charities Veteran Services is proud to support this legislative effort to establish another Vet Center in New Jersey,\u201d said David Pearson, Assistant Director of Veteran Services for Catholic Family & Community Services in the Diocese of Paterson and Co-Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group. Access to local mental health services for our veterans is critically important, and is a benefit that they deserve. We thank Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for leading this initiative in the Senate to help fulfil our country\u2019s obligation to our veterans and service members.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholders Group is grateful for the support of Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for their advocacy on this very important issue,\u201d said AJ Luna, Co-Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group. \u201cOur veterans and their families have served and sacrificed for us all. We must continue to advocate for them so that they can have access to the resources and services that best support them during their transition to civilian life.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a veteran who recognizes the life-saving value of Vet Centers from firsthand experience, it is heart-warming to see legislation that would expand the number of Vet Centers across the United States,\u201d said Emerson Crooks,Co-Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council of the New Jersey VA Health Care System and Vice President of the Mental Health Association of North Jersey. \u201cVet Centers provide much needed mental health services for veterans and their families, especially for those who served in combat and require readjustment services upon their return home. I am thankful to Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for leading this initiative in the Senate, and for their continued advocacy to make this critical service available to more veterans. We must continue to advocate for our veterans and ensure that they have the support necessary during their transition into civilian life.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a recently retired Director of a Vet Center in New Jersey, I have seen firsthand the critically necessary support that Vet Centers provide to our servicemembers and their families,\u201d said David Cathcart, Retired Director of the Secaucus VA Vet Center. \u201cEspecially during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring our veterans can receive mental health services in a timely, local manner has never been more important in the fight to reduce veteran suicide. Adding additional Vet Centers across the United States, especially in New Jersey, will effectively reduce wait-times, decrease travel-times, and ensure providers are not overwhelmed with large caseloads. It is the least we can do for the men and women who have given so much to our nation.\u201d\n\nHistorically, different methods have been used to identify where the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) places Vet Centers, leading to unintended underinvestment in certain states and territories that have higher ratios of veterans to Vet Centers than the national average. This legislation modifies the criteria that the VA uses by leveraging results of the 2020 Census and the VA\u2019s own population data to ensure underserved areas are eligible for additional Vet Centers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-announces-more-than-112-million-to-help-new-jersey-families-cover-energy-costs-this-winter", "Rep. Watson Coleman Announces More than $112 Million to Help New Jersey Families Cover Energy Costs This Winter", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Investment Will Help Hardworking Families Afford Heating, Utility Costs and Energy Repairs\n\nToday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced $112,718,824 to help hardworking New Jersey families with energy costs this winter through the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). As American\u2019s continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic, LIHEAP grantees will be able to use the funding appropriated by Congress, along with funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, to help more than 5 million households stay warm this winter, cover utility costs and pay for energy repairs.\n\nLocal families who need assistance should contact Mr. Fidel Ekhelar at (609) 984-6670 or Fidel.ekhelar@dca.nj.gov.\n\n\u201cBetween the pandemic and Hurricanes Henri and Ida, this year has been historically challenging for New Jerseyans,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cAs hardworking New Jersey families continue recovering from a difficult year, this investment will help them cover their energy costs and stay warm, safe and healthy this winter.\u201d\n\nThe LIHEAP allocations are in addition to the funding New Jersey families received in May from the American Rescue Plan to help cover energy costs during the summer months.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-open-enrollment-resource-guide-for-new-jerseyans", "Booker Releases Open Enrollment Resource Guide for New Jerseyans", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Resource Guide for New Jerseyans. The guide, accessible here, includes information on health insurance plans available through the marketplace, financial assistance options, and the enrollment process.\n\nNew Jersey uses a state-based exchange, Get Covered New Jersey, to provide health insurance to residents. Also, as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden signed into law in March 2021, more New Jerseyans will have access to subsidies that will make their health coverage even more affordable in 2022.\n\nNew Jerseyans can enroll in a health insurance plan for themselves and their loved ones during the Open Enrollment Period that runs from November 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=02186B8E-4B81-49BC-BCCD-4DC753D898D2", "Rep. Norcross Statement on House Infrastructure Vote", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement regarding his vote in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:\n\n\u201cThe best social program is a good-paying job, and today the Democratic majority in the House voted to make historic and long-overdue investments in infrastructure that will create millions of jobs for hardworking families. Every stretch of asphalt, every concrete pillar, and every mile of broadband will help rebuild our economy, help South Jersey families put food on the table, pay for their child\u2019s education, and meet their everyday needs.\n\n\u201cBy building America\u2019s infrastructure, workers will rebuild their communities and local economies. They will receive more than just a paycheck. Whether they are welders, builders, or electricians, they\u2019ll receive stability in what has been an incredibly stressful 19 months. This bill invests in America\u2019s future by connecting businesses to market and working people to opportunity. That\u2019s what rebuilding our infrastructure is about: creating jobs and building opportunities for people and our nation for generations to come.\u201d\n\nCongressman Norcross, who is an electrician by trade and rose through the ranks of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers before being elected to Congress, also supports the Build Back Better Act, which includes equally important investments in America\u2019s middle class. He added:\n\n\u201cThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is an incredible first step, but our work will not be done until we pass the Build Back Better Act. The Build Back Better Act invests in support infrastructure like affordable child care, among other vital investments, to make jobs accessible. I was once a young, single dad, raising my son and working on construction sites. I know how important child care is to hold down a job. To build back better and deliver for the American people, we must pass the Build Back Better Act.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act meets critical needs for New Jersey. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave New Jersey infrastructure a grade of \u201cD+.\u201d In New Jersey 502 bridges and nearly 4,000 miles of highway are in poor condition. Poor road conditions cost the average New Jersey driver over $700 in vehicle repairs. Investments to expand broadband access will connect the 31% of New Jersey households that do not currently have an internet connection.\n\nInfrastructure Investments for New Jersey\n\nThe Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act includes historic investments for New Jersey, including:\n\n$7.9 billion to repair highways, roads, and bridges.\n\n$4.1 billion to improve public transit infrastructure.\n\n$1 billion to improve water infrastructure, including ensuring drinking water is clean and safe.\n\n$272 million to improve airport infrastructure.\n\n$104 million to support the expansion of an EV charging network.\n\n$100 million to help provide broadband coverage.\n\n$17 million to protect against cyberattacks against vital infrastructure.\n\n$15 million to protect against wildfires.\n\nFigure 1The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the third largest percentage increase since the Highway Trust Fund was established in 1957.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-celebrates-four-months-of-child-tax-credit-payments-to-nj-families", "Booker Celebrates Four Months of Child Tax Credit Payments to NJ Families", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) highlighted the transformative impact that four months of Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments have had on New Jersey families. Since monthly payments were first issued in July, nationally, the CTC has provided historic economic relief for nearly 39 million households, covering almost 90 percent of children in the country, and setting the U.S. on course to cut child poverty by half. Statistics from the Treasury Department and IRS show that $1,552,834,000 in CTC payments was awarded to New Jersey families from July to October, with more than 1.6 million New Jersey children being covered in October alone.\n\n\u201cFour months ago, families across the United States received their first child tax credit payments, a historic investment in the lives of working people that has helped struggling parents put food on the table, cover child care costs, and buy school supplies,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cIn New Jersey specifically, this transformative policy has been a lifeline for the 14% of children who lived in poverty prior to the pandemic, helping change life trajectories and positioning our state for stronger economic growth. I am especially encouraged to see President Biden\u2019s Build Back Better framework include an extension of these payments.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B29898DD-85BD-40A5-A420-B098819C633E", "Rep. Norcross Announces $625,000 Grant for Youth Mentorship Program", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CAMDEN, NJ \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced today that the Center for Family Services (CFS), located in Camden, will receive a $625,000 grant from the Department of Justice for a youth mentorship program targeted at those affected by the opioid crisis and drug addiction. The program, titled \u201cLegacy Through Leadership,\u201d will offer one-on-one and group mentoring to youth in Camden and Gloucester counties currently abusing or addicted to drugs, at risk for abusing drugs, and/or have family members who are currently abusing or addicted to drugs.\n\n\u201cSupporting our most vulnerable community members means providing resources for the children and families impacted by the opioid crisis and drug addiction,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cI\u2019m hopeful that these federal resources will help change lives here in South Jersey. We will continue to work with our neighborhood partners to address the needs of all those in our community battling the disease of addiction or impacted by it, and I look forward to seeing how this funding positively impact our families and children in South Jersey by giving them the tools to succeed.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere continues to be a great need for recovery support services, and this grant award from the Department of Justice will open the door to high-impact services,\u201d said Richard Stagliano, President & CEO at Center For Family Services. \u201cThanks to this important federal funding, youth will have access to trauma-informed counseling services, one-to-one mentoring, and group mentoring to support a pathway to recovery.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Department of Justice, Camden and Gloucester counties have seen an overall increase in drug-related hospital and overdose facility visits since 2008. This funding will allow CFS to recruit at least 62 mentors, of which at least 50 will be trained, accepted, and paired with youth. Recognizing the underlying individual, family, and community traumas that many youths served have lived through, \u201cLegacy Through Leadership\u201d will also pair mentoring with voluntary trauma-informed, evidence-based counseling.\n\nThe Center for Family Services works with neighborhood residents, schools, government leaders, corporate partners, and social services to support families and individuals.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-colleagues-urge-dot-to-implement-regulations-to-detect-and-reduce-methane-leaks", "Booker, Colleagues Urge DOT to Implement Regulations to Detect and Reduce Methane Leaks", "2021-10-29", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a letter with 11 colleagues urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to issue strong regulations to help reduce methane leaks within our natural gas pipeline system. Specifically, the Senators urged DOT and PHMSA to require advanced methane leak detection technologies that effectively detect and address harmful greenhouse gas emissions, an important step in implementing the PIPES Act of 2020 which Congress passed last year.\n\n\u201cLeaks in natural gas gathering, transmission, storage, processing and distribution threaten public health and our environment and cost industry substantial amounts in escaped methane,\u201d the Senators wrote to DOTSecretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cMethane is more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide and drives near-term greenhouse gas emission trends. A 2018 study published in Science found that the volume of natural gas leaking from across the natural gas supply chain would be enough to fuel 10 million homes and isworth an estimated $2 billion per year \u2013 and these estimates do not include the significant air quality and climate benefits associated with abating these methane emissions.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cThe first step to fixing methane leaks is finding them. Fortunately, effective technologies now exist to detect, locate, and quantify natural gas leaks quickly and accurately. Enabling swift, broad deployment of this technology will keep our communities safer, our air cleaner, and our greenhouse gas emissions lower. That is why in December 2020, Congress reauthorized the PIPES Act and required PHMSA to create minimum performance standards for leak detection and repair that reflect the capabilities of commercially-available advanced leak detection technologies.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are urging the Department of Transportation and PHMSA to take quick action to complete this rulemaking process and issue strong regulations that will enhance pipeline safety and reduce harmful methane emissions throughout the United States,\u201d the Senators concluded.\u201d\n\nThe following Senators co-signed this letter: Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Angus King (D-ME), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Tina Smith (D-MN).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C473D5EE-89B0-4AD1-8B43-6C29BD2A1A43", "Norcross Announces $5.2M from Department of Defense for National Security Research at Rowan", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "GLASSBORO, NJ \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced today that the Army Corps of Engineers-Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $5.2 million grant to Rowan University\u2019s Center for Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems (CREATES), the center\u2019s single largest award to date, to help the United States protect its national security interests in the Arctic region.\n\n\u201cRowan University is making its mark as a hub of innovation and research,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross, who recently visited CREATES\u2019 research facilities. \u201cThe development of new materials and methods for cold-weather construction is essential for our national security and will be broadly applicable as we continue our work to address climate change. I am proud that the next generation of engineers are playing a key role in these vital research programs right here in New Jersey.\u201d\n\nWorking in partnership with two labs from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC), the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and the Geotechnical and Structural Laboratory (GSL), CREATES is developing innovative construction materials for cold regions.\n\nSince CREATES opened in 2016, its researchers have earned nearly $17 million in grant funding and equipment from the Department of Defense encompassing 23 projects. The newest two-year grant funds the continued research and development of new technologies and paving materials for bridges, roads and airstrips for a cold-weather region undergoing rapid climate change.\n\n\u201cNew technologies and materials will facilitate a quick and safe deployment of troops and the establishment of military bases in the Arctic region,\u201d said Dr. Yusuf Mehta, civil and environmental engineering professor in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering and director of CREATES. \u201cEventually, these projects will serve as a major step toward securing our northern borders and securing Arctic infrastructure.\u201d\n\nThe grant-funded work also provides hands-on research experience for post-doctoral associates and graduate and undergraduate students. The projects include:\n\nDemonstrating self-deicing pavement systems under real-world conditions\n\nImproving asphalt binders with plastics\n\nEvaluating fiber-reinforced, hot-mix asphalt in the lab and at full scale\n\nDeveloping a \u201cself-healing\u201d asphalt mixture using asphalt binders modified by nanoparticles\n\nStudying the use of warm-mix asphalt technology in cold regions\n\nPrevious research has led to the development of innovative construction materials, such as geogrid-reinforced flexible pavements and self-deicing materials\n\nA critical part of the testing and evaluation relies on the center\u2019s Heavy Vehicle Simulator, the only such device at a college or university in the northeastern United States. Housed at Rowan University\u2019s South Jersey Technology Park through a cooperative agreement with CRREL, the $3 million machine can simulate decades of vehicular traffic on highways and airplane runways in less than half a year while controlling temperature and other environmental conditions.\n\n\u201cWe are very thankful for this partnership with Rowan University,\u201d said Wade Lein and Danielle Kennedy, research civil engineers at CRREL. \u201cWe\u2019re on the precipice of answering concerns about how our infrastructure performs in cold climates. The research we\u2019re doing is solving the needs of the future and that\u2019s where we need to be as scientists and engineers in this space. We look forward to the next five years and beyond.\u201d\n\n\u201cJust five years ago, Rowan University opened this facility with the goal of becoming one of the elite transportation and research institutions in America,\u201d said Rowan University Provost Tony Lowman. \u201cTime and again, Dr. Yusuf Mehta and his team of researchers have demonstrated the real-world value of scientific inquiry. We\u2019re exceedingly proud of their accomplishments and we deeply appreciate the continued support from the Department of Defense and our longtime research partners at the Army Corps of Engineers.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DC3A8618-799B-4238-8889-7CD079A05A8B", "Rep. Norcross Announces Resolution Supporting Workers\u2019 Rights", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced the introduction of a House Resolution expressing solidarity with workers across the country who have raised their voices to demand adequate pay, retirement benefits, and safer working conditions.\n\n\u201cI want every working person in this country to know \u2013 be they a machinist on the picket line or a barista organizing a union drive \u2013 that I stand with them,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross. \u201cDespite large corporations turning huge profits on the backs of workers, too many workers are not being rewarded with family-sustaining wages or benefits. It\u2019s time to put the American worker at the heart of federal policymaking. I urge my colleagues in the House \u2013 from both parties \u2013 to sign onto my resolution and pledge to pass pro-worker legislation.\u201d\n\nCongressman Norcross, a graduate of an IBEW Registered Apprenticeship and a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced the resolution at a press conference organized by Jobs With Justice, the National Women\u2019s Law Center, and Teamsters Union, where labor leaders and members of Congress spoke to the importance of passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. The PRO Act would create a pathway to union membership for millions of American workers and was passed by the House over 230 days ago but has not yet been brought to a vote in the Senate.\n\n\u201cSixty million non-unionized workers in America would join a union today if they could. Unfortunately, because of illegal intimidation tactics from employers, many won\u2019t ever have the chance to vote for union membership,\u201d added Congressman Norcross. \u201cThe PRO Act will level the playing field for hard-working people and corporations that have immense resources to intimidate, disrupt, and suppress labor organizing. Our labor laws haven\u2019t been updated since 1975, and it\u2019s time to put the law on the side of the average worker and start holding large corporations accountable for illegal and unfair behavior.\u201d\n\nThe month of October has been dubbed \u201cStriketober\u201d due to the high level of organized labor mobilization, including strikes \u2013 a tool of last resort for workers who have exhausted all other options in their fight for fair wages, benefits, and safer working conditions. Read the full resolution here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-peters-lead-21-senators-to-urge-interior-department-to-place-emergency-protections-on-gray-wolves", "Booker, Peters Lead 21 Senators to Urge Interior Department to Place Emergency Protections on Gray Wolves", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Gary Peters (D-MI) led 21 of their colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Interior to issue an emergency listing to restore temporary federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections to the gray wolf in the western United States. The letter comes on the heels of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service initiation of a comprehensive status review of the gray wolf in the western United States as well as the recent enactment of dangerous wolf eradication policies in several states including Idaho and Montana.\n\n\u201cIf continued unabated for this hunting season, these extreme wolf eradication policies will result in the death of hundreds of gray wolves and will further harm federally protected ecosystems like Yellowstone,\u201d the Senators wrote to Secretary of Department of Interior Deb Haaland. \u201cThe Department of the Interior can prevent these senseless killings, and we urge you to immediately establish emergency interim protections while the Service completes its status review.\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cAs you know, wolves are an integral component of North American ecosystems. More than 600 scientists have written to request emergency relisting of the Northern Rockies wolf population, precisely because wolves\u2019 role in maintaining healthy ecosystems is being jeopardized by the policies now being implemented by Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. As the scientists note, \u2018Without the presence of key species in numbers, we are merely conserving scenery and not functioning ecosystems.\u2019\n\n\u201cGiven the above, we urge you to immediately issue an emergency listing to establish temporary federal protections for gray wolves. An emergency listing, which extends for 240 days, will prevent more wolves from being killed before the Service makes a determination about whether relisting is warranted. Furthermore, as part of its status review, we respectfully request that the Service both engage in meaningful tribal consultation and consider the impacts of state-level policies like those in Idaho and Montana as they reevaluate the gray wolf\u2019s status,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nThe following Senators co-signed this letter: Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Ed Markey (D-MA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-braun-announce-subcommittee-hearing-on-the-state-of-nutrition-in-america-in-2021", "Senators Booker, Braun Announce Subcommittee Hearing on the State of Nutrition in America in 2021", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, and Mike Braun (R-IN), Ranking Member, today announced that the subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled \u201cThe State of Nutrition in America 2021.\u201d\n\nWHEN:\n\nTuesday, November 2nd, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. ET\n\nWHERE:\n\n216 Hart Senate Office Building\n\nWHO:\n\nDr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA\n\nDr. Angela Odoms-Young, Associate Professor, Director, Food and Nutrition Education in Communities Program and NYS Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY\n\nDr. Donald Warne, Associate Dean, Director, Indians into Medicine (INMED) & Public Health Programs, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND\n\nDr. Patrick Stover, Dean and Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX\n\nMs. Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow and Rowe Scholar, American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Washington, D.C.\n\n***The Committee will follow guidelines developed in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and the Senate Rules Committee to protect the health of members, staff, and the public. This includes maintaining six-foot social distance spacing in the hearing room as well as wearing a mask or face covering. Pursuant to this guidance, Senate office buildings are not open to the public other than official business visitors and credentialed press at this time. Accordingly, the general public will not be allowed to attend the hearing.\n\nMEDIA GUIDANCE:\n\nCongressionally-credentialed members of the media wishing to attend the hearing should RSVP to their respective gallery by 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2021. Editorial presence will be limited due to social distancing requirements. Questions about coverage should be directed to respective congressional media galleries.\n\nDaily print reporters should RSVP to Daily Press Gallery at 202-224-0241.\n\nPeriodical reporters should RSVP to Periodical Press Gallery at 202-224-0265.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-reintroduces-customer-non-discrimination-act", "Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Customer Non-Discrimination Act", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Bill would add sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity to the prohibitions on discrimination covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964\n\nToday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Customer Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that ensures fair treatment for LGBTQ Americans in public spaces and commercial services open to the public. The bill, also included as a provision of the Equality Act in 2020, adds sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity to the prohibitions on discrimination covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve come a long way in the fight for equality irrespective of what we look like or who we love, especially in states like New Jersey. But too many LGBTQ Americans still risk being fired, refused housing, or even denied healthcare just because of who they are,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cThis bill would prevent that, making it so that spaces like restaurants, banks, retail stores and hotels cannot refuse to serve LGBTQ people.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Customer Non-Discrimination Act is an important step in providing fair treatment for LGBTQ+ Americans in every public space across the country,\u201d said Maloney. \u201cToo many LGBTQ+ people are at risk of being fired, refused housing, or denied healthcare simply because of who they love or how they express their gender. Restaurants, hotels, stores, and other public spaces and commercial services should NOT be able to refuse service due to a person\u2019s sexual orientation or gender identity. I want to thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman for leading the charge on this important issue, so that all LGBTQ+ Americans can be treated fairly in public spaces.\u201d\n\n\u201cI join Rep. Watson Coleman on this important legislation to prevent restaurants, banks, retail stores, and hotels from refusing to serve LGBTQ+ Americans,\u201d McCollum said. \u201cOur LGBTQ+ neighbors continue to face discrimination, and we need to establish protections to ensure fairness and equality for all.\u201d\n\nThe Customer Non-Discrimination Act, first introduced by Watson Coleman in 2015, amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by adding sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity to shield LGBTQ people from discrimination like that experienced by the couple that sought a wedding cake in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The bill would also make updates to the public accommodations covered by the 1964 law to include retail stores, banks, legal services, healthcare providers and transportation services \u2014 ensuring that all these public facing entities remain open to everyone.\n\nThe Customer Non-Discrimination Act is cosponsored by Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Karen Bass (CA-37), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Julia Brownley, (CA-26), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07), Mat Cartwright (PA-08), David Cicilline (RI-01), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steven Cohen (TN-09), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Val Demings (FL-10), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-03), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Scott Peters (CA-52), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Mark Takano (CA-41), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), and Paul Tonko (NY-20).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-braun-mcgovern-and-walorski-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-that-would-convene-a-white-house-conference-on-food-nutrition-hunger-and-health", "Booker, Braun, McGovern, and Walorski Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill That Would Convene a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger and Health", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would convene a second national White House conference on food, nutrition, hunger, and health. The first such conference occurred just over 50 years ago, culminating in the creation and expansion of programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.\n\nThe proposed second conference would take a whole-of-government approach to ending hunger and combatting nutrition insecurity in America, featuring diverse voices and those with lived experience. The conference would also explore weaknesses within the current food system, highlighting the fragility created by hyper-consolidation that has led to fewer choices for consumers and economic insecurity for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, many of which are now considered food deserts.\n\n\u201cFifty years ago, our nation convened a conference to address the widespread hunger crisis in America, leading to the creation and expansion of programs such as WIC and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cDespite the progress made, America is grappling with a hunger crisis and now faces a second crisis\u2014one of nutrition insecurity\u2014that is plaguing our nation and hindering the success of our nation\u2019s youth as a result of decades-long policy failures in our food system. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation will, in the spirit of 50 years ago, convene a second conference of advocates, healthcare professionals, and farmers and ranchers to address the failures and inequities of our broken food system that is poisoning our communities and preventing us from achieving true justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe time has come to address our nation\u2019s food insecurity with a bipartisan, commonsense approach. There is no reason that millions of Americans in rural and urban areas alike should be going to sleep hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from, or with poor nutrition,\u201d said Senator Mike Braun. \u201cI am eager to convene a conference food, nutrition, and health to help reach nutrition goals in the most efficient way possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cEach night, tens of millions of our fellow Americans go to bed hungry. That\u2019s just plain wrong,\u201d said Congressman McGovern. \u201cWhat we lack isn\u2019t food or resources; we lack the political will and moral courage to act. The COVID pandemic showed that hunger isn\u2019t just a problem for someone else. It\u2019s something anyone can struggle with in the blink of an eye. It\u2019s time for us to bring together experts and create a holistic, whole-of-government plan to end hunger and nutrition insecurity. I look forward to working with our bipartisan group to make this White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger and Health a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo neighborhood in Indiana or around the country is immune from hunger. Combating food insecurity in America and eliminating barriers that are holding back families from success are bipartisan priorities,\u201d said Congresswoman Walorski. \u201cTo be responsible stewards of taxpayer resources, we must discern what works best to address hunger and food insecurity in our communities at the local, state, and federal levels. The White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health will be an important forum for bipartisan collaboration on data-driven and evidence-based solutions to deliver real results for families in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to support the efforts of Chairman McGovern and Senator Booker to introduce bipartisan legislation convening a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health,\u201d said Chef Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s, founder of the food relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen. \"Whether after disasters, in our schools, or fighting ongoing hunger in our local communities, I believe in the power of food to bring all Americans together. We must build longer tables where nutrition insecurity becomes a problem of the past. I look forward to working closely with President Biden, the White House, and Congress on making this long-overdue conference a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a country, we can end hunger. 36 million Americans went hungry even before the pandemic \u2013 we should not aspire to just going back to the way things were before the pandemic, we should aspire to do better,\u201d said Top Chef judge and food activist Tom Colicchio. \u201cEnding hunger in America isn\u2019t just some dream or slogan, it\u2019s something that we can and will make into a reality, and that starts with convening this White House conference.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe time is ripe for a White House Conference to develop a national strategy to fix food. Our country faces a nutrition crisis, harming our health, economy, equity, military readiness, and natural resources,\u201d said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University. \u201cCurrent federal policies, research, and investments in food and nutrition are fragmented across 21 agencies. A Conference will be critical to re-imagine and re-design our food system toward one that improves health, ends hunger, reduces healthcare spending, advances science and innovation, and boosts our economy for all Americans.\u201d\n\nIn the United States currently, nearly half of the adult population and a quarter of the young adult population is pre-diabetic or has Type 2 diabetes. Nutrition insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases disproportionately affect racial and ethnic groups as well as low-income, rural, and other underserved populations in the United States. In just over 10 years, Type 2 diabetes rates have doubled for African American children and increased 50 percent for Native American children and Hispanic children between the ages of 10 and 19. Black Americans are also 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure and 30 percent more likely to die of heart disease than white Americans. Recent data has shown that the healthcare costs attributable to diet-related diseases exceed $600 billion annually, with such diseases leading to worse outcomes from COVID-19.\n\nAlthough new census data shows that recent actions have brought hunger in America to its lowest level since the pandemic began, returning to the pre-COVID status quo would leave tens of millions of people hungry in every congressional district in the nation. More than 35 million people, including 10 million children, were going hungry in America even before the COVID pandemic hit. Nonprofit groups estimate that hunger costs the United States over $160 billion each year in poor health outcomes, chronic disease, and lost productivity.\n\nThis White House conference would bring together the heads of food banks, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, educators, farmers and ranchers, individuals with lived experiences, and more, with the goal of crafting a real plan with benchmarks for ending hunger, reducing nutrition insecurity, and reducing diet-related disease.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-confirmation-of-karen-m-williams-to-us-district-court-for-new-jersey", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Confirmation of Karen M. Williams to U.S. District Court for New Jersey", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) applauded the Senate\u2019s confirmation of Karen M. Williams to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.\n\n\u201cJudge Williams has had a long and distinguished legal career defending the rights of workers and has a deep understanding of the issues facing the people of New Jersey,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cJudge Williams is eminently qualified to serve on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and I know that she will bring fairness, impartiality, and a commitment to applying justice equally to the federal bench. This is a historic confirmation\u2014she is the first African-American federal judge confirmed by the Senate to sit in the federal courthouse in Camden, New Jersey. I am proud of her confirmation today.\u201d\n\n\u201cJudge Karen M. Williams is a thoughtful and intelligent legal mind and her unique experience as a human resources professional, trial attorney, and magistrate judge make her eminently qualified to serve on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud that she is the first Senate-confirmed African American and person of color to sit in the U.S. District courthouse in Camden, N.J. I am confident that she will not only administer equal justice under the law, but serve the people of New Jersey with distinction. I thank President Biden for selecting a stellar nominee who reflects the values and diversity of the great state of New Jersey.\u201d\n\nKaren M. Williams has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court in the District of New Jersey since 2009. Judge Williams also currently serves as an adjunct professor at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Prior to her appointment, Judge Williams spent 17 years in private practice at Jasinski & Williams, P.C. in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Judge Williams\u2019s work focused on employment law, including litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies. Judge Williams received her J.D. from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in 1992 and her B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University in 1985.\n\nEarlier this year, the Senate confirmed Julien Xavier Neals and Zahid Quraishi to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Booker delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of Neals andQuraishi. And just last week, the Senate also confirmed Christine P. O\u2019Hearn to that court. Williams is now the fourth judge confirmed for the District of New Jersey this year.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=282458A0-D2F2-405F-93C3-97E243030400", "Rep. Norcross Announces More Than $2.1 Million to Modernize South Jersey Health Centers and Support Underserved Communities", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CHERRY HILL, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that thanks to the American Rescue Plan, three South Jersey federally qualified health care centers (FQHCs) will receive a total of $2,119,607 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund COVID-19 and primary health care infrastructure needs in medically underserved communities.\n\nSpecifically, South Jersey FQHCs will receive:\n\n$922,272 to CAMcare Health Corporation, which has provided health care to Camden and Gloucester counties since 1978.\n\n$661,535 to Osborn Family Health Center, which provides patients with access to primary health care.\n\n$535,800 to Project H.O.P.E., which specializes in the health and well-being of homeless residents in Camden.\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves access to quality health care, and community health centers ensure there\u2019s access for the most vulnerable members of our community,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cThis funding from the American Rescue Plan will allow community health centers to build, renovate, or expand facilities and purchase state-of-the-art equipment to enhance pandemic response in communities hit especially hard by COVID-19.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the hard work Congressman Norcross put in to secure the Health Center Infrastructure Support grant for CAMcare Health,\u201d said Mark Roberts, President and CEO of CAMcare Health. \u201cWe will utilize these monies to improve the quality of service to our communities. Our Clementon facility, in particular, will be modernized using these funds.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), American Rescue Plan \u2013 Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements (ARP-Capital, C8E) one-time funding will enable Project H.O.P.E. to make alterations and renovations at the West Street Health Center to provide workspace for COVID vaccines, testing and support quality clinical activities and telehealth visits,\u201d said Patricia DeShields, CEO of Project H.O.P.E.. \u201cThis renovation funding will ensure that patients will have more equitable access to high-quality primary health care. Access to the high-quality care provided by Project H.O.P.E. and all other HRSA funded health centers has grown even more important during this COVID-19 pandemic.\u201d\n\nThe grants come from HHS as part of nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan funding to nearly 1,300 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program-funded health centers around the nation. These awards will strengthen our primary health care infrastructure and advance health equity and health outcomes in medically underserved communities, including through projects that support COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination. For a full list of awards in New Jersey alone, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-reintroduces-the-gig-is-up-act-to-combat-exploitation-of-gig-economy-workers", "Watson Coleman Reintroduces The Gig Is Up Act to Combat Exploitation of Gig Economy Workers", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "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) reintroduced the Gig Is Up Act, which would provide unprecedented relief for gig workers. The bill would require companies that gross at least $100 million and employ at least 10,000 independent contractors to pay the full cost of both the employer and worker contributions to Social Security and Medicare.\n\n\u201cCompanies like Uber are worth billions of dollars, yet they refuse to treat their workers humanely. This is exploitation, pure and simple,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing the start of a new American labor movement, and gig workers are demanding the same level of dignity being called for by traditional employees. I support them in this struggle. I\u2019m proud to reintroduce a bill that would provide gig workers with some financial security and let them work with dignity.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor too long, large companies and multinational corporations have taken advantage of workers based on their classification as independent contractors,\" said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. \"Today we say the gig is up! I am proud to join my friend and colleague Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman in introducing the Gig is Up Act to ensure that companies prioritize people over profits by paying workers fair compensation and providing the benefits that they have earned.\"\n\n\u201cFor too long billion-dollar companies have profited off the backs of gig workers struggling to make ends meet, especially as many took unprecedented risks to try and do so amid the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. \u201cWe\u2019ve waited long enough for such companies to put people before profits. It\u2019s time to compel them to so that gig workers are given the same opportunity to thrive as any other worker in this country. That\u2019s why I couldn\u2019t be prouder to cosponsor Congresswoman Watson Coleman\u2019s reintroduction of this critical piece of legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor more than a year, gig workers have been on the front lines of the pandemic, helping us shop, get takeout, or drive us to where we need to be. But the multibillion dollar companies who pay these workers have gotten away with earning billions of dollars in extra revenue by not classifying them as employees. That is wrong,\u201d said Congressman Mark Pocan. \u201cThis bill rectifies this wrong and reclassifies these gig workers to earn their fair share.\u201d\n\n\"Gig workers have helped grow small businesses into major companies, yet they are denied basic employee benefits,\u201d said Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson. \u201cThat's why I cosponsored the Gig is Up Act, to hold these corporations accountable and ensure gig workers have the protections and benefits they have earned. As our workforce and our economy change, we must continue to demand that every hard-working American is given the tools they need to succeed and get ahead.\"\n\n\u201cIt is unfair to saddle workers with their employers\u2018 tax bill simply because they are classified as gig or contract labor,\u201d said Congressman Ra\u00fal Grijalva. \u201cThis has become just another way for corporations to evade taxes by forcing workers to foot the bill. It\u2019s time for corporations to pay their fair share, and to provide 1099 workers and their families with needed relief and security.\u201d\n\nUnder current law, gig workers must pay both the employer and worker contributions of their Social Security and Medicare, while traditional workers only pay the worker contribution. By requiring large companies to pay both gig workers\u2019 employer and worker contributions, the Gig Is Up Act would incentivize these companies to classify workers as employees, rather than independent contractors.\n\nSocial Security Works, an independent organization focused on protecting the Social Security program and those who receive benefits, has endorsed the bill.\n\n\"Social Security Works is proud to support the Gig is Up Act. This legislation takes much-needed steps to hold corporations accountable for exploiting their workers by misclassifying them as independent contractors,\u201d said Executive Director Alex Lawson. \u201cBy requiring these corporations to pay their fair share into Social Security and Medicare, the Gig is Up Act ensures that workers will receive their earned benefits. Thank you Rep. Watson Coleman for fighting for working people!\"\n\nThe bill was first introduced in 2019 by then-Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01). Haaland now serves as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.\n\nThe Gig Is Up Act is cosponsored by Reps. Andre Carson (IN-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-underwood-adams-kelly-and-beatty-urge-president-biden-speaker-pelosi-and-leader-schumer-to-include-critical-investments-to-advance-maternal-health-equity-in-final-build-back-better-package", "Booker, Underwood, Adams, Kelly, and Beatty Urge President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer to Include Critical Investments to Advance Maternal Health Equity in Final Build Back Better Package", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 In a letter to President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Alma Adams (NC-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (OH-03) pushed to ensure that investments from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act are included in full in the final Build Back Better package. The group also urged the leaders to build on the critical progress made through the American Rescue Plan Act by investing in the permanent expansion of yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in every state.\n\n\u201cPermanently expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage and advancing comprehensive investments in the Momnibus will uphold a principle that is fundamental to the Build Back Better Plan: that in America, every family has a right to thrive\u2014a principle that begins with a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth. We must include these critical maternal health equity investments in the final Build Back Better reconciliation package,\u201d they wrote.\n\nIf passed, the Momnibus and postpartum Medicaid provisions in the Build Back Better package would be historic investments to save moms\u2019 lives, end racial and ethnic maternal health disparities, and advance birth equity across the United States. The letter echoes previous outreach to Leadership by more than 160 Members of the House and Senate advocating for the inclusion of the Momnibus and yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in a reconciliation package.\n\nThe United States has the highest rate of pregnancy-related mortality among high-income countries, and the only rate that is rising. Maternal mortality rates for Black and Native Americans are 2-4 times higher than rates for white Americans, and Hispanic and AAPI people also experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes 12 bills to build on postpartum Medicaid coverage expansion and comprehensively address the drivers of the maternal health crisis. The Momnibus makes critical investments in addressing social determinants of health, funding community-based organizations, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving data collection processes.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-wicker-introduce-legislation-to-better-measure-future-precipitation-amounts", "Booker, Wicker Introduce Legislation to Better Measure Future Precipitation Amounts", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today introduced the Providing Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation Act, or PRECIP Act, legislation that would update out-of-date precipitation data in the U.S. by providing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with funding and guidance to conduct future research. The PRECIP Act would also direct NOAA to studythe ongoing changes in precipitation that will help communities better prepare for extreme weather and flooding events and to work with the National Academies to complete a consensus study on the best practices for estimating precipitation. Companion legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11).\n\n\u201cWe must take every step possible to protect our communities from the increasing frequency of disasters like the historic flooding and rainfall New Jersey experienced this summer from the remnants of Hurricane Ida,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis bipartisan bill would provide NOAA with vital funding to consult with partner organizations and conduct studies to modernize and improve our nation\u2019s precipitation data, which is needed now more than ever as communities in New Jersey and across the country face the realities of climate change and extreme weather. The new data will be especially useful as we invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to strengthen and safeguard our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFlooding regularly puts American lives and property at risk, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses each year,\u201d said Sen. Wicker. \u201cOne threat from flooding is dam failure, and in Mississippi there are hundreds of state-regulated dams with a high hazard potential. Forty-two of these dams have failed and nine others have been drained. We need better data to help flood control managers improve dam safety and to update methods used to estimate the risk of failure.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the PRECIP Act requires NOAA to:\n\nUpdate precipitation frequency estimates for the United States. NOAA must include specified information in the updates and must make publicly available certain precipitation frequency estimate studies.\n\nSeek to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the state of practice and research needs for precipitation estimation, including probable maximum precipitation estimation.\n\nConsult with relevant partners on the development of a plan to update probable maximum precipitation estimates.\n\nDevelop guidance regarding probable maximum precipitation estimates that (1) provides best practices for federal and state regulatory agencies, private meteorological consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum precipitation studies; (2) considers the recommendations provided in the National Academies study; (3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation studies by regulatory agencies; and (4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific probable maximum precipitation estimates.\n\nThe PRECIP Act is supported by: the Pew Charitable Trusts, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, the Geospatial Equipment & Technology Institute, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, the U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization, the Waterfront Alliance, Association of State Floodplain Managers, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Iowa Flood Center, and the American Public Works Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-watson-coleman-barbara-lee-schiff-jones-reintroduce-prep-assistance-program-act", "Reps. Watson Coleman, Barbara Lee, Schiff, Jones Reintroduce PrEP Assistance Program Act", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Adam Schiff (CA-28) and Mondaire Jones (NY-17) reintroduced the PrEP Assistance Program Act to make the preventative HIV drug PrEP more affordable and accessible to underserved and high-risk populations. The bill would provide grants to cover medication costs, clinic and testing fees, physician visits and community outreach programs.\n\nAlthough PrEP has been available for several years, many Americans lack access to and awareness of the medication. The PrEP access gap is especially prevalent in Black and Latinx communities, who also suffer from disproportionately high rates of HIV.\n\n\u201cThanks to decades of scientific advancement, we now have the tools to end the HIV epidemic once and for all. The next step is getting those tools into the communities that need them most,\u201d said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. \u201cThis is not just a public health issue \u2014 it\u2019s a social justice issue too. The PrEP Assistance Program Act is an important step toward both eliminating HIV and advancing healthcare equity.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the founding Co-Chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, I am proud to join Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Adam Schiff and Mondaire Jones for the introduction of the PrEP Assistance Program Act. While we have made great strides over the last 40 years in the fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, more people are living longer with HIV than ever before,\u201d said Congresswoman Lee. \u201cBut despite the rate of diagnoses decreasing due to federal investments in HIV/AIDS research, prevention, education and care, Black Americans, Latinos, Asians, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are still disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. The PrEP Assistance Program Act would help address gaps in access to PrEP, support existing PrEP Assistance Programs and create new programs in communities most in need of PrEP to prevent the spread of HIV.\u201d\n\n\u201cBecause of the advancement in PrEP, we have the ability to end the HIV epidemic. But due to a lack of access and other systemic barriers, this life-saving drug is still tragically underutilized by individuals that need it most, including those who are uninsured or at the highest risk of contracting an infection,\u201d said Congressman Schiff. \u201cThis critical legislation will help PrEP medication and other essential testing and treatment services to equitably reach communities and ensure no one has to suffer from a now-preventable disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a gay, Black man, I know firsthand the life-changing power of PrEP,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cPrEP allows millions of Americans at higher risk of contracting HIV, especially LGBTQ+ people, to live their lives without fear. But today, too many people go without this medication simply because they can\u2019t afford it or don\u2019t know about it. In the wealthiest nation on Earth, that is unjust and unacceptable, which is why I\u2019m so proud to introduce the PrEP Assistance Program Act with Rep. Watson Coleman. In our ongoing fight to affirm LGBTQ+ justice and eradicate HIV and AIDS \u2014 which disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ people of color \u2014 getting PrEP to every person who needs it is essential. As the first openly gay, Black member of Congress and a co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I won\u2019t stop fighting until we do.\u201d\n\nIndependent medical and health equity organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and the HIV Medicine Association, have thrown their support behind the bill.\n\n\u201cExpanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication to reduce the risk of HIV infection in high-risk individuals, is imperative if we are to meet the nation\u2019s goal of ending the epidemic by 2025,\u201d said J. Maurice McCants-Pearsall, Director of HIV and Health Equity for the Human Rights Campaign. \u201cThe PrEP Assistance Program Act would remove barriers to utilizing this critical tool for HIV prevention, an important step towards diminishing disparities in those who can access this effective preventive measure. The Human Rights Campaign thanks Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman for her leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cNASTAD applauds the Members of Congress who introduced the PrEP Assistance Program Act (PrEP Act). The PrEP Act will provide needed resources to jurisdictional health departments to ensure far more individuals will have access to affordable PrEP and support services,\u201d noted Executive Director Stephen Lee, MD, MBA. \u201cGiven the disparities in PrEP access, particularly among young, gay Black and Latinx men and transgender women, NASTAD is hopeful that this legislation will increase access to PrEP for these populations.\n\n\u201cWe will not end the HIV epidemic without significant increases in the number of people vulnerable to HIV using PrEP. Coupled with efforts to bring down the cost of the drug, this bill will considerably improve access to PrEP and get us one step closer to our goals of reducing new diagnoses. We must continue to address stigma and other systemic barriers that have fueled the relatively low number of individuals currently accessing PrEP in this country,\u201d Dr. Lee concluded.\n\n\u201cHIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute fully supports this bill and urges Congress to swiftly pass it. While there are government programs for people living with HIV and other prevention programs, there isn\u2019t a comprehensive nationwide program for PrEP,\u201d said Executive Director Carl Schmid. \u201cThe PrEP Assistance Program Act would help fill that void by providing grants to states, community-based organizations, community health centers, and others to establish and support PrEP programs. Not only would these programs provide PrEP and associated medical services, but also much needed community and provider outreach programs.\u201d\n\n\u201cPre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for preventing HIV, and yet only about 18 percent of those who could benefit from it have been prescribed PrEP. The rate of prescribing is even lower in the Black and Latinx community, especially men who have sex with men (MSM) and women, as well as among youth (16-24 years old) and persons who inject drugs,\u201d said HIV Medicine Association Chair Marwan Haddad, MD, MPH. \u201cThe PrEP Assistance Program Act would provide much-needed resources to rural and community-based clinics and other safety net programs to improve PrEP access for the most affected populations and help to advance efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.\u201d\n\nThe PrEP Assistance Program Act is cosponsored by Reps. Lois Frankel (FL-21), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ann Kuster (NH-02), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Mark Takano (CA-41), David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Katie Porter (CA-45), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Peter Welch (VT-At Large), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Henry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson Jr. (GA-04) and Karen Bass (CA-37).\n\nYou can read the full text of the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cardin-portman-and-young-urge-more-countries-to-engage-with-israel-following-historic-face-to-face-meetings-with-uae", "Booker, Cardin, Portman, and Young Urge More Countries to Engage with Israel Following Historic Face-to-Face Meetings with UAE", "2021-10-13", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Cory Booker (D-N.J.), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Wednesday\u2019s meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the U.S. Department of State. The senators are the lead sponsors of S. 1061, the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, which has 69 sponsors/cosponsors.\n\n\u201cToday, we witnessed an historic milestone as Secretary Blinken hosted Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss progress made since the signing of the Abraham Accords last year, future opportunities for collaboration, and bilateral issues including regional security and stability. This joint meeting with the UAE and Israel would have been impossible prior to the signing of the Abraham Accords,\u201d the senators said.\n\n\u201cAs the lead authors of the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, we hope to continue to build on the success of the Abraham Accords and expand normalization agreements. The countries that signed the Abraham Accords have demonstrated global leadership and embraced a new path for the future of their nations. Progress on economic, political and security cooperation can only be made through meaningful and face-to-face engagements, and we hope to see many more of these meetings in the future.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-call-on-doj-to-decriminalize-cannabis", "Booker, Warren Call on DOJ to Decriminalize Cannabis", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC - United States Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decriminalize cannabis by removing the drug from the Federal controlled substances list. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA), the Attorney General can remove a substance from the CSA\u2019s list, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), based on the finding that it does not have the potential for abuse. Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level via this descheduling process would allow states to regulate cannabis as they see fit, begin to remedy the harm caused by decades of racial disparities in enforcement of cannabis laws, and facilitate valuable medical research.\n\n\u201cWhile Congress works to pass comprehensive cannabis reform, you can act now to decriminalize cannabis,\u201d wrote Senators Booker and Warren.\n\nThe vast majority of the country supports decriminalization of cannabis: approximately 91% of adults in the United States believe that cannabis should be legal for medical and recreational use, or for medical use only. To date, thirty-six states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, and eighteen states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use. These state-level legalizations have not caused spikes in traffic accidents or violent crime, or use by teenagers, paving the way for much-needed action at the federal level.\n\nDecriminalizing cannabis at the federal level is a critical first step in addressing the racial inequities in cannabis law enforcement. Federal cannabis policy has disproportionately affected the ability of people of color in the United States to vote, to pursue educational and career opportunities, and to build intergenerational wealth. Moreover, decriminalizing cannabis is a vital step so that Americans seeking cannabis treatment options for conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and certain terminal illnesses can legally use the drug.\n\n\u201cWe urge the DOJ to initiate the process to decriminalize cannabis. Doing so would be an important first step in the broader tasks of remedying the harmful racial impact of our nation\u2019s enforcement of cannabis laws and ensuring that states can effectively regulate the growing cannabis industry, including by assisting small business owners and those most harmed by our historical enforcement of cannabis laws,\u201d wrote Senators Booker and Warren.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-paul-introduce-bipartisan-fda-modernization-act-to-end-animal-testing-mandates", "Booker, Paul Introduce Bipartisan FDA Modernization Act to End Animal Testing Mandates", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the FDA Modernization Act to end animal testing mandates. This legislation would end an outdated FDA mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals before they are used on humans in clinical trials. The bill would not ban animal testing outright, but would allow the option for drug sponsors to use alternative methods where they are suitable.\n\nThis legislation is currently co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).\n\n\u201cThanks to modern scientific innovation, the use of animal toxicity testing for experimental drugs has become increasingly obsolete,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis legislation will eliminate unnecessary suffering for countless animals when scientifically reliable alternative testing methods are available.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FDA Modernization Act would accelerate innovation and get safer, more effective drugs to market more quickly by cutting red tape that is not supported by current science. It would also prevent the needless suffering and death of animal test subjects\u2014which is something I think both Republican and Democrats can agree needs to end,\u201d said Dr. Paul.\n\n\u201cOver the years, research has demonstrated that animal testing can often be inefficient in predicting drug effects and efficacy in humans. I\u2019m proud to join Sen. Paul in introducing legislation that will cut FDA red tape, allowing drug manufacturers and sponsors to innovate clinical trial designs and utilize modern alternatives to demonstrate safety and efficacy,\u201d said Sen. Braun.\n\n\u201cTesting new drugs on animals is often risky for both animals and people. The FDA Modernization Act would allow drug producers to improve safety by using more modern, humane and effective testing. I want Louisianians to get the best medicines as quickly and safely as possible, and I\u2019m thankful to work with Sen. Paul to protect our furry friends at the same time,\u201d said Sen. Kennedy.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 1938, Congress passed the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, mandating animal toxicity testing. Since then, science and data has shown that in some products, animal testing is a highly inconsistent predictor of toxic responses in humans, all while animal testing on any single pharmaceutical product often requires killing hundreds of animal test subjects.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=89DCFD27-CD04-474D-B0C1-8A0DE471A03A", "Rep. Norcross Announces $150,000 to Highlight South Jersey\u2019s Role in the American Revolution", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CAMDEN, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the Camden County Historical Society (CCHS) has been awarded a $150,000 Battlefield Interpretation Grant by the National Park Service (NPS). This new grant program funds projects that use technology to bring the stories of sites of armed conflict alive for modern audiences.\n\nThe funding will be used by CCHS for its Camden County American Revolution Mobile Audio App and Signage Trail Project to highlight the lesser-known stories of the American Revolution in Southern Jersey. Thirty-nine historical places in New Jersey will be marked by signs that link to the audio app, creating a trail of the locations of battles, skirmishes, troop movements, and related sites of interest in Camden County.\n\n\u201cAs we approach America\u2019s 250th birthday, the Camden County Historical Society is making sure we remember the pivotal role Camden County played in our fight for independence,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross. \u201cThis funding will allow the Camden County Historical Society to tell the story of how South Jersey fits into the larger story of the American Revolutionary War. I am proud to have supported this funding and look forward to the educational and tourism opportunities the new trail will create for local and visiting families.\u201d\n\n\u201cLocated across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Camden County often gets overlooked for the critical role it played in the \u2018Forage War\u2019 and the British evacuation of Philadelphia,\u201d said Chris Perks, President of the Camden Historical Society. \u201cThis project is aimed to highlight South Jersey\u2019s impact on the Revolution and the 39 sites in Camden County that contributed to America\u2019s success. This project will also attract our share of the millions of visitors and conventioneers that will be converging on Philadelphia for America\u2019s 250th celebrations.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis grant money from the National Park Service will assist the Camden County Historical Society and the Commissioners to continue to build a bridge back to the Revolutionary War and our contributions to it for our residents and the region,\u201d said Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash. \u201cThroughout the course of the war for independence, Camden County played an important role that we can now amplify and illuminate through an audio and trail project. Furthermore, this grant will provide a more in-depth and substantive accounting of our participation in the war as we prepare for the 250th anniversary of this nation.\u201d\n\nThe National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program\u2019s Battlefield Interpretation Grants empower preservation partners nationwide to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-mcgovern-urge-usda-to-work-with-local-farmers-and-ranchers-to-help-provide-nutritious-meals-to-school-districts", "Booker, McGovern Urge USDA to Work with Local Farmers and Ranchers to Help Provide Nutritious Meals to School Districts", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), along with 19 other Senators and Representatives, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with independent family farmers and ranchers to help address the food shortages currently impacting schools, and consequently, school meals, across the country.\n\nDue to supply chain disruptions within large multinational food corporations, many schools throughout the nation are currently facing food shortages and are struggling to provide healthy and nutritious meals to their students. The USDA recently announced that they are providing $1.5 billion to help school districts offer meals to address this issue. However, without clear direction, that money will likely end up in the pocket of large food corporations, such as Tyson Foods, who continue to be the source of ongoing supply chain disruptions instead of local and independent family farmers and ranchers that have continued to provide healthy, nutritious food to their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\u201cCreating opportunities for schools to work with local, resilient, small scale producers would also allow school districts the ability to feed children in a way that aligns with their values,\u201d wrote Senator Booker and Representative McGovern to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. \u201cMany school foodservice professionals are frustrated by the idea of serving food from companies that have committed human rights abuses, environmental harms, and violation of federal laws. As one school dietitian in Washington State put it, \u201cI am pulling my hair out every day having to feed these Big Ag products to children.\u201d\n\n\u201cA growing number of school districts have committed to the Good Food Purchasing Program, which includes a commitment not to source from companies with labor violations,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cHowever, when school districts place their commodity purchasing orders with the USDA, they are not given a choice in which company will fill that order. The USDA Foods Program is thereby forcing these school districts to choose between leaving valuable entitlement dollars on the table or purchasing from USDA Foods, knowing that doing so is likely to put them in violation of the commitment they have made to their communities to buy from producers who value local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare and nutrition.\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to take a hard look at the flaws of our current food system, but it has also created an opportunity for us to build back better as we aim to find ways to withstand future disruptions. It is imperative that the USDA work with independent farmers and ranchers to both nourish the next generation now and build a resilient food procurement system for the future,\u201d the lawmakers concluded.\n\nThe following Senators co-signed this letter: Wyden (D-OR), Smith (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), Tester (D-MT), and Heinrich (D-NM).\n\nThe following Representatives co-signed this letter: Trahan (D-MA), Pocan (D-WI), Khanna (D-CA), Raskin (D-MD), Hayes (D-CT), Case (D-HI), Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Thompson (D-CA), Lee (D-CA), and Scanlon (D-PA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-meets-with-new-jerseys-haitian-community", "Booker Meets with New Jersey\u2019s Haitian Community", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today met with leaders of the New Jersey Haitian community and Haitian elected officials to discuss issues affecting the Haitian diaspora in the state and the treatment of Haitian immigrants at the Southern Border. The meeting occurred a week after images showed Border Patrol agents on horseback violently interdictingmigrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande River, and as nearly 2,000 Haitian immigrants, including more than 170 children, were deported back to Haiti.\n\n\u201cI was proud to join leaders of our state\u2019s Haitian community for this important discussion and look forward to working together to ensure that our country\u2019s immigration policies reflect our nation\u2019s best values,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI unequivocally condemn the unconscionable violence and inhumane treatment Haitian migrants have experienced while seeking entry into the United States. As the political situation in Haiti deteriorates and the country endures the aftermath of another devastating earthquake, our nation must stop the cruel deportations of Haitians and live up to its highest ideals as a beacon of hope to people cast out of their native lands by violence, terror, persecution, oppression, and humanitarian disaster.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith the third most Haitian American elected officials in the U.S., the state of New Jersey and its leaders have a moral obligation to act in the Haitian migrants\u2019 best interest by allowing them to stay in the U.S. with due process capabilities and legal representation,\u201d wrote members of National Haitian American Elected Officials Network. \u201cWe firmly believe [Senator Booker\u2019s] office can assist us in the execution of our strategic plans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to Senator Booker for bringing light to and addressing this unthinkable crisis,\u201d said Stanley Neron, Commissioner of the Elizabeth Board of Education. \u201cHelping Haiti and our Haitian brothers and sisters is a humanitarian issue and we must work together to establish solutions that will save lives and provide a bright future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-ossoff-schatz-padilla-and-feinstein-lead-25-senators-to-promote-access-to-solar-energy-for-low_and-moderate-income-households", "Booker, Duckworth, Ossoff, Schatz, Padilla, and Feinstein Lead 25 Senators to Promote Access to Solar Energy for Low- and Moderate-Income Households", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today led a group of 25 Senators to urge the inclusion of a direct pay option for residential renewable energy property tax credits in Section 25D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (25D). In a letter, the Senators detailed how a direct pay option would help low- and moderate-income (LMI) households install solar energy systems and help meet President Biden\u2019s goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030.\n\n\u201c[The] essential tax credit is designed to help residential customers install renewable energy systems such as solar, wind and geothermal, but without a direct pay option, the low- and moderate-income (LMI) households who would benefit most from distributed generation are effectively blocked from accessing this tax credit,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cWe believe that a direct pay option will not only help us meet President Biden\u2019s goal of a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 2005 levels by 2030, but it will also help address long-standing impacts of climate injustice.\u201d\n\n\u201cRenewable energy and environmental justice advocates estimate that roughly half of American households \u2013 approximately 60 million households \u2013 do not owe enough taxes to fully capitalize on the 25D tax credit in a single year under current law,\u201d continued the Senators. \u201cHowever, because these LMI households spend more of their income on energy bills, they will benefit disproportionately from installing distributed generation like solar on their properties. We have an obligation to ensure that all Americans have equal access to benefit from the renewable energy transition, and securing 25D direct pay is critical to this goal.\u201d\n\nTaking into account the number of LMI households who own their homes, the current tax code prevents an estimated 26 million households from fully benefiting from the residential solar tax credit in the same year that the system was purchased and placed in service, including 3.2 million Black households and 3 million Hispanic households. Implementing a direct pay option would allow homeowners to fully and immediately realize their tax credits through a refund provided by the IRS, providing much needed capital to LMI households while directly addressing the worsening climate crisis.\n\nTo ensure that the direct pay option is used effectively and fairly, the Senators proposed \u201cthe establishment of a simple installer-based verification process at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)\u201d in which \u201chomeowners would provide basic data and proof to the federal government of their solar or other renewable system installation, while the installer separately submits their own data that the IRS can use to corroborate the homeowner\u2019s claim.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded the letter by calling for the direct pay option to be included in the upcoming reconciliation package to ensure that our nation is able to \u201cadvance our environmental and climate justice goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create more good-paying jobs in communities across the country \u2013 building upon an estimated 85,000 residential solar installation jobs in 2020.\u201d\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-house-judiciary-committees-passage-of-crown-act", "Booker Applauds House Judiciary Committee\u2019s Passage of CROWN Act", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded the passage of the CROWN Act out of the House Judiciary Committee.\n\n\u201cNo one should be harassed, punished, or fired for the beautiful hairstyles that are true to themselves and their cultural heritage, yet Black people \u2013 especially Black women \u2013 face unjust harassment because of their natural and protective hairstyles, including denial of employment opportunities and exclusion from school activities,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cTo combat biases against natural hair and to protect the civil rights of people of color, the CROWN Act will ensure that discrimination based on hairstyles is prohibited. I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for their vote today and now urge all members of the House and Senate to support this legislation that will allow individuals to wear their hair proudly without fear or prejudice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6C27D3EA-C222-4939-9F17-3D1B1A2E8960", "Norcross Announces $4 Million for Acenda Health for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "GLASSBORO, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that Acenda Integrated Health, located in Glassboro, will receive $4,000,000 in federal funding over two years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service Grant.\n\n\u201cThis funding will allow Acenda to help residents with both physical and mental health needs,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cI have long applauded Acenda for their commitment to providing crucial services for members of our community impacted by mental health and substance use disorders, and I am happy to have supported this funding that will help so many.\u201d\n\n\"The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing disparities in behavioral health care more than any other time in recent history,\" said Melissa Fox, MHA, FACMPE, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Acenda Integrated Health. \"SAMHSA's CMHC Expansion funding will allow us to better reach the communities in Gloucester and Cape May counties who have been affected the most, so we can help provide the compassionate and effective care they deserve.\"\n\n\"Acenda's leadership and board are dedicated to identifying innovative ways to meet the needs of our community members by building and expanding our integrated programs and services,\" said Dr. Anthony DiFabio, President & CEO, Acenda Integrated Health. \"We are incredibly excited to partner with SAMHSA to expand our Community Mental Health Center services.\"\n\nAcenda Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prevention, treatment, and wellness services to the local community.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-raise-concerns-over-proposed-changes-to-faas-william-j-hughes-technical-center", "Booker, Menendez Raise Concerns Over Proposed Changes to FAA\u2019s William J. Hughes Technical Center", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez (both D-NJ) raised concerns to the Federal Aviation Administration over the agency\u2019s proposed changes to the structure of the William J. Hughes Technical Center located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The changes would restructure the current research, development, testing, and evaluation operations of the facility, decentralizing the center\u2019s operations, threatening the effectiveness and autonomy of the center and impacting the numerous economic development initiatives in the Greater Atlantic City region.\n\n\u201cThe William J. Hughes Tech Center plays a key role within FAA,\u201d the Senators wrote to FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. \u201cIt offers world class laboratories and serves as a central hub for research, development, testing, and evaluation. As emerging technologies in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and developments in commercial aviation continue to advance, the Tech Center is positioned as essential to the future of aviation. The central management, yet collaborative coordination, of each of these interdependent functions creates a synergy that allows for more effective and efficient operations. This centralized model is in line with best practices for research centers and is utilized at many other research facilities across several federal agencies and departments.\n\n\u201cThe William J. Hughes Tech Center is also vitally important to its regional economy, both because it currently employs approximately 4,000 individuals and because it is central to many economic development initiatives,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cThe Greater Atlantic City region is economically distressed due to historic reliance on the casino and tourism industries, and extensive efforts are underway to diversify the local economy by attracting new aviation related businesses. Due to its prominent role, resources from the Tech Center are often sought out by private sector and academic stakeholders for collaboration, making the center a major asset in regional economic development initiatives. Any changes that remove jobs or diminish the prominence of the Tech Center could undermine efforts to revitalize this distressed economy.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded the letter by requesting \u201cadditional information on any potential reprogramming requests and plans to restructure or reorganize the center\u2019s reporting structure, including all personnel moves, that the FAA has developed or considered.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senate-sponsors-laud-house-passage-of-equal-act", "Senate Sponsors Laud House Passage of EQUAL Act", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bipartisan Senate sponsors of the EQUAL Act, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cToday, House Republicans and Democrats joined together in passing the EQUAL Act, legislation that will once and for all eliminate the unjust federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity. Enjoying broad support from faith groups, civil rights organizations, law enforcement, and people of all political backgrounds, this commonsense bill will help reform our criminal justice system so that it better lives up to the ideals of true justice and equality under the law. We applaud the House for its vote today and we urge our colleagues in the Senate to support this historic legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CF3E0859-479D-4CC0-8FDD-FE663D80BDF7", "Norcross Announces $15.8 Million for Low-Income Housing for the Elderly in South Jersey", "2021-09-27", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CHERRY HILL, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a total of $15,835,231 in Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program grants to expand affordable housing options for South Jersey seniors. The funding will provide low-income elderly residents with options that allow them to live independently in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, transportation, and health-related services.\n\nThe funding will be used to develop housing for very low-income elderly residents, with the Diocesan Housing Services Corp. of the Diocese of Camden receiving $8,575,642 to support the production of 42 units, and the Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, Inc. (VOADV) receiving $7,259,589 to support the production of 55 units.\n\n\u201cThis vital funding will help to ensure our elderly residents not only have an affordable and safe place to call home but will also ensure they have access to transportation and health-related services,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cEvery older American deserves to age independently and with dignity, and this funding will allow more South Jerseyans to do just that. I was glad to work with community leaders to support this grant and look forward to seeing the completed projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to receive this HUD 202 award,\u201d said Jamie Reynolds, Executive Director of The Diocesan Housing Services Corporation of the Diocese of Camden. \u201cThe funding will allow us to leverage an additional $10 million in financing to construct 75 units of much-needed affordable housing for low- and moderate-income seniors in Gloucester County. We\u2019re grateful for the cooperation and assistance of Our Lady of Peace Parish and Bishop Sullivan, along with our local, state, and federal government partners in helping to make this project a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccess to quality, affordable housing, particularly for senior citizens, is critical for their long-term health and well-being,\u201d said Daniel L. Lombardo, president and CEO of VOADV. \u201cThis grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will enable Volunteers of America Delaware Valley to continue to advance our mission of providing critical housing to seniors in Gloucester County, so they may live self-fulfilled, independent lives.\u201d\n\nVolunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) is a local affiliate of the national, non-profit organization, Volunteers of America, and provides essential services to our community\u2019s most vulnerable individuals. Each year, VOADV serves more than 13,000 individuals throughout the southern New Jersey and Philadelphia region and operates more than 40 high quality, outcome-driven assistance programs \u2013 from homelessness, reentry, veterans assistance, and affordable housing services to specialized programs for victims of human trafficking and individuals with addiction, traumatic brain injury and intellectual disabilities.\n\nThe Diocesan Housing Services Corporation of the Diocese of Camden (DHSC) is an experienced nonprofit developer of affordable housing for seniors, families, and people with special needs. DHSC operates approximately 800 affordable apartment units across the Diocese of Camden, which covers the six southern counties of New Jersey (Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Cape May).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=91686A3E-B515-4BC6-B152-5C25159006E3", "Norcross Statement on a Woman\u2019s Right to Choose", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement regarding the House of Representatives vote on the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, which defends a woman\u2019s right to choose:\n\n\u201cToday I voted to protect reproductive health for all women in America. Republicans in Congress and state legislatures across the country continue to wage a war against women\u2019s health. 2021 is on track to be the worst year for women\u2019s health rights since 1973 \u2013 the year Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to basic reproductive health care for every woman in every state.\n\n\u201cRepublican legislators in Texas passed an extreme anti-choice bill, and now the Supreme Court, stacked with conservative justices, is on track to overturn Roe v. Wade. Women\u2019s rights are under attack. Congress must protect women as fully equal members of society.\n\n\u201cThe hypocrisy of Republican legislators would be laughable if it weren\u2019t so dangerous. They treat personal freedom as sacred until a woman wants to be free to decide what\u2019s best for her health. They want to tell the government to stay out of their personal lives until a woman seeks to make the most personal and private of health choices.\n\n\u201cTo the Republican officials trying to limit the freedom of women I say: your assault on women\u2019s reproductive health care is unacceptable and must end. The women of South Jersey, and the women of America, deserve better.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-padilla-merkley-lead-push-to-enhance-nations-data-science-and-literacy-education", "Booker, Padilla, Merkley Lead Push to Enhance Nation\u2019s Data Science and Literacy Education", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a group of colleagues in urging the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve equity and access to high-quality K-12 data science education. The Senators also asked how Congress can better support the development and deployment of data science curriculum to reach more communities and open doors to STEM careers.\n\nIncreasing access to high-quality data science education will help students keep pace with our 21st century world. One poll found that while 69 percent of employers would prefer candidates with data science skills, only 23 percent of educators said their graduates would possess those skills. Only 25 percent of students took a statistics course in 2019.\n\n\u201cEnhancing data science education will have significant benefits for our nation\u2019s citizenry and economy. Like reading, writing, and arithmetic, basic data literacy is vital for informed democratic participation. We also see employers increasingly demanding data science expertise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information research scientists is expected to grow 15 percent between 2019 to 2029, far exceeding the average growth rate of other occupations,\u201d wrote the Senators.\n\nThe Senators asked the NSF and IES to \u201cdescribe any past, existing or planned efforts to enhance equitable access to data science education and data science careers, as well as any efforts to increase research in this field.\u201d Statistics show there are stark disparities on who has access to data science courses and who can pursue data science careers. African Americans and Hispanics occupy only 6 and 7 percent of STEM jobs, respectively. Moreover, in order to address artificial intelligence algorithms that may contain implicit biases, it is critical to foster a diverse data science workforce that will develop more equitable technologies.\n\nOnly a handful of states and school districts have integrated data science into standards and curriculum. One of these districts is New Jersey\u2019s Passaic City School District, which partnered with the \u201cIntroduction to Data Science\u201d curriculum developed by UCLA and Los Angeles Unified School District. Furthermore, according to the Center for RISC at the University of Chicago, New Jersey is also on track to implement Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards next year which will include 21st century learning themes such as data visualization, representation, and transformation. The state alsorequires computer science in all high schools, helping lay a promising foundation for the advancement of data science education among students.\n\nThe letter is cosigned by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=02E6B536-C6DD-4A52-BBDD-43BABB06ED57", "Norcross Statement on House Passage of FY22 National Defense Authorization Act", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy:\n\n\u201cThis NDAA represents a commitment to our nation\u2019s security, the servicemembers of the U.S. Armed Forces, and those who supply the equipment and systems that keep them safe.\n\n\u201cInvesting in the modernization of our military, maximizing the combat effectiveness of existing systems, and reducing risk in our defense industrial base ensures that we remain prepared at home and competitive abroad. To safeguard our nation\u2019s ability to defend vital national interests wherever they may arise, we must take care of the people who make that possible at home.\n\n\u201c\u2018Buy American\u2019 provisions ensure we bring the jobs that are essential to our national security back home. We secured funding to give our military heroes a 2.7% pay raise, and I fought to require defense contractors to pay a $15 minimum wage for their workers.\n\n\u201cInvesting in America\u2019s workforce \u2013 civilian and uniformed \u2013 ensures that we remain prepared at home and competitive abroad. This includes investing in manufacturing that will keep our nation safe while creating good-paying jobs in South Jersey and across the country.\u201d\n\nAspects of the NDAA are relevant to the people who live and work in New Jersey\u2019s 1st congressional district. To support more than 1,200 high-paying jobs at the Philadelphia Shipyard, and prepare our nation's maritime forces for future conflicts, Norcross secured funding for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel and five additional V-22 Ospreys. Norcross also secured an additional $41 million to produce two Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, which are made by L3 Harris in Camden, NJ. Furthermore, he secured $170 million for new KC-46A tankers. The first KC-46A will be delivered to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst near the end of the calendar year. This funding will protect family-sustaining jobs in the district while preparing the U.S. for a future fight.\n\nNorcross also secured funding for the New Jersey National Guard. The FY22 NDAA provides $100 million for the AESA radar for the Air National Guard\u2019s F-16 fleet, a vital asset that will allow units like the 177th Fighter Wing to better protect the people of New Jersey and the nation.\n\nBackground:\n\nKey provisions in the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act championed by Congressman Norcross include:\n\nBuy American\n\nRaises the required percentage of domestic content for acquisitions covered by the Buy American Act.\n\n$15 Minimum Wage for DOD Service Contractors\n\nEstablishes a $15 minimum wage for covered service and construction contracts.\n\nResponsible Contracting\n\nRequires DOD to establish a goal that contractors and subcontractors use qualified registered apprentices for new construction projects.\n\nWage Equity\n\nEnsures federal employees in the same geographic area are paid the same whether General Schedule employees or Wage Grade employees, such as tradesmen and tradeswomen.\n\nFederal Firefighter Schedule Flexibility\n\nEnsures that federal firefighters who trade shifts are paid properly without being penalized.\n\nRead the full summary of the FY22 NDAA as referred by the House Armed Services Committee here. Read Congressman\u2019s original statement, including topline priorities, regarding the NDAA advancing out of committee here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7DBB62C2-00B1-44E3-A8B7-4E2C6681E143", "Norcross Announces $12.4 Million for Coriell Institute for Prestigious Cancer Research Grant", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CAMDEN, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the Coriell Institute for Medical Research has been awarded a Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The five-year grant is valued at an estimated $12.4 million and will support nearly 20 scientists as they work to improve epigenetic therapies for cancer. The grant is to be shared with the Van Andel Institute located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.\n\nThis prestigious grant is the first of its kind at Coriell and is currently the only SPORE grant awarded to an organization in New Jersey, establishing Coriell as a premier institution for cancer research.\n\nThe SPORE grant seeks to improve on current epigenetic therapies by exploring new targets, investigating novel combinations of epigenetic therapies with other cancer treatments, and designing, and running clinical trials to evaluate these promising strategies. Epigenetic therapy aims to treat cancer by correcting abnormal gene expression. In doing so, these therapies can also make other cancer therapies more effective.\n\n\u201cSouth Jersey continues to develop as a center for world-class medical research, and the Coriell Institute is leading the way with important initiatives to cure and prevent disease,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cThis award is the first of its kind at Coriell and the only of its kind to be awarded to a New Jersey institute. I\u2019m excited to see what this brilliant team in Camden will accomplish.\u201d\n\n\u201cSPORE grants hold a special place in translational cancer research. Through them, the NCI enables groundbreaking work and the trust it puts in the awarded scientists allows for unparalleled freedom and collaboration,\u201d said Dr. Jean-Pierre Issa, President and CEO of Coriell. \u201cIt\u2019s a true honor to receive this grant and it\u2019s a sign of more exciting things to come for the Coriell Institute.\u201d\n\nAbout the Coriell Institute for Medical Research\n\nFounded in 1953, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving human health through biomedical research. Coriell scientists lead research in personalized medicine, cancer biology, epigenetics, and the genomics of opioid use disorder. Coriell also hosts one of the world's leading biobanks\u2014comprised of collections for the National Institutes of Health, disease foundations, and private clients\u2014and distributes biological samples and offers research and biobanking services to scientists around the globe. To facilitate drug discovery and disease study, the Institute also develops and distributes collections of induced pluripotent stem cells.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/11-senators-back-house-progressives-in-demand-for-passage-of-entire-biden-agenda", "11 Senators Back House Progressives in Demand for Passage of Entire Biden Agenda", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 \u2014 Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) issued the following statement on upcoming votes regarding infrastructure and reconciliation legislation:\n\n\u201cIn the coming weeks, Congress has the opportunity to pass the most consequential economic legislation since the New Deal. We can create millions of good-paying jobs as we repair our crumbling infrastructure, address the climate crisis, and finally confront the long-neglected crises facing millions of low-income and working-class families across this country. But we can accomplish those goals only if we stick to our original agreement.\n\n\u201cWe voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill with the clear commitment that the two pieces of the package would move together along a dual track. Abandoning the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act and passing the infrastructure bill first would be in violation of that agreement. Congress must not undercut the President\u2019s proposals that will create new opportunities for America\u2019s families and workers. The House of Representatives should wait to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill until the budget reconciliation bill, which enacts the rest of the President\u2019s Build Back Better agenda, is sent to the President\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cNow is the time to pass both of these major pieces of legislation. We have no time to waste. We strongly support the Congressional Progressive Caucus and other members in the House who have said they intend to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill only once the Build Back Better Act is passed. That is what we agreed to, it\u2019s what the American people want, and it\u2019s the only path forward for this Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-bipartisan-policing-reform-negotiations", "Booker Statement on Bipartisan Policing Reform Negotiations", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC -- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cAmerica has a serious problem when it comes to discriminatory policing and excessive and deadly force used against communities of color. We can\u2019t properly honor the lives of the victims of this violence if we don\u2019t take meaningful steps to prevent future violence and deaths from occurring and make our communities safer.\n\n\u201cWe made it clear from the beginning of our negotiations that a bill must ensure true accountability, transparency, and the policing standards necessary to bring an end to horrific incidents of violence Americans are routinely seeing -- like the murder of George Floyd. After months of exhausting every possible pathway to a bipartisan deal, it remains out of reach right now, even after working collaboratively with and securing the support of policing groups like the Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Chiefs of Police for our proposals.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, even with this law enforcement support and further compromises we offered, there was still too wide a gulf with our negotiating partners and we faced significant obstacles to securing a bipartisan deal.\n\n\u201cThe time has come to explore all other options to achieve meaningful and common sense policing reform. I will not stop fighting until we achieve change that keeps our communities and police officers safe.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-watson-coleman-pallone-kim-applaud-house-passage-of-funding-bill-that-forgives-new-jersey-community-disaster-loans", "Reps. Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud House Passage of Funding Bill that Forgives New Jersey Community Disaster Loans", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "The bill also includes billions for recovery efforts related to Hurricane Ida\n\nRepresentatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Andy Kim (NJ-03) today applauded House passage of a government operations spending bill that will help New Jersey recover from the devastation of natural disasters. The bill forgives outstanding balances of Community Disaster Loans (CDLs) made to municipalities throughout New Jersey to help them recover from Superstorm Sandy. Last year, the New Jersey delegation requested cancellation of unforgiven loans. Currently, 21 New Jersey municipalities owe more than $30 million worth of Community Disaster Loans that were issued after the storm. The spending bill also includes billions of dollars in funding to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Ida.\n\n\u201cNearly nine years after Superstorm Sandy, cities and towns in New Jersey are still struggling to rebuild from the devastating impacts of the storm. These federal loans are made in times of true crisis and are intended to be forgiven, which is why it\u2019s simply unfair to force New Jersey residents bear the burden of paying millions of dollars so many years later,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cI\u2019m glad we were able to secure this important relief in the House bill and look forward to working with the New Jersey delegation to get this win across the finish line. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration to ensure our state receives all the support it needs to recover from Hurricane Ida.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m relieved to learn that after a week of conversations with Chairwoman DeLauro and others by myself and Reps. Pallone and Kim, the continuing resolution will include forgiveness of the outstanding balances for New Jersey towns still saddled with FEMA Community Disaster Loan payments,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cThere was concern that this relief might once again be left out but with this news our New Jersey municipalities can finally put some of the ongoing pain of Superstorm Sandy behind them.\u201d\n\n\u201cNearly a decade after Superstorm Sandy hit Ocean County, we finally have an opportunity to make our communities whole again,\u201d said Kim. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have fought for and won much needed relief for communities that were decimated by Superstorm Sandy and will continue to continue working on behalf of Ocean County to bring federal relief to New Jersey\u2019s beautiful shoreline and seaside towns and townships.\u201d\n\n\u201cSuperstorm Sandy devastated Highlands. Even all these years later, the Borough is still recovering. Forgiving the millions of dollars in Community Disaster Loans is a major step in finally putting Sandy behind us,\u201d said Mayor Carolyn Broullon. \u201cI want to thank Congressman Pallone and the New Jersey Delegation for continuing to fight for Highlands and it's residents on this much needed relief.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe cannot thank Congressman Pallone and the New Jersey Congressional Delegation enough for never forgetting about Union Beach and the havoc Super Storm Sandy created for the Borough and its residents,\u201d said Mayor Charlie Cocuzza. \u201cCDL forgiveness means Union Beach can move forward with it's ongoing recovery without the weight of hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal loan debt.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlmost 9 years later, Atlantic Highlands is still recovering from Superstorm Sandy. Community Disaster Loan forgiveness for the Borough and homeowners will go a long way in helping to ease the burden of our residents. I want to thank Congressman Pallone and the New Jersey Congressional Delegation for their continued efforts to get this,\u201d said Mayor Loretta Gluckstein.\n\n\u201cTo this day, Keansburg is still feeling the effects of Superstorm Sandy. Community Disaster Loan forgiveness means our residents won't have to be on the hook for millions of dollars on top of the devastation they have already had to endure,\u201d said Mayor George Hoff. \u201cWe are grateful to Congressman Pallone for his leadership on this impactful legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo one should have to go through what we did after Sandy. We still have a way to go to have a disaster recovery system that truly puts families first. It's great news that the House passed Sandy Community Disaster Loan forgiveness for towns in this disaster appropriation - my town, Stafford, is one with a Community Disaster Loan. It\u2019s not just our towns that are being asked to unfairly repay disaster relief funding, it\u2019s also individuals like me. We are hopeful that individual clawback relief will also be included in this disaster appropriation and stand ready to work with Ida impacted families to make sure everyone gets home and whole,\u201d said Joe Mangino New Jersey Organizing Project Board President.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-urge-ice-to-end-transfer-of-detainees-out-of-new-jersey", "Booker, Menendez Urge ICE to End Transfer of Detainees out of New Jersey", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) urged the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end the out-of-state transfer of people detained in New Jersey, and to release detainees from custody who do not fall under the current enforcement prioritization scheme. The letter comes on the heels of legislation recently passed and signed into law by New Jersey legislators and Governor Phil Murphy prohibiting state, local, and private entities from entering into, renewing or extending detention agreements with ICE. Booker and Menendez have both previously called for an end to contracts between ICE and local governments in New Jersey.\n\n\u201cWhen the ICE detention program at the Essex County Jail closed earlier this year, our offices made several inquiries encouraging you to release detained individuals who did not fall within the enforcement priorities outlined by Secretary Mayorkas, rather than transferring said individuals to detention centers located several states away,\u201d the Senators wrote to acting ICE Director Tae D. Johnson. \u201cReports indicate that at least 46 people detained at Essex were transferred to facilities across the country, including to Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. Transferring detained individual\u2019s increases their risk of contracting COVID-19, endangers immigrants\u2019 mental and physical health and wellbeing, and makes it extremely difficult to remain in contact with their existing legal counsel.\n\n\u201cNot only do transfers expose detainees to COVID-19, but they also threaten the physical, mental, and emotional health of detained individuals,\u201d the Senators continued. \u201cAny form of detention is a traumatic experience, especially among immigrant detainees who are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder both during and after detention than the general population. For detainees with existing medical conditions, transfer risks can interrupt necessary or urgent medical care. The destination facility may also neglect to provide the same treatment as the original facility, change a person\u2019s medications, or leave a gap in care during the transfer process.\n\n\u201cTo protect the health, safety, and human rights of detained individuals in New Jersey, we urge\n\nICE to use its discretionary authority to release detainees who do not fall within the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s enforcement priorities into the care of their communities. Thank you for prompt attention to this important matter,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nIn 2020, Senator Booker joined his colleagues in sending a letter to DHS, ICE, and CBP requesting information about the policies and procedures their respective agencies have in place to prepare for and manage a potential spread of the coronavirus among detainees and staff in DHS facilities. Senator Booker also called on the DHS to halt immigration enforcement at hospitals and medical facilities to ensure undocumented immigrants are not discouraged from seeking medical care for COVID-19. Additionally, the Senator sent a letter again to DHS, ICE, and CBP to release vulnerable detainees from custody who were particularly susceptible to COVID-19. Finally, Senator Booker introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, transformative legislation that targets the inhumane conditions of detention centers and protects the civil and human rights of immigrants.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D915330D-A76C-41AB-90E9-124C45AA93FA", "Norcross Secures Key Provision to Hold Insurers Accountable for Failing to Meet Mental Health Parity Standards", "2021-09-16", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last week, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, secured a key mental health parity provision in the committee\u2019s markup of the Build Back Better Act. The provision reinforces 2008 legislation authored by then-U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy which mandated that health insurance plans cover mental illnesses like they cover physical illnesses. The mental health parity provision authored by Congressman Norcross expands the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for violating that mandate.\n\n\u201cThis bill empowers the Department of Labor to investigate and fine insurers offering federally regulated health plans if they violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cOur nation has seen a surge in mental health crises due to the stress, anxiety, and isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our minds are what make us uniquely human, and it is frankly ridiculous that some insurers refuse to provide the same level of care for mental and behavioral health issues as they would for a broken arm or strained wrist.\u201d\n\n\"Enabling the U.S. Department of Labor to assess fines for violations of the Federal Parity Act is critical to ensuring equal insurance coverage of lifesaving mental health and addiction treatment for Americans,\" said former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, founder of The Kennedy Forum. \"I applaud Congressman Norcross and Chairman Scott for including the Parity Enforcement Act in the Committee's Build Back Better Act language.\"\n\nNorcross added: \u201cI applaud Chairman Scott for his leadership on the Build Back Better Act and my colleagues who voted to include this vital language in the final mark-up. The mental health parity language within the Build Back Better Act will ensure families receive the lifesaving support they are entitled to under the law.\u201d\n\nHealth insurers are required by law to provide the same level of coverage for mental health and substance use disorders that they provide for physical health. But the reality is that many insurers skirt this requirement, and the Department of Labor has no front-end enforcement mechanism to hold bad actors accountable.\n\nThe provision authored by Congressman Norcross was originally introduced in the House as the Parity Enforcement Act of 2021 (H.R.1364). Including the provision in the base text of the Build Back Better Act will help ensure individuals receive the mental health care they deserve and are entitled to under law.\n\nBackground\n\nIn 2008, Congress began requiring mental health parity \u2013 which means, under law, insurance plans must provide the same level of coverage for mental health and substance use disorders that they provide for physical health conditions. The problem is \u2013 the law cannot be adequately enforced for the millions of employees that receive health insurance through their employer.\n\nCurrently, the Department of Labor (DOL) is only able to require employers to reimburse their workers after there are parity violations in their self-funded insurance plans. However, DOL cannot act against the insurance company that is offering the insurance plan. That leaves DOL with no front-end enforcement mechanism to ensure there\u2019s compliance with existing mental health and substance-use parity requirements.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congresswoman-watson-coleman-leads-letter-to-hud-secretary-regarding-homes-sold-in-flood-zones", "Congresswoman Watson Coleman Leads Letter to HUD Secretary Regarding Homes Sold in Flood Zones", "2021-09-15", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Recent NPR investigation indicated homes sold by HUD were 75 times more likely to be in flood zones.\n\nToday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) lead 15 of her House Democratic Colleagues in a letter to Secretary Marica Fudge of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeking a response to a recent NPR investigation that claimed HUD was far more likely to sell homes in federally designated flood zones. Buyers were often unlikely to receive information about flood risk and flood insurance.\n\n\u201cWe write to express our concerns of a recent investigation, conducted by NPR, which showed that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had historically sold homes disproportionately located in flood-prone places\u201d read the Letter. \u201cWith the recovery and rebuild of Ida still on the forefront of our Nation\u2019s mind, this article is of grave concern.\u201d\n\nBetween 2017 and 2020, HUD sold nearly 100,000 homes around the country, often after the previous owner was unable to pay their federally insured mortgage. NPR\u2019s investigation emphasized that these homes were 75 times more likely to be sold in a federally designated flood zone versus homes sold nationwide.\n\nThe letter requested information on the total number of homes sold between January 217 and the present that HUD had sold in flood prone areas, steps HUD is taking to to disclose to potential homebuyers that homes under HUD are at risk of flooding, how HUD is following up with homebuyers who purchased homes during this period and are at risk of flooding, and what additional resources HUD will provide to those who have brought homes in flood prone areas.\n\nThe letter was signed by Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Alma Adams (NC-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Cori Bush (MO-1), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Al Lawson (FL-5), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jerry McNerny (CA-9), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (FL-23), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-legislation-prohibiting-discrimination-in-the-name-of-religion", "Booker Reintroduces Legislation Prohibiting Discrimination in the Name of Religion", "2021-09-15", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced the Do No Harm Act, legislation to restore the Religious Freedom Restoration Act\u2019s (RFRA) original intent and prohibit individuals and businesses from using religion to deny others\u2019 civil rights. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced this legislation earlier this year in the U.S. House.\n\nIn response to the 1990 Supreme Court case, Employment Division v. Smith, which excused discriminatory practices towards American Indians, Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in 1993, expanding civil rights protections for religious minorities. However, decades of systematic efforts by some organizations and businesses and the Supreme Court\u2019s 2014 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (which held that RFRA requires closely-held corporations with religious opposition to contraception to be exempt from the Affordable Care Act\u2019s contraception mandate) have coopted the original intent of the law and turned it into a license to legally discriminate and impose religious beliefs on others.\n\n\u201cFreely exercising your religion shouldn\u2019t mean denying others of their civil rights,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe Do No Harm Act rights the Supreme Court\u2019s wrong, restoring the careful balance of the First Amendment by both protecting religious liberty and ensuring the law and religious beliefs cannot be wielded to deny people of their right to live free from discrimination.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993, it was intended to protect religious exercise\u2014not to erode civil rights under the guise of religious freedom. Regrettably, we have seen RFRA repeatedly used to attack civil rights protections, deny access to health care, and allow discrimination in federal contracts and programs. The Do No Harm Act simply provides that RFRA cannot be used to limit access to health care, deny services supported by taxpayer dollars, or undermine the Civil Rights Act or other anti-discrimination protections. Congress must take this critical step to ensure no one can weaponize religious freedom to erode our fundamental civil and legal rights,\u201d said Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03).\n\nSpecifically, The Do No Harm Act would prevent the RFRA from being used to deny:\n\nProtection against discrimination laws or the promotion of equal opportunity, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other laws;\n\nWorkplace protections or protections against child abuse;\n\nHealthcare access, information, referrals, provisions, coverage or services to which persons are otherwise legally entitled;\n\nServices that the government has contracted to be provided to beneficiaries through a government contract, grant, or cooperative agreement; and\n\nAccommodations or other benefits and services provided by the government.\n\n\u201cThe Do No Harm Act will uphold our country\u2019s founding principle of religious freedom \u2013 that everyone has the freedom to believe as they want, but our laws cannot allow anyone to use their religious beliefs to harm others,\u201d said Rachel Laser, American United President and CEO. \u201cWe thank Senator Cory Booker, a leader with a long history of putting faith and values into action, for sponsoring this critical legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cReligious freedom is a core American value, enshrined in our constitution. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was instituted to guard against burdens placed on religious minorities that interfere with the practice of their faith,\u201d said JoDee Winterhof, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. \u201cAnti-equality lawmakers and activists have distorted RFRA\u2019s original intent to achieve political objectives and strip hard-won nondiscrimination and safety protections from marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ people. The Do No Harm Act will remedy this misinterpretation and prevent the weaponization of the RFRA.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt has never been more important to clarify that religious liberty is not a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, those seeking reproductive health care or people of minority faith groups. We see religion being used to turn people away from housing, health care, education and work. There should be no place for this harmful discrimination in our country and in our laws,\u201dsaid Ian Thompson, Senior Legislative Counsel at American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).\n\nThe following Senators co-sponsored this legislation: Whitehouse (D-RI), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Merkley (D-OR), Klobuchar (D-MN), Feinstein (D-CA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Gillibrand (D-NY), Padilla (D-CA), Murphy (D-CT), Duckworth (D-IL), Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), Durbin (D-IL), Van Hollen (D-MD), Coons (D-DE), Stabenow (D-MI), Carper (D-DE), Sanders (I-VT), Cantwell (D-WA), Brown (D-OH), Menendez (D-NJ), Baldwin (D-WI), Reed (D-RI), Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), Murray (D-WA), Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), and Rosen (D-NV).\n\nThe full text of endorsed organizations can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senator-booker-joins-nj-delegation-in-urging-congressional-appropriations-committees-to-supply-emergency-funding-for-families-impacted-by-tropical-storm-ida", "Senator Booker Joins NJ Delegation In Urging Congressional Appropriations Committees to Supply Emergency Funding for Families Impacted by Tropical Storm Ida", "2021-09-15", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington D.C. -- Senator Booker (D-NJ) joined the entire New Jersey bicameral congressional delegation in a letter urging Congressional Appropriations Committees to supply emergency funding for the state of New Jersey in wake of the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Ida. Emergency supplemental appropriations would immediately help the thousands of New Jerseyans who suffered catastrophic damage to their homes and who will undoubtedly need more assistance in the long-term.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey faces a long, difficult road to recovery from Tropical Storm Ida. In fact, the damage in many parts of the state is worse than the aftermath caused by Hurricane Sandy, which rightly merited an emergency supplemental funding bill. The storm caused the tragic and heartbreaking deaths of over two dozen people, left hundreds homeless, crippled our infrastructure and transportation networks, and damaged countless homes and small businesses,\u201d wrote the New Jersey lawmakers.\n\nAs of today, President Biden has declared a Major Disaster Declaration in 11 New Jersey counties, unlocking FEMA assistance for individuals and business owners. For information and resources available to those impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, please visit booker.senate.gov/ida.\n\nRead the text of the letter below or here.\n\nDear Chair DeLauro and Leahy, Ranking Member Granger and Vice Chairman Shelby:\n\nWe are requesting emergency supplemental appropriations as soon as possible for the New Jersey region in the wake of Wednesday night\u2019s destruction caused by Tropical Storm Ida. To date, the storm has taken 27 lives in New Jersey \u2014 more fatalities than in any other state in the Northeast. While the recovery and damage assessment continue, we ask that you act swiftly so that we can get Jersey\u2019s families, small businesses, and local governments back on their feet.\n\nOn Wednesday night, September 1, the remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed the Garden State with raging flash floods, tornadoes, and record rainfall. At Newark Liberty International Airport, the National Weather Service reported severe flooding with 3.24 in. of rain in only a one-hour span. Not only were flights canceled, but NJ Transit suspended almost all of its rail service and over 80,000 people lost power.\n\nNew Jersey faces a long, difficult road to recovery from Tropical Storm Ida. In fact, the damage in many parts of the state is worse than the aftermath caused by Hurricane Sandy, which rightly merited an emergency supplemental funding bill. The storm caused the tragic and heartbreaking deaths of over two dozen people, left hundreds homeless, crippled our infrastructure and transportation networks, and damaged countless homes and small businesses.\n\nWe are thankful to President Biden for his approval on September 2 of an Emergency Declaration and on September 5 of a Major Disaster Declaration that included six New Jersey counties. We hope that the remaining counties impacted by the storm are included in the next disaster declaration. While these approvals are essential first steps, an emergency supplemental funding bill is needed for the many thousands of people who suffered catastrophic damage to their homes who will undoubtedly need more assistance in the long-term. We are also encouraged that on September 7 the White House announced support for additional emergency funds for areas impacted by Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters.\n\nLet\u2019s show the American people that we can still come together to help each other in our most desperate time of need. We will rebuild and come out stronger on the other side. We thank you for your attention and consideration of our request for emergency supplemental appropriations for the state of New Jersey and surrounding areas to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=887E6844-30A2-42BC-88E0-F86C6F8A41B9", "Norcross Announces $300K for Smart Grid Workforce Education at Rowan University", "2021-09-14", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CHERRY HILL, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $300,000 grant to Rowan University to enhance the power of engineering education at the university to help meet the nation\u2019s needs for a highly qualified next-generation Smart Grid workforce. The funding also supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students.\n\n\u201cInvesting in our smart grid workforce means investing in the future of this country for generations to come,\u201d said Congressman Norcross, a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the only electrician in Congress. \u201cAs an electrician who worked for years connecting power to our homes and businesses, I know firsthand the dangers these frontline workers face, and by bettering our energy grid we can create safer working environments and smarter structures. We also know that climate change is a present threat, and a smart grid will conserve natural resources and improve our environment. This funding will train engineering students for the future and equip them to join a workforce that evolves alongside modern technology.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe electricity grid has been recognized as the largest and most complex machine ever made, sending $400 billion energy a year through seven million miles of transmission and distribution lines in the United States,\u201d said Dr. Jie Li, Principal Investigator and associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering. \u201cAs one of the nation\u2019s most critical infrastructures, the electric power grid is undergoing a fundamental revolution in the physical structure, management policy, and business operation, ultimately leading towards a 'Smart Grid' - an enabling engine for the nation\u2019s economy, environment, and future. In order to build a reliable, resilient power grid and to integrate renewable energy, we need to retool the power grid using more advanced techniques. Our educational programs also need to take these topics into account.\u201d\n\nThe NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science and to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare of our country. The organization supports research, innovation, and discovery that provides the foundation for economic growth in this country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7B4B6777-A33A-48BB-9A14-543834F3416D", "Norcross Touts Historic Investments in Child Care, Education, Job Training for South Jersey", "2021-09-13", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) along with Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Susan Wild (D-PA), members of the House Committee on Education and Labor, touted investments in child care, education, job training, and child nutrition advanced through the Committee\u2019s section of the Build Back Better Act. The historic investments will lower costs for families, secure good-paying jobs for American workers, and set a strong foundation of America\u2019s children.\n\n\u201cBy advancing important provisions of the Build Back Better Act, we laid a clear path to make historic investments in affordable child care and higher education, strengthening our public schools, securing good-paying jobs for workers, reducing child hunger, and ensuring mental health parity,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cThe Build Back Better Act will increase opportunity for students, families, and workers. I am proud to support these historic investments that will benefit working families across South Jersey.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s a lot at stake in our economic recovery, and we have a chance in the coming days to shape a piece of legislation that can fundamentally improve the lives of millions of Americans,\u201d said Congresswoman Wild. \u201cI am very optimistic that Congress can get this right, and that means including the commonsense investments into workforce, education, and child care programs that we know will strengthen American families, small businesses, and major employers for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Build Back Better plan is an example of how Congress can work to deliver on behalf of real American workers and families,\u201d said Congressman Courtney. \u201cAmerican families are feeling more and more squeezed economically, and the Build Back Better plan makes them the priority\u2014the Education and Labor Committee\u2019s portion of the bill would finally make childcare more affordable, would provide more training opportunities for high-paying careers, and would give more Americans the basic support they need right now to focus on their own lives, livelihoods, and loved ones. The Build Back Better plan is a long overdue investment that will help grow America\u2019s economy and our strength of community, and I\u2019ll keep working across the aisle to make it a reality.\u201d\n\nThe investments advanced through the Committee last week will:\n\nLower the cost of child care and secure universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds.\n\nLower the cost of higher education by funding two years of tuition-free community college and increasing the value Pell Grants.\n\nStrengthen our public schools by helping school districts repair, modernize, or rebuild crumbling and outdated school buildings.\n\nHelp workers secure good-paying jobs by expanding job training programs.\n\nHelp prevent child hunger by expanding our most effective child nutrition programs.\n\nThe Build Back Better Act includes investments in registered apprenticeship and job training programs and mental health parity that Congressman Norcross helped secure.\n\nFor a summary on the Committee on Education and Labor\u2019s portion of the Build Back Better Act, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=95D7163A-A82C-4504-B23B-FB9BC86656C4", "Rep. Norcross Votes to Invest $761 Billion in Families, Workers, and Mental Health as Part of Education and Labor Committee Reconciliation Package", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, voted to advance provisions of the Build Back Better Act. The bill, which advanced on a vote of 28 - 22 out of committee, includes roughly $450 billion to establish affordable child care and universal pre-K and nearly $80 billion for workforce development programs, including registered apprenticeships. It also includes a key provision authored by Congressman Norcross which expands the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for not offering adequate mental health coverage.\n\n\u201cToday, I was proud to vote to advance the Build Back Better Act that increases opportunity for students, families, and workers,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cWe laid a clear path to make historic investments in affordable child care and higher education, strengthening our public schools, securing good-paying jobs for workers, reducing child hunger, and ensuring mental health parity.\n\n\u201cI was a single dad working in construction and back then it was hard to find affordable, quality child care. With the pandemic, it\u2019s near impossible. Investing in affordable and safe child care options will be life-changing for parents by enabling them to rejoin the workforce and contribute to our economic recovery.\u201d\n\nThe Build Back Better (BBB) Act makes a historic investment to lower the cost of child care for working families, allowing parents to get back to work and boosting the American economy by helping employers increase wages for child care providers. Additionally, the BBB Act invests nearly $80 billion in workforce development programs that allow workers to build new skills and secure good-paying jobs.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m an electrician by trade, and I know registered apprenticeships lead to more than just jobs, they lead to careers,\u201d continued Congressman Norcross, who served as an apprentice in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers before being elected to Congress. \u201cA registered apprenticeship program shaped my life \u2013 laying the foundation for me to go from the construction site to Congress. Today, many students may want to follow a similar, apprenticeship-based route, and this bill will afford them the opportunity to do that.\u201d\n\nAlso included in the BBB Act is a key provision authored by Congressman Norcross that was originally introduced in the House as the Parity Enforcement Act of 2021 (H.R.1364). Including the provision in the base text of the BBB Act will help ensure individuals receive the mental health care they deserve and are legally entitled to.\n\n\u201cWhile mental health parity is rightfully the law of the land, our enforcement mechanisms are sorely lacking. Insurance companies can get away with not following parity laws even though lives are on the line,\u201d added Congressman Norcross. \u201cIt\u2019s time to make sure the American people have the services and support they need to live healthy lives. That is why it is critical that this provision is included in the Build Back Better Act.\u201d\n\nThe Build Back Better Act provisions advanced today by the House Committee on Education and Labor include other investments, including for school district repairs and modernization that will create further jobs. Learn more about the Build Back Better Act here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-biden-for-major-disaster-declaration-for-additional-counties-hit-hard-by-tropical-storm-ida", "Booker, Menendez Applaud Biden for Major Disaster Declaration for Additional Counties Hit Hard by Tropical Storm Ida", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today applauded President Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for adding Essex, Hudson, Mercer and Union counties to the Major Disaster Declaration that was first issued to several counties on Sunday. The declaration will make these counties eligible for more federal resources as areas recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida.\n\nThe storm caused historic flash flooding, tornadoes and record rainfall, and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 27 New Jerseyans. On Sunday, FEMA approved the Major Disaster Declaration for Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic and Somerset counties.\n\n\u201cLast week, New Jersey experienced the devastating impacts caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cThis amended disaster declaration will allow more communities in our state to get the critical federal assistance they need for their relief efforts. I was proud to work alongside Senator Menendez and the rest of the New Jersey delegation to get this vital aid for our state and am grateful to President Biden for his decisive response to this crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for these additional counties that were hit hard by the storm,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cWith this declaration, Essex, Hudson, Mercer and Union counties now have access to greater federal assistance and resources to help residents, families, and businesses rebuild and get back on their feet. There is still more work to be done and I look forward to going back to Washington next week to fight for additional federal resources to help our state and region.\u201d\n\nSens. Booker and Menendez joined the state\u2019s entire congressional delegation in urging Congressional leaders to pass an emergency disaster supplemental bill to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure affected by the storm.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=50E17AA2-1F1C-442C-9CED-BD18826B620D", "Norcross Votes to Advance Science, Space and Technology Committee\u2019s Provisions of the Build Back Better Act, Including Historic Investments to Combat Climate Change", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), who serves on the Energy Subcommittee and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, voted to advance portions of the Build Back Better Act. The bill, which advanced out of committee on a party-line vote of 21 \u2013 17, is comprised of $45.51 billion in science, space, and technology funding. Congressman Norcross has been a champion of investing in key programs and research that will allow the United States to meet the challenge of climate change head-on. Funding to enhance climate adaption and resilience and develop a climate-ready workforce was also included in the bill.\n\n\u201cClimate change isn\u2019t coming, it\u2019s already here,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cLast week, tornadoes and flooding caused by Ida devasted portions of New Jersey, underscoring why we must respond to the climate crisis. Today\u2019s vote sends a clear message: to build back better, America needs historic levels of investment in climate monitoring; we need to fund institutions and universities that are on the cutting-edge of climate research; and we need a climate-ready workforce. Climate change and job creation go hand in hand, and by investing in our climate response we are laying the foundation for economic growth and generating good-paying jobs. I am proud to vote for these vital investments in America\u2019s future to ensure our nation is prepared as climate change brings increasingly extreme weather events to our shores. This bill also provides much needed investment for domestic manufacturing and for first responders, like firefighters, who often find themselves on the frontline of the climate crisis.\u201d\n\nThis allocation will be folded into the broader Build Back Better Act, a $3.5 trillion infrastructure package.\n\nKey Investments Supported by Congressman Norcross\n\nNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)\n\n$1.24 billion toward weather, ocean, and climate research and forecasting to better prepare and anticipate the impacts of climate change.\n\nResearch and Universities\n\n$11.03 billion to the National Science Foundation to improve research infrastructure, including $7.55 billion for climate research and scholarships and fellowships for HBCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions.\n\n$113 million for NASA\u2019s research and development of tools to help understand and reduce risk related to fire, flooding, and drought.\n\n$264 million for EPA to conduct environmental research and development activities related to climate change.\n\nRegional Innovation\n\n$5 billion for innovation initiatives that will spur economic and job growth.\n\nManufacturing\n\n$1 billion toward securing the future of American manufacturing through public-private partnerships that spur innovation, education, and collaboration.\n\n$1 billion for manufacturing extension partnerships to enable manufacturers to identify opportunities that will accelerate and strengthen growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace.\n\nFEMA Assistance to Firefighters\n\n$718 million in construction upgrades for fire stations.\n\n$80 million for replacement of gear with PFAS-free alternatives.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7CF2A32A-451B-496F-8008-E806AE668B09", "Norcross, Murphy, & Labor Secretary Walsh Break Ground on the New Jersey Wind Port", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today joined Governor Phil Murphy, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Senate President Steve Sweeney, President of the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council Bill Mullen, AECOM Tishman Community Relations Director Flora Ramos, elected officials, union leaders, environmental advocates, private sector partners, and representatives of the offshore wind industry for the groundbreaking of the New Jersey Wind Port, a first-in-the-nation infrastructure investment that will provide a location for essential staging, assembly, and manufacturing activities related to offshore wind projects on the East Coast.\n\nIn addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, the event also included the signing of a project labor agreement (PLA) for the project between AECOM-Tishman and the United Building Trades Council of Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO.\n\nThe largest economic investment in Salem County in decades, the New Jersey Wind Port has the potential to create up to 1,500 manufacturing, assembly, and operations jobs, as well as hundreds of union construction jobs in New Jersey. Manufacturing and marshaling projects supported by the Wind Port will drive economic growth in Salem County, in South Jersey, and throughout the state. Through the PLA signed today, the Murphy Administration has delivered on its commitment to using union labor to construct the Wind Port while setting a new standard for inclusion of minority and women workers and business owners.\n\n\u201cSouth Jersey is becoming the hub of wind energy \u2013 meeting the challenge of climate change head-on,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross. \u201cTropical Storm Ida tragically underscored just how urgent the need for climate action is. The Alloway Wind Port will create good-paying union jobs and help revitalize local economies. It will secure America\u2019s energy independence while also making our grid more resilient. And we\u2019re only just starting to build back better. The bipartisan infrastructure bill includes once-in-a-generation investments in clean energy technologies that will benefit New Jersey and the nation, creating good-paying jobs, improving our environment, and bringing our nation\u2019s infrastructure in the 21st century.\u201d\n\n\u201cInvesting in offshore wind is vital to building a stronger, greener economy that creates high-paying jobs to support a robust recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and paves the way for long-term, equitable growth,\u201d said Governor Murphy. \u201cThe New Jersey Wind Port will create thousands of high-quality jobs, bring millions of investment dollars to our state, and establish New Jersey as the national capital of offshore wind.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe New Jersey Wind Port represents the kind of technological innovation, broad-based partnership, and bold investment that we need to meet the climate challenge and create good jobs and an inclusive workforce in our country,\u201d said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. \u201cThis project and the good jobs that come with it serves as an important model for future infrastructure investments in this country.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday's groundbreaking represents the first step in a new era of economic development and job growth in South Jersey, with the ability to produce economic benefits for generations to come,\u201d said Senate President Steve Sweeney. \u201cWind energy is our future \u2013 it\u2019s clean, it\u2019s safe, and it offers the opportunity for New Jersey to be a dominant leader in creating a new sector for our nation's economy. Bringing offshore wind manufacturing to New Jersey is key to making the state a hub of the supply chain for wind energy products and services. The collaboration between the public and private sectors to get this done is a powerful reminder of what we have to do to create economic opportunities and what we can do to promote offshore wind energy.\u201d\n\nToday\u2019s groundbreaking marks the next step in developing the New Jersey Wind Port as a hub for offshore wind. In June, Governor Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget, which included $200 million allocated for the development of the New Jersey Wind Port; this is in addition to $13 million from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and $44 million in partnership with New Jersey Department of Transportation for dredging. In July, the NJEDA announced AECOM-Tishman as the Construction Manager (CM) for the project.\n\nThe New Jersey Wind Port will be located on an artificial island on the eastern shores of the Delaware River, southwest of the City of Salem. The site was selected in June 2020 after a 22-month assessment process, including engagement with industry, government, and environmental stakeholders and the NJEDA has been preparing the site and finalizing design since summer 2020. It is more than five miles from the nearest New Jersey residential area and provides ample space to grow operations over time.\n\nLong term, the New Jersey Wind Port has the potential for over 150 acres of manufacturing parcels and hundreds of manufacturing jobs. Several potential tenants have already expressed interest in the site, including \u00d8rsted and Atlantic Shores through their winning bids in NJBPU\u2019s recent offshore wind power solicitation. Both offshore wind developers indicated they intend to build their projects at the Wind Port. The winning bids also included proposals to partner with turbine manufacturers GE and Vestas to build nacelle assembly facilities at the port. The NJEDA will be launching an additional tenant selection process in the coming weeks to negotiate agreements with these potential tenants.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/bipartisan-american-beef-labeling-act-would-reinstate-mandatory-country-of-origin-labeling", "Bipartisan American Beef Labeling Act Would Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the American Beef Labeling Act, legislation that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. This legislation, which will be formally introduced next week, would require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant means of reinstating MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment. USTR would have six months to develop a reinstatement plan followed by a six-month window to implement it. If USTR fails to reinstate MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment, it would automatically be reinstated for beef only.\n\n\u201cAmericans should know exactly where their beef is coming from, but current USDA labeling practices allow big meatpacking companies to falsely label imported beef as being a product of the USA,\u201d said Booker. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join colleagues in this bipartisan legislation that will restore mandatory country of origin labelling for all beef products and provide fairness for our family farmers and ranchers.\u201d\n\n\u201cTransparency in labeling benefits both producers and consumers,\u201d said Thune. \u201cUnfortunately, the current beef labeling system in this country allows imported beef that is neither born nor raised in the United States, but simply finished here, to be labeled as a product of the USA. This process is unfair to cattle producers and misleading for consumers. When you see a \u2018product of the USA\u2019 label on the grocery store shelf, it should mean just that.\n\n\u201cSouth Dakota cattle producers work tirelessly to produce some of the highest quality beef in the world. The pandemic has only highlighted their important role in our domestic food supply and the urgent need to strengthen it. To ensure the viability of cattle ranching in this country, the system in which producers operate must be fair and transparent. As a long-time supporter of MCOOL, I am proud to introduce this legislation, which will move us one step closer to making that a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cMontana ranchers raise the best cattle in the world, and it\u2019s time American families are guaranteed the right to know whether their beef is from Broadus or Brazil,\u201d said Tester. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation will make sure consumers know when they\u2019re buying American beef at the supermarket, and it will defend Montana\u2019s family farmers and ranchers by leveling the playing field.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s time to restore Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) once and for all,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cThis is an important step in restoring market integrity for consumers and cattle producers. For too long, the packers have skewed this market in their favor. Now, we take it back. I\u2019m thankful to my colleagues for helping carry this important issue for consumers and cattle producers. I\u2019ve long said that consumers will need to drive and help carry this policy debate. For those of us who support MCOOL for beef, this is just the start. The nine major cattle producing states won\u2019t get this done alone. We need a national campaign to see this over the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor our food system to be truly competitive, Congress has to stop big meatpackers\u2019 deception and protect honest producers and consumers,\u201d said Joe Maxwell, President of Family Farm Action Alliance. \u201cFamily Farm Action Alliance commends Senator Booker for his unwavering leadership on pushing for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for beef. We thank him and the other Senators for introducing this bill, which levels the playing field and gives independent farmers and ranchers a fighting chance at a fair market.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-president-biden-governor-murphy-and-fema-administrator-criswell-discuss-and-survey-damage-caused-by-ida", "Booker, President Biden, Governor Murphy, and FEMA Administrator Criswell Discuss and Survey Damage Caused by Ida", "2021-09-07", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) met with President Joe Biden, Governor Phil Murphy, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and local and state officials in Hillsborough, New Jersey, to discuss and survey damage following historic rain and flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. During a briefing hosted by local officials in Hillsborough, New Jersey, Booker joined the President and called for the quick completion of preliminary damage assessments by FEMA in New Jersey counties severely impacted by the storm to ensure every resident gets the federal resources they need to recover. After the discussion, Booker toured a neighborhood in Manville, New Jersey, alongside the President and Governor to speak with residents impacted by the storm.\n\nSenator Booker with President Biden at a briefing to discuss relief operations after the effects of Ida.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=69F9067D-60AD-4CAB-AD2C-39D4DC452313", "Norcross Statement on Labor Day", "2021-09-06", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "CHERRY HILL, NJ \u2013 Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) issued the following statement on Labor Day:\n\n\u201cFor the second year in a row, Labor Day comes as communities across the country continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our frontline workers have been vital in keeping us safe and our country running the past 18 months. It took a pandemic for so many to realize that essential workers, including our local health care workers, teachers, grocery store clerks, first responders, postal workers, truck drivers and construction workers are the backbone of our country.\n\n\u201cIn addition to a deadly pandemic, last week South Jersey was hit with a storm that left homes and communities devastated. Once again, our workers showed up and risked their safety to be there for those impacted by the storm. From the linemen fixing powerlines, to the nurses and doctors treating patients in the hospitals, to the emergency responders digging through debris and addressing the floods, we could never recover without your help. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you to all the men and women who show up each day and put in the work for our communities.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-swift-action-by-biden-for-federal-assistance-after-tropical-storm-ida-ravaged-nj", "BOOKER, MENENDEZ APPLAUD SWIFT ACTION BY BIDEN FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA RAVAGED NJ", "2021-09-03", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today applauded the Emergency Declaration issued to New Jersey for the damage inflicted on the state by Tropical Storm Ida. The storm caused historic flash flooding, tornadoes and record rainfall, and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 23 New Jerseyans.\n\nThe senators last night led the entire congressional delegation in a letter urging President Biden to approve Governor Phil Murphy\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which will make the state eligible for more federal resources as areas recover from damage.\n\n\u201cFor communities across New Jersey, this record-breaking storm has caused widespread devastation, and our state\u2019s residents will need robust assistance in the coming days and weeks to rebuild,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to President Biden for his quick and decisive action that will provide New Jersey with the critical federal resources it needs to help with the immediate recovery efforts.\u201d\n\n\u201cI thank President Biden for quickly approving Governor Murphy\u2019s request for federal assistance. This is much needed federal relief for all of New Jersey\u2019s 21 counties,\u201d said Sen. Menendez. \u201cFrom the tornadoes, to the flooding and torrential rain, communities across the state are now burdened with debris removal and widespread power outages. This will help communities begin the recovery process, get families out of harm\u2019s way and our transit systems back up and running.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers noted that FEMA Individual Assistance is needed to help New Jerseyans who were displaced from their homes due to flooding. FEMA Public Assistance is also critical in order to resume the state\u2019s mass transit systems that millions of people rely on every day.\n\nLast night\u2019s letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), Jeff Van Drew (N.J.-02), Andy Kim (N.J.-03), Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06), Tom Malinowksi (N.J.-07), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (N.J.-11) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9E810DEE-4F1A-4BE1-BC60-BF64280E9F8D", "Norcross Votes to Advance NDAA that Supports South Jersey Jobs, Uplift Military Working Families, Bolsters Our Domestic Supply Chain & Keeps America Safe", "2021-09-02", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). The bill, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 57 - 2 out of committee, provides our military working families with the resources they need to keep our nation secure, invests in American workers and manufacturing, provides opportunities for registered apprenticeships and will make America safer. The bill also includes a number of provisions Norcross fought for that will raise the wages of our defense civilian workforce and bring critical manufacturing jobs back home.\n\n\u201cToday we put our working families first, especially the millions of military working families that deserve the best from a grateful nation,\u201d said Chairman Norcross. \u201cI am proud to have fought for provisions that make America safer by investing in the American worker. The threats to the United States today are more complex, and our adversaries abroad like China and Russia are engaged in the types of business practices that cost American Jobs. This bill will put us on a path to build back better by increasing our domestic supply chain capabilities, strengthening our workforce and giving our servicemembers the tools they need to win the future fight.\u201d\n\nNorcross added: \u201cI applaud the leadership of Chairman Smith in ushering the NDAA through the House Armed Services Committee. This year I continued the fight to secure America\u2019s supply chain and ensured the inclusion of \u2018Buy American\u2019 provisions that would bring jobs back home. Additionally, I led the way on obtaining a minimum wage of $15 per hour for all Defense service contractors, which will ensure the men and women supporting our armed services earn a living wage. I was also proud to support the inclusion of measures that will improve the ability of the Department of Defense to effectively prosecute sex crimes in the military, as well as identify and address extremism in the ranks.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey\u2019s 1st Congressional district, the people of New Jersey and the broader Delaware River Valley win with this bill. I worked with Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) to support the soldiers, sailors and airmen at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, Picatinny Arsenal, the New Jersey National Guard and the communities and companies that support them. This bill puts working families first in our military, in our state and in our community.\u201d\n\nWorking for the People of South Jersey\n\nThroughout the NDAA process, Norcross\u2019s top priority remained the people who live and work in South Jersey. In support of the more than 1,200 high paying jobs at the Philadelphia Shipyard, and to prepare our nations maritime forces for future conflicts, Norcross secured support for the National Security Multi-mission Vessel as well as five additional V-22 Ospreys, This will add security and predictability to the many workers in New Jersey\u2019s 1st Congressional District who are an essential part of our national security. Furthermore, Norcross also ensured an additional $41 million was made available for the production of the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, which is produced by L3 Harris right in Camden. This funding will protect family-sustaining jobs in the district while preparing the U.S. Navy for a future fight.\n\nNorcross also made sure to look out for the New Jersey National Guard. By supporting $100 million dollars for the AESA radar for the Air National Guard\u2019s F-16 fleet, he ensured that the 177th Fighter Wing will remain a combat-capable asset for the people of New Jersey and the nation.\n\nSupporting Our Defense Civilian Workforce\n\nA secure supply chain depends on a high skilled domestic workforce. As the only union electrician in Congress and a lifelong labor leader, Norcross understands the importance of giving workers a voice and a fair wage for their work. That is why he successfully fought for including an amendment to raise the minimum wage for Department of Defense service contractors to $15 per hour \u2013 making sure that the men and women who support our national security are paid a living wage.\n\nAdditionally, Norcross authorized two provisions to support the future workforce. The first ensures that military construction projects utilize registered apprentices, which provide invaluable on-the-job experience while learning a trade. Norcross also fought to establish a manufacturing coalition between labor, career and technical education programs, workforce development boards and the defense industrial base to highlight expertise and create career pathways. By investing in our men and women seeking to learn a trade, we invest in the security of our country.\n\nBoosting Jobs, Manufacturing, Research and Development\n\nNorcross is always focused on creating good, family-sustaining jobs in South Jersey. Universities such as Rowan, and local employers like Boeing, Lockheed, L3Harris and other industrial base facilities across the region support not only the security of our nation but also the economy of our region each day.\n\nNorcross authored a provision to enhance \u2018Buy American\u2019 standards for major defense acquisition programs and bring manufacturing jobs back home. Currently, for an item to be considered American made and compliant with the Buy American Act, it only needs to be made of 55% American parts. This amendment increases that standard to 60% immediately, 65% by January 2024 and 75% by 2029.\n\nNorcross also voted in support of vital research funding, including $24 million for climate change research. He also secured $10 million for high performance polymer research and $5 million for turret gunner survivability research.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-lead-nj-delegation-call-for-president-to-issue-major-disaster-declaration-for-nj-after-tropical-storm-ida", "BOOKER, MENENDEZ LEAD NJ DELEGATION CALL FOR PRESIDENT TO ISSUE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR NJ AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA", "2021-09-02", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today led the entire congressional delegation in calling on President Biden to approve Governor Phil Murphy\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for all 21 counties. Approval of the request would make the state eligible for more federal resources as areas recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida. The storm caused historic flash flooding, tornadoes and record rainfall, and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 23 New Jerseyans.\n\nThe state\u2019s mass transit systems also suffered significant damage, which caused service disruptions for residents, commuters and travelers. Flooding at passenger and baggage areas at Newark Liberty International Airport caused flight cancellations and delays, while Teterboro Airport remains closed due to significant flooding on main roads around the facility. Service on NJ Transit remains halted due to downed trees and flooded areas. The lawmakers noted that FEMA Public Assistance is \u201ccritical\u201d in order to quickly resume the transit systems that millions of people rely on every day.\n\nThe letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), Jeff Van Drew (N.J.-02), Andy Kim (N.J.-03), Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06), Tom Malinowksi (N.J.-07), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (N.J.-11) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nGovernor Murphy has formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration for all 21 counties in the State of New Jersey in response to Tropical Strom Ida.We urge you to approve this request to ensure New Jersey has all the resources available to manage this disaster.\n\nTropical Storm Ida has devastated our state through historic flash flooding, tornadoes, and record rainfalls. Tragically, at least 23 New Jerseyans have lost their lives due to the storm. Tropical Storm Ida poured inches of rain across our state, causing homes, businesses, highways and transit systems to become flooded. The damage from the storm has caused thousands of homes and businesses to remain without power. Flood damage to homes has displaced families, forcing them to seek temporary shelter. FEMA Individual Assistance is necessary to help New Jerseyans with housing and other critical expenses. In addition, highways and roads remain inundated with water, preventing critical recovery efforts.These extraordinary challenges require high water vehicles to carry out disaster recovery efforts. Leveraging FEMA resources will help our state have the necessary tools to swiftly provide relief to our constituents and recover from Tropical Storm Ida.\n\nFurthermore, our mass transit systems have suffered significant damage, causing service disruptions for our residents and travelers. At Newark Liberty Airport, water flooded passenger and baggage areas, causing a ripple of flight cancellations and delays. Teterboro Airport remains closed due to significant flooding on all main roads around the facility. NJ Transit, our state\u2019s passenger rail network, remains inoperable due to downed trees and flooded areas. FEMA Public Assistance is critical in quickly restoring our state\u2019s infrastructure and essential transit systems.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=12FC51B9-263E-44BA-B6D8-72E7C2C55335", "Norcross Statement on Conclusion of War in Afghanistan", "2021-08-31", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement on the end of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan:\n\n\u201cFirst and foremost, I am profoundly grateful to and humbled by the nearly 800,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who served, and to the 2,443 who gave their last full measure of devotion over the past two decades in Afghanistan. People from every state and territory served in this war, but I want to extend a special thank you to the servicemembers from New Jersey who committed to safeguarding our homeland for so long. To the South Jersey families who sacrificed everything to the war in Afghanistan - your service and sacrifice was meaningful, made Americans safer and will not be forgotten.\n\n\u201cOur military\u2019s involvement in Afghanistan has lasted far too long and was characterized by a shifting and often undefined mission. As the fourth commander in chief to oversee this 20-year war, President Biden held to his convictions and I applaud his leadership and courage in finally bringing U.S. servicemembers home. That said, the threat of terrorism persists and I have every confidence that our nation\u2019s military will continue to protect us and our allies against those who would use terror as a political tool.\n\n\u201cOver the past two and a half weeks, U.S. troops oversaw the largest airlift in American history. Moving more than 123,000 people in such a short timeframe was nothing short of remarkable, and it is a testament to the dedication and resolve of our servicemembers as they perform even the most challenging missions. That being said, there remain important questions about the intelligence and decisions leading up to this withdrawal and will look into them. Further, several hundred American civilians remain in Afghanistan. We have an absolute responsibility to provide for their safe evacuation until all Americans and their families who want to leave have been allowed to do so. Thank you to Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, who was the last pair of boots on the ground, and to all those who preceded him in leading our troops during their service in Afghanistan.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-epa-administrator-regan-nj-dep-commissioner-latourette-mayor-baraka-and-advocates-survey-and-discuss-environmental-justice-issues-affecting-newark-residents", "Booker, EPA Administrator Regan, NJ DEP Commissioner LaTourette, Mayor Baraka, and Advocates Survey and Discuss Environmental Justice Issues Affecting Newark Residents", "2021-08-27", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Ironbound Community Corporation, and New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance for an environmental justice tour of the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark. The tour was followed by a roundtable discussion on federal policies to address issues affecting environmental justice communities.\n\n\u201cSince my early days as a tenant rights lawyer in Newark, I\u2019ve seen how underserved communities and communities of color bear the burden of legacy pollution, toxic Superfund sites, and the lack of clean air or water,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cI was proud to host Administrator Regan, Commissioner LaTourette, and local environmental justice advocates for this important tour and discussion that underscores the urgent need to address stark environmental inequalities and racism. Such discussions between local, state, and federal entities are essential to ensuring residents in overlooked communities across the United States are given the tools, resources, and funding they need to achieve environmental justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs EPA Administrator, I understand how important it is to be on the ground, to listen, and to learn from our communities on the frontlines of pollution,\u201d said U.S. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that we understand people\u2019s lived experiences, and that these impacts on communities are at the forefront of EPA\u2019s decision-making. I\u2019m grateful to Senator Booker for his partnership, steadfast leadership, and for providing me an opportunity to see firsthand the environmental injustices facing the Ironbound community in Newark. By listening to our communities of color and working hand in hand with our state and local partners, we will ensure that all people in this country realize the full protections of our environmental laws and policies.\u201d\n\n\u201cThanks to the partnership of our community leaders, advocates, and legislators, New Jersey is now home to the most empowering environmental justice law in the country,\u201d said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. \u201cThe Murphy Administration is grateful that US EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Senator Cory Booker are visiting New Jersey communities and creating an important forum where our residents can share their environmental challenges and where we can recommit, at all levels of government, to furthering the promise of environmental justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was an honor and a privilege to welcome EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan to Newark today,\u201d said Mayor Baraka. \u201cAs a statewide and regional hub of industry, commerce, innovation and energy, the impact of the legacy of environmental contamination is real and present in our community. Newark has long been recognized as an environmental justice community due to the high number of polluting facilities we host, and related environmental health impacts suffered by our residents. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with EPA Administrator Regan and his office to prioritize Newark children and families first, move Newark forward and improve the environmental health and quality of life in all our neighborhoods.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are thankful the Administrator and his staff are getting on the ground to see the problem for themselves,\u201d said Maria Lopez-Nunez of the Ironbound Community Corporation. \u201cFrontline communities across the country need to be seen but more importantly we must be heard. Living with the day to day failures of our system gives our communities unique expertise that we are offering this administration and our representatives. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to both address the climate crisis and the deep inequalities across the country. We hope this is not a stop on a tour but the beginning of a deep relationship towards justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cI applaud the EPA on tackling air pollution from heavy duty vehicles and hope that we see similar action to address diesel emissions from rail yards which are a major contributor to people's exposure to toxic air pollution in Newark's port adjacent communities,\u201d said Melissa Miles, Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance. \u201cWe hope that Administrator Regan's visit to Newark brings increased attention to the need for regulation of railyard emissions as part of the larger effort to eliminate air pollution and greenhouse gases from the logistics industry.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis visit comes at a critical moment when the crisis of climate change and environmental injustice is having life and death consequences for communities like Newark,\u201d said Ana Isabel Baptista, Assistant Professor of The New School University. \u201cWe thank Administrator Reagan and Senator Booker for their visit and ask that they continue their commitment to make targeted investments and reduce cumulative pollution in Newark and EJ communities throughout the US.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe welcome the opportunity to speak with Administrator Reagan and Senator Booker about the need for climate change mitigation policies that guarantee emissions reductions in environmental justice communities, as well as a substantive federal cumulative impacts policy for these same communities,\u201d said Nicky Sheats, Ph.D, Director of the John S. Watson institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University.\n\nThroughout his time in public service, Booker has prioritized environmental justice causes, including championing the cleanup of the polluted Passaic River and co-founding the Senate\u2019s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus. This month, Booker reintroduced the Environmental Justice Act of 2021, which would require federal agencies to mitigate environmental injustices and strengthen legal protections offered to those affected by environmental injustices. Earlier this year, Booker also announced the reintroduction of his Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act, legislation that would invest over $200 billion to clean up legacy pollution that has disproportionately harmed communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities for generations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-terror-attacks-in-afghanistan", "Booker Statement on Terror Attacks in Afghanistan", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Newark, NJ - US Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cMy heart and my prayers are with the loved ones of the American service members and Afghan civilians who were killed in the acts of terrorism earlier today in Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cThe American heroes who were killed today undoubtedly saved the lives of many more, their enduring legacy will be one of service and sacrifice.\n\n\u201cI strongly condemn this act of terror and vow to work alongside my colleagues and the Biden Administration to find those responsible and hold them accountable.\n\n\u201cI commend and am deeply grateful to the brave U.S. service members and diplomats working to continue the evacuation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A7449191-E166-4A13-B3DD-AB96F090D59F", "Norcross Votes to Protect the Right to Vote for All Americans", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted to pass H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to restore critical protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and keep the promise of our democracy for all Americans. H.R. 4 would prevent states and localities with a recent history of voter discrimination from restricting the right to vote by requiring these jurisdictions to obtain federal preclearance before changing their voting laws.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve always supported making voting easier, not harder, and today, I proudly voted to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cThis bill honors the legacy of my dear friend John Lewis, who devoted his life to ensuring the sacred right to vote, and all those who sacrificed in this fight. Voting rights aren\u2019t a partisan issue \u2013 they must be protected for everyone.\u201d\n\nFor decades, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) prevented states and localities from restricting the right to vote. However, in its disastrous Shelby County v. Holder decision in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted the law, invalidating Section 4 and striking down the formula used to determine which jurisdictions are subject to federal oversight. In July 2021, the Court further weakened the law in its decision in Brnovich v. DNC which made it more difficult to challenge discriminatory voting laws under Section 2.\n\nSince 2013, there has been a steady increase in the number of restrictive voting laws that disproportionately suppress turnout among minorities, young adults, and the elderly. This accelerated in 2021 with the Big Lie of a \u201cstolen election.\u201d Just this year, 18 states have enacted at least 30 laws to restrict access to the vote.\n\nNamed for the late Congressman and civil rights icon John Robert Lewis, H.R. 4 restores Section 4 of the VRA by establishing a modern-day formula that requires states and localities with a recent history of voter discrimination to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Justice before making changes to their voting laws. H.R. 4 also restores Section 2 of the VRA by eliminating the heightened standard created by the Supreme Court in Brnovich v. DNC.\n\nThe John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act also:\n\nAllows federal courts to immediately halt questionable voting practices until a final ruling is made. This provision recognizes that when voting rights are at stake, prohibiting a discriminatory practice after the election has concluded is too late to truly protect voters' rights.\n\nGives the Attorney General authority to request that federal observers be present anywhere in the country where discriminatory voting practices pose a serious threat.\n\nIncreases transparency by requiring reasonable public notice for voting changes.\n\nIncludes a retrogression standard for already-enacted but not-yet-implemented measures.\n\nHelp plaintiffs to seek injunctive relief for voting rights violations in the lead-up to an election.\n\nEstablishes a grant program for small jurisdictions to help them comply with the bill\u2019s various notice requirements.\n\nFull text of H.R. 4 can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B2D5679F-2DAF-46EB-A1E1-69A9A6575F59", "Norcross, Hoyer & Sherrill Host Roundtable Discussion with Wind Energy Producers, Manufacturers, Local Officials", "2021-08-23", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "PAULSBORO, NJ \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) hosted U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-12) for a roundtable discussion at Paulsboro Marine Terminal with wind energy producers, manufacturers and local officials about how South Jersey is becoming one of the premier wind energy hubs in the Northeast.\n\n\u201cThe work being done at the Paulsboro Port will enable America\u2019s clean energy future to be built right here in South Jersey, and I thank Majority Leader Hoyer for joining us here today, recognizing our area is becoming one of the premier wind energy hubs in the nation,\u201d said Congressman Norcross. \u201cThe new EEW wind turbine manufacturing site will power our economy by building the clean technology that will power our homes and businesses. The need to transition to a clean energy economy is more important than ever before, and I applaud Governor Murphy, EEW, \u00d8rsted, Holt and PSEG for recognizing that and taking action. This project is generating hundreds of union construction jobs, and I look forward to seeing the great work of our local building trades members.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to join Congressman Norcross and manufacturing leaders to learn more about the construction at Paulsboro Marine Terminal that will create good-paying, union jobs in South Jersey and make this community a clean energy and manufacturing leader. Forward-looking infrastructure projects like this one are key to building a strong economy, and it\u2019s these kind of projects that will be made possible by President Biden\u2019s Build Back Better agenda,\u201d said Majority Leader Hoyer. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for Congressman Norcross\u2019 leadership and the work of the partners here with us today whose efforts have made South Jersey a leader in clean energy and good-paying jobs so we can Make it in America.\u201d\n\n\u201cNew Jersey is a nation-wide leader in wind power and the clean energy economy for a reason,\u201d said Congresswoman Sherrill. \u201cThe wind turbine monopile manufacturing facility being constructed right here at the Paulsboro Port and Marine Terminal is a perfect example of why. This facility will provide roughly 500 jobs - jobs that will stay right here in New Jersey. Confronting the climate crisis and growing the clean energy economy in a way that works for New Jersey families is going to be an all-hands-on-deck endeavor. Today\u2019s visit demonstrated that we can get closer to our goals by bringing together congressional leaders like Rep. Norcross and Rep. Hoyer, union leaders, and business leaders. I couldn\u2019t be prouder than to be working with this group to grow jobs and support innovation in this exciting new sector.\u201d\n\nAt the roundtable, Norcross, Hoyer and Sherrill were joined by New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney, \u00d8rsted Offshore North America CEO David Hardy, EEW CEO Lee Laurendeau, CEO of Holt Terminals Leo Holt, COO of PSEG and President and COO of PSEG Power Ralph LaRossa, Paulsboro Mayor Gary Stevenson and IBEW 351 Business Manager and President of South Jersey Building Trades Dan Cosner.\n\nTo watch the roundtable discussion, click here.\n\n\u201cDeveloping this facility will help produce a new era of economic development and job growth by making New Jersey the East Coast hub of the offshore wind energy industry,\u201d said Senate President Steve Sweeney, who authored the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act in 2010. \u201cWe are proud to show Majority Leader Hoyer what we are accomplishing here in New Jersey. This project demonstrates the value of investing in our infrastructure and underscores the importance of the landmark infrastructure plan now before Congress. It will help transform the national economy and deliver an expected $12 billion to New Jersey, providing us with the resources to put people to work rebuilding our infrastructure and investing in new sectors of the economy, including clean energy. Offshore wind energy is an important part of our future that positions New Jersey to be a dominate leader in the clean energy sector for decades to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur offshore wind projects will deliver clean energy to states throughout the Northeast and to achieve this we\u2019re building a new U.S. manufacturing industry with our state and local partners,\u201d said David Hardy, CEO, \u00d8rsted Offshore North America. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see this already becoming a reality at the Paulsboro Port, as part of a growing offshore wind supply chain network in New Jersey. Even though our Ocean Wind 1 project won\u2019t be constructed until 2024, investments by \u00d8rsted and its business and government partners are making this a reality now and creating good-paying union jobs for workers today. I want to thank Congressman Norcross and other local officials for their leadership in driving this forward.\u201d\n\n\u201cEEW American Offshore Structures (EEW AOS) is proud to see the first manufacturing building rise from the ground up. This structure will be the first of six large manufacturing buildings at Paulsboro,\u201d said EEW AOS Chief Executive Officer Lee Laurendeau. \u201cWe continue to be on an aggressive construction schedule in order to start fabrication of the foundations for the \u00d8rsted Ocean Wind project. We have been able to pour the massive concrete base and have erected the building steel in the last 5 months and we expect the manufacturing building to be substantially complete by the end of this year. The EEW AOS factory will be a win-win for the State of New Jersey and its residents, bringing long term manufacturing jobs while supporting renewable energy goals.\u201d\n\n\u201cWind energy will be a critical component of South Jersey\u2019s economy in the future, and the Paulsboro Marine Terminal expects to play a vital role in the transportation of the turbine towers, rotors and foundations that are shipped to the offshore sites for installation,\u201d said Leo A. Holt, President of Holt Logistics. \u201cWe are very excited by the tremendous potential of wind energy to create good jobs and opportunities for families all over South Jersey.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be at the leading edge of New Jersey\u2019s expanding offshore wind industry,\u201d said Ralph LaRossa, PSEG Chief Operating Officer. \u201cOffshore wind energy means new investment in carbon-free electricity that benefits the environment and tackles climate change, while creating new jobs to fortify South Jersey\u2019s place as the heart of the state\u2019s clean energy economy and drive our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe members of Local 351 and of the Building Trades are very excited about the fact that South Jersey is becoming a major wind manufacturing hub across the Eastern Shore and in America,\u201d said Dan Cosner, Business Manager, IBEW 351 and President of South Jersey Building Trades. \u201cPaulsboro Port will provide the critical components along with the members of the building trades to make sure that this happens.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe port has always been about creating jobs and fueling our economy by opening us up to the global marketplace,\u201d said Bob Damminger, Gloucester County Commissioner. \u201cWe continue to see incredible growth with this project. The collaboration between the public and private sectors is an example of how much we can achieve for our residents. This terminal will benefit residents of Gloucester County and the entire South Jersey region.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe building of this facility (Wind Turbine Plant) is a Win-Win-Win for the Country, State of New Jersey, Gloucester County and most importantly for the Borough of Paulsboro,\u201d said Gary Stevenson, Mayor of Paulsboro. \u201cNot only will it be great for Ecological and Tax Revenue purposes, it will provide many good paying jobs locally. Local residents who may be presently unemployed, who are maybe renting and barely living on paycheck to paycheck, will be able to make good money and finally be able to buy their own homes and support their local town!\u201d\n\nIn December 2020, NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced a $250 million investment into a new monopile manufacturing facility located at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, and in March, \u00d8rsted and EEW broke ground at the EEW monopile manufacturing facility at the Port of Paulsboro Marine Terminal in Gloucester County. The start of construction marked a significant milestone in delivering the largest industrial offshore wind manufacturing facility in the U.S. to date.\n\nConstruction of the facility is being completed under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the South Jersey Building Trades Council to ensure that the jobs created during the construction phase are filled by local New Jersey union tradesmen and women who will use the highest level of industry standards. Construction activities include clearing and grading of the 70-acre site, reinforcement to increase quayside bearing capacity to accommodate the 2,500-ton monopiles, and the construction of two large buildings that will support circumferential welding, sandblasting and painting. EEW has contracted with more than 30 New Jersey companies in support of design, permitting, site work and concrete. The first building will begin being erected in June when the concrete has cured and will be the first of six manufacturing buildings to be constructed over the next three years.\n\nOnce complete, the state-of-the-art facility will manufacture monopiles to supply the 1,100 MW Ocean Wind 1 wind farm off the coast of Southern New Jersey. Ocean Wind 1 is being developed by \u00d8rsted and PSEG. The facility is a key asset for the State, and in addition to supplying Ocean Wind projects, will serve the rapidly progressing U.S. offshore wind industry for years to come.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-bipartisan-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-delivers-for-nj", "BOOKER, MENENDEZ: BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT DELIVERS FOR NJ", "2021-08-13", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) released a breakdown of how the historic, $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed today in the U.S. Senate will provide record investments in New Jersey\u2019s aging infrastructure to repair roads and bridges, expand mass transit, build the Gateway Project, replace water and sewer pipes, and increase broadband internet access. The bill projects to generate more than two million jobs per year over the next decade and deliver billions to New Jersey in federal funding to address the state\u2019s most pressing infrastructure needs.\n\nThe legislation will provide an estimated $12.31 billion in guaranteed transportation and transit funding formula dollars for New Jersey over the next five years\u2014the largest ever investment in the state\u2019s transportation infrastructure. The state will also receive a minimum $100 million to expand broadband internet access. State formula funding for water and sewer infrastructure has yet to be calculated, and New Jersey can still compete for additional federal funding through other discretionary sources\n\nTRANSPORTATION\n\n\u00b7Highways/Roads $6,883,719,399\n\n\u00b7Bridges $1,146,780,115\n\n\u00b7Electric Vehicles $104,373,268\n\n\u00b7Ferry Service $24,407,410\n\nTRANSIT\n\n\u00b7TOTAL $4,154,648,806\n\n\u00b7FY21 $626,068,511\n\n\u00b7FY22 $792,674,692\n\n\u00b7FY23 $809,730,546\n\n\u00b7FY24 $831,558,775\n\n\u00b7FY25 $849,219,308\n\n\u00b7FY26 $871,465,485\n\nBROADBAND $100,000,000 (*min.)\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also includes additional infrastructure funding for federal programs that will benefit New Jersey, namely:\n\nGATEWAY PROJECT\n\n\u00b7Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor (NEC) $30,000,000,000\n\n\u00b7Capital Improvement Grants\n\noSupplemental appropriation $8,000,000,000\n\noAnnual authorization $3,000,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding from these programs can be used to complete Gateway)\n\nAIRPORTS\n\n\u00b7Airport Infrastructure Grants $15,000,000,000\n\n\u00b7Airport Terminal Program $5,000,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding is national over the next five years)\n\nWATER INFRASTRUCTURE\n\n\u00b7Drinking Water State Revolving Funds $15,000,000,000\n\n\u00b7Clean Water State Revolving Funds $11,700,000,000\n\n\u00b7Lead Contamination in Schools $200,000,000\n\n\u00b7PFAS Contamination Remediation $10,000,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding is national over the next five years)\n\nSUPERFUND/BROWNFIELDS $5,000,000,000\n\nTo clean up and revitalize polluted sites; New Jersey has the most Superfund sites in the nation\n\nFLOOD RESILIENCY\n\n\u00b7Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants $3,500,000,000\n\n(Note: Funding is national over the next five years)\n\nWEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE $3,500,000,000\n\nTo reduce energy costs for homeowners\n\nCYBERSECURITY $2,000,000,000\n\nTo modernize and enhance our nation\u2019s cybersecurity capabilities", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-leads-colleagues-in-letter-to-secretary-yellen-to-increase-voter-registration-opportunities-at-vita-sites", "Watson Coleman Leads Colleagues in Letter to Secretary Yellen to Increase Voter Registration Opportunities at VITA Sites", "2021-08-12", "2021", "2021-08", "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) lead 14 of her colleagues in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen calling on her to increase access to voter registration at the nations thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program sites. Following research by the Brookings Institute, it\u2019s estimated that offering voter registration at VITA sites nationwide would lead to about 115,000 registrations of eligible voters without slowing tax preparation times.\n\n\u201cWhile Republican legislatures around the country are introducing laws to make it harder for Americans to vote, everything must be done to secure this fundamental right,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cEvery effort must be made to combat these regressive tactics in the courts, in the legislature through bills like HR 1, and by the Biden administration by increasing access to voter registration information and making it easier for eligible voters to register. The best way to create opportunities to register is to provide registration materials at places in which many people interact.\n\nOn March 7th, President Biden signed an executive order tasking the heads of each federal agency with submitting a strategic plan outlining ways their agency could promote voter registration and participation. Forty-nine states require citizens to register before voting.\n\nThe letter also cites Rep. Watson Coleman\u2019s Filer Voter Act, a bill modeled on the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, better known as the Motor Voter Law, which allowed voters to register to vote at their local motor vehicle department. The Filer Voter Act would require tax preparers to provide individuals the option to receive voter registration materials.\n\nThe letter was signed by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jim Cooper (TN-5), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-3), Ro Khanna (CA-17), John B. Larson (CT-01), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Thomas Suozzi (NY-3), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), John Yarmuth (KY-3), Alma Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and James P. McGovern (MA-2).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-durbin-urge-president-biden-to-use-executive-authority-to-allow-individuals-under-federal-custody-to-remain-on-home-confinement", "BOOKER, DURBIN URGE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO USE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS UNDER FEDERAL CUSTODY TO REMAIN ON HOME CONFINEMENT", "2021-08-12", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to President Biden urging his Administration to rescind a Trump-era opinion that would force individuals on home confinement to return to federal prison following the COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter, Booker and Durbin note that the Office of Legal Counsel\u2019s (OLC) January 15, 2021, memorandum opinion incorrectly found that following the emergency period of the pandemic, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must recall people who had been released to home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act to complete their sentences at BOP facilities. In fact, the CARES Act does not require or permit BOP to recall these individuals.\n\n\u201cYour Administration has ample executive authority to immediately provide the certainty these returning citizens deserve as they reintegrate into their communities, reunite with their families, and join in rebuilding our economy,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cWe urge you to use your unfettered pardon power to immediately commute the sentences of those on home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act.\u201d\n\nSince March 26, 2020, thousands of people have been released to home confinement and halfway houses, and less than one percent have been returned to BOP facilities for violating the conditions of their release.\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cThese individuals, who were released only after careful vetting by BOP, have successfully transitioned to home confinement. They have reunited with family, obtained jobs, and are abiding by the conditions of their release.\u201d\n\nThe CARES Act expanded BOP\u2019s home confinement authority to reduce prison populations to help contain the spread of the virus, The Act provides that during the covered emergency period, BOP may lengthen the maximum amount of time an individual may be placed in pre-release home confinement under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 3624(c)(2). Recalling people who are successfully transitioning to the community through home confinement is contrary to the requirements and purpose of \u00a7 3624(c)(2).\n\nOn April 23, 2021, Booker and Durbin sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting that he rescind the January OLC opinion. As of Thursday, the Senators had not received a response to their letter.\n\nFull text of today\u2019s letter is available here and below:\n\nAugust 12, 2021\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe respectfully request that your Administration take immediate action to ensure that thousands of individuals who have successfully transitioned to home confinement from federal prison during the pandemic are not returned to prison without cause. Your Administration has ample executive authority to immediately provide the certainty these returning citizens deserve as they reintegrate into their communities, reunite with their families, and join in rebuilding our economy.\n\nThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided critical relief from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In order to give the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) broader authority to reduce prison populations to help contain the spread of the virus, the CARES Act expanded BOP\u2019s home confinement authority. The Act provides that during the covered emergency period, BOP may lengthen the maximum amount of time an otherwise eligible individual may be placed in prerelease home confinement, if the Attorney General finds that the pandemic materially affects the functioning of BOP. Attorney General William Barr made the necessary finding on April 3, 2020, and BOP began exercising this authority. Thousands were released, and almost all have been successful\u2014less than one percent of the more than 24,000 prisoners released to home confinement and halfway houses during the pandemic have been returned to BOP facilities due to rule violations.\n\nOn January 15, 2021, in the last days of the Trump Administration, the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel issued a memorandum opinion entitled \u201cHome Confinement of Federal Prisoners After the COVID-19 Emergency\u201d (\u201cOLC opinion\u201d). The OLC opinion incorrectly found that following the emergency period of the pandemic, BOP must recall federal inmates released to home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act and require these inmates to complete their sentences at BOP facilities. In fact, the CARES Act does not require or permit BOP to recall these prisoners.\n\nOn April 23, 2021, we asked Attorney General Garland to rescind the OLC opinion, and are awaiting his response. However, the opinion does not prevent you from acting. We urge you to use your unfettered pardon power to immediately commute the sentences of those on home confinement pursuant to the CARES Act. These individuals, who were released only after careful vetting by BOP, have successfully transitioned to home confinement. They have reunited with family, obtained jobs, and are abiding by the conditions of their release.\n\nAdditional executive authorities are also available. BOP can provide relief for certain individuals through prerelease home confinement, under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 3624(c)(2), and the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program, pursuant to 34 U.S.C. \u00a7 60541(g). For those who do not qualify for those provisions, BOP can recommend, and DOJ should support, compassionate release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A). Compassionate release is authorized whenever extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant a sentence reduction, and the once-in-a-century global pandemic that led to these home confinement placements certainly constitutes such an extraordinary and compelling circumstance.\n\nGiven the breadth of available executive authority, no person who has successfully transitioned to home confinement should be required to return to federal prison. The uncertainty of the current situation unnecessarily interferes with the efforts of those on home confinement to rebuild their lives and participate in our economic recovery. With the goal of facilitating successful community reentry, we urge you to act immediately to resolve this issue and enable those on release to move forward with their lives.\n\nThank you for your time and consideration.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill", "Booker Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill", "2021-08-10", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement on Senate passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021:\n\n\u201cAfter months of bipartisan negotiations, I applaud the Senate for passing the most extensive infrastructure investment our country has seen in decades. This landmark legislation will help create millions of good-paying jobs throughout our country, strengthen our national security, and bolster our economy -- making us more economically competitive with other nations.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey and our country badly need federal investment to modernize our nation\u2019s rail and transit systems, repair our crumbling roads and tunnels and deteriorating water systems, strengthen cyberinfrastructure, expand broadband access, and combat climate change.\n\n\u201cThe IIJA also includes key funding for Amtrak and transit that will support completion of the Gateway Program, funding for the construction and refurbishment of household decentralized wastewater systems that I\u2019ve worked to advance for years, and a toll credit exchange pilot program, ferry operators provision, and wildlife crossing safety program based on my legislation.\n\n\u201cI am proud to have worked with my colleagues in passing this bipartisan legislation and look forward to following it up with a budget bill that will make significant and transformative investmentsto lower costs for American families, create additional American jobs, and move our country forward in addressing the climate crisis.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 will include the following:\n\n$66 billion for passenger and freight rail including $30 billion in dedicated funding for Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor that will address the region\u2019s backlog of repairs and improve service.\n\n$39.2 billion of new investments over baseline funding for a total of $89.9 billion to modernize transit.\n\n$111 billion in new investments in roads and bridges including a $40 billion dedicated program to rebuild our nation\u2019s aging bridges, $16 billion for major projects, and a new program for reconnecting communities that have been historically divided by transportation infrastructure.\n\nAuthorizes $250 million over five years for a new decentralized wastewater systems grant program based on bipartisan legislation by Senators Booker and Capito for the construction and refurbishment of individual household decentralized wastewater systems for low-and moderate income individuals.\n\nA toll credit exchange pilot program, based on legislation by Senator Booker and Senator Shaheen. Senator Booker has long championed this program that will allow New Jersey to potentially sell their excess toll credits in order to increase investment in the state\u2019s transportation infrastructure.\n\n$350 million over five years for a wildlife crossing safety program Senator Booker worked with Senator Barrasso to get over the finish line.\n\n$400 million over five years to create a new grant program that Senator Booker and Senator Whitehouse have championed to reduce emissions from seaports.\n\nProvisions Senator Booker championed to ensure that certain privately-owned ferry boats and terminals that are deemed essential to a region\u2019s transportation network are eligible for Surface Transportation Block Grant funding to secure that ferry operators in the state are able to provide critical transportation options for commuters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-reintroduce-bill-to-crack-down-on-bank-overdraft-fees", "Booker, Warren Reintroduce Bill to Crack Down on Bank Overdraft Fees", "2021-08-09", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today reintroduced legislation to crack down on exploitative overdraft fees that banks charge consumers when they make a purchase or pay a bill but don\u2019t have sufficient funds in their account.\n\nThe Stop Overdraft Profiteering Act of 2021 would ban overdraft fees on debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals, and limit fees placed for checks and recurring payments. It would also mandate that banks post transactions in a manner that minimizes overdraft and nonsufficient fund fees (often times, banks reorder transactions in such a way as to maximize overdraft fees, which can mean, in some cases, that the consumer faces multiple charges).\n\n\u201cExploitative and excessive overdraft fees allow banks to reap enormous profits at the expense of the most economically vulnerable people,\u201d said Sen Booker. \u201cEven when accounting for the temporary and uneven measures that the industry took to provide relief to consumers throughout the pandemic, banks continued to make billions of dollars of revenue last year on the backs of their most vulnerable consumers. Our bill will require banks to institute overdraft protections and transparency measures that protect consumers and put an end to the unfair practices that can often be the tipping point toward financial ruin for struggling families. Families emerging from this crisis cannot continued to be saddled by these burdensome and abusive practices.\u201d\n\n\"While the COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the country and millions of families have struggled financially, big banks have reaped in billions of profits made from overdraft fees,\" said Senator Warren. I am glad to introduce this critical legislation with Senator Booker to protect consumers and crackdown on these predatory practices.\u201d\n\nSpecifically the Stop Overdraft Profiteering Act of 2021 would:\n\nProhibit overdraft fees on debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals.\n\nProhibit financial institutions from charging more than one overdraft fee per month and no more than six overdraft fees in any single calendar year for check and recurring bill payment overdrafts.\n\nLimit check and recurring bill payment overdrafts fees and non-sufficient fund fees to an amount that is reasonable and proportional to the financial institution\u2019s costs in providing the overdraft coverage.\n\nMandate a three-day waiting period between when an individual opens a new account and when a financial institution may offer overdraft protection.\n\nMandate that depository institutions post transactions in a manner that minimizes overdraft and nonsufficient fund fees.\n\nIncrease other consumer disclosures related to overdraft coverage programs.\n\nIn 2018, Booker and Warren sent a letter, signed by 13 other Senators, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau questioning its plan to no longer pursue regulatory action on overdraft fees, after it failed to mention action in its most recent regulatory agenda filing, even though it had been on the Bureau\u2019s agenda for four years.\n\nLast year, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Booker filed legislation that would ban exploitative bank overdraft fees for the duration of the Coronavirus public health emergency. One month later, Booker sent a letter to more than a dozen bank CEOs urging them to temporarily ban charging customers burdensome bank overdraft fees during the coronavirus emergency.\n\nEndorsed by:\n\nCenter for Responsible Lending\n\nAmericans for Financial Reform\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5A1C65AC-9890-41C4-B630-DEA45CE8ED1D", "Norcross, Reed Demand Upgrades in School Infrastructure to Enhance Safety & Raise Student Achievement", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) led over 90 members of Congress in urging Congressional leaders to prioritize the inclusion of federal dollars to boost school infrastructure nationwide as part of this once-in-a generation investment in the nation\u2019s critical infrastructure. School districts are facing increased costs, aging school infrastructure and an urgent need for schools to alleviate crowded classrooms and ensure adequate fresh air ventilation to help reduce COVID-19 transmission.\n\nNoting that the crisis with crumbling school infrastructure predates the pandemic and is a threat to the health and well-being of students and teachers and undermines academic achievement, 91 members of Congress penned a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging the inclusion of at least $100 billion in federal funds to boost school construction.\n\n\u201cAn investment of at least $100 billion in school facilities will be critical to achieving the full promise of the American Families Plan for our middle and working class communities. Without an upgrade to school facilities, these communities will struggle to implement universal preschool, expand school nutrition programs, achieve climate resiliency, close the digital divide, and recruit and retain educators. Furthermore, failure to adequately invest in school facilities will undermine our march towards racial and economic justice, as these are the communities with the lowest tax bases and fewest resources for capital improvements,\u201d the 91 members of Congress wrote.\n\nThe letter also notes: \u201cCurrently, our school facilities are not making the grade. School infrastructure earned a D+ on the American Society of Civil Engineers Report Card for America\u2019s Infrastructure. A June 2020 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the state of school infrastructure\u2014the agency\u2019s first report on the subject since 1996\u2014found that 54 percent of school districts across the country must replace or update major systems in more than half their buildings. The 2016 State of Our Schools Report found that state and local governments spend $46 billion less than what is required to update and maintain their school facilities.\u201d\n\nMany of the signers of the letter teamed up with Senator Reed and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor Committee, and Congressman Norcross earlier this year to introduce the bicameral Reopen and Rebuild America\u2019s School Act of 2021.\n\nThe bill will create a federal-state partnership for school infrastructure. It will provide, over ten years, a total of $130 billion in direct grants and school construction bonds to help fill the annual gap in school facility capital needs, while creating nearly two million jobs.\n\nSpecifically, the Reopen and Rebuild America\u2019s Schools Act will provide $100 billion in formula funds to states for local competitive grants for school repair, renovation and construction. States will focus assistance on communities with the greatest financial need, encourage green construction practices and expand access to high-speed broadband to ensure that all students have access to digital learning.\n\nThe bill would also provide $30 billion for qualified school infrastructure bonds (QSIBs), $10 billion each year from fiscal years 2022 through 2024 and restore the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABS) that were eliminated in the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The legislation also eases the matching requirements and expands the authority and eligible purposes of QZABS to allow local education agencies to construct, rehabilitate, retrofit or repair school facilities.\n\nThe Reopen and Rebuild America\u2019s Schools Act also supports American workers by ensuring that projects use American-made iron, steel and manufactured products and meet labor standards.\n\nThe school infrastructure letter was signed by:\n\nIn addition to Senator Reed, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators: Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Durbin (D-Il), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Corey Booker (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Margaret Hassan (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\n\nIn addition to Congressman Norcross, members of the U.S. House of Representatives who signed the letter include: Betty McCollum (D-MN), Adam Smith (D-WA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Alma Adams (D-NC), Andy Levin (D-MI), Anthony Brown (D-MD), Bill Foster (D-IL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-IN), Jaquin Castro (D-TX), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), David Cicilline (D-RI), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dina Titus (D-NV), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Gregorio Sablan (D-MP), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jason Crow (D-CO), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Joe Morelle (D-NY), John Garamendi (D-CA), Al Lawson (D-FL), Josh Harder (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Connor Lamb (D-PA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Marie Newman (D-IL), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Grace Meng (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (D-CA), Niekma Williams (D-GA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Linda S\u00e1nchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Susan Wild (D-PA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) and William R. Keating (D-MA).\n\nFull text of the letter:\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-hirono-blunt-rochester-and-fitzpatrick-reintroduce-bill-to-boost-small-business-growth-in-rural-low-income-and-underserved-areas", "Booker, Hirono, Blunt Rochester, and Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bill to Boost Small Business Growth in Rural, Low-Income, and Underserved Areas", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today reintroduced legislation that invests in startup accelerators and incubators in new and underserved areas. Research indicates that just three geographic clusters \u2014 the San Francisco Bay area, the Boston-Washington corridor, and Southern California\u2014account for 77 percent of venture capital funding in the United States, driving small business job growth to thrive in these areas and leaving rural, low-income, and other underserved areas behind. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE, At-Large) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1).\n\nIncubation and accelerator programs, which provide entrepreneurs with essential services such as experienced leadership, office space, access to financing opportunities, and structured mentorship for certain periods of time, are critical elements of innovation ecosystems where successful startups can flourish. According to research conducted at MIT, areas in which an accelerator opens see a 97 percent increase in the number of distinct venture capital investors compared to similar areas without an accelerator.\n\n\u201cWhen we fail to get entrepreneurs the resources they need to scale their businesses, regardless of their zip code or wealth, we leave some of the best ideas and innovations on the sidelines,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cTo aid in our country\u2019s long term economic recovery, our bill will make robust investments to help fund new startup programs in low-income and underserved areas, providing more entrepreneurs with the support they need to launch their businesses and create jobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day across our country, small businesses and entrepreneurs drive innovation and growth, and create jobs,\u201d Senator Hirono said. \u201cThe SOAR Act is a critical opportunity to provide more businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed\u2014regardless of where they may be located. Passing this legislation would help as we continue to focus on our economic recovery from the pandemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur economy is driven by the entrepreneurs and small businesses who are investing in innovation for the future,\u201d Blunt Rochester said. \u201cBy investing in programs like SOAR, we can drive economic growth in underserved areas and further empower entrepreneurs, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. I\u2019m thrilled to be introducing this bill with Senator Booker and Congressman Fitzpatrick and I\u2019m hopeful that together, we can shepherd this bill to passage.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know growth accelerators work at stimulating investment and job creation but too often those gains are concentrated and leave American workers and entrepreneurs in underserved areas behind,\u201d said Fitzpatrick. \u201cWorking with Congresswoman Blunt Rochester, we\u2019ve come up with a measure to support growth in underserved communities \u2013 wherever they are \u2013 by empowering entrepreneurs with essential services like experienced leadership, office space, access to financing opportunities, and structured mentorship. Together we can plant the seeds of nationwide growth.\u201d\n\nThe SOAR Act builds on a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Growth Accelerator Fund competition, in which accelerators and other entrepreneurial ecosystems compete for funding to expand their reach to engage more startups and new communities.\n\nBy broadening the tech ecosystems, the SOAR Act would unleash economic opportunities in low-income and rural communities and empower underserved entrepreneurs, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.\n\nSpecifically the SOAR ACT would build on the SBA\u2019s work with the Growth Accelerator Fund and authorize $80 million in funding each year for 10 years, providing:\n\nFunding offered through a competitive grant program for organizations supporting early-stage startups including new and existing accelerator programs, incubators, and universities\n\nA targeted focus on encouraging growth accelerators that address key geographic and demographic gaps, including women, veterans, minority-entrepreneurs, individuals with disabilities, and rural communities\n\nIncreased funding, which will allow the SBA to continue to expand the strength of growth accelerators across the country\n\nOversight and transparency of the program\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-legislation-to-end-draconian-policy-that-prevents-formerly-incarcerated-individuals-from-accessing-government-assistance-programs", "Booker Introduces Legislation to End Draconian Policy that Prevents Formerly Incarcerated Individuals from Accessing Government Assistance Programs", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Making Essentials Available and Lawful Act, or the MEAL Act. This legislation would repeal a lifetime ban that prevents formerly incarcerated individuals convicted of felony drug offenses from accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Earlier this year, Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 600,000 individuals are released from local and federal prisons every year. However, due to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act established in 1996, many formerly incarcerated individuals do not have access to critical programs such as SNAP and TANF. Meanwhile, studies have shown that access to public assistance like SNAP and TANF is associated with a reduced risk of recidivism among returning citizens.\n\n\u201cFor formerly incarcerated individuals trying to reenter society, the lifetime ban on SNAP and TANF benefits poses unnecessary barriers that we know increase the risk of recidivism,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThose who have repaid their debt to society shouldn\u2019t have to suffer from a lifetime of continued punishment. The MEAL Act will repeal this decades-old lifetime ban and ensure that people convicted of felony drug offenses can meet their basic needs and safely reintegrate into their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to be working with Senator Booker and Representatives Gwen Moore, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Jahana Hayes on these commonsense and humane re-entry reforms,\u201d said Congressman Cohen. \u201cThousands of people released from state and federal prisons each year re-enter society and find major, and unnecessary, challenges, including lifetime bans on food assistance and TANF. The MEAL Act would repeal the 1996 ban on people with drug felony convictions receiving SNAP and TANF, and it would allow them to apply for SNAP before their release so that they can meet their basic needs on Day One, reducing the likelihood of recidivism and increasing the quality of life of those aiming to reintegrate into their communities.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Making Essentials Available and Lawful, or the MEAL Act, would amend the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity of 1996 and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by allowing formerly incarcerated individuals convicted of felony drug offenses to have access to receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants.\n\nThe following Senators endorsed this legislation: Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).\n\nThe full list of endorsing organizations can be viewed here.\n\nThe full text of the Making Essentials Available and Lawful, or the MEAL Act, can be viewed here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-senators-in-urging-majority-leader-schumer-to-include-baby-bonds-in-the-reconciliation-package", "Booker Leads Senators in Urging Majority Leader Schumer to Include \u201cBaby Bonds\u201d in the Reconciliation Package", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a letter urging Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to include the American Opportunity Accounts Act, or \u201cBaby Bonds,\u201d in the reconciliation package. If included and passed, this groundbreaking legislation will create a federally-funded savings account for every American child that will make economic opportunity a birthright for every American and substantially close the racial wealth gap.\n\nStaggering wealth inequality in the U.S. has only worsened in the past six decades, especially along racial lines. According to the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, the median white family has eight dollars in wealth for every one dollar held by Black families, and the members of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans own more wealth than all black families in the U.S. combined. Recent studies by Columbia University and Morningstar have found that a program like Baby Bonds would substantially close the racial wealth gap among young adults in America.\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing economic crisis, and ongoing recovery have only further exposed vast economic inequities along racial lines,\u201d the senators wrote to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. \u201cToday, the median white family has eight dollars in wealth for every one dollar held by Black families, and the members of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans hold more wealth than all Black families in the U.S. combined. These disparities left Black families particularly vulnerable during this crisis as they dealt with the challenges of high costs of healthcare, unemployment, and remote learning without the buffer of savings and resources.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo be clear, these disparities are the result of intentional policymaking,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cFor decades, federal, state, and local policy has stripped wealth and opportunity from Black and Brown people, and our tax code is overwhelmingly skewed to reward the already-affluent. We have an opportunity to build a just economic recovery that addresses the economic injustices of the past and present and moves us towards an economic future that leaves no family behind.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlongside the investments in families and workers put forward in President Biden\u2019s American Families Plan, we can make meaningful progress towards eliminating these disparities. As we emerge from this dark period of our nation\u2019s history, Baby Bonds is exactly the type of universal, race conscious program necessary to build our economy back better,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nIf adopted into the reconciliation package, the American Opportunity Accounts Act, or \u201cBaby Bonds,\u201d would give every child an \u201cAmerican Opportunity Account\u201d at birth seeded with $1,000 that grows every year between a $0 and $2,000 depending on family income, until the age of 18. Kids growing up in the poorest households would have accounts of up to $50,000 to spend on eligible wealth-building activities. A study out of Columbia University found a policy like Baby Bonds would substantially reduce the racial wealth gap among young adults.\n\nThis letter was also signed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI).\n\nSenator Booker and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley first introduced the American Opportunity Accounts Act in 2019 and sent a letter earlier this year urging President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to include this legislation in the fourth COVID-19 economic recovery package.\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below:\n\nAugust 5, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Charles Schumer\n\nSenate Majority Leader\n\nS-221, The United States Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20510\n\nDear Majority Leader Schumer,\n\nAs you work to craft legislation to support a robust recovery, we urge you to include investments into our children and families through \u201cBaby Bonds,\u201d as outlined in the American Opportunity Accounts Act.\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing economic crisis, and ongoing recovery have only further exposed vast economic inequities along racial lines. Today, the median white family has eight dollars in wealth for every one dollar held by Black families, and the members of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans hold more wealth than all Black families in the U.S. combined. These disparities left Black families particularly vulnerable during this crisis as they dealt with the challenges of high costs of healthcare, unemployment, and remote learning without the buffer of savings and resources.\n\nThe setbacks facing Black families as a result of the pandemic cannot be understated. The outsized impact on the health and employment of Black families further shrunk wealth as families dipped into their limited resources to stay afloat, and data shows that critical asset building investments in education, homeownership, and retirement suffered as Black households depleted their savings. These disruptions have the potential not only to create obstacles for the workers and students in the years to come, but also for the future generations.\n\nTo be clear, these disparities are the result of intentional policymaking. For decades, federal, state, and local policy has stripped wealth and opportunity from Black and Brown people, and our tax code is overwhelmingly skewed to reward the already-affluent. We have an opportunity to build a just economic recovery that addresses the economic injustices of the past and present and moves us towards an economic future that leaves no family behind.\n\nThe American Opportunity Accounts Act would represent perhaps the most ambitious ever federal effort to directly combat wealth inequality. As a birthright, every child would be given an \u201cAmerican Opportunity Account\u201d seeded with $1,000. Every year thereafter, children would receive between a $0 and $2,000 deposit, depending on family income, with funds sitting in a low-risk account managed by the Treasury Department. Beginning at age 18, account holders would be able to access and utilize the funds for wealth-building activities including homeownership, higher and continuing education, and entrepreneurship\u2014the kind of investments that change life trajectories and break generational cycles of poverty.\n\nAlongside the investments in families and workers put forward in President Biden\u2019s American Families Plan, we can make meaningful progress towards eliminating these disparities. As we emerge from this dark period of our nation\u2019s history, Baby Bonds is exactly the type of universal, race conscious program necessary to build our economy back better.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=ADAEBDC1-E6BB-435A-BC4F-3628D762AC1C", "Norcross Statement on Passing of Labor Leader Richard Trumka", "2021-08-05", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statements on the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:\n\n\u201cI was saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Trumka. I knew and worked with him for over three decades, from his time fighting for the United Mine Workers to his steadfast leadership at the AFL-CIO.\n\n\u201cEver since his earliest days, he never stopped fighting for working families. Throughout his career, Rich has improved so many lives and led winning battles for workers across the nation. His death is a loss for working families everywhere. His memory will live on as he has set the stage for workers to lead the way in the economic recovery. His powerful voice and remarkable leadership will be dearly missed. My condolences go to his family, loved ones and all who knew him.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/08/05/2021/booker-reintroduces-sweeping-environmental-justice-bill", "Booker Reintroduces Sweeping Environmental Justice Bill", "2021-08-05", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced sweeping legislation to address the environmental injustices that harm communities of color, low-income communities, and indigenous communities around the country. The Environmental Justice Act of 2021 would require federal agencies to mitigate environmental injustices through agency action and would strengthen the legal protections of those affected by environmental injustices. Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year.\n\n\u201cWe cannot achieve economic justice or social justice in this country without simultaneously addressing environmental justice,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cClean air and clean water shouldn\u2019t be luxuries for the privileged \u2013 yet every day, communities of color, low income communities, and indigenous communities are disproportionately harmed by pollution. This reality has largely been ignored, and the affected communities have been left without the legal tools to protect their rights. The Environmental Justice Act is an important step in returning power to these communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cHaving clean water to drink and clean air to breathe is not a privilege for the affluent few \u2013 it's a right and common good for everyone,\" said Dr. Ruiz. \"My bill with Senator Booker, the Environmental Justice Act of 2021, will strengthen protections for vulnerable at-risk populations, give impacted communities the ability to hold big corporations and government accountable, and provide much-needed funds to mitigate and prevent future environmental hazards. Our legislation will take an important step forward in creating a healthier environment for all.\"\n\nBooker worked closely with dozens of grassroots organizations in New Jersey and across the country to craft this comprehensive bill that strengthens environmental justice protections for vulnerable communities. As part of that effort, in 2017, he visited important environmental justice communities in the Southeastern United States, including Uniontown, Alabama, where a massive landfill that accepts garbage from more than half the country was permitted to be placed in an overwhelmingly black community, despite local opposition; Lowndes County, Alabama, where residents struggle with nonexistent or ineffective sewage systems; and an 85-mile stretch of land between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana home to more than 150 industrial plants and oil refineries and infamously known as \u201cCancer Alley\u201d because of an elevated incidence of cancer and inexplicable illnesses among its residents. In October 2017, Booker first introduced the Environmental Justice Act in the Senate.\n\nIn 2019, Booker co-founded the Senate\u2019s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus along with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) to call attention to the many environmental justice issues affecting our nation. Since his time as a tenant lawyer, City Council member, and mayor of Newark, Booker has seen first-hand how low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by poor air quality, tainted drinking water, and toxic Superfund sites. For example, Newark has one of the highest rates of child asthma in the state, and half of all New Jerseyans live within three miles of a Superfund site. As Mayor, Booker championed the cleanup of the polluted Passaic River, a federal Superfund site, and helped lead the revitalization of over 15 acres of formerly off-limits riverfront property. He also spearheaded the creation of community gardens that required planting in raised beds since the soil was too toxic to grow food for human consumption.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).\n\nSpecifically, the Environmental Justice Act does the following:\n\n\u00b7 Codifies and expands the 1994 Executive Order on Environmental Justice. Executive Order 12898 focused federal attention on environmental and human health impacts of federal actions on minority and low-income communities. The Environmental Justice Act of 2019 would codify this order into law, protecting it from being revoked by future Presidents. It would also expand the EO by improving the public\u2019s access to information from federal agencies charged with implementing the bill and creating more opportunities for the public to participate in the agencies\u2019 decision-making process.\n\n\u00b7 Codifies the existing National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) and environmental justice grant programs. The bill ensures that NEJAC will continue to convene and provide critical input on environmental justice issues to federal agencies, and that several important environmental justice grant programs, including Environmental Justice Small Grants and CARE grants, will continue to be implemented under federal law. Since these grant programs and NEJAC have never been Congressionally authorized, they are susceptible to being discontinued by future Administrations.\n\n\u00b7 Establishes requirements for federal agencies to address environmental justice. The bill requires agencies to implement and update annually a strategy to address negative environmental and health impacts on populations and communities of color, indigenous communities, and low income communities. In addition, the bill codifies CEQ (Council on Environmental Quality) guidance to assist federal agencies with their NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) procedures so that environmental justice concerns are effectively identified and addressed. The bill also codifies existing EPA guidance to enhance EPA\u2019s consultations with Native American tribes in situations where tribal treaty rights may be affected by a proposed EPA action.\n\n\u00b7 Requires consideration of cumulative impacts and persistent violations in federal or state permitting decisions under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. Currently, Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permitting decisions do not take into account an area\u2019s cumulative pollutant levels when a permit for an individual facility is being issued or renewed. This can result in an exceedingly high concentration of polluting facilities in certain areas. The bill also requires permitting authorities to consider a facility\u2019s history of violations when deciding to issue or renew a permit.\n\n\u00b7 Clarifies that communities impacted by events like the Flint water crisis may bring statutory claims for damages and common law claims in addition to requesting injunctive relief. Under current legal precedent, environmental justice communities are often prevented from bringing claims for damages. The bill would ensure that impacted communities can assert these claims.\n\n\u00b7 Reinstates a private right of action for discriminatory practices under the Civil Rights Act. The bill overrules the Supreme Court decision in Alexander v. Sandoval and restores the right for individual citizens to bring actions under the Civil Rights Act against entities engaging in discriminatory practices that have a disparate impact. Currently citizens must rely upon federal agencies to bring such actions on their behalf.\n\nThe following advocates expressed their support for the Environmental Justice Act:\n\n\u201cOur nation should prioritize developing policies that will address persistent environmental justice issues, such as cumulative impacts, and yield measurable reductions in pollution in communities Of Color and low-income communities,\u201d said Nicky Sheats, Ph.D., Esq., Director, Center for the Urban Environment of the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, and member of the NJ Environmental Justice Alliance.\n\n\"The Environmental Justice Act provides frontline communities with additional tools in our fight to challenge big polluters that are harming people and ecosystems,\u201d said Miya Yoshitani, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Climate Justice Alliance Board Member.\n\n\"Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander, poor, and marginalized communities bear the brunt of a legacy of industrial pollution and environmental racism. A commitment to racial justice and equity demands we center the voices, rights and needs of frontline communities in our work for justice,\u201d said Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, Co-Chair, Climate Justice Alliance Board of Directors.\n\n\u201cCommunities of color and low income communities i.e. environmental justice (EJ) communities have long been subjected to environmental injustices with little to no legal protections. Environmental laws are often inconsistently applied and more slowly enforced in EJ communities. The Environmental Justice Act of 2021 is an important step towards ensuring that EJ communities have avenues for redress,\u201d said Ansha Zaman, Policy Coordinator, Center for Earth Energy & Democracy.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation can be viewed here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 219, "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 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "NJ", "p2": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 219, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NJ&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 152, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 67, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "NJ", "label": "NJ", "count": 219, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 219, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2021-08-05,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebooker~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress~2F08~2F05~2F2021~2Fbooker-reintroduces-sweeping-environmental-justice-bill", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2021&_next=2021-08-05%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebooker~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress~2F08~2F05~2F2021~2Fbooker-reintroduces-sweeping-environmental-justice-bill&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 300.3454119898379, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}