{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"NJ\" and year = 2023 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-secures-more-17-million-constituents-2023", "Pallone Secures More than $1.7 Million for Constituents in 2023", "2023-12-29", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Long Branch, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that his office helped secure $1,750,476 for constituents who sought assistance from his offices in New Jersey in 2023. The money returned to constituents includes Veterans Affairs (VA) claims, tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, FEMA grants and claims related to Superstorm Sandy, Small Business Administration loans, and Social Security payments. In 2023, Pallone\u2019s office successfully closed 2,415 constituent cases.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very proud we were able to help so many constituents receive the money that was owed to them. I want everyone to know that we\u2019re here to assist them,\u201d said Pallone. \u201cMy offices are available to support constituents who need assistance navigating issues related to federal agencies. As we enter 2024, I hope New Jerseyans in the Sixth Congressional District continue to use my office as a resource.\u201d\n\nCongressman Pallone\u2019s office can assist constituents who have questions about a federal agency or need help with Social Security benefits, federal pensions, Medicare eligibility, and passport and immigration issues. Veterans can also receive help with a range of programs and benefits, including military records and awards, GI Bill benefits, and VA disability claims. Staff may be able to locate low-income housing options and provide guidance on utility payment assistance for eligible families.\n\nConstituents should not hesitate to contact Congressman Pallone\u2019s district offices if they have questions:\n\nNew Brunswick Office - 67/69 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Phone: (732) 249-8892", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-lauds-continuous-medicaid-chip-coverage-children-going-effect-january", "Pallone Lauds Continuous Medicaid & CHIP Coverage for Children Going into Effect on January 1, 2024", "2023-12-27", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today ahead of legislation he authored to require one year of continuous health care coverage for children in Medicaid and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) taking effect on January 1, 2024:\n\n\u201cOver the last several months, we\u2019ve seen Republican-led states use the end of COVID-era protections to take health care coverage away from millions of Americans. Unfortunately, nearly three million children have lost coverage as a result of these states\u2019 choices.\n\n\u201cThankfully, legislation Democrats secured will go into effect on January 1st that will require states to provide one year of continuous coverage to children eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. This will bring some much-needed stability to health coverage for children and some peace of mind to parents. It will also help prevent some of the egregious Republican state efforts to put in place administrative roadblocks that strip away health coverage from kids.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to the Biden Administration for working hard to implement this important new protection for our nation\u2019s children that will help ensure they can access the quality care they need. This is an important step in our ongoing efforts to protect and expand access to health care for all Americans.\u201d\n\nDuring legislative negotiations last year, Pallone led Democrats in securing provisions in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus to require states to provide one year of continuous coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP beginning January 1, 2024.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-holds-roundtable-jewish-community-leaders-social-media-companies", "Pallone Holds Roundtable with Jewish Community Leaders on Social Media Companies\u2019 Failure to Contain Flood of Hate Speech, Graphic Content and Misinformation Following Hamas\u2019s Attack on Israel", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Edison, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today held a roundtable with Jewish community leaders on social media companies\u2019 failure to contain violent content and misinformation following Hamas\u2019s attack on Israel. Last week, Pallone sent letters to the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube questioning how they are mitigating the proliferation of extreme, graphic, false, misleading, or harmful content in the aftermath of Hamas\u2019s October attacks and Israel\u2019s ongoing response in Gaza. Pallone sent the letters following the companies\u2019 failure to adequately respond to his initial concerns he expressed in October about the spread of violent content and misinformation.\n\n\u201cI appreciate the briefings Committee staff recently received from social media companies about the harmful content proliferating on their platforms in the aftermath of Hamas\u2019s October attacks and Israel\u2019s ongoing response in Gaza,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cWhile these meetings were helpful in most instances, I was particularly disappointed that X came with only half answers and seemed more interested in forcing users to act as unpaid content moderators rather than operating its platform responsibly.\n\n\u201cI am especially concerned that weakened trust and safety policies and increased reliance on automation over humans to monitor content undermines these companies\u2019 abilities to adequately handle sudden and complex world events,\u201d Pallone continued. \u201cThese problems are only exacerbated by company policies that intentionally amplify divisive and extreme content so they can bring in more ad dollars\u2014choosing profits over the American people. As a follow-up, I\u2019m expecting the companies to provide more comprehensive answers on their efforts to address harmful content on their platforms.\u201d\n\nAlmost every day since the attacks on October 7, 2023, there have been new reports describing how terrorist organizations and others have used social media platforms to inflict more suffering on civilians, mislead the public about the Israel-Hamas conflict, and spread hate. In other cases, users spread doctored content designed to incite outrage among the Israeli and Palestinian public.\n\nIn his letter, Pallone pointed to several examples, including:\n\nA video on X purported to show a second air assault on Israel but was later debunked as a clip from a video game;\n\nWidely-viewed images on X intended to illustrate the human toll of the war on Palestinians were later found to be from other conflict zones or disaster sites, such as Syria and Tajikistan;\n\nA video on Meta purported to show a young Israeli women being beaten by a Palestinian mob but was later revealed to be a 2015 clip depicting gang violence in Guatemala; and\n\nVideos widely-circulated on TikTok depicting Israeli victims of Hamas\u2019s massacre were revealed to be deepfakes generated through artificial intelligence.\n\nIn total, tech companies\u2014including social media giants like Meta and X\u2014have laid off over 100,000 staff, many of whom were responsible for helping provide a safer online environment.\n\nPallone demanded each platform respond to a series of questions to understand its efforts to address extreme, graphic, false, misleading, and harmful content on its platform, including:\n\nWhat company policies, manuals, or documents were designed to address violative content on your platform related to the current crisis in Israel and Gaza?\n\nHow much content relating to the crisis in Israel and Gaza has been posted to your platform since October 7, 2023, and how much has been removed for violating your trust and safety terms, and why it was removed?\n\nHow many accounts have been suspended since October 7, 2023, because of a link to a terrorist organization involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, including Hamas, Hezbollah, or Palestinian Islamic Jihad?\n\nWhat measures are in place to allow users to report concerns about extreme, graphic, false, misleading, and otherwise harmful content related to the crisis in the Middle East, including content that is antisemitic or Islamophobic?\n\nWhat is your policy on allowing misinformation and disinformation to remain on your platform as it relates to events in Israel and Gaza since October 7, 2023?\n\nWhat is the current composition of your content moderation workforce and procedures and what, if any, modifications has your company made to the number of human personnel reviewing content for violations of your trust and safety criteria since October 7, 2023.\n\nRead the full letter to Meta HERE.\n\nRead the full letter to TikTok HERE.\n\nRead the full letter to X HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congresswoman-bonnie-watson-coleman-holds-tele-town-hall", "Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Holds Tele-Town Hall", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman held a tele-town hall to hear from neighbors and share updates about her work in Congress and the District on behalf of New Jersey\u2019s 12th Congressional District constituents.\n\nCongresswoman Watson Coleman began the town hall by discussing her work to lower costs and upgrade and improve infrastructure across the district including protecting the Delaware River, improving road conditions, and working with the Army Corp of Engineers to protect homeowners from flooding.\n\nThe Congresswoman also discussed her legislation to upgrade fire suppression technology in public housing, decrease commute times on our transit systems, improve access to mental health resources for our youth, efforts to fight infant and maternal mortality, and the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.\n\nShe also answered questions from constituents about rebuilding our infrastructure, helping struggling veterans, fully funding education, expanding access to mental health care, improving our maternal health systems, defending reproductive rights, affordable housing availability, shoring up our domestic supply chains, and defending democracy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-resolution-commemorating-50-years-of-the-endangered-species-act", "Booker Introduces Resolution Commemorating 50 Years of the Endangered Species Act", "2023-12-20", "2023", "2023-12", "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) introduced a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), reaffirming the role this legislation has played in safeguarding global biodiversity. The resolution not only commemorates the invaluable achievements of the ESA over the last five decades, but also underscores the unprecedented threat of the current global extinction crisis and therefore the continued importance of protecting the ESA.\n\nEnacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act has been a cornerstone of environmental protection efforts, responsible for rescuing 99 percent of wildlife under its shield from the brink of extinction. Now, 50 years later, our world\u2019s wildlife is again at a critical juncture. As a result of human impacts on the environment, we are facing a global mass extinction crisis on par with the events that drove dinosaurs to extinction 65 million years ago. Species today are going extinct thousands of times faster than natural extinction rates, with scientists estimating more than one in six species are at risk of extinction within our lifetime.\n\n\u201cFrom the iconic humpback whale to the majestic grizzly bear and the emblematic bald eagle, the ESA has been instrumental in preserving diverse ecosystems and ensuring the survival of numerous species,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAs our planet confronts a biodiversity crisis of monumental proportions, we must reinforce legislative efforts to preserve wildlife and counter partisan attacks that threaten the safety of our country\u2019s rich ecosystem.\u201d\n\nThe resolution notes the Endangered Species Act is one of the most successful conservation laws ever enacted by any country, with four out of five U.S. citizens in favor of it. With nearly half of all ecosystems in the United States at risk of total collapse, expanding protections for endangered species is crucial to saving our nation\u2019s treasures. Last month, Co-Chairs of the Endangered Species Act Caucus, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), introduced the resolution in the House.\n\nSenator Booker has been a champion of endangered species and of the Endangered Species Act, and recently received an award at the ESA@50 celebration at the Library of Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-announces-over-13-million-fema-funding-elizabeth-fire", "Congressman Rob Menendez Announces Over $1.3 Million in FEMA Funding for Elizabeth Fire Department Headquarters Repairs", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rob Menendez today announced over $1.3 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for repairs to damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida to the City of Elizabeth\u2019s Fire Department Headquarters.\n\n\u201cThe FEMA funding we are announcing today will not only fund the restoration of Elizabeth\u2019s Fire Headquarters, but will also help protect it from future storms,\" said Congressman Menendez. \u201cUnder the leadership of President Biden and Mayor Bollwage, Elizabeth\u2019s first responders are being supported with federal dollars to ensure that they can continue their essential service to residents of the City, while providing relief to local taxpayers.\u201d\n\n\"I met with President Biden shortly after the storm, and he promised FEMA help for the disaster in Elizabeth,\u201d said Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. \u201cThe City thanks Congressman Menendez as well as Senators Menendez and Booker for their diligent follow up as well as the numerous visits by FEMA personnel assisting our City.\u201d\n\nThe remnants of Hurricane Ida caused severe damage to Elizabeth\u2019s Fire Department Headquarters, flooding the building with up to five feet of water and extensively damaging portions of the facility.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-ramirez-watson-coleman-underwood-jacobs-introduce-resolution-honoring-6-year-old-wadee-alfayoumi-and-condemning-hate-crimes", "Reps Ramirez, Watson Coleman, Underwood, Jacobs, Introduce Resolution Honoring 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and Condemning Hate Crimes", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51), introduced a resolution honoring Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian boy, murdered as a victim of a hate crime for his Palestinian Muslim identity, in the State of Illinois. The resolution affirms that no one should be a target of hate because of their ethnicity or religion and strongly condemns hate crimes, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian discrimination. The legislative text definitively declares that Palestinian children, Israeli children, United States children, and all children across the globe deserve to live in peace and be free from discrimination, hate crimes, and violence.\n\nIn light of reports that misinformation and hateful rhetoric contributed to Wadee\u2019s murder, the resolution also asserts that dehumanizing misinformation and disinformation can fuel acts of violence against ethnic or religious groups. That\u2019s why the legislation calls on elected officials and the media to take on the responsibility of communicating and informing the public and constituents without utilizing dehumanizing rhetoric.\n\n\u201cHateful anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric has real consequences. Just 30 minutes away from my district, Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child full of dreams, became victim to the rising islamophobia and hateful rhetoric spewed about carelessly and recklessly since October 7. His death and his family's pain weigh heavily on my heart, and we must ensure that no other children, families or communities suffer as a result of this vile rhetoric,\u201d said Congresswoman Ramirez. \u201cThe safety, well-being, and peace of our communities are interconnected. The rise of hate crimes anti-Palestinian racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism puts all of us in grave danger. That\u2019s why I am proud to join Reps Jacobs, Underwood, and Watson Coleman, Wadee\u2019s family, and a broad coalition of human rights advocates to honor the life of Wadee and condemn hatred that makes us all less safe. I call on all the members of Congress to join me in upholding our sacred shared humanity.\u201d\n\n\"It is a shared wish of every parent for their children to live in peace and security. The brutal murder of Wadee Alfayoumi shook the world. The increase in dehumanizing language we\u2019ve seen in recent years and especially in the last two months puts all of our children at risk. This resolution comes at a critical time when we must reverse this trend and create a world in which all of our children - be they American, Palestinian, or Israeli - live and thrive with a sense of peace, dignity, and mutual respect,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman.\n\n\u201cOur community lost a beautiful light when Wadee Alfayoumi was taken from us,\u201d Rep. Underwood said.\u201cWadee brought sunshine and joy to his loved ones and classmates, and I am so proud to have worked with Wadee\u2019s family and community leaders on this resolution to honor his life and his memory.\u201d\n\n\u201cWadee Alfayoumi was a happy, sweet, spirited six-year-old, who deserved every opportunity in life. I am distraught and heartbroken for his family, who witnessed his murder and now have to live life without him \u2013 and I am alarmed by the rise of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian racism and violence that has skyrocketed since October 7,\u201d said Rep. Sara Jacobs. \u201cNo one should be targeted and killed because of their identity, and every child should have the chance to grow up free from violence and hate. I\u2019m honored to co-lead this resolution to honor Wadee\u2019s life, to denounce hatred of all kinds, and to push for peace and safety for everyone in the United States, Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.\u201d\n\nThis legislation also has the support of local and national organizations, including the Muslim Civic Coalition, Defending Rights & Dissent, Emgage Action, Muslimahs in Policy, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USPCR), National Association of Muslim Lawyers, CAIR National, Muslim Bar Association, Chicago Muslim Medical Alliance, North Carolina Muslim Bar Association, Dallas Ft. Worth Texas Bar Association, American Muslim Health Professionals, Muslim Legal Fund of America, and ICNA Council of Social Justice.\n\nThe Resolution resolved that:\n\nthe United States lost the beautiful light of Wadee Alfayoumi because of hate;\n\nit is the duty of elected officials and media to tell the truth without dehumanizing rhetoric when informing the public of factual information;\n\nfreedom of speech and peaceful protest are constitutionally protected and a fundamental corner- stone of democracy; and\n\nthe United States has zero tolerance for hate crimes, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab discrimination.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-lynch-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-help-students-earn-their-ged", "Booker, Lynch Introduce Bicameral Bill to Help Students Earn their GED", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08) introduced the Reengage the Workforce Act, bicameral legislation which would provide federal grants to organizations that work with students who did not complete high school to help them earn their GED and offer additional workforce training and career support programs. The grants would be created within the Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Education, to help facilitate the advancement of education through in-person or virtual programs alongside any necessary support services.\n\n\u201cFor the tens of millions of Americans across the country without a high school diploma, the American dream is becoming increasingly out of reach,\u201d said Senator Booker. Everyone deserves the chance to succeed, which is why I am introducing legislation to help people reconnect with educational opportunities and meaningful career paths. By providing more opportunities for those who are not in school or in the workforce to get back in, we can ensure more people have the tools to build brighter, more promising tomorrows for themselves, their families, and their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is important we are proactive in reengaging students who have not been able to complete high school and help them obtain the qualifications that will make it easier to join the workforce and support themselves in future,\u201d said Representative Lynch. \u201cWhile the number of students who did not complete high school has fallen in the past decade, the percent of those students that are not in the labor force has increased. This bill will help enable organizations, like the Boston Public Schools Re-engagement Center, better assist those students by allowing them to reenter secondary school with support services, such as transportation or childcare, or enroll in flexible courses to earn their GED.\u201d\n\nAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals who did not finish high school make up the highest percentage of unemployed people in the country and earn $162 less weekly than those who earned their diploma. Establishing this grant program will help organizations dedicated to reengaging students and allow them to offer more critical programs such as life planning workshops, career training, resume reviews and interview assistance.\n\nThe Reengage the Workforce Act is endorsed by Jobs for the Future, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, National Skills Coalition, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, National", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-eve-of-elections-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo", "Booker Statement on Eve of Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo", "2023-12-19", "2023", "2023-12", "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), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cAs the Congolese people head to the polls, it\u2019s imperative that officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) respect the democratic process, ensure unimpeded access for election observers, provide a timely and transparent tabulation of votes, publish comprehensive data on election results, and refrain from promoting destabilizing rhetoric or actions that could incite violence or undermine the credibility of the electoral process.\n\n\u201cI recognize efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to overcome significant logistical and technical challenges in organizing these elections and have been monitoring ongoing concerns related to voter cards and registration. During this next stage of the electoral process, I urge the CENI to commit to maximum transparency so the Congolese people can have full faith in the election results.\n\n\u201cFurthermore, I support the Biden Administration\u2019s stated intent to use all available tools to ensure accountability for anyone who seeks to undermine the democratic process in the DRC.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical that the Congolese people are able to exercise one of their most fundamental rights\u2014the right to vote\u2014and the Congolese authorities, including CENI, must work to ensure all Congolese are able to exercise this right, through a fair and transparent process.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-introduces-bill-combat-sudden-cardiac-arrest-young-people", "Pallone Introduces Bill to Combat Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young People", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Edison, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced the introduction of a bill to combat sudden cardiac arrest in young people, especially student athletes. The Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), patient advocacy groups, and health professional organizations to develop educational materials and resources on cardiomyopathy for public awareness and to distribute materials to schools, teachers, and parents. It also calls for guidelines regarding the placement of life-saving automated external defibrillators in schools, as well as information on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.\n\nAccording to CDC, an estimated 2,000 young people under the age of 25 die each year of sudden cardiac arrest. In 2009, Kittim Sherrod, an Edison High School student and football star, died tragically from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after going into sudden cardiac arrest during track and field practice.\n\n\u201cAll too often, otherwise healthy young people die tragically from sudden cardiac arrest \u2013 a silent killer that strikes too many students each year,\u201d said Pallone. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that we raise awareness about the causes of sudden cardiac arrest and ensure schools are more prepared to deal with cardiac emergencies so we can prevent these tragic deaths. I\u2019m proud to introduce the HEARTS Act to take these much-needed measures to combat this devastating condition in young people.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation strongly supports the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assessment, and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act of 2023. We believe the HEARTS Act will be a crucial step toward addressing a major health crisis. The incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) among young people, especially student-athletes, underscores the urgency of taking proactive measures to increase risk assessment, awareness, and education\u2014as well as ensuring schools and sports fields have cardiac emergency response plans that include ready access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR-AED trained responders,\u201d said Mary M. Newman, President, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. \u201cBy supporting the Cardiomyopathy HEARTS Act, Congress can take a significant step toward mitigating the impact of OHCA in youth. The Act will not only save lives but also help create more informed and prepared communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe John Taylor Babbitt Foundation is a strong supporter of the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assessment and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act of 2023. Sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of over 2000 children and adolescents in the U.S. per year,\u201d said JoAnne Babbitt, Vice President, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and co-founder of the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation. \u201cThe HEARTS Act will help educate health care professionals, schools and parents about genetic heart conditions which increase a child's risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The preventative and educational measures outlined in this bill have the potential to save many lives from sudden cardiac arrest.\u201d\n\n\u201cCardiomyopathy is often a silent disease and may be difficult to detect without symptoms,\" said Gina Peattie, Executive Director of the Children\u2019s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, a national organization focused on pediatric cardiomyopathy. \u201cBy providing educational materials on cardiomyopathy to families and schools, this legislation has the potential to save the lives of many children at risk of sudden cardiac death.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-announces-400000-grant-for-roadway-safety-action-plan-in-plainfield", "Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $400,000 Grant for Roadway Safety Action Plan in Plainfield", "2023-12-18", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced that the City of Plainfield has been awarded $400,000 as part of the Safe Street and Roads for All Grant. The award will help Plainfield develop its Roadway Safety Action Plan. The Safe Street and Roads for All Grant was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2021.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to announce the awarding of $400,000 in grants to support Plainfield's Roadway Safety Action Plan,\u201d said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. \u201cThis significant funding will play a crucial role in enhancing the safety and infrastructure of the city's roadways improving safety for pedestrians, motorists, and its residents.\n\n\"We are thrilled to announce the receipt of $400,000 in Department of Transportation funding for our City\u2019s Roadway Safety Action Plan,\u201d said Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. \u201cThis substantial grant represents not just a financial boost but a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Plainfield residents. With these funds, we will develop a comprehensive safety action plan, focusing on making our roads safer for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. This project is not just about infrastructure; it's about creating a safer, more connected community. We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Coleman's support and are eager to see the positive changes this grant will bring to our great city.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-colleagues-call-on-the-epa-to-protect-children-and-endangered-species-from-rodenticide-poisonings", "Booker and Colleagues Call on the EPA to Protect Children and Endangered Species From Rodenticide Poisonings", "2023-12-15", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-C.A.), Peter Welch (D-V.T.),Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to adopt measures to protect children and endangered species from rodenticide poisoning.\n\n\u201cWe thank the EPA for issuing a proposal to strengthen protections for children and non-target species from rodenticides, and urge the EPA to approve strong mitigation measures,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cThe current allowable use of rodenticides poses a threat to human health and endangered species. Rodenticides are powerful poisons that don\u2019t just kill the target pests, but also kill non-target animals, including pets and predators of rodents. Further, rodenticides that are not properly secured threaten the safety of humans, particularly children, who may be poisoned when exposed to them.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers detailed the risks of unsecured rodenticides, writing \u201crodenticides pose a risk of poisoning in households where the rodenticides are accessible to children and pets. From 2017-2021, the Centers for Disease Control reported 40,808 poisonings of humans from rodenticides. The majority of these exposures occurred in children under 5 years old.\u201d\n\n\u201cFurther, rodenticides pose a persistent threat to non-target wildlife, especially threatened and endangered species. These poisonings impact predators, such as red-tailed hawks, barn owls, mountain lions, and the critically endangered California Condors, who consume the rodenticides through eating poisoned rodents. Other species, such as squirrels, opossum, raccoons, and the endangered Attwater\u2019s prairie chicken, die by consuming the poison directly.\u201d\n\nThe Senators concluded by calling for a \u201ccareful, scientific review of the broader harms of the current uses of rodenticides, and ways these can be mitigated.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/bookers-schatz-van-hollen-welch-kaine-call-on-biden-to-urge-israeli-egyptian-governments-to-allow-journalists-into-gaza-protect-free-press", "Booker, Schatz, Van Hollen, Welch, Kaine Call on Biden to Urge Israeli, Egyptian Governments to Allow Journalists into Gaza, Protect Free Press", "2023-12-15", "2023", "2023-12", "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), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today called on President Joe Biden to urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to allow journalists into Gaza to cover the war and protect press freedom. They also condemned Hamas\u2019s use of propaganda and harassment, obstruction, and use of physical violence against journalists in Gaza. In their letter to the president, the senators underscored the importance of safe access into Gaza for journalists and the need for accurate and independent reporting from inside the warzone.\n\n\u201cAs Israel addresses legitimate and ongoing threats from Hamas, we ask you to further urge the Israeli government, as well as the Egyptian government, to respect press freedom by allowing all interested journalists to report without restriction from Gaza, with the exception of operational security requirements for embedded journalists, and provide journalists with the appropriate protections to carry out their essential work,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cWithout protections for journalists in Gaza and access for international journalists, the world is unable to get a complete and accurate understanding of events. Journalists play a vital role in a free society by holding individuals, organizations, and governments accountable for their actions. The lack of transparency caused by limited journalistic access is at odds with the obligation all governments have to allow citizens to access factual information. Especially in a time of rampant mis- and disinformation, journalists both provide the international community with up-to-date news about the war and equip the local population with potentially life-saving information about fast-changing developments.\u201d\n\nThe senators further noted concern that \u201cthe scale of the killings of journalists and media workers is unprecedented in recent times.\u201d\n\nThe senators continued, \u201cAmerican democracy rests on a bedrock commitment to a free press and we must insist on the same from others, including our closest allies and partners. The principles for which the United States advocates send strong messages to foreign governments and help establish essential international norms.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-secures-over-18-million-safe-streets-and-roads-all", "Congressman Rob Menendez Secures Over $1.8 Million in Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants for Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Initiatives in Newark and Jersey City", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rob Menendez today announced over $1.8 million in United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Safe Streets and Roads For All (SS4A) grants to facilitate crucial planning and demonstration activities for pedestrian, cyclist, and traffic safety improvements in Newark and Jersey City.\n\n\u201cI am proud to have secured over $1.8 million in Safe Streets and Roads for All grants to keep pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers safe on streets in Newark and Jersey City,\" said Congressman Menendez. \"The Biden Administration and House Democrats continue to deliver for our district, including on these important safety initiatives that will benefit our residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe integration, synchronization and efficiency of intracity traffic impacts all aspects of life in Newark, from auto and pedestrian safety to environmental health,\u201d said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. \u201cThis generous grant not only gives us access to state-of-the-art technology and advanced programs and systems, but it gives us the advantage of streamlining a complex web of safeguards into a single Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. We are grateful to Congressman Rob Menendez and the Department of Transportation for their ongoing attention to the wellbeing of Newark and its people.\u201d\n\nThe SS4A grants include:\n\n$800,000 \u2013 Newark\n\nThis funding will be utilized to conduct planning and demonstration activities to create temporary bike lanes, modify road structures like medians and bulb-outs, and conduct assessments to ensure road safety adheres to established standards. Additionally, it will support consolidating Newark\u2019s various safety plans into a unified Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, streamlining efforts for a safer city.\n\n$1,004,000 \u2013 Jersey City\n\nThis funding will be utilized to initiate supplemental planning studies, including a lighting study, an analysis of traffic signals, and an inventory of sidewalk conditions. Additionally, this grant will facilitate studies exploring potential reductions in speed limits, improvements in managing loading zones, and the introduction of innovative safety technologies. The funding will also facilitate demonstration activity testing safety improvements for bicyclists along Ocean Avenue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/el-congresista-rob-menendez-obtiene-mas-de-18-millones-en-calles-y-carreteras", "El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez Obtiene M\u00e1s de $1.8 Millones en Calles y Carreteras Seguras para Todos las Subvenciones para Iniciativas de Seguridad de Peatones y Ciclistas en Newark y Jersey City", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez anunci\u00f3 m\u00e1s de $1.8 Millones en subvenciones Calles y Carreteras Seguras para Todos (SS4A) del Departamento de Transporte de los Estados Unidos (U.S. DOT, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s) para facilitar actividades cruciales de planificaci\u00f3n y demostraci\u00f3n para mejoras en la seguridad de peatones, ciclistas y tr\u00e1fico en Newark y Jersey City.\n\n\u201cEstoy orgulloso de haber asegurado m\u00e1s de $1.8 Millones en subvenciones de Calles y Carreteras Seguras para Todos para mantener seguros a los peatones, ciclistas y conductores en las calles de Newark y Jersey City,\u201d dijo el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez. \u201cLa Administraci\u00f3n de Presidente Biden y los Dem\u00f3cratas de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes contin\u00faan cumpliendo con nuestro distrito, incluso en estas importantes iniciativas de seguridad que beneficiar\u00e1n a nuestros residentes.\u201d\n\n\u201cLa integraci\u00f3n, sincronizaci\u00f3n y eficiencia del tr\u00e1fico intraurbano afecta todos los aspectos de la vida en Newark, desde la seguridad de los autom\u00f3viles y peatones hasta la salud ambiental,\u201d dijo el Alcalde de Newark, Ras J. Baraka. \u201cEsta generosa subvenci\u00f3n no solo nos da acceso a tecnolog\u00eda de punta y programas y sistemas avanzados, sino que tambi\u00e9n nos da la ventaja de simplificar una red compleja de salvaguardas en un \u00fanico Plan de Acci\u00f3n Integral de Seguridad. Estamos agradecidos con el Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez y el Departamento de Transporte por su continua atenci\u00f3n al bienestar de Newark y su gente.\u201d\n\nLas subvenciones SS4A incluyen:\n\n$800,000 \u2013 Newark\n\nEstos fondos se utilizar\u00e1n para llevar a cabo actividades de planificaci\u00f3n para crear carriles para bicicletas temporales, modificar las estructuras viales como medianas y bulbos, y realizar evaluaciones para garantizar que la seguridad vial se adhiera a los est\u00e1ndares establecidos. Adem\u00e1s, apoyar\u00e1 la consolidaci\u00f3n de los diversos planes de seguridad de Newark en un Plan de Acci\u00f3n de Seguridad Integral unificado, agilizando los esfuerzos para una ciudad m\u00e1s segura.\n\n$1,004,000 \u2013 Jersey City\n\nEsto fondos se utilizar\u00e1n para iniciar estudios de planificaci\u00f3n complementarios, incluido un estudio de iluminaci\u00f3n, un an\u00e1lisis de se\u00f1ales de tr\u00e1fico y un inventario de las condiciones de las aceras. Adem\u00e1s, esta subvenci\u00f3n facilitar\u00e1 estudios que exploren posibles reducciones en los l\u00edmites de velocidad, mejoras en la gesti\u00f3n de las zonas de carga y la introducci\u00f3n de tecnolog\u00edas de seguridad innovadoras. Los fondos tambi\u00e9n facilitar\u00e1n la actividad de demostraci\u00f3n para probar mejoras de seguridad para ciclistas a lo largo de Ocean Avenue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DA9B7176-F968-43D7-B8BB-72FD5039B1E8", "Rep. Norcross Votes to Pass NDAA, Secures Buy American Provision and Priorities to Strengthen National Defense and Invest in South Jersey", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "Today, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee\u2019s Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of the House and secure priorities that strengthen our national defense, create American jobs, support servicemembers and their families, and invest in South Jersey.\n\nThe Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA passed today includes Rep. Norcross\u2019s Military Industrial National Defense Supply Act (MINDS), bolstering \u2018Buy America\u2019 to create good-paying American jobs, secure our defense industrial base, and strengthen relationships with our partners and allies around the world.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have led the efforts to build an American-made economy with a domestic workforce through my Buy American legislation and bolster our defense industrial base in this year\u2019s NDAA. My legislation will create good-paying American jobs while securing our national defense and strengthening partnerships between our international allies and partners,\u201d Rep. Norcross said. \u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA provides our warfighters with the tools and resources they need to keep us safe, supports our armed forces with a pay raise, and improves the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. As ranking member of the Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure our national security and deliver for South Jersey.\u201d\n\nThe Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA provides a 5.2% pay raise for service members and ensures the United States can recruit and retain a talented military and civilian workforce. It also ensures we have the resources and authorities needed to meet the ongoing challenge posed by Hamas, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, and violent extremist organizations around the world.\n\n\"The Buy American requirement in the NDAA is a significant and commendable step towards securing the future of our nation\u2019s defense capabilities and the prosperity of American workers and our close allies like Canada. The Buy American requirement will support high-quality U.S. jobs, national defense, and the domestic defense industrial base. This crucial provision will not only strengthen the domestic content requirement for major defense acquisition programs but also create and support hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. This, in turn, ensures that our men and women in uniform have consistent access to the tools they need to safely complete their mission while bolstering our industrial base and domestic supply chain,\" Robert Martinez Jr., International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said. \u201cThe IAM commends Representative Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) for his unwavering commitment to championing this critical language. His dedication to supporting Buy American policies demonstrates a clear understanding of prioritizing U.S. labor, environmental, and health and safety standards in government procurement.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s enforcement of Buy American provisions in manufacturing continues to build and grow an economy that works in the best interest of working families.\n\n\u201cBuy American policies align with the labor movement\u2019s values, ensuring that government procurement supports U.S. labor, environmental, and health and safety standards. By reinvesting taxpayer dollars in domestic products, these policies lead to family- and community-sustaining jobs in cleaner and safer American factories.\u201d\n\nFiscal Year 2024 NDAA Priorities Secured by Rep. Norcross:\n\n\u2022 The MINDS Act and Buy American provision will secure the supply chain and create good-paying American jobs in the defense manufacturing and industrial base by increasing the percentage of American-made parts in the Major Acquisition Program to 75% in three years.\n\n\u2022 Increase in military basic pay by 5.2% for service members and authorizes the Secretary of Defense to pay junior enlisted members a monthly bonus as economic conditions dictate.\n\n\u2022 Authorizes $2.5 million for Rowan University\u2019s research, development, and engineering to enable rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic and other cold regions being conducted.\n\n\u2022 Requires the Department of Defense to conduct studies and report on the condition of water utility systems at military installations, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, to ensure military families have access to clean and safe drinking water.\n\n\u2022 Authorizes $57.5 million to improve Humvee rollover mitigation to avoid preventable accidents.\n\n\u2022 Authorizes $177 million to purchase four additional CH-47F Block II Program aircraft for the Army and authorizes $135.0 million to purchase one additional CMV-22 aircraft for the Navy, which will be manufactured by South Jersey workers.\n\n\u2022 Authorizes $5.0 million to support Project Pele\u2019s research and development of micro nuclear reactors for sustainable and clean energy solutions.\n\n\u2022 Authorizes $5.0 million to support research and development of advanced process technologies for energetics to ensure that munitions production is efficient, effective, and safe.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-applauds-inclusion-funding-world-trade-center-health-program-defense", "Pallone Applauds Inclusion of Funding for World Trade Center Health Program in Defense Authorization Bill", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today applauded an additional $676 million in funding for the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program in a federal defense authorization bill, including $444 million to address the funding shortfall in the program and $232 million to extend coverage for military and civilian 9/11 responders at the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. The Program provides no-cost medical monitoring and treatment for certified WTC-related health conditions to those directly affected by the 9/11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.\n\n\u201cWe will never forget the sacrifices first responders made on that day and the survivors who continue to endure the physical and emotional trauma. This funding is essential to fulfilling our obligation to the individuals who require medical care and ensuring the program remains solvent for years to come,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cWe can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe to responders and survivors, but we can make sure they have access to the medical care they rightfully deserve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-demands-accountability-oil-spill-littered-jersey-shore-tar-balls-and", "Pallone Demands Accountability for Oil Spill that Littered Jersey Shore with Tar Balls and Oil", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today demanded accountability for the oil spill that littered the Jersey Shore with 1,000 pounds of tar balls and oil debris. In a letter to the United States Coast Guard Commandant, Pallone expressed concern regarding the Coast Guard\u2019s initial investigation of the oil spill, which inaccurately concluded the spill was contained, and requested more information about what the agency is doing to protect the environment following the spill.\n\n\u201cWhile I appreciate the Coast Guard\u2019s swift response once your agency was notified on November 27 about reports of pollution in our Atlantic environment, the public should not bear responsibility for monitoring federal oil spill containment efforts nor should the spill have reached so far given intended environmental safeguards. A similar oil spill during the Jersey Shore\u2019s peak tourism and recreation season could cost tens of millions of dollars in economic damage and lost income for residents due to closed beaches,\u201d Pallone wrote. \u201cThe restoration of the health and beauty of our beaches is vital. I urge you to continue to carry out a robust cleanup effort to ensure full environmental remediation of this spill. I continue to stand ready to help deliver whatever resources or authorities may be necessary to make sure our Atlantic Coast environment is clean, prevent future spills and hold the responsible party fully accountable under the law for this damage to our waterways.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, Pallone requested the following information:\n\nWhat steps is the Coast Guard taking to ensure full environmental remediation?\n\nWhat is the timeline for the investigation?\n\nWhat factors led to the Coast Guard\u2019s initial incorrect conclusion that the spill was contained to the Vane Brother Company barge and containment boon?\n\nDid the Vane Brothers Company conceal its spill into the broader environment?\n\nIs the Coast Guard conducting an environmental damage assessment?\n\nWhat factors will contribute to the Coast Guard\u2019s determination of the Vane Brothers Company civil penalty?\n\nWhat outreach to affected communities is the Coast Guard conducting to promote the phone hotline that members of the public can call to submit for oil spill damages?\n\nLast month, Pallone announced the Coast Guard would conduct a fly over to ensure contamination is localized. The Coast Guard then led official cleanup activities and conducted sample testing to attempt to determine the source of the contamination.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-lankford-propose-establishing-national-monument-in-north-tulsa", "Booker, Lankford Propose Establishing National Monument in North Tulsa", "2023-12-14", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced legislation to designate the Historic Greenwood area of North Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as a national monument.\n\n\u201cOver 100 years ago, a violent mob destroyed the thriving Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our history,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cWhen I visited Tulsa in 2019, I felt pain and anguish for the hundreds of unarmed men, women, and children who were murdered, the more than 1,250 homes that burned, and for the thousands of victims who survived this act of hatred. Even the darkest chapters of American history deserve to be told. It\u2019s imperative that we act now to ensure that future generations remember Greenwood\u2019s heartbreaking history and its legacy of unrelenting resilience.Establishing a national monument here will forever enshrine this community\u2019s legacy of sorrow, strength, and hope into the fabric of America\u2019s story.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Historic Greenwood District/Black Wall Street area in North Tulsa deserves its place among our nation\u2019s significant historic locations. I have worked with my friends in North Tulsa to secure designations on the National Registry of Historic Places and on the Civil Rights Trail. Now, we are one step closer to establishing a national monument,\u201d said Senator Lankford. \u201cEven after the fateful events in 1921, North Tulsa remains a place of light and hope as the community continues to show their strength to overcome adversity and work toward reconciliation, which is something our nation should never forget. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of so many in North Tulsa and in our state to make sure our children today and the generations yet unborn remember those lost, understand the stain of racism, and learn the powerful story of rebuilding and resilience.\u201d\n\nIn 2019 Senator Booker visited Tulsa, Oklahoma where he toured the Greenwood District, the site of Black Wall Street.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-demands-answers-social-media-companies-failure-contain-flood-hate", "Pallone Demands Answers from Social Media Companies for Failure to Contain Flood of Hate Speech and Graphic Content Related to the Israel-Hamas War", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sent letters to the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube today questioning how they are mitigating the proliferation of extreme, graphic, false, misleading, or harmful content in the aftermath of Hamas\u2019s October attacks and Israel\u2019s ongoing response in Gaza. The letters came after Committee staff met with each of the companies separately in October.\n\n\u201cI appreciate the briefings Committee staff recently received from social media companies about the harmful content proliferating on their platforms in the aftermath of Hamas\u2019s October attacks and Israel\u2019s ongoing response in Gaza,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cWhile these meetings were helpful in most instances, I was particularly disappointed that X came with only half answers and seemed more interested in forcing users to act as unpaid content moderators rather than operating its platform responsibly.\n\n\u201cI am especially concerned that weakened trust and safety policies and increased reliance on automation over humans to monitor content undermines these companies\u2019 abilities to adequately handle sudden and complex world events,\u201d Pallone continued. \u201cThese problems are only exacerbated by company policies that intentionally amplify divisive and extreme content so they can bring in more ad dollars\u2014choosing profits over the American people. As a follow-up, I\u2019m expecting the companies to provide more comprehensive answers on their efforts to address harmful content on their platforms.\u201d\n\nAlmost every day since the attacks on October 7, 2023, there have been new reports describing how terrorist organizations and others have used social media platforms to inflict more suffering on civilians, mislead the public about the Israel-Hamas conflict, and spread hate. In other cases, users spread doctored content designed to incite outrage among the Israeli and Palestinian public.\n\nIn his letter, Pallone pointed to several examples, including:\n\nA video on X purported to show a second air assault on Israel but was later debunked as a clip from a video game;\n\nWidely-viewed images on X intended to illustrate the human toll of the war on Palestinians were later found to be from other conflict zones or disaster sites, such as Syria and Tajikistan;\n\nA video on Meta purported to show a young Israeli women being beaten by a Palestinian mob but was later revealed to be a 2015 clip depicting gang violence in Guatemala; and\n\nVideos widely-circulated on TikTok depicting Israeli victims of Hamas\u2019s massacre were revealed to be deepfakes generated through artificial intelligence.\n\nIn total, tech companies\u2014including social media giants like Meta and X\u2014have laid off over 100,000 staff, many of whom were responsible for helping provide a safer online environment.\n\nPallone demanded each platform respond to a series of questions to understand its efforts to address extreme, graphic, false, misleading, and harmful content on its platform, including:\n\nWhat company policies, manuals, or documents were designed to address violative content on your platform related to the current crisis in Israel and Gaza?\n\nHow much content relating to the crisis in Israel and Gaza has been posted to your platform since October 7, 2023, and how much has been removed for violating your trust and safety terms, and why it was removed?\n\nHow many accounts have been suspended since October 7, 2023, because of a link to a terrorist organization involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, including Hamas, Hezbollah, or Palestinian Islamic Jihad?\n\nWhat measures are in place to allow users to report concerns about extreme, graphic, false, misleading, and otherwise harmful content related to the crisis in the Middle East, including content that is antisemitic or Islamophobic?\n\nWhat is your policy on allowing misinformation and disinformation to remain on your platform as it relates to events in Israel and Gaza since October 7, 2023?\n\nWhat is the current composition of your content moderation workforce and procedures and what, if any, modifications has your company made to the number of human personnel reviewing content for violations of your trust and safety criteria since October 7, 2023.\n\nRead the full letter to Meta HERE.\n\nRead the full letter to TikTok HERE.\n\nRead the full letter to X HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-introduces-resolution-denouncing-hate-and-bigotry-in-all-its-forms", "REP. WATSON COLEMAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION DENOUNCING HATE AND BIGOTRY IN ALL ITS FORMS", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "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), anounced the introduction of a resolution denouncing hate in all of its forms. The resolution condemns all representations of discrimination including, racism, islamophobia, antisemitism, transphobia, heterosexism, homophobia, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, ableism, and ethnic or religious bigotry.\n\n\u201cThis resolution comes at a critical time when incidents of violence and harmful behavior have been on the rise,\u201d said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. \u201cHatred has no place in our communities, our country, or our world. We must stand together against bigotry, racism, and intolerance. Let this resolution serve as a powerful message that reflects the values of compassion and empathy that are essential for building a more just and equitable society and a small reminder that it is imperative upon all individuals, communities, and institutions to actively reject hate and work towards fostering an environment of understanding and acceptance.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Anti-Hate Resolution:\n\nCondemns all representations of discrimination including, racism, islamophobia, antisemitism, transphobia, heterosexism, homophobia, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, ableism, and ethnic or religious bigotry;\n\nSupports the implementation of comprehensive policies to prevent and respond to hate crimes, including education and training on prevention and response, state and federal intervention, and acknowledgment of the challenges facing vulnerable groups;\n\nReassures the needs of victims\u2019 advocacy, including communication support, incident reporting, physical and mental health resources, legal representation, and response and recovery;\n\nSupports allocating funding for programs that are culturally and linguistically accessible to center vulnerable populations within these communities including but not limited to working-class people, undocumented and immigrant communities, women, non-binary, and LGBTQ communities; and\n\nSupports allocating resources to community-based organizations that center the experiences of vulnerable populations; and reaffirms the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to combat all forms of hate, bigotry, and violence to exercise the importance of an inclusive democracy\n\n\u201cEvery person has the right to exist freely, without fear, and limitations,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cThis resolution will serve as an essential piece of a broader collective effort to stand up against hate as we work towards building a more harmonious and just society for everyone.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-04), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Al Green (TX-09), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-fy-2024-national-defense-authorization-act-conference-report", "Booker Statement on FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report", "2023-12-13", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act contained many worthy provisions, including a well-earned pay raise for servicemembers and the Defense Department\u2019s civilian workforce; improved access to housing, health care, and other benefits for military families; and funding for critical projects in New Jersey at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Atlantic City, Newark, and other locations.\n\n\u201cI remain troubled by Congress continuing to increase the Pentagon\u2019s budget without completing a comprehensive audit to reduce existing levels of financial waste and mismanagement. Strengthening oversight, increasing transparency, and improving accountability at the Pentagon must be a priority, yet, inexplicably, Congress is unwilling to fulfill this obligation..\n\n\u201cThe richest nation in the world can responsibly afford both a modern military that keeps us safe from threats, and vital domestic programs that help families get ahead. This shouldn\u2019t be a choice between one or the other.\n\n\u201cFinally, it\u2019s critical that this legislation authorizes programs and funding to support our international allies and partners during the upcoming fiscal year. However, this legislation is not enough. Congress must take action as soon as possible to provide the necessary emergency assistance to Ukraine and Israel while also providing necessary life-saving assistance to address increasing humanitarian suffering and crises around the world. Supporting the most vulnerable around the world and standing with our international partners is central to America\u2019s national security interests.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-hosts-teletown-hall-constituents-0", "Pallone Hosts Teletown Hall with Constituents", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) hosted a telephone town hall today with over 4,000 constituents in New Jersey's 6th Congressional District. Pallone spoke about his efforts in Congress to lower health care and prescription drug costs and protect consumers from high prices.\n\n\"Hearing directly from my constituents is one of the most important parts of my job. In Congress, I'm fighting to build on our progress to lower health care and prescription drug costs. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors are already paying no more than $35 per month for insulin and drug companies are penalized for raising prices faster than the rate of inflation,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cI also spoke about what I\u2019m doing to lower costs for consumers, including the fight against junk fees and my bipartisan bill to bring much-needed transparency to prices for medical procedures across different hospitals. I want to thank everyone who joined to ask questions and share their concerns.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-brown-reintroducethe-healthy-mom-act-to-add-special-enrollment-period-for-pregnant-mothers", "Watson Coleman, Brown Reintroduce\u00a0the Healthy MOM Act to Add Special Enrollment Period for Pregnant Mothers", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Bill would also ensure comprehensive coverage of maternity care for dependent children and guarantee 12-months of continuous medicaid eligibility for postpartum women\n\nToday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of legislation to expand healthcare options for expectant mothers. The bill, the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (Healthy MOM) Act, would ensure that all women eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplaces, as well as women eligible for other individual or group health plan coverage, can access affordable health coverage throughout their pregnancies. The bill would do this by establishing a special enrollment period (SEP) for expectant mothers. Right now, marriage, divorce, having a baby, adoption, and changing jobs are considered qualifying life events that trigger a special enrollment period. However, becoming pregnant is not considered a qualifying event.\n\nU.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will be introducing a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.\n\nResearch has widely shown that prenatal care leads to healthier mothers and babies, and such care comes with the burden of high out-of-pocket costs without access to the appropriate health insurance. The maternal mortality rate in the United States is the worst among comparable industrialized countries. The Healthy MOM Act will allow women to sign up for or change their coverage when they become pregnant, rather than needing to wait for the birth of their child or the annual enrollment period. The bill would also guarantee 12 months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women, thus removing key barriers that often prevent mothers from getting the care they need after birth.\n\n\u201cEvents like the birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce, or even moving to a new state all trigger a special window to get or change your health insurance. Meanwhile, pregnancy, one of the most life-altering events a woman can experience, doesn\u2019t,\u201d said Watson Coleman. \u201cWe\u2019re dealing with maternal mortality rates that are, in some places and among some groups, worse than developing nations. It is inexcusable that the United States, the wealthiest nation on Earth, has such a high maternal mortality rate. Ensuring every woman can access the care she needs during pregnancy and after giving birth is a critical part of ending this crisis. This is a simple, logical way to make sure that happens.\u201d\n\n\u201cAny mother knows that your health care needs change when you become pregnant \u2013 you should be able to change your insurance to meet those needs. It\u2019s absurd that right now, becoming pregnant isn\u2019t considered a \u2018qualifying life event\u2019 for insurance purposes. This legislation will fix that. Expectant and new moms should not have to worry about how they will get the healthcare they need to keep themselves and their baby healthy during pregnancy and post-partum,\u201d said Senator Brown.\n\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1205 women died in the United States from pregnancy-related complications in 2021, up from 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are about three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. The Healthy MOM Act will work to improve these outcomes by expanding quality access to care, which data demonstrates could help prevent three-in-five pregnancy-related deaths.\n\nSpecifically, the Healthy MOM Act would:\n\nCreate a special enrollment period (SEP) in the ACA marketplaces and other commercial insurance plans for pregnant individuals once pregnancy is reported, so that they can enroll in or change their healthcare plan;\n\nEnable the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish a special enrollment period for pregnancy, for those eligible to receive coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and clarify that the enrollment shall be available for families even during a lapse in appropriation or government shutdown;\n\nEnsure comprehensive coverage of maternity care \u2013 including labor and delivery \u2013 for dependent children covered by group health plans and other forms of employer-sponsored coverage;\n\nProtect against threats to Medicaid income eligibility and maintain the highest standard of care for low-income pregnant individuals and infants, and\n\nGuarantee12-months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women.\n\nRep. Watson Coleman first authored the Healthy MOM Act in 2015. House Cosponsors include Reps. Brendan Boyle (PA-2), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Judy Chu (CA-28), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-12), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Grace Meng (NY-06), and Lois Frankel (FL-22).\n\nThe Healthy MOM Act is endorsed by Reproductive Freedom For All, National Women's Health Network, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, MomsRising, March of Dimes, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-hirono-sanders-and-lawmakers-urge-ftc-to-block-kroger-albertsons-merger-and-reject-flawed-structural-remedies", "Booker, Warren, Hirono, Sanders and Lawmakers Urge FTC to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger and Reject Flawed Structural Remedies", "2023-12-12", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) along with Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Reps. Summer Lee (D-PA) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to express their opposition to the proposed merger of major grocery store chains Kroger and Albertsons. The lawmakers explain that despite the companies\u2019 recent proposal to divest 413 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers (C&S), this merger would still harm consumers, workers, and the grocery industry as a whole. They urge the FTC to oppose the merger, regardless of the proposed divestiture. This letter comes as the FTC\u2019s deadline to act on the merger approaches on December 15, and as shoppers look to save on holiday food prices.\n\nA Kroger-Albertsons merger would net the five largest food retail companies control of 55 percent of all grocery sales, and would result in a duopoly with Walmart, with the two corporations controlling more than 70 percent of the grocery market in over 160 cities across the country. As a result, the newly merged entity could use its dominant position to further control and ultimately raise consumer prices, while also reducing job competition, decreasing wages, and decreasing the bargaining power of organized labor.\n\nA massive grocery merger also increases the risk that firms will violate the Robinson-Patman Act, a longstanding but under-enforced law that prohibits sellers from engaging in price discrimination among different buyers.\n\nIn September 2023, Kroger and Albertsons proposed a structural remedy in which 413 stores and other assets would be acquired by C&S Wholesale Grocers.\n\n\u201cAs Members of Congress have previously raised, structural and behavioral remedies are difficult to administer and enforce and cease to be binding once the term of the agreement ends, and they often fail to maintain competitive conditions because, as stated previously, companies have an incentive to ensure that the businesses they spin off do not succeed. Furthermore, they encourage companies to \u2018litigate the fix\u2019 by proposing remedies during ongoing litigation in order to distract a judge\u2019s focus from the original antitrust violations of the merger. But in addition to these general concerns, past experience with Albertsons\u2019 structural remedies indicates that the new proposal will not cure the anticompetitive harms of the deal,\u201d continued the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cThis merger will harm consumers, workers, farmers, and other food suppliers across the country, and the proposed divestiture will not resolve the concerns. We ask that the FTC should use its authority under the Clayton Act, the Sherman Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act to prevent the companies from merging,\u201d concluded the lawmakers.\n\nSince Kroger and Albertsons proposed the merger, Senator Booker has expressed concerns about the deal. One year ago, Senator Booker wrote a letter to the Kroger Company CEO Rodney McMullen and Albertsons Companies, Inc. CEO Vivek Sankaran pressing them on diversity and inclusion and urged them to take steps to increase their commitments to address racial and economic disparities as the companies seek to merge. In October 2022, Senators Booker and Klobuchar and Rep. Blumenthal urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, voicing concern about this transaction\u2019s potential implications for consumers. In May 2022, Senators Booker, Tester, Merkley and Warren introduced the Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2022, legislation that would place an immediate and indefinite moratorium on acquisitions and mergers in the food and agriculture sector.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C700B766-36B4-4A07-A96B-9BA94B9F7AF2", "Rep. Norcross Secures $375,000 Grant to Hire Additional Police Officers in Washington Township", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) announced a $375,000 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to the Washington Township Police Department to hire additional officers and fulfill the department\u2019s staffing levels.\n\nThe COPS grant program advances community policing across the country and provides funding to law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties of protecting and serving the public, reducing crime, and building trust in the community.\n\n\u201cPublic safety remains one of my top priorities in Congress, and I am proud to have worked with our local leaders in Washington Township to secure this vital funding to hire more police officers and keep our communities safe,\u201d Rep. Norcross said. \u201cThis funding will expand the department\u2019s community policing and crime prevention efforts, decrease response times, and improve the quality of service throughout Washington Township. I will continue to fight for increased funding and resources in Congress to improve South Jersey\u2019s public safety and quality of life.\u201d\n\nAccording to Washington Township Police Department, the average police department in the United States has on average 2.7 officers per thousand residents with departments in New Jersey averaging 3.3 police officers per thousand residents. However, Washington Township has only 1.64 officers per thousand residents, one of the lowest rates in the country.\n\n\u201cWashington Township, Gloucester County is truly grateful for the opportunity to apply for and to be awarded the 2023 Cops hiring program grant in the amount of $375000. This grant will help support the funding of the hiring of new law enforcement officers to increase the community policing capacity and overall safety of our town. We could not have done this without the continued support of our state and local officials. Much appreciated,\u201d said. Washington Township Mayor Joann Gattinelli.\n\nThe COPS grant will allow the Washington Township Police Department to hire additional career police officers in the face of increased calls for service.\n\n\"I am extremely excited to learn that we were awarded the grant. The funding will put 3 additional police officers on the street and help carry out our Community Caretaking mission in Washington Township,\u201d Washington Township Chief of Police Patrick Gurcsik said. \u201cHuge thanks to Congressman Norcross for supporting our Community Caretaking efforts making Washington Township a safe place to live, work and play.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-statement-relocation-nokia-bell-labs-global-headquarters-new-jerseys", "Pallone Statement on the Relocation of Nokia Bell Labs Global Headquarters to New Jersey\u2019s Sixth Congressional District", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Long Branch, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued a statement today on the relocation of Nokia Bell Labs global headquarters to New Jersey\u2019s Sixth Congressional District:\n\n\u201cWe are excited to welcome Nokia Bell Labs\u2019s global headquarters to New Jersey\u2019s Sixth Congressional District. This relocation to the Helix Hub is a win-win move that provides their researchers with a state-of-the-art facility and helps bring big investment to downtown New Brunswick. This is further proof that the Democratic agenda of investing in American workers and ingenuity is working. I helped pass the CHIPS and Science Act last Congress to ensure semiconductor investments here in the U.S. and specifically here in New Jersey. Nokia\u2019s announcement in New Jersey shows that we\u2019re on the right path.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallones-bipartisan-bill-deliver-transparency-health-care-and-prescription", "Pallone\u2019s Bipartisan Bill to Deliver Transparency in Health Care and Prescription Drugs Prices Passes House", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today led House passage of bipartisan legislation that will help consumers compare and better understand the cost of health care services across different hospitals and insurance companies. The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act strengthens transparency requirements for both hospitals and insurers by requiring them to display price information in a format that consumers can easily understand. Pallone held a press conference in June in Woodbridge with local advocates and health care leaders about the need to bring more transparency to health care and prescription drug costs. His remarks on the House floor today are available here.\n\nThe bill requires hospitals to make public all standard charges for items and services and to display charges for the hospital\u2019s 300 most \u201cshoppable\u201d services in a consumer-friendly format. Additionally, the bill requires insurers to make public their negotiated in-network provider rates for all items and services, billed charges for out-of-network items and services, and personalized cost-sharing information.\n\nPallone\u2019s legislation also increases transparency of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to help employers and consumers better understand drug price information and lower health care costs. The opaque contracts of pharmacy benefit managers make it difficult for employers and plan sponsors to understand drivers of cost and negotiate savings. The legislation requires PBMs to annually provide group health plans with detailed data on prescription drug spending, including the acquisition cost of drugs, total out-of-pocket spending, and additional information.\n\n\u201cPatients deserve greater transparency in the prices they pay for health care and prescription drugs. Unfortunately, consumers are not able to easily obtain price information in advance, and sometimes the information that is available is inaccurate and misleading, making it difficult to determine the true value of the care. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for both consumers and employers to make informed decisions,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cThe Lower Costs, More Transparency Act does exactly what it says it does\u2014it delivers lower health care costs for the American people and brings much-needed transparency to our nation\u2019s complex health care system. This bipartisan bill is a victory for everyone who has ever struggled to navigate and understand the cost of a health care procedure or a prescription drug.\u201d\n\nThe bill will help make health care more accessible to American families by investing in Community Health Centers and programs to address the physician shortages across the nation. The legislation also includes an historic $15 billion in investments in safety net and workforce programs, including Community Health Centers and programs to address physician shortages across the country. The investments include:\n\nA 10 percent increase in mandatory funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs), to $4.4 billion per year for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, which is strongly supported by the National Association of Community Health Centers;\n\nA 13 percent increase in funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), to $350 million per year for fiscal years 2024 and 2025; and\n\nA seven year reauthorization for the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, resulting in a 137 percent increase in funding, or $300 million per year, for fiscal years 2028, 2029, and 2030, which is strongly supported by a coalition of safety net and primary care providers;", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-ongoing-negotiations-over-supplemental-funding-bill-and-immigration-laws", "Booker Statement on Ongoing Negotiations Over Supplemental Funding Bill and Immigration Laws", "2023-12-11", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cLast week, my Republican colleagues voted to block a supplemental package that would have funded 1,300 additional border patrol agents, more than 100 inspection machines to detect fentanyl coming in through ports of entry, 1,600 additional asylum officers to interview and adjudicate claims for asylum, 375 new immigration judge teams to adjudicate and process immigration cases, and $1.4 billion to support local governments in providing food, shelter, and other services to migrants. Each of these provisions would have helped secure the border, provided refuge for migrants fleeing violence and persecution, and would have delivered relief to the border communities and cities across the country that have been most impacted by the increase in migration.\n\n\u201cMy colleagues in Congress and in the administration share the same goals: to create orderly, safe, and humane border and immigration policies that respect our laws and our sovereignty. There are real safety and security issues at the border, and I believe there are solutions that can and must get bipartisan support. We must have a larger conversation about updating our immigration laws, and the way forward must stay true to our nation\u2019s fundamental values.\n\n\u201cRight now, as negotiations on a supplemental funding bill continue, it is critical to recognize that proposals to eliminate or severely reduce access to asylum and parole will not accomplish these goals. Instead, as recent history shows, drastic bans at the border have not served to reduce the number of people seeking refuge from violence in their countries. I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will adopt commonsense solutions like those proposed in the supplemental and changes to our outdated immigration laws that provide meaningful access to legal pathways to immigration.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-joins-congressional-leaders-attending-cop28-climate-conference", "Pallone Joins Congressional Leaders in Attending COP28 Climate Conference", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Dubai, United Arab Emirates \u2013 Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today as he joins a Congressional Delegation trip to Dubai, UAE for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP28:\n\n\u201cI look forward to attending COP28 and demonstrating the United States\u2019 ironclad commitment to standing with our allies in the fight against climate change. Together we must chart a path forward for slashing dangerous climate pollution, making our communities more resilient to the devastating effects of climate change, and above all, dramatically reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.\n\n\u201cThe recent National Climate Assessment found the United States is now experiencing a billion-dollar extreme weather event every few weeks, when we used to experience one every few months. The alarm bells are ringing, and they could not be clearer: the climate crisis is here.\n\n\u201cWhile Democrats made unprecedented progress toward fighting it with the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more must be done \u2013 and fast. We cannot simply watch from the sidelines while this crisis threatens our homes, our economy, and wreaks havoc on the jobs and industries Americans rely on every day.\n\n\u201cI hope my Republican colleagues come in good faith, prepared to offer more than Big Oil talking points. They applaud America for making climate progress, but then attack the very clean energy policies that have achieved that progress. This reveals their true priority: promoting fossil fuel industry interests over those of American families.\n\n\u201cWe are out of time for climate denialism and political games. The climate crisis presents the greatest global threat of our lifetime, but we have all the tools we need to address it, and America has never before backed down from a challenge. Democrats have proven we won\u2019t back down, and now COP28 gives Republicans the opportunity to prove they won\u2019t either.\u201d\n\nPresident Biden and Congressional Democrats delivered the greatest investment in climate action in American history with the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a historic $369 billion for promoting clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to create nine million good paying American jobs over the next decade. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also invested a historic $1.2 trillion in our nation\u2019s infrastructure, including for clean energy, electric grid resiliency, and electric vehicles.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-padilla-lieu-introduce-bill-addressing-snap-application-approval-backlog-for-online-grocery-retailers", "Booker, Padilla, Lieu Introduce Bill Addressing SNAP Application Approval Backlog for Online Grocery Retailers", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Alex Padilla (D-C.A.) and U.S. Representative Ted Lieu (D-C.A.) introduced the Timely Review of SNAP Online Retailer Applications Act, which would speed up the application review process for online-only grocery retailers. Since its implementation in 2019, the USDA\u2019s Food and Nutrition Service\u2019s (FNS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Online Purchasing Pilot has allowed millions of Americans to access healthy affordable groceries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the program has seen significant growth and additions of numerous retail chains to its offerings, online-only retailers without brick-and-mortar storefronts face significant wait times before they are approved. There is currently a backlog of dozens of online only retailer applications that have been waiting over nine months for a USDA determination. This bill would require USDA to make a determination on all online retailer applications within six months. By reducing barriers to entry for smaller online-only retailers, this bill will enable SNAP beneficiaries to shop a wider variety of retailers and access the benefits of online grocery shopping.\n\n\u201cAddressing the backlog in online-only retailer applications is critical to expanding access to essential, nutritious groceries for every household,\" said Senator Booker.\"By setting a six-month processing deadline and requiring a timely USDA review process, we will ensure that eligible online-only retailers are able to quickly start providing fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods to families who may not otherwise have access to these nutritious items.\u201d\n\n\u201cHealthy, affordable groceries should be readily accessible for our millions of SNAP recipients no matter how they shop, whether online or in person. But prolonged delays for SNAP online retailer applications have limited the number of options on the market,\u201d said Senator Padilla. \u201cThis legislation would help expand a crucial, flexible pathway to provide SNAP benefits for the 5 million Californians who receive CalFresh every month.\u201d\n\n\u201cSNAP programs play a vital role in alleviating hunger across the country,\u201d said Congressman Lieu. \u201cHowever, to more fully meet the needs of each household, SNAP beneficiaries deserve access to user-friendly online retail platforms, quick delivery service, and a variety of retailers where they can purchase nutritious food for their family. Online-only grocery retailers are uniquely positioned to operate in underserved communities, including food deserts. Our bill would make it easier for online retailers to begin service in a timely manner and ensure that all American families have reliable access to healthy food. I am glad to join Senator Booker and Senator Padilla in introducing this important bill to support the health and wellbeing of our neighbors.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-statement-us-coast-guard-clean-oil-and-tar-balls-northern-monmouth", "Pallone Statement on U.S. Coast Guard Clean Up of Oil and Tar Balls off the Northern Monmouth Coast", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Long Branch, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued a statement following the U.S. Coast Guard\u2019s findings after its response to reports of oil and tar balls off the Northern Monmouth Coast:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful that the U.S. Coast Guard responded quickly to my concerns after tar balls were discovered off the coast of Long Branch and Monmouth Beach. Thanks to their efforts, we\u2019ve removed 1,000 pounds of tar balls from our beaches. I want to encourage the Coast Guard to continue to investigate the source of the oil contamination that caused the tar balls. In addition, I asked them to investigate any connection between the incidents in New Jersey and New York to determine if there is a possible link between the debris recovered in New York. I continue to stand ready to help deliver whatever resources are necessary to make sure our coast has what it needs to clean up the contamination.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-house-resolution-894", "Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on House Resolution 894", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement regarding her vote on House Resolution 894:\n\nThe rising threat of antisemitism and the hateful rhetoric that accompanies it is deeply upsetting and must be addressed in a concrete way. It is unfortunate that the Republican resolution H.Res. 894 does nothing but create a more divisive environment during what is already an emotionally charged time.\n\nThis resolution offers no solutions. The Republicans who authored it have no intention of making it a bipartisan effort, bringing people together, or facilitating a safer and more inclusive environment for our Jewish communities. In fact, it does the exact opposite. It further divides the country and shifts us further away from unity, peace, and a true two-state solution.\n\nThere are very real steps that we as the United States Congress can take to combat antisemitism in a productive, bipartisan manner. However, continuing to vote on non-binding messaging resolutions, week-after-week, to score partisan political points does nothing to address the hate that many Americans, including many of my constituents, are facing. Weaponizing the very real fears of some of our Jewish friends and neighbors to push a specific political agenda - one that is strikingly disrespectful to Palestinians and those who support the cause of a free and sovereign Palestinian state - is not an acceptable response for the American people, and I will not vote for any legislation that is so disingenuous.\n\nAs a member of congress, I have a responsibility to be part of the solution to eradicate hate. As a Congress, we have a responsibility to come together and enact real policies. That is why I am supporting Mr. Nadler\u2019s plan to combat antisemitism by implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. It\u2019s why I am supporting Mr. Green\u2019s two-state solution resolution. It\u2019s why I signed on to Ms. Wasserman Schultz\u2019s letter regarding the safety and security of our college campuses.\n\nI will not pit communities against each other. Congress should be debating a supplemental bill for Israel and humanitarian aid for the region. We should be pushing diplomacy with the Arab nations for rebuilding commitments. We should not be raising the temperature on rhetoric that seeks to divide and anger communities working towards peace.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-kean-and-watson-colemans-one-seat-ride-act-passes-house", "Reps. Kean and Watson Coleman\u2019s One Seat Ride Act Passes House", "2023-12-05", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the One Seat Ride Act (H.R. 1547) 356 \u2013 61.\n\nThe One Seat Ride Act, led by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and cosponsored by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), would direct the Secretary of Transportation to analyze various obstacles to implementing single-seat trips on certain commuter passenger rail services during \u2018peak hours,\u2019 including \u2018one-seat-ride' trips on New Jersey\u2019s Raritan Valley line.\n\nCurrently, Raritan Valley Line passengers are forced to change trains at Newark Penn Station to access New York City and make the same change heading westbound. A \u2018One-Seat-Ride\u2019 allows passengers to take one, time-efficient train from stations such as Bound Brook, Bridgewater, and Dunellen directly into New York City.\n\n\u201cThe Raritan Valley Line serves over 23,000 commuters each day \u2013 and many of those commuters have to switch trains at Newark Penn Station during peak commuting hours, unnecessarily extending an already lengthy commute. This report is a necessary step towards a more efficient system that better serves the hard working people of New Jersey and allowing them to spend more of their valuable time with their families,\u201d said Congresswoman Watson Coleman.\n\n\u201cI am grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support that propelled the One-Seat-Ride Act through the House today,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cThis is another milestone in our mission to pave the way for the crucial One-Seat-Ride needed for my constituents and their fellow New Jerseyans.\"\n\nCongressman Kean spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1547, you can watch his remarks here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-demands-action-against-seafood-products-china", "Pallone Demands Action Against Seafood Products from China", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Belford, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) hosted a press conference today to demand action against seafood products imported from China. Pallone sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requesting that the agency take immediate action to improve the screening of seafood products imported from the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC) to ensure compliance with international and domestic trade, safety, and labor standards.\n\nThe United States imports more than $2 billion of seafood products from China annually. Reports suggest a significant portion of seafood from China is produced through illegal and unethical labor practices, driving American seafood producers out of the market and harming domestic fishing industries and coastal economies.\n\n\u201cThe PRC\u2019s flagrant disregard for international and domestic laws allows China to export seafood that is often sold at low prices to establish a market advantage and drive out American seafood producers. The unscrutinized import of these seafood products, which are not held to the same rigorous environmental and labor standards as American seafood, harms domestic fishing industries and coastal economies,\u201d Pallone wrote. \u201cThe United States must live up to its role as a leader in defending free and fair-trade systems based on the rule of law. Your agency has a responsibility to ensure our food imports are of the highest quality and in compliance with all applicable trade, safety, and labor standards. Any failure to do so will pose a significant threat to public health and our economic security.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reacts-to-gao-report-showing-crop-insurance-program-failing-small-and-diversified-farms-enriching-corporations", "Booker Reacts to GAO Report Showing Crop Insurance Program Failing Small and Diversified Farms, Enriching Corporations", "2023-12-04", "2023", "2023-12", "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, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report with statistics that reveal how the federal crop insurance program incentivizes the crop insurance industry to service large farms at the expense of small and specialty crop farms. The report also shows that crop insurance companies have been earning an inflated underwriting gain that is significantly higher than other insurance sectors, and that aligning their underwriting gains with a market-based rate of return would save $7.2 billion over 10 years. This reform could fund programs that actually benefit farmers in the next Farm Bill.\n\nU.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who requested the GAO report in December of 2021, reacted to the report. Booker is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.\n\n\u201cThis GAO report shows that a shocking proportion of the subsidies intended to support the cost of writing crop insurance policies for all farmers are being eaten up by companies and agents who write policies for the very largest farms. At the same time, the majority of small and diversified specialty crop farms, including many in my state of New Jersey, do not have crop insurance coverage. This means that despite taxpayers spending over $1.5 billion each year to make sure farmers get good service and understand their options in the crop insurance program, the program is still failing small and diversified farms,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cWe need to pass my Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act, which would make the A&O subsidy a much more effective tool for incentivizing companies and the crop insurance agents they work with to cover all farm types fairly.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall and specialty crops are the backbone of our agriculture economy in Oregon. Yet small growers have consistently lagged behind large commercial farms in terms of access to crop insurance,\u201d said Rep. Salinas. \u201cGAO\u2019s report further demonstrates why we need to revisit the way A&O subsidies are calculated. That is exactly what the Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act does. Our bill incentivizes crop insurance agents to provide coverage to small family farms\u2014a gamechanger for specialty crop growers in Oregon and across the country. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this critical legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur current approach to crop insurance fails most farmers at an enormous cost to taxpayers. Today\u2019s report highlights the simple fact that by establishing modest payment limits, we can save money while helping small farmers and ranchers who are short changed or left out of the crop insurance program altogether,\u201d said Rep. Blumenaur. \u201cI appreciate Senator Booker\u2019s longtime commitment to a better Farm Bill and look forward to continuing our work together on agricultural policy reform.\u201d\n\nFarmers cannot purchase crop insurance from the USDA, and must do so through private crop insurance companies. These crop insurance companies receive Administrative and Operating (A&O) subsidies from the federal government, which are meant to cover some of the companies\u2019 administrative costs of selling the policies to farmers, especially hiring and contracting crop insurance agents, who work directly with farmers to help them understand their coverage options.\n\nYet, this GAO report confirms that A&O subsidies only incentivize companies and their agents to focus on serving the largest farms. The amount of A&O subsidy a company receives for each policy is based on a set percentage of the premium of the policy sold. The higher the premium, the higher the A&O. In practice, this means that companies get very large A&O subsidies for writing policies for large farms, and very little for writing policies for small farms. The GAO report shows that in 2022, almost half of all policies sold (48%) generated only 6% of the total A&O compensation. On the other hand, the largest 2% of policies accounted for a whopping 36% of total A&O subsidies. While 56% of policies received less than $200 of A&O subsidy per-policy, there were 14 policies that received more than $1 million per policy.\n\nThe result is that many small farms never get the option to purchase crop insurance, because crop insurance agents and companies have little incentive to inform them of their insurance options and allow them to purchase coverage. This is also true of diversified specialty crop farms, which require more complex types of insurance, which require more time and effort for agents to write. With the existing rules on A&O subsidies, companies and agents have no incentive to incur these higher costs to write policies for these farms. As a result, the majority of small and diversified specialty crop farms do not have insurance coverage.\n\nThese GAO statistics highlight the dire need for reform to the A&O subsidy. Senator Booker\u2019s Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act (IFFFA) would make A&O a much more effective subsidy for getting farmers coverage, by basing A&O on the complexity of the policy sold, instead of a set percentage of premium. This change would make it so that agents and companies are adequately incentivized to write policies that protect small farms, specialty crop farms, and currently uninsured farms, and are not grossly over-compensated for simply renewing the largest policies year after year.\n\nFurther, the GAO report highlights that crop insurance companies have been making above-market returns on farmer premiums, and that significant savings could be made just by curbing this corporate welfare. The USDA and crop insurance companies share the risk of loss or gain, but in practice, the risk sharing terms deliver an overwhelming majority of gains to companies and an overwhelming majority of the losses to the USDA. This is because the risk-sharing between companies and USDA was designed to yield an underwriting gain to companies of 14.5%. In practice, companies have earned even more--16% gain on average. The companies\u2019 gain of 16% is significantly higher than other insurance sectors, such as the property and casualty sector. GAO determined that a more reasonable market-based rate of return is 10.2%. Making the rate of return market-based would save $7.2 billion over 10 years, without affecting the farmer safety net. These are savings that can be used for programs that directly benefit farmers, particularly in light of an upcoming Farm Bill that is funding constrained.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s report provides new evidence that our crop insurance system is broken and fails the farmers who need it most. Offshore crop insurance companies, agents writing the policies, and the largest farming operations are the ones who benefit at the expense of farmers and ranchers who work hard to feed their local communities,\u201d said Joe Van Wye, Policy and Outreach Director at Farm Action Fund. \u201cCongress must reform our failing farm safety net by including the Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act in the next farm bill. We commend Senator Cory Booker for his ongoing leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\n\"The newest GAO report once again sheds light on spending discrepancies in the federal crop insurance program,\" said Billy Hackett, Policy Specialist at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. \"Taxpayers pay private insurance companies on average $3 billion each year to sell and service policies, but agents are disincentivized from selling coverage to a majority of our country's beginning and diversified farmers growing fruits and vegetables to feed their communities. Most notably, the report debunks concerns that common-sense reforms to modestly reduce subsidies to these companies and high-income farm operations would negatively impact the program's actuarial soundness.\"\n\n\u201cTaxpayers for Common Sense thanks Senator Booker (D-NJ) for helping bring better transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility to the highly subsidized federal crop insurance program. With $34 trillion in national debt, U.S. taxpayers cannot afford to be on the hook for guaranteeing handsome profits for private crop insurance companies. Common sense reforms must be adopted in the next Farm Bill,\u201d said Joshua Sewell, Director of Research & Policy, Taxpayers for Common Sense.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s unfair to the vast majority of farmers \u2013 not to mention taxpayers \u2013 that some farmers are receiving more than $3 million in government subsidies to buy crop insurance. Fourteen times, crop insurance companies earned commissions over $1 million per policy, to cover some of America\u2019s largest farms,\u201d said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Environmental Working Group. \u201cThe case for reform has never been clearer. EWG is proud to endorse Senator Booker\u2019s Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act, and calls on Congress to pay attention to how the crop insurance program is enriching a few at the expense of the rest.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-statement-tentative-agreement-between-nurses-and-robert-wood-johnson", "Pallone Statement on Tentative Agreement Between Nurses and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital", "2023-12-01", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Long Branch, NJ - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued a statement on a tentative agreement between nurses and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to hear that the striking nurses have reached a tentative agreement with RWJ Hospital. I\u2019ve been in contact with both sides throughout this process to ensure they reach an agreement to get the nurses back to work. While it is not yet finalized, I\u2019m confident that each side is ready to decide on an agreement that makes sure the nurses and hospital can continue providing excellent health care to patients.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/12/04/2023/booker-sullivan-reintroduce-world-aids-day-resolution", "Booker, Sullivan Reintroduce World AIDS Day Resolution", "2023-12-01", "2023", "2023-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, on World AIDS Day, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) reintroduced a resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day, including the goal to achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The resolution recognizes current efforts made by the United States and international organizations in combating HIV/AIDS, such as the President`s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved over 25 million lives. The resolution also encourages greater coordination between the global community to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.\n\n\u201cThis World AIDS Day, we honor the lives lost and stand in solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS by redoubling our efforts to eradicate this disease,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThis day continues to stand as a vivid reminder of a staggering reality\u2014nearly 40 million people around the world continue to live with HIV/AIDS, with communities of color disproportionately suffering. The US must continue to be a global leader in the effort to ultimately achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.\u201d\n\n\u201cDuring my time working in the George W. Bush administration, I helped spearhead the PEPFAR program, which built a global coalition of partners in a unified response to the AIDS crisis and treated nearly 15 million people around the world,\u201d said Senator Sullivan. \u201cSince that time, the United States and the world have made great progress in combatting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but there is more work to be done. I\u2019m glad to join Senator Booker in introducing a resolution recognizing World AIDS Day to commend the critical work being done to prevent infections, end this devastating disease, and save lives.\u201d\n\nThe resolution was endorsed by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, The National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, Friends of the Global Fight, The AIDS Institute, RESULTS, NMAC, ONE, and AVAC.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-announces-7-million-federal-grant-ferry", "Congressman Rob Menendez Announces $7 Million Federal Grant for\u00a0Ferry\u00a0Electrification", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Rob Menendez today announced a $6,944,032 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant award to electrify commuter ferries in the Eighth Congressional District. The grant has been awarded to New York Waterway and NJ TRANSIT and will convert two vessels from diesel power to battery electric propulsion systems, greatly lessening negative environmental impacts.\n\n\u201cThis $7 million grant will ensure that New York Waterway can continue to provide reliable ferry service across the Hudson for residents while minimizing environmental harm,\u201d saidCongressman Menendez. \u201cI am proud to have secured the award of this grant, and I look forward to continue supporting environmentally-friendly commuting options in our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis funding significantly bolsters our continuing efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption, improve air quality and mitigate noise levels,\u201d said New York Waterway CEO Armand Pohan. \u201cWe are most grateful to the Congressman and his team for their unflagging support and to New Jersey Transit for sponsoring this application on our behalf. We continue to work toward reaching our goal of a 100 percent hybrid fleet over the next decade.\u201d\n\n\u201cSustainability is one of the pillars of NJ TRANSIT\u2019s strategic plan, so we are pleased to support our partners at NY Waterway in advancing their transition to battery-electric power,\u201d said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. \u201cI want to thank Congressman Menendez and the entire Congressional delegation for their work in providing the resources necessary for these critical projects that continue to reduce mass transit\u2019s carbon footprint.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-applauds-start-construction-hudson-tunnel-project-new", "Congressman Rob Menendez Applauds Start of Construction on Hudson Tunnel Project in New Jersey", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "NORTH BERGEN, NJ \u2013 Following his participation in a ceremony to mark the start of construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project in New Jersey, Congressman Rob Menendez applauded the significant progress being made on the Gateway Program.\n\n\u201cThe start of work on the Hudson Tunnel Project in New Jersey is a significant milestone for commuters in the Eighth Congressional District and throughout the region,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cUnder the leadership of the Biden Administration and New Jersey\u2019s Congressional Delegation, the Gateway Program has seen billions of dollars in new federal funding, bringing our residents closer to a completely revamped rail experience. I look forward to continuing our work to secure further transformational investments that will reduce commuting times and modernize our passenger rail infrastructure.\u201d\n\nCongressman Menendez joined federal, state, and local leaders in North Bergen to commemorate the start of work on the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project, a component of the Hudson Tunnel Project. This work will establish a right-of-way for the new Northeast Corridor alignment under Tonnelle Avenue, provide access to tunnel boring machines, and enable further construction on the new Hudson Tunnels.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-espaillat-barragan-issue-joint-statement-response-proposed-threats", "Menendez, Espaillat, Barrag\u00e1n Issue Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Threats to Supplemental Funding for Asylum Seekers", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Rob Menendez (NJ-08) and Adriano Espaillat(NY-13), co-chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Border and Immigration Task Force, and CHC Chair Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44)issued the following statement in response to the proposed threats to the asylum system in the forthcoming supplemental aid package:\n\n\u201cAs Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Border and Immigration Task Force, we are strongly opposed to any potential measures in a rushed border supplemental that would permanently restrict asylum access for immigrants,\u201d said the Members. \u201cWe are deeply troubled by recent reports of the Senate\u2019s inclusion of such measures in its forthcoming supplemental appropriations bill\u2014especially during a time of escalating violence and poverty in our hemisphere. Any changes to our country\u2019s decades-old asylum laws which seek to deny life-saving asylum access and legal protections for immigrants and their families are a non-starter and categorically unacceptable. We urge the Senate to adhere to the views of Members who represent the immigrants that would be most significantly and negatively impacted by any restrictive and burdensome changes to our asylum system. We must keep these deeply harmful provisions out of any forthcoming supplemental appropriations package.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-advancement-of-judge-edward-kiel-by-senate-judiciary-committee-for-new-jersey-federal-judgeship", "Booker Applauds Advancement of Judge Edward Kiel by Senate Judiciary Committee for New Jersey Federal Judgeship", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "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 applauded the vote to advance through the Senate Judiciary Committee the nomination of Judge Edward Kiel to serve on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. Booker is a member of the committee.\n\n\u201cJudge Kiel is a highly qualified jurist who has dedicated his career to justice, fairness, and the law,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cHis nomination is the full-circle realization of the American Dream: if confirmed, he will serve in the same courthouse where his parents were naturalized as American citizens. I\u2019m confident he will serve New Jersey with integrity and distinction when confirmed by the full Senate.\u201d\n\nJudge Edward S. Kiel has been a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey since 2019. Previously, Judge Kiel was a partner at Cole Schotz, P.C. from 2002 to 2019. Before that, he was an associate at Cole Schotz from 1998 to 2001, at Beattie Padovano from 1994 to 1998, and at Jamieson Moore Peskin & Spicer from 1992 to 1994. Judge Kiel served as a law clerk on the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset County from 1991 to 1992. He received his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School in 1991 and his B.A. in Economics and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University in 1988. If confirmed, Judge Kiel will serve as the first Korean-American judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-statement-on-epa-proposed-strengthening-of-lead-and-copper-rule", "Booker, Duckworth Statement on EPA Proposed Strengthening of Lead and Copper Rule", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "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 Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founders of the U.S. Senate Lead Task Force and the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) proposed strengthening of the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), including lowering the lead action level to better protect human health and requiring water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade.\n\n\u201cWe applaud the Biden Administration for continuing to prioritize the health of our families by working to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule. Setting this ambitious goal to remove the vast majority of our nation\u2019s lead pipes within 10 years is a bold action that will help save our children\u2019s future. With no safe level of lead for a child to ingest, we must take action to ensure lead regulations are as strong as possible. All too often lead poisoning disproportionately affects underserved, underfunded communities and communities of color. With this improved rule\u2014along with historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law\u2014we can make a lead-free future a reality for all, no matter the color or their skin or their zip code.\u201d\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth\u2019s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which has a focus on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation\u2019s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems. Last year Booker and Duckworth, along with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), led a dozen of their Senate colleagues, in calling on EPA to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule.\n\nThis month Booker and Duckworth founded the first-ever Senate Lead Task Force to create long-term visibility around the public health crisis of lead and to oversee the state and federal implementation of the lead pipe removal and replacement funding. The Task Force also includes U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ed Markey (D-MA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-hudson-tunnel-project-new-jersey-groundbreaking", "Booker Statement on Hudson Tunnel Project New Jersey Groundbreaking", "2023-11-30", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2014 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement about the start of construction in New Jersey on the Hudson Tunnel Project, as work begins on the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project.\n\n\u201cThis is a day to rejoice for every New Jerseyan and every American as we enter a new era for the most critical infrastructure project in our country. Beginning active construction on both sides of the river for the Hudson Tunnel Project is testament to the collective determination\u2014from the Biden Administration and congressional leaders to state officials and other vital partners\u2014to get Gateway done. The economy of our region and our nation depends on the Northeast Corridor and this project, which will modernize our mass transit, improve the lives of millions of commuters, and create thousands of good jobs.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-south-amboy-ferry-will-receive-over-6-million", "Pallone Announces South Amboy Ferry Will Receive over $6 Million", "2023-11-29", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that South Amboy will receive $6,018,000 to construct a floating dock system for the city\u2019s intermodal passenger ferry terminal. The funding comes from the Passenger Ferry Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Federal Transit Administration (FTA).\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s great to see South Amboy receive more federal funding to support the city\u2019s new passenger ferry. The floating dock system will make the ferry more accessible to passengers and bolster the dock\u2019s resilience against fluctuating tides and flooding events,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cThe South Amboy ferry is already giving residents a new way to commute between Central Jersey and New York City, and I\u2019m going to continue to work to improve transportation infrastructure in our state.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-13m-for-new-jersey-ferry-operations-improvements", "Booker Announces $13M for New Jersey Ferry Operations Improvements", "2023-11-29", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced $13 million in grants through the Federal Transit Administration\u2019s (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant Program for New Jersey commuter ferry operations.\n\nThe grants will enable NY Waterway to improve operations and lower emissions, and the City of South Amboy to add operational capacity.\n\n\u201cPassenger ferries play a critical role connecting New Jerseyans to jobs and providing more travel options that get people where they need to go,\u201d said Senator Booker.\u201cThis federal funding will help our ferry operators improve reliability, lower emissions, and increase our economic competitiveness.\u201d\n\n\u201cNew Jersey thanks the Biden Administration and our congressional delegation for their continued efforts to promote accessible and sustainable transportation across the Garden State,\u201d said Governor Phil Murphy. \u201cThis robust funding will enhance capacity and improve connectivity between Central Jersey and our neighbors across the river. Just as importantly, by supporting the conversion of vessels from diesel to battery electric power, these significant federal dollars will help improve the air our children and families breath for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe appreciate Senator Booker\u2019s efforts to secure federal funding that complements the New Jersey Department of Transportation\u2019s work to ensure safe navigation and expand transportation access to the region,\u201d said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, NJ Department of Transportation Commissioner. \u201cInvesting in public transportation, such as ferry service, provides commuters an environmentally friendly alternative to driving and is another step forward in achieving Governor Murphy\u2019s climate change goals.\u201d\n\n\u201cSustainability is one of the pillars of NJ TRANSIT\u2019s strategic plan, so we are pleased to support our partners at NY Waterway in advancing their transition to battery-electric power,\u201d said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. \u201cI want to thank Senator Booker and the entire Congressional delegation for their work in providing the resources necessary for these critical projects that continue to reduce mass transit\u2019s carbon footprint.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis funding significantly bolsters our continuing efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption, improve air quality and mitigate noise levels,\u201d said NY Waterway CEO Armand Pohan. \u201cWe are most grateful to the Senator and his team for their unflagging support and to New Jersey Transit for sponsoring this application on our behalf. We look forward to continuing our work together to reach our goal of a 100 percent hybrid fleet over the next decade.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn October South Amboy began ferry service to Manhattan at a temporary site,\u201d said South Amboy Mayor Fred A. Henry. \u201cWe have worked very hard for many years to make this dream a reality. As this service is in operation we will be constructing a permanent facility nearby. With the invaluable help from Senator Booker, Congressman Pallone, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin I wish to thank them for the $6 million grant award from the FTA Passenger Ferry Grant Program. This will allow us to continue and complete this important project, providing alternative transportation to New York and creating good union jobs.\u201d\n\nThe grants are:\n\n$6.9 million to New Jersey Transit on behalf of NY Waterway to convert two vessels from diesel power to battery electric propulsion systems and buy charging equipment to support them. The project will improve service reliability, state of good repair, and improve air quality in the community. Read Booker\u2019s letter in support of this grant here.\n\n$6 million to the City of South Amboy to construct a new floating dock and critical infrastructure needed to complete a new passenger ferry facility designed to add regional service between Central Jersey and Manhattan.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-confirmation-of-jamel-semper-to-us-district-court-for-the-district-of-new-jersey", "Booker Applauds Confirmation of Jamel Semper to U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey", "2023-11-29", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised the bipartisan Senate confirmation of Jamel Semper to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled that the Senate has confirmed Jamel Semper, an outstanding public servant who has served New Jersey for over 15 years, to the federal bench,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI have gotten to know Mr. Semper during the nomination process and have reviewed his record closely, and I\u2019m confident in his ability to preside over cases with fairness and integrity. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their bipartisan support and President Biden for the nomination.\u201d\n\nJamel Semper has ably served New Jersey at the state and federal levels as a career criminal prosecutor. He began his career as a judicial law clerk on the Essex County Superior Court, served Essex and Union Counties as a prosecutor, and now serves as the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the District of New Jersey, where he supervises federal prosecutors in all phases of criminal investigation and prosecution and supervises the Office\u2019s Violent Crime Initiative, a joint task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement that aims to reduce gun violence in New Jersey communities.\n\nSemper is the ninth judge President Joe Biden has nominated and the Senate has confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, following Julien X. Neals, Zahid Quraishi, Christine O\u2019Hearn, Karen Williams, Georgette Castner, Evelyn Padin, Michael Fabiarz, and Robert Kirsch.\n\nIn recent months, President Biden has also nominated Judge Edward Kiel to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and Adeel Abdullah Mangi to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-joins-padilla-and-9-colleagues-to-issue-joint-statement-on-proposed-threats-to-asylum-system-in-supplemental-aid-package-negotiations", "Booker Joins Padilla and 9 Colleagues to Issue Joint Statement on Proposed Threats to Asylum System in Supplemental Aid Package Negotiations", "2023-11-29", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in issuing the following joint statement in response to reports of potentially harmful changes to the U.S. asylum system being considered in the ongoing bipartisan negotiations around the supplemental aid package:\n\n\u201cAs negotiations surrounding the supplemental aid package progress, we are concerned about reports of harmful changes to our asylum system that will potentially deny lifesaving humanitarian protection for vulnerable people, including children, and fail to deliver any meaningful improvement to the situation at the border. Using a one-time spending package to enact these unrelated permanent policy changes sets a dangerous precedent and risks assistance to our international partners. Any proposal considering permanent changes to our asylum and immigration system needs to include a clear path to legalization for long-standing undocumented immigrants.\n\n\u201cWe remain committed to working in good faith to modernize our outdated immigration system on a bipartisan basis and through a deliberative process. We cannot truly secure our border and help American communities without increasing lawful pathways for migration and legalizing long-time undocumented immigrants who put food on our tables, care for our elderly, and form the fabric of our communities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=4B19621F-3CFF-4F94-9C8C-EF9247D45A1D", "Rep. Norcross Applauds New Missing Moves Ramps Opening Today", "2023-11-28", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), applauded the New Jersey Department of Transportation\u2019s opening of new ramps connecting I-295 northbound to Route 42 southbound, and Route 42 northbound to I-295 southbound.\n\n\u201cThe completion of this project is great news for South Jersey. These ramps will improve safety reduce traffic congestion throughout our South Jersey communities by allowing for the direct movement of traffic between roadways,\u201d Rep. Norcross said. \u201cThe Missing Moves project is tackling our long-term congestion problem and it\u2019s another example of federal funding keeping people safe and improving the quality of life throughout our region. I applaud NJDOT for the completion of this vital project on time and on budget, and I will continue to fight to bring federal dollars back home to South Jersey.\u201d\n\nThe ramps are scheduled to be open by the morning commute today, Tuesday, November 28.\n\nThe closures are necessary to complete striping, install raised pavement markers (RPM), uncover new signs and remove construction barrels. Over the next few weeks there may be overnight closures on I-295 and Route 42 for minor work\n\nAccording to NJDOT, the $180 million federally funded I-295/Route 42 Missing Moves project began in March 2020 and is being completed on time and on budget. The project, which has been discussed for decades, will ease congestion and improve safety for the nearly 150,000 motorists who travel through this corridor daily.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-next-phase-beach-replenishment-and-dredging-monmouth-county", "Pallone Announces Next Phase of Beach Replenishment and Dredging at the Monmouth County Shore", "2023-11-28", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ\u2014Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced the next phase of beach replenishment and dredging projects in Monmouth County. Pallone secured $26 million for maintenance dredging of the federal channels along the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers in a federal spending bill for Fiscal Year 2023 that President Biden signed into law late last year.\n\nThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will begin the second phase of the dredging project this week along the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers. The area to be dredged runs south along the Shrewsbury River from the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge to the Branchport Avenue Bridge in Long Branch. It runs west along the Navesink River from Sea Bright to the Route 35 Bridge between Red Bank and the Navesink Section of Middletown Township. The dredged sand will then be used for beach replenishment and pumped onto the beach across from the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center.\n\nBeach replenishment from offshore burrow pits is expected to begin around December 7 in two areas of Monmouth County. Sand will be pumped in Monmouth Beach south of the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club to the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion. Sand will also be pumped in Long Branch from Cedar Avenue in the West End Section to Pullman Avenue in the Elberon Section of the city.\n\nThe majority of the dredging project should be completed by the end of year. Beach replenishment should be completed by March 2024 at the latest. The dredging project is paid for by the federal government. Beach replenishment is paid 65% by the federal government and the other 35% is split 75% by the state and 25% by Monmouth County and the affected municipalities.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to announce the next phase of the Shrewsbury and Navesink dredging project today. I secured $26 million in federal funding for the project, because protecting our waterways and replenishing our beaches are both essential to bolster the resiliency of the Jersey Shore,\u201d said Pallone. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 commitment to this important project in our state. The dredging will make our rivers safer and more accessible, while beach replenishment will protect residents and help ensure our renowned beaches remain enjoyable for residents and tourists for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to our federal officials for their continued support with local beach replenishment and the dredging projects in Monmouth County. These projects are very important to Long Branch and the surrounding Jersey Shore area,\u201d said Long Branch Mayor John Pallone.\n\n\"Monmouth Beach is a town located between the Shrewsbury River and the Atlantic Ocean. As such, it is of vital importance to maintain our waterways and beach,\u201d said Monmouth Beach Mayor David Stickle. \u201cWe thank Congressman Pallone for his continuing efforts to help protect our town from future storm damage with this and other critical projects. \"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-statement-reports-oil-and-tar-balls-coast-long-branch-and-monmouth", "Pallone Statement on Reports of Oil and Tar Balls off the Coast of Long Branch and Monmouth Beach", "2023-11-28", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Long Branch, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued a statement following reports of oil and tar balls off the coast of Long Branch and Monmouth Beach. Pallone\u2019s office confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard will conduct a fly over to ensure contamination is localized. The Coast Guard will also lead official cleanup activities beginning today and will conduct sample testing to attempt to determine the source of the contamination.\n\n\u201cI am concerned about reports of oil and tar balls off the coast of Long Branch and Monmouth Beach. I\u2019ve been in touch with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, New Jersey\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection, and local officials to ensure we find out the origin of the oil and address environmental concerns. I\u2019m ready to help deliver whatever resources are necessary to make sure our coast has what it needs to clean up the contamination.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/el-congresista-rob-menendez-presenta-la-ley-produce", "El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez Presenta La Ley PRODUCE", "2023-11-21", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KEARNY, N.J. \u2013 Durante una visita al Jard\u00edn de Aprendizaje Familiar 4-H en Kearny, el Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez anunci\u00f3 la Ley de Proporcionar Alimentos Org\u00e1nicos y Dietas S\u00f3lidas para las Comunidades Urbanas en Todas Partes (PRODUCE, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s). La Ley PRODUCE apoyar\u00eda el crecimiento continuo de la agricultura urbana en el Octavo Distrito del Congreso y en todos Estados Unidos a trav\u00e9s de un aumento de los fondos federales para las operaciones de agricultura urbana.\n\nLa Ley PRODUCE aumentar\u00e1 el acceso a alimentos frescos y saludables en las comunidades de todo el Octavo Distrito del Congreso al invertir en el sector de la agricultura urbana de r\u00e1pido crecimiento,\u201d dijo el Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez. \u201c Estoy emocionado de presentar esta legislaci\u00f3n que luchar\u00e1 contra el hambre, ampliar\u00e1 el acceso a alimentos nutritivos para los residentes y apoyar\u00e1 los esfuerzos de agricultura urbana en nuestro distrito, Nueva Jersey y los Estados Unidos.\u201d\n\n\u201cEl Jard\u00edn de Aprendizaje Familiar 4-H en el Parque West Hudson es una nueva iniciativa de la Extensi\u00f3n Cooperativa de Rutgers para el Desarrollo Juvenil 4-H del Condado de Hudson, financiada por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Hudson con el apoyo del Departamento de Parques del Condado de Hudson,\u201d dijo Claudia Urdanivia, Coordinadora del Programa Senior 4-H de la Universidad de Rutgers y Jefa del Departamento de Extensi\u00f3n del Condado. \u201cEl jard\u00edn es un recurso comunitario que ofrece programas gratuitos durante la temporada de cultivo para j\u00f3venes y familias de Kearny, Harrison y el \u00e1rea m\u00e1s grande de West Hudson sobre una amplia gama de temas sobre agricultura urbana, medio ambiente y sistemas alimentarios, as\u00ed como tambi\u00e9n proporciona alimentos frescos para familias de escasos recursos de la comunidad. Nuestro trabajo y asociaciones con miembros de la comunidad muestran que la agricultura urbana y la horticultura son recursos vitales y apreciamos el apoyo del Congresista Men\u00e9ndez a la agricultura urbana y las operaciones agr\u00edcolas urbanas.\"\n\nLa Ley Agr\u00edcola de 2018 cre\u00f3 la Oficina de Agricultura Urbana y Producci\u00f3n Innovadora dentro del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos para apoyar la creciente industria de la agricultura urbana. La Oficina ayuda a las granjas urbanas a trav\u00e9s de subvenciones para la Agricultura Urbana y la Producci\u00f3n Innovadora que ayudan a los agricultores urbanos a iniciar o expandir sus operaciones en \u00e1reas urbanas y suburbanas. El programa de subvenciones se centra en proyectos que se centran en un pu\u00f1ado de \u00e1reas, como el acceso a los alimentos, la educaci\u00f3n, los negocios y los costos iniciales de nuevas granjas, y las pol\u00edticas.\n\nEste programa ha sido extremadamente popular. Si bien la Oficina ha recibido muchas solicitudes de subvenciones, solo puede proporcionar financiaci\u00f3n al 10% de los solicitantes. Este proyecto de ley ayudar\u00e1 a la Oficina a apoyar m\u00e1s operaciones agr\u00edcolas urbanas al ampliar su capacidad para otorgar subvenciones.\n\nLa Ley PRODUCE ampl\u00eda la capacidad de la Oficina de Agricultura Urbana y Producci\u00f3n Innovadora para ayudar a las operaciones de agricultura urbana en todo el pa\u00eds mediante el aumento de los fondos discrecionales a $50 millones por a\u00f1os.\n\nEl Jard\u00edn de Aprendizaje Familiar 4-H en el Parque West Hudson de Kearny es una asociaci\u00f3n entre 4-H del Condado de Hudson y el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Hudson, Divisi\u00f3n de Servicios para Ni\u00f1os y J\u00f3venes, con el apoyo del Departamento de Parques del Condado de Hudson. El Jard\u00edn de Aprendizaje Familiar 4-H se construy\u00f3 en abril de 2022 y sirve como aula al aire libre, creando oportunidades educativas para que los j\u00f3venes y las familias aprendan habilidades de jardiner\u00eda que pueden implementar en el hogar y en sus comunidades.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-warns-against-purchasing-water-beads-holiday-shopping-season-begins", "Pallone Warns Against Purchasing Water Beads as Holiday Shopping Season Begins", "2023-11-21", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LONG BRANCH, NJ \u2014 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement as the holiday shopping season begins warning consumers about the dangers water beads pose to young children:\n\n\u201cAs the holiday shopping season begins, it is important that parents and all shoppers be warned about the danger water beads pose to children. Water beads, which are often sold as toys, crafts, or sensory tools, come in all sorts of bright colors and themes to attract children\u2019s attention. While they may seem harmless\u2014and are often labeled \u2018non-toxic\u2019\u2014water beads can cause devastating and life-threatening injuries to children. The small polymer beads absorb fluid and can swell to 100 times their original size when swallowed. Unfortunately, these products aren\u2019t hard to get and are easily purchased online and from big box stores who are marketing them to children despite thousands of emergency room visits caused by water beads in recent years. I\u2019ve now introduced legislation in Congress to ban water beads, but I urge all holiday shoppers to leave water beads off their shopping lists while we work to remove these products from store shelves.\u201d\n\nEarlier this month, Pallone held a press conference at the Jersey Shore Medical Center to announce legislation to ban water beads. He was joined at the announcement by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Alex Hoehn-Saric, consumer safety leaders, health care providers, and parents from across the nation. Pallone introduced the Ban Water Beads Act along with original cosponsors Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/with-thanksgiving-approaching-senators-booker-and-markey-announce-legislation-to-improve-food-safety-and-hold-fda-accountable", "With Thanksgiving Approaching, Senators Booker and Markey Announce Legislation to Improve Food Safety and Hold FDA Accountable", "2023-11-21", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) to announce the?Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act, legislation that would direct the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen the Substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Rule, which exempts companies from seeking pre-market approval for food chemicals. The legislation would also direct the Secretary of HHS to create an Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation within FDA to reassess whether existing GRAS substances are safe for families to consume. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are cosponsors of the legislation.\n\n\u201cFood companies have been taking advantage of a major gap in US food safety laws to add new chemicals to foods without an independent, scientific review of those additives\u2019 safety. As a result, thousands of food products in the United States contain additives that have been banned in other countries for being carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting, or developmentally harmful,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cAmericans should not have to eat foods with ingredients that have known health harms. This legislation will close the loophole that allows companies to use toxic substances in foods and food packaging.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe only mystery families should encounter at mealtime is what\u2019s for dinner, not what\u2019s in dinner.?Americans deserve to know that the food at their Thanksgiving dinner on the kitchen table is safe for themselves, their families, and loved ones to eat,\u201d?said Senator Markey.?\u201cOur legislation ensures that the FDA doesn\u2019t fall short on their responsibility to ensure that the food we eat is safe. It is long past time that we revise existing food safety measures and close the loophole by allowing manufacturers to self-regulate what new substances can enter our food supply.\u201d\n\nA one-page summary of the legislation can be found?HERE.\n\nSpecifically, the?Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act?would?direct the FDA to revise the GRAS Rule to include provisions that:\n\nProhibit manufacturers from designating substances as safe?without supplying proper notice and supporting information to the Secretary of HHS.\n\nRequire safety information be publicly available on the FDA website and subject to a 90-day public review period.\n\nProhibit carcinogenic substances from receiving GRAS designation.\n\nProhibit substances that show evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity from receiving GRAS designation.\n\nProhibit people with conflicts of interest from serving as experts in reviewing and evaluating scientific data regarding GRAS designations.\n\nCreate a procedure of reassessment for substances receiving previous GRAS designations.\n\nThe?Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act?is endorsed by the Environmental Working Group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest,?Environmental Defense Fund, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and Earthjustice.\n\n\u201cToxic chemicals have no place in our food, especially chemicals linked to cancer,\u201d said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at the Environmental Working Group. \u201cEWG applauds Senator Markey for once again putting the health of our families ahead of the profits of chemical companies.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Ensuring Safe and Toxic Free Foods Act addresses two critical shortcomings of FDA\u2019s program to protect consumers from additives to food: the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) loophole that allows new chemicals to be added to food without FDA review and the lack of a system to reassess past agency actions for additives we now recognize as unsafe. We applaud Senator Markey for his ongoing leadership on this important public health issue,\u201d Tom Neltner, Senior Director of Safer Chemicals at Environmental Defense Fund.\n\n\u201cChemicals linked to cancer and other serious health problems are in our daily food \u2013 leaching from the packaging and processing materials.? This is unacceptable, and why we support the Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act, said Lisette Van Vliet, [Senior Policy Coordinator] at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. This important legislation will close a federal loophole that allows companies to secretly use toxic chemicals for food packaging and processing without FDA oversight or approval.\u201d\n\n\u201cConsumers rightfully expect the Food and Drug Administration \u2013 not industry \u2013 to ensure that the food we feed our families is safe. Earthjustice is grateful for the continued leadership of Senator Markey in his reintroduction of the Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act to help turn that expectation into reality. This vital legislation will finally fix a system that has allowed thousands of chemicals into our food that have never been scrutinized by the FDA. For decades, the agency has allowed companies to make safety determinations on their own and in secret. This must stop. Critically, this bill will also require the FDA to use the best available science to review the safety of harmful food chemicals already in commerce. It is long past time for the United States to join the rest of the modern world in protecting its consumers from harmful chemicals in food. Let\u2019s get this done,\u201d said Daniel Savery, Senior Legislative Representative at Earthjustice.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-introduces-produce-act", "Congressman Rob Menendez Introduces the\u00a0PRODUCE\u00a0Act", "2023-11-20", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KEARNY, NJ \u2013 During a visit to the 4-H Family Learning Garden in Kearny, Congressman Rob Menendez announced the Providing Robust Organics and Diets for Urban Communities Everywhere (PRODUCE) Act. The PRODUCE Act would support the continued growth of urban agriculture in the Eighth Congressional District and across the United States through increased federal funding for urban farming operations.\n\n\u201cThe PRODUCE Act will increase access to fresh and healthy food in communities across the Eighth Congressional District by investing in the rapidly growing urban agriculture sector,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cI am excited to introduce this legislation, which will battle hunger, expand access to nutritious food for residents, and support urban farming efforts in our district, and throughout New Jersey.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe 4-H Family Learning Garden at West Hudson Park is a new initiative by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hudson County 4-H Youth Development, funded by the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services with support from Hudson County Parks Department,\u201d said Rutgers University 4-H Senior Program Coordinator & County Extension Department Head Claudia Urdanivia. \u201cThe garden is a community resource offering free programs during the growing season for youth and families from Kearny, Harrison, and the larger West Hudson area on a wide range of topics on urban agriculture, the environment and food systems, as well as providing fresh food for under resourced families from the community. Our work and partnerships with community members show that urban agriculture and horticulture is vital resource and appreciate Congressman Menendez\u2019s support for urban agriculture and urban farming operations.\u201d\n\nThe 2018 Farm Bill created the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (the \u201cOffice\u201d) within the United States Department of Agriculture to support the growing urban agriculture industry. The Office assists urban farms through Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grants that help urban farmers initiate or expand operations in urban and suburban areas. The grant program focuses on projects that target a handful of areas, including food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farms, and policy.\n\nThis program has been extremely popular. While the Office has received many applications for grants, they are only able to provide funding to 10% of applicants. This bill will help the Office support more urban farming operations by expanding their capacity for awarding grants.\n\nThe PRODUCE Act expands the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production\u2019s capacity to assist urban farming operations across the country by increasing discretionary funding to $50 million per year.\n\nThe 4-H Family Learning Garden in Kearny\u2019s West Hudson Park is a partnership between Hudson County 4-H and the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children and Youth Services, with support from Hudson County Department of Parks. The 4-H Family Learning Garden was built in April 2022, and serves as an outdoor classroom, creating educational opportunities for youth and families to learn gardening skills they may implement at home and in their communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B06AD574-3370-44A0-8ABD-A38C2C60AF4D", "Rep. Norcross Highlights $4.3 Million in Federal Funding Secured for Cherry Hill Fire Department", "2023-11-20", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) joined local Cherry Hill officials at the Cherry Hill Fire Department to highlight the more than $4.3 million in federal funding that has been secured since 2018 to train and equip firefighters and enhance public safety.\n\n\u201cBringing federal dollars back to South Jersey to enhance and improve our public safety remains one of my top priorities in Congress,\u201d Rep. Norcross said. \u201cWe cannot thank our firefighters and first responders enough for the jobs that they do, but we can provide them with the necessary tools, equipment, and resources needed to keep them out of harm\u2019s way and keep our communities safe. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep South Jersey safe and support our firefighters and first responders.\u201d\n\nRep. Norcross has worked closely with the Cherry Hill Fire Department to secure the funding through Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants and training through Assistance to Firefighter grants (AFG) to improve and enhance public safety in Cherry Hill and throughout the region.\n\n\u201cThe Cherry Hill Fire Department is part of the foundation for our outstanding public safety system in the Township and I know every penny of federal funding enhances and improves their overall operation, which benefits our community,\u201d said Cherry Hill Township Council President David Fleisher said. \u201cThat said, I want to take a second to thank Congressman Norcross for his commitment to our residents and our first responders by being a constant advocate for us in the U.S. Capitol.\u201d\n\nRep. Norcross secured a FY2022 SAFER grant in the amount of $2,641,608 to hire eight firefighters. In addition to this SAFER award in 2022, he also secured two AFG awards for $337,848 to send over 45 members to Hazardous Materials Technician training and $385,404 to conduct monthly live fire training and implement a state-of-the-art personal accountability program.\n\n\u201cThe reception of federal grants over the past several years has had a direct effect on a daily basis to both the residents and visitors of Cherry Hill and the South Jersey region as well as our Firefighters & EMT\u2019s,\u201d Cherry Hill Fire Chief Wade Houlihan said. \u201cCongressman Norcross leadership and endorsement has ensured that we are able to deliver premier emergency services effectively and efficiently.\u201d\n\nThese grants come on the heels of four other AFG awards (FY2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) received by the Cherry Hill Fire Department in the last five years totaling a YTD of $4,367,830 in funding awarded for staffing fire apparatus, training or firefighters, and providing lifesaving equipment.\n\n\u201cThe PFANJ and the IAFF actively work in our nation\u2019s capital to ensure that these invaluable grants are properly funded,\u201d said Matthew Caliente, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey. \u201cWe take great pride in seeing our locals take advantage of these grants, which keep firefighters and their communities safe. This grant award is a testament of the tireless work of Congressman Norcross and his colleagues, our representatives at the state level, the PFANJ and IAFF, and the leadership of our local unions and fire districts.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-goldman-push-biden-administration-to-address-israeli-settler-violence-in-the-west-bank", "Booker and Goldman Push Biden Administration to Address Israeli Settler Violence in the West Bank", "2023-11-16", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "Washington, DC\u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D- NJ) and Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY-10) today called on President Joe Biden and his administration to not lose sight of the increasing danger posed by Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. As the Israeli government responds to legitimate threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and others, Goldman and Booker are urging the Biden Administration to make clear to our Israeli allies that extremist settler violence poses a direct threat to the objectives of preventing the war from escalating into a wider regional conflict, protecting innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and facilitating the flow of desperately needed humanitarian assistance.\n\nRepresentative Goldman and Senator Booker were the only two members of Congress who were in Israel when Hamas attacked on October 7.\n\nSince October 7, daily settler violence against Palestinian civilians has increased by over 130 percent.\n\n\u201cAs your administration tirelessly works to prevent the expansion of this conflict, we write to specifically highlight the threat that violence in the West Bank \u2013 especially vigilante violence by Israeli settlers \u2013 poses to those efforts, Israel\u2019s near-term security, Palestinian human rights, and long-term regional peace,\u201d the members wrote.\n\nCongressman Goldman and Senator Booker warned that settler violence in the West Bank not only pose a grave threat to an immediate peace deal, but the long-term prospect of peace through a two-state solution as well. Whether it be the Palestinian Authority or another entity, Goldman and Booker believe that any government in the West Bank and Gaza will require intense international support, reforms, and legitimacy to deliver for the Palestinian people.\n\n\u201cWe strongly believe that a two-state solution remains the only genuine option to achieve a just, secure, and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians,\u201d the members continued. \u201cHowever, settler violence against Palestinian civilians destroys the very seeds of trust and cooperation needed to make progress toward a two-state outcome and an enduring peace in the region. For example, settler violence presents a significant challenge to the viability of the Palestinian Authority (PA), a critical partner for West Bank security, the future of Gaza, and regional peace efforts.\u201d\n\nThe members also wrote expressing concern that members of the Israeli government has not done enough to curb settler violence or to stop U.S. provided weapons from being by settlers to target innocent Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/el-congresista-rob-menendez-presenta-la-ley-de-soluciones-locales-para", "El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez Presenta la Ley de Soluciones Locales para Terminar con la Falta de Hogar de 2023", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez present\u00f3 la Ley de Soluciones Locales para Terminar con la Falta de Hogar, que revisar\u00eda el mecanismo de financiaci\u00f3n del Programa de Subvenciones para Soluciones de Emergencia (ESG) del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD).\n\n\u201cEsta legislaci\u00f3n ayudar\u00e1 a las comunidades en el Octavo Distrito del Congreso como Hoboken que no han podido acceder a fondos clave par abordar la falta de hogar bajo la ley existente,\u201d dijo el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez. \u201cNuestros condados y ciudades comprenden las necesidades \u00fanicas de sus poblaciones locales y est\u00e1n mejor posicionados para administrar fondos para ayudar a los residentes sin hogar. Mi proyecto de ley asegurar\u00eda que nuestras comunidades reciban todos los fondos para los que son elegibles.\"\n\n\u201cEstamos muy agradecidos con el Representante Rob Men\u00e9ndez por defender este tema y presentar esta legislaci\u00f3n de importancia cr\u00edtica que permitir\u00e1 al Condado continuar brindando servicios muy necesarios a nuestros residentes sin hogar,\u201ddijo el Ejecutivo del Condado de Hudson, Tom DeGise. \u201cSomos afortunados de estar representados por un Congresista tan proactivo y dedicado en Washington y esperamos hacer todo lo posible para ayudarlo a aprobar este proyecto de ley.\u201d\n\n\u201cHoboken da la bienvenida a la legislaci\u00f3n de la Ley de Soluciones Locales para Terminar con la Falta de Hogar, que brindar\u00e1 a los residentes un mejor acceso a los fondos de Programa de Subvenciones de Soluciones de Emergencia de HUD para ayudar a nuestros m\u00e1s vulnerables,\u201d dijo el Alcalde de Hoboken, Ravi S. Bhalla. \u201cEsta legislaci\u00f3n aborda los desaf\u00edos existentes planteados por las regulaciones actuales de HUD, asegurando una distribuci\u00f3n justa de los fondos ESG cruciales para los servicios que salvan vidas. Insto la r\u00e1pida aprobaci\u00f3n de esta legislaci\u00f3n para potenciar los esfuerzos locales en Hoboken y en todo el pa\u00eds.\u201d\n\nEl programa de ESG de HUD es un programa de subvenciones de f\u00f3rmula que distribuye fondos a los estados y comunidades locales para ayudar a las personas sin hogar a trav\u00e9s de la divulgaci\u00f3n de la falta de hogar, la asistencia r\u00e1pida de realojamiento y los sistemas de informaci\u00f3n de gesti\u00f3n de personas sin hogar. El programa ayuda a los concesionarios con:\n\nInvolucrar a las personas sin hogar y a las familias que viven en la calle;\n\nMejorar el n\u00famero y la calidad de los refugios de emergencia para personas y familias sin hogar;\n\nOperar refugios;\n\nProporcionar servicios esenciales a los residentes de refugio;\n\nRealojar r\u00e1pidamente a las personas y familias sin hogar; y\n\nEvitar que las familias y las personas se queden sin hogar.\n\nLa ley actual estipula que cualquier premio ESG que totalice menos del 0.05 por ciento de la asignaci\u00f3n nacional debe proporcionarse al estado en lugar del destinatario individual o al \u00e1rea o condado con derecho. Por ello, las entidades m\u00e1s peque\u00f1as, como Hoboken, tienen dificultades para acceder a la financiaci\u00f3n ESG destinada a satisfacer sus necesidades.\n\nLe Ley de Soluciones Locales para Terminar con la Falta de Hogar permitir\u00eda a ciudades como Hoboken acceder m\u00e1s f\u00e1cilmente a estos fondos cr\u00edticos.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FCCF89C8-3EA4-4BAB-9FA6-2EF5A947F340", "Rep. Norcross Introduces Apprentice-Related Child Care Act to Provide Child Care Stipends for Union Apprenticeship Programs", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) joined colleagues in introducing of the Apprentice-Related Child Care Act (ARCC Act) during National Apprenticeship Week to establish a child care stipend pilot program to Americans enrolled in Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeship programs.\n\n\u201cAs a former electrical apprentice, I know firsthand that registered apprenticeships are one of America\u2019s most successful job programs,\u201d Rep. Norcross said. \u201cThe ARCC Act will expand access to apprenticeships and remove barriers to these highly successful programs by providing affordable childcare for hardworking Americans who are working to support their families. During National Apprenticeship Week, I remain committed to ensuring that apprentice programs and apprentices have the resources and opportunities they need to be successful. I am proud to co-lead this bill that will strengthen America's workforce and expand pathways to the middle class.\"\n\nThe ARCC Act would establish a two-year pilot program at the Department of Labor (DOL). Authorized at $200 million over Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, the bill directs the DOL to establish a competitive grant program, awarding grants to ten geographically diverse states for the purposes of administering child care stipends to American workers enrolled in Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeship programs.\n\nStipends are paid directly to child care providers serving apprentices and must be at least $500 per month, per dependent child. When administering child care stipends, states must include groups that are historically underrepresented in apprenticeships, including women and people of color. At the conclusion of the pilot program, DOL must report to Congress on the impact of these stipends, including any effect on persistence and completion rates. The stipends are not subject to income tax and not counted toward eligibility for public benefit programs.\n\n\u201cAmerica will never reach peak workforce participation unless we as a country address the urgent and escalating issue of child care. It touches every office, business, and job site in the United States,\u201d said Sean McGarvey, President of North America\u2019s Building Trades Unions. \u201cThe lack of access to safe, quality, affordable child care prevents parents from being in the workforce, hurts our economy, and hurts families. All of us must do more. The building trades unions and our partners are stepping up to do our part, and we applaud those who are focused on exploring strategies to provide additional support. The Apprentice-Related Child Care (ARCC) Act does just this, and we thank Representatives Cuellar, Bonamici, Norcross, and Dingell for their leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\nFor more information on the ARCC Act, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-historic-nomination-of-adeel-abdullah-mangi-to-us-third-circuit-court-of-appeals", "Booker Applauds Historic Nomination of Adeel Abdullah Mangi to U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "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, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded President Biden\u2019s nomination of Adeel Abdullah Mangi to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. If confirmed, Mangi would be the first Muslim American to serve as a federal appellate court judge.\n\n\u201cHaving come to know Adeel Mangi over the years as a fixture in the New Jersey legal community, I have seen firsthand that he is a person of integrity and deep conviction with an unflinching commitment to fairness and equality,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cHe represents the best of New Jersey: Mangi is a preeminent lawyer who has secured landmark legal victories, and I have the utmost faith in his ability to serve the people of New Jersey and our country fairly and impartially on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. I thank President Biden for this historic nomination, and I look forward to introducing Adeel Mangi to my colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee for his hearing.\u201d\n\nA resident of Jersey City for over 20 years, Adeel Mangi is a Partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler in New York. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Mangi received his B.A./Law degree, First Class, from the University of Oxford in 1998. He attended Lincoln\u2019s Inn and the Inns of Court School of Law in London and qualified as a British Barrister at Law in 1999. He received his LL.M from Harvard Law School in 2000 and has since worked at Patterson as a civil litigator representing an array of clients in complex high-stakes cases. He has devoted thousands of hours to pro bono service, filed numerous amicus briefs in the federal appellate courts and before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of cross-faith religious coalitions, and, among his many other legal accomplishments, successfully fought on behalf of Muslim communities seeking to build and open mosques in Bernards Township and Bayonne.\n\nThe nomination comes two years after Booker spoke in support of and voted to confirm the first Muslim-American federal judge to the federal bench, Zahid Quraishi, who now serves on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Booker also voted this summer to confirm the first female Muslim-American federal judge, Nusrat Choudhury.\n\nThe United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit serves New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands.\n\nPresident Joe Biden has nominated and the Senate has confirmed eight judges to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey: Judges Julien X. Neals, Zahid Quraishi, Christine O\u2019Hearn, Karen Williams, Georgette Castner, Evelyn Padin, Michael Fabiarz, and Robert Kirsch. In recent months, President Biden nominated Jamel Semper and Edward Kiel to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and Senator Booker spoke in support of their nominations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-durbin-hirono-and-representatives-lee-castro-jayapal-and-urge-biden-administration-to-expand-health-coverage-to-daca-recipients", "Senators Booker, Durbin, Hirono and Representatives Lee, Castro, Jayapal and Urge Biden Administration to Expand Health Coverage to DACA Recipients", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "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), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) joined with Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize their proposed rule to expand health coverage for those participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, crime victims, and immigrant children.\n\nIn April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a regulation to make DACA recipients eligible for coverage under Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This rule also enhances coverage for other groups, including those approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status and children applying for humanitarian relief. If this rule is not soon finalized, individuals in need may not be able to fully benefit from the 2024 Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which began on November 1, 2023.\n\n\u201cDACA recipients are also disproportionately uninsured and tend to experience higher barriers to health care \u2013 these trends all contribute to racial health disparities in the U.S. Youth approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status often have to wait years before receiving a status adjustment. Due to confusion around current rule implementation, access to health coverage has been delayed for many,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nThe lawmakers requested that the Biden Administration address the following questions:\n\nWhat is preventing HHS from finalizing the rule, and how can congressional allies help address any barriers?\n\nWhen the rule is finalized, what resources will your administration devote to ensuring newly eligible people are aware of their health coverage options? The preamble of the proposed rule stated, \u201cimplementation of these changes would be most effective during a period when there are many outreach and enrollment activities occurring.\u201d The time to finalize this policy and expand health coverage is now.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-introduces-local-solutions-end-homelessness-act-2023", "Congressman Rob Menendez Introduces the Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act of 2023", "2023-11-14", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Rob Menendez today introduced the Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act which would revise the funding mechanism for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG). This action would allow counties and cities to more easily access funding to assist unhoused individuals in their communities.\n\n\u201cThis legislation will assist communities in the Eighth Congressional District like Hoboken that have been unable to access key funding to address homelessness under existing law,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cOur counties and cities understand the unique needs of their local populations and are best positioned to administer funding to assist unhoused residents. My bill would ensure that our communities receive all funding for which they are eligible.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are very grateful to Representative Rob Menendez for championing the issue of homelessness. This innovative bill will allow our county to better provide the invaluable services that our unhoused residents need,\u201d said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. \u201cWe are so fortunate to have a leader like Congressman Menendez in Washington, proactively working for all of us. I pledge to work with him to do all we can to pass this critical piece of legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cHoboken welcomes the Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act legislation, which will provide residents with better access to HUD Emergency Solutions Grant Program funding to help our most vulnerable,\" said Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla.\"This legislation addresses the existing challenges posed by the current HUD regulations, ensuring fair distribution of ESG funding crucial for life-saving services. I urge swift passage of this legislation to empower local efforts in Hoboken and across the country.\u201d\n\nHUD\u2019s ESG program is a formula grant program that distributes funds to states and local communities to assist those experiencing homelessness through street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and Homeless Management Information Systems. The program assists grantees with:\n\nEngaging unhoused individuals and families living on the street;\n\nImproving the number and quality of emergency shelters for unhoused individuals and families;\n\nOperating shelters;\n\nProviding essential services to shelter residents;\n\nRapidly re-housing unhoused individuals and families; and\n\nPreventing families and individuals from becoming unhoused.\n\nCurrent law stipulates that any ESG award totaling less than 0.05 percent of the national allocation must be provided to the state rather than the individual recipient or entitlement area or county. As such, smaller entities, such as Hoboken, have difficulty accessing ESG funding intended to address their needs.\n\nThe Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act would allow cities such as Hoboken to more easily access this critical funding.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-introduces-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-commemorate-250-years-of-the-nations-independence", "Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Commemorate 250 Years of the Nation's Independence", "2023-11-14", "2023", "2023-11", "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) introduced the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act. The bipartisan and bicameral bill, part of the nation\u2019s planned Semiquincentennial celebration, would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule and have it buried on the west lawn of the Capitol, to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, the nation\u2019s 500th Anniversary.\n\nThe contents of the time capsule will be determined by the offices of the Speaker of the House, the Office of the Minority Leader of the House, and the Offices of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate. They will include items that represent important legislation or institutional milestones of Congress, a message from the Congress to the future Congress, and other items that reflect our history at the time of its burial in 2026.\n\n\u201cJuly 4, 1776, was an essential milestone in the history of the progress of humanity towards a fair, just, and democratic society; a journey towards a more perfect union that continues to this day,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman, \u201cAs we reflect upon the last 250 years of progress towards those ideals, it is also important to impart on future generations the lessons we\u2019ve learned and our dreams for the future. It is an honor to introduce this legislation as one small part of our nation\u2019s 250th Anniversary celebration.\n\n\u201cThe promise of America is timeless, so what better way to capture it than in a time capsule,\u201d said Rep. Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (FL-27). \u201cTwo hundred fifty years from now, we will showcase the American exceptionality that shows where we\u2019ve been so we can see where we\u2019re going.\u201d\n\n\"Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, America\u2019s shining beacon of hope and democracy continues to guide our nation into a better future for all,\u201d said Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03). \u201cThe commemoration of our nation\u2019s 250th year of existence reminds us of our collective responsibility to work towards a more perfect union. I am immensely proud to co-sponsor the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act not only as a Philadelphian but also as an American.\"\n\n\u201cI hope that this time capsule will tell a story to Americans in the 23rd century about our nation\u2019s strength, our accomplishments and our progress towards a more perfect union during our first 250 years,\u201d said Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04). \u201cAnd while I\u2019m sure the artifacts they will find will seem ancient to them, I hope the items will inspire them to continue that progress and for America to continue to be that \u2018shining city upon on a hill.\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we reflect on the democratic ideals our nation was built upon ahead of its 250th Anniversary celebration, it\u2019s important we consider the impact our present-day actions have on shaping our American democracy and society in the future,\u201d said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. \u201cI\u2019m honored to help introduce this legislation, which will preserve the rich culture and ideas of this historical moment in the United States for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cHistory teaches us invaluable lessons. It\u2019s our responsibility to learn from the people and events that came before us, and to preserve those accounts for future generations,\u201d Senator Chuck Grassley said. \u201cBurying a time capsule on the anniversary of the day the Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence would honor their mark on our nation and serve as a way to document the milestones still to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our country\u2019s founding by being a cosponsor of this resolution to establish a congressional time capsule to share with future generations,\u201d said Senator Thom Tillis. \u201cThis time capsule will be opened upon our nation\u2019s 500th Anniversary, and I look forward to ensuring we provide future Americans with key insights into our enduring principles and values as Americans.\u201d\n\nCosponsors in the House include Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Don Davis (NC-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Lisa McClain (MI-09), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (PA-15), Dina Titus (NV-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Robert Wittman (VA-01).\n\nA companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. It is cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, and Mike Rounds of South Dakota.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-castro-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-expand-advanced-coursework-opportunities-for-underrepresented-students", "Booker, Castro Introduce Bicameral Bill to Expand Advanced Coursework Opportunities for Underrepresented Students", "2023-11-14", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) introduced the Advanced Coursework Equity Act, bicameral legislation that would create a federal grant program to help states and school districts increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in advanced coursework and academic programs. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act would allow eligible schools and school districts to receive up to $60 million to implement universal screening for advanced students, expand enrollment in advanced courses, cover course fees for low-income students, train or hire teachers for advanced courses, prepare students for postsecondary STEM pathways, and create or expand related efforts.\n\nBlack, Latino, and Native American students, students from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities are underrepresented in advanced programs and courses. While 1 in 10 students in American schools participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, just over 1 in 20 low-income, Black, and Native American students participate in these courses. A low-income student with reading and math achievement levels equal to those of a high-income student is half as likely to receive gifted services.\n\n\u201cBlack, Latino, and Native American students face structural barriers that often prevent them from taking advantage of advanced courses and programs,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cWe know that gifted and talented programs as well as advanced coursework in high school can change life trajectories. By expanding enrollment of underrepresented students in advanced courses and covering exam fees, we can ensure that more young people are able to realize their full potential.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen I got to Stanford in the fall of 1996, I met students who racked up dozens of college credits through advanced coursework before they ever stepped foot on campus. In the mostly Latino and low-income San Antonio neighborhoods where I grew up, few students had the same chance to prepare for college success,\u201d said Rep. Castro. \u201cWhile remarkable talent exists in every school and community, equal opportunity does not. I\u2019m proud to work with Senator Booker and our coalition partners to introduce this important piece of legislation, which will help schools identify and support brilliant students with the rigorous coursework they deserve.\u201d\n\nThe Advanced Coursework Equity Act would authorize $800 million in grants up to $60 million over three years to address equity gaps in enrollment and performance in advanced programs and courses through efforts including:\n\n\u2022 Implementing open enrollment, universal screening for all advanced courses and programs.\n\n\u2022 Expanding enrollment in advanced courses and programs, including by launching new courses.\n\n\u2022 Purchasing curriculum & materials for advanced courses & covering course fees of low-income students.\n\n\u2022 Provide direct services, such as tutoring.\n\n\u2022 Training or hiring teachers to teach advanced courses.\n\n\u2022 Implement programs and activities to improve student preparation and participation in postsecondary STEM pathways.\n\nThe Advanced Coursework Equity Act is supported by The Education Trust, Latinos for Education, the National Association for Gifted Children, the National Urban League, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the College Board, E3 Alliance, Advanced CTE, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, All4ED, and the Council for Exceptional Children.\n\nThe full text of the bill is available here.\n\n\u201cDespite the growing importance of STEM education for students\u2019 long-term success in college and career, millions of students, particularly Black and Latino students, face systemic barriers accessing advanced courses in middle and high school,\u201d said Denise Forte, president, and CEO of EdTrust. \u201cOur research is clear: Black and Latino students are successful in advanced coursework when given the opportunity. However, myriad obstacles, including resource inequities and educator bias, prevent these students from enrolling in advanced classes, such as eighth grade Algebra, dual enrollment, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate coursework. Oftentimes, schools that serve Black and Latino students and those from low-income backgrounds do not even offer these courses. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act, led by Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Joaquin Castro, is essential legislation that would help address these barriers by increasing the enrollment and supporting the performance of underrepresented students in advanced courses. Ed Trust is proud to endorse this legislation. We urge Congress to advance this bill immediately and make real the promise of education equity for our nation\u2019s most underserved students,\u201d said Denise Forte, president and CEO of The Education Trust.\n\n\u201cLatino students make up nearly 30 percent of our student population and will shape our nation\u2019s economy and workforce for generations to come. Therefore, it is an economic imperative to provide them with equitable access to rigorous courses that prepare them for college and successful careers in teaching and other professions,\u201d said Amanda Fernandez, CEO and Founder of Latinos for Education. \u201cAdvanced coursework like early college and dual enrollment classes increase the likelihood that students will enroll in and complete college, yet too few Latino students are given the opportunity to participate in these courses. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act will help school districts and states increase Latino enrollment in advanced coursework and make college more attainable for Latinos.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery student in America deserves a quality public school where they can access knowledge and opportunity, and grow academically, socially and emotionally. But as long as advanced course exams and materials are locked up behind high fees, that opportunity will be restricted to certain tax brackets. Access to advanced courses should not be cost-prohibitive because it sabotages our kids\u2019 development and goes against the foundational idea of free public education. Rep. Castro\u2019s and Senator Booker\u2019s Advanced Coursework Equity Act will ensure that all students have access to advanced courses, regardless of whether they or their families can afford the cost of exams and materials. It will also equip more students with real solutions to tackle learning loss, loneliness and literacy challenges, including STEM skills. And it will help schools hire, train and retain diverse educators, school counselors and school staff, and engage parents and families in the daily work to help all students succeed, both in school and beyond,\u201d said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.\n\n\u201cProviding opportunities for all students to take and benefit from advanced courses, regardless of their socioeconomic status or zip code, is a strong step forward on the path towards equity in our nation's schools. NAGC is proud to support this critical piece of equity-centered legislation that will help ensure any student who wants to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework can,\u201d said John Segota, Executive Director of the National Association for Gifted Children.\n\n\u201cCollege Board strongly supports the Advanced Coursework Equity Act and its commitment to increasing access to advanced courses for underrepresented students. The bill will ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to take rigorous courses and earn college credit while in high school, setting them on a path to success,\u201d said Michelle Arnold, Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy at The College Board.\n\n\u201cE3 Alliance research has found that students who take four years of math in high school are twice as likely to get a postsecondary credential, such as a certificate or degree. Students whose fourth year of math is a college-aligned course are six times as likely to get a postsecondary credential, driving economic mobility for the next generation. This is especially true for students from communities that are traditionally marginalized, with math success paving the way for higher-paying jobs that require a postsecondary credential. Congressman Castro and Senator Booker\u2019s bill, which promotes equity in advanced coursework and programs at elementary and secondary schools, is a bold step forward for our education system. It is a policy based on evidence, equity and opportunity. It is a policy that will help ensure that all students have the chance to reach their full potential and pave the way for economic mobility across the United States,\u201d said Jennifer Cavazos Saenz, Senior Director, Communications and Policy at the E3 Alliance.\n\n\"Every learner deserves access to experiences that provide pathways to in-demand fields and opportunities to jumpstart preparation for postsecondary education. Advance CTE supports the Advanced Coursework Equity Act's intentional focus on providing the resources necessary to make this a reality for schools and districts that need it the most. These elements are essential to remove barriers for marginalized learners to access early postsecondary opportunities which are a hallmark of high-quality Career Technical Education programs, and we thank Representative Castro and Senator Booker for their leadership on this legislation,\u201d said Kate Kreamer, Executive Director of Advanced CTE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-legislation-ban-water-beads-are-dangerous-and-potentially", "Pallone Announces Legislation to Ban Water Beads that are Dangerous and Potentially Deadly for Children", "2023-11-13", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "NEPTUNE, NJ\u2014Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held a press conference today at Jersey Shore University Medical Center to announce legislation he is introducing this week to ban water beads marketed for kids. Water beads are colorful, water-absorbing balls that are sold as children\u2019s toys and often look like candy. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they are a danger to young children and can be deadly if swallowed.\n\n\u201cWater beads come in all sorts of bright rainbow colors, tend to look like candy, and are often labeled as non-toxic,\u201d Congressman Pallone said. \u201cThey look and sound fun, but the reality is these colorful products can become deadly or cause serious injuries when swallowed by children. That\u2019s why I\u2019m introducing legislation to ban water beads marketed for kids nationwide. I\u2019m grateful to everyone who joined me today to raise awareness about the danger these products pose\u2014especially as holiday shopping begins\u2014and I look forward to continuing to work together to advance this legislation to protect our nation\u2019s little ones.\u201d\n\nThe Ban Water Beads Act would direct the CPSC to enforce a ban on all water beads marketed for use by kids. The agency has received heartbreaking stories from parents whose children ingested water beads and suffered severe consequences, including grave internal injuries, lifelong health impacts, and tragic deaths. When swallowed by children, water beads can quickly absorb bodily fluids and swell to block intestines or cause other injuries. According to estimates, children ingesting water beads resulted in 7,800 emergency room visits between 2016 and 2022.\n\nThe Congressman was joined at the announcement by CPSC Chairman Alex Hoehn-Saric, Dr. Harpreet Pall who serves as Chair of Pediatrics at Hackensack Meridian Health K. Hovnanian Children\u2019s Hospital, Consumer Reports Associate Director for Safety Policy William Wallace, Ashley Haugen the President and Founder of That Water Bead Lady, Folichia Mitchell a parent who\u2019s toddler suffered intestinal blockage after ingesting one water bead, and Taylor Bethard a parent whose daughter tragically passed away after ingesting a water bead from a children\u2019s toy kit.\n\n\u201cI have heard heartbreaking stories from parents whose children ingested water beads and suffered horrendous consequences, including grave internal injuries, lifelong health impacts, and even death,\u201d said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. \u201cAll small children who have access to water beads are at risk. I thank Congressman Pallone for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him and with parent advocates to protect children.\u201d\n\n\u201cWater beads are a nightmare for parents: they look harmless and fun, but they can be deadly,\u201d said William Wallace, associate director of safety policy for Consumer Reports. \u201cA recent Consumer Reports investigation found that these small, super-absorbent gel balls can grow to dangerous sizes in the body if swallowed by a child. Yet companies are marketing them as safe, leading parents to unknowingly put their children at risk. Consumer Reports is proud to endorse Congressman Pallone\u2019s bill because parents already have enough on their plate to worry about, and they should be able to trust that toys they might buy for their children are actually safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the largest healthcare provider in our state, dedicated to providing the best care and services for children and adults, we applaud Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.\u2019s call for a national ban on a product severely impacting the health and well-being of so many young children in New Jersey and across the nation,\u201d said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO.\n\n\u201cParents have so many concerns about their children\u2019s health that are completely out of our control,\u201d said Harpreet Pall, M.D., MBA, CPE, chair of Pediatrics, Hackensack Meridian Children\u2019s Health K. Hovnanian Children\u2019s Hospital and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. \u201cThat\u2019s why Congressman Pallone\u2019s call for a ban on a product that has endangered our children is so welcome, and will safeguard them from one less hazard.\u201d\n\n\u201cA toy is meant to bring joy, not tragedy,\u201d said Ashley Haugen, Founder and President of That Water Bead Lady. \u201cYet, in 2017, my family\u2019s life was turned upside down when water beads, purchased for my oldest daughter, poisoned, and critically injured my youngest daughter, Kipley. The same water beads that devastated my family remain for sale, a silent threat in any home. Today, alongside Congressman Pallone, the CPSC, and Consumer Reports, we support the Ban Water Beads Act and urge retailers to proactively remove these beads from their online platforms and shelves.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn November 2022, water beads caused serious injury to my daughter, Kennedy Mitchell,\u201d said Folichia Mitchell. \u201cThese beads, sold in packs of thousands, bring a hidden risk into homes, leaving only luck to avert disaster. We must join forces to shield our children from such dangers, as they deserve more than just luck for protection. I stand in support of the Ban Water Beads Act, advocating for the right of every child to have safe toys in their home.\u201d\n\n\"Our sweet Esther Jo is gone all because of a toy; a toy she was never allowed to play with,\u201d said Taylor Bethard. \u201cWater beads are not worth the risk. If you are a parent, caregiver, teacher or therapist, I urge you to remove these from your spaces immediately. Our family is thankful that the Ban Water Beads Act will help ensure that no other family endures the same tragedy we have.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/el-congresista-rob-menendez-anuncia-mas-de-6-millones-en-fondos-federales-para", "El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez anuncia M\u00e1s de $6 Millones en Fondos Federales para Iniciativas de Vigilancia Comunitaria en el Octavo Distrito del Congreso", "2023-11-10", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez anunci\u00f3 hoy la adjudicaci\u00f3n de $6.25 millones en fondos de Servicios Policiales Orientados a la Comunidad (COPS) del Departamento de Justicia de EE. UU. para el condado de Essex, North Bergen, Elizabeth y Newark. Los fondos asegurados por el congresista Men\u00e9ndez se utilizar\u00e1n para contratar agentes de la ley de carrera para facilitar la vigilancia comunitaria y los esfuerzos de prevenci\u00f3n del crimen.\n\n\u201cLos m\u00e1s de $6 millones en fondos federales que obtuvimos representan un paso crucial para mejorar la seguridad p\u00fablica y fortalecer las relaciones comunitarias para las ciudades y pueblos de nuestro distrito\u201d, dijo el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez. \u201cEstos d\u00f3lares federales no solo har\u00e1n que nuestras comunidades sean m\u00e1s seguras, sino que invertir\u00e1n en el importante trabajo de fortalecer las ya s\u00f3lidas relaciones entre la comunidad y la polic\u00eda en el condado de Essex, Elizabeth, North Bergen y Newark. Espero continuar trabajando con el Ejecutivo del Condado DiVincenzo, el Alcalde Sacco, el Alcalde Bollwage y el Alcalde Baraka en estos esfuerzos cr\u00edticos.\u201d\n\n\u201cFelicito al representante Rob Men\u00e9ndez por su arduo trabajo para lograr que se apruebe el Programa Federal de Contrataci\u00f3n de COPS y que se asignen casi $1.9 millones para el condado de Essex, as\u00ed como subvenciones adicionales para Newark y East Orange\u201d, dijo el Ejecutivo del Condado de Essex, Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. \u201cNo tendr\u00edamos \u00e9xito en la transformaci\u00f3n del Condado de Essex y en mantener seguros a nuestros residentes sin proporcionar una vigilancia policial y seguridad p\u00fablica adecuadas.\u201d\n\n\u201cEsta generosa subvenci\u00f3n es una xtremism xtremismee en la seguridad y el bienestar de North Bergen, y este apoyo nos permitir\u00e1 xtremis en gran medida nuestras capacidades de aplicaci\u00f3n de la ley al crear una presencia m\u00e1s fuerte en nuestras calles\u201d, dijo el Alcalde de North Bergen, Nicholas J. Sacco. \u201cQuiero agradecer al congresista Robert Men\u00e9ndez y al Departamento de Justicia por su firme xtremism con la prevenci\u00f3n del crimen y garantizar que los xtremism se sientan seguros en nuestra comunidad.\u201d\n\n\u201cEsta subvenci\u00f3n nos permitir\u00e1 mejorar la seguridad p\u00fablica, fortalecer nuestra comunidad y garantizar que nuestro departamento de polic\u00eda tenga los recursos que necesita para continuar sirviendo y protegiendo a nuestros ciudadanos\u201d, dijo el Alcalde de Elizabeth, Christian Bollwage. \u201cEstamos agradecidos por este apoyo y esperamos hacer que nuestros vecindarios sean m\u00e1s seguros para todos.\u201d\n\n\u201cLa calidad de nuestro personal policial es tan importante para Newark como la cantidad, y este premio nos permite a ambos,\u201d dijo el Alcalde de Newark, Ras J. Baraka. \u201cNuestra ciudad est\u00e1 creando una xtremis de polic\u00eda que sirve como un componente integral de un ecosistema comunitario de seguridad p\u00fablica y responde a las crisis con habilidad, inteligencia y xtremism. Agradezco al congresista Men\u00e9ndez, al Departamento de Justicia y al programa COPS por ayudarnos a contratar, capacitar y retener a oficiales que reforzar\u00e1n los logros de Newark en la prevenci\u00f3n de la violencia y la recuperaci\u00f3n del trauma.\u201d\n\nLos fondos se otorgan a trav\u00e9s del Programa de Contrataci\u00f3n de COPS (CHP). CHP es un programa de premios xtremisme destinado a xtremi el crimen y promover la seguridad p\u00fablica a trav\u00e9s de la vigilancia comunitaria. Los fondos pueden utilizarse para varios prop\u00f3sitos, como la creaci\u00f3n de legitimidad y confianza entre las fuerzas del orden y las comunidades, la reducci\u00f3n de la violencia con armas de fuego, la lucha contra el odio y el xtremism dom\u00e9stico, y el apoyo a las respuestas policiales a las personas en crisis.\n\nEn concreto, las asignaciones aseguradas son:\n\nEssex County \u2013 $1,875,000\n\nNewark \u2013 $1,875,000\n\nNorth Bergen - $1,250,000", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-announces-over-6-million-federal-funding-community", "Congressman Rob Menendez Announces Over $6 Million in Federal Funding for Community Policing Initiatives in the Eighth Congressional District", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Rob Menendez today announced the award of $6.25 million in U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) funding for Essex County, North Bergen, Elizabeth, and Newark. The funding secured by Congressman Menendez will be utilized to hire career law enforcement officers to facilitate community policing and crime prevention efforts.\n\n\u201cThe over $6 million in federal funding we secured represents a crucial step in enhancing public safety and strengthening community relations for the cities and towns in our district,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cThese federal dollars will not only make our communities safer but will invest in the important work of strengthening the already robust community-police relationships in Essex County, Elizabeth, North Bergen, and Newark. I look forward to continuing to work with County Executive DiVincenzo, Mayor Sacco, Mayor Bollwage, and Mayor Baraka on these critical efforts.\u201d\n\n\u201cI commend Representative Rob Menendez for his hard work to get the Federal COPS Hiring Program approved and getting almost $1.9 million allocated for Essex County as well as additional grant money for Newark and East Orange,\u201d said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. \u201cWe would not be successful in transforming Essex County and keeping our residents safe without providing proper policing and public safety.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis generous grant is a significant investment in the safety and well-being of North Bergen, and this support will allow us to greatly expand our law enforcement capabilities by creating a stronger presence on our streets,\u201d said North Bergen Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco.\u201cI want to thank Congressman Robert Menendez and the Department of Justice for their steadfast commitment to crime prevention and ensuring residents feel secure in our community.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis grant will empower us to enhance public safety, strengthen our community, and ensure that our police department has the resources they need to continue serving and protecting our citizens,\u201d said Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage. \u201cWe are grateful for this support and look forward to making our neighborhoods safer for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe quality of our law enforcement personnel is just as important to Newark as the quantity \u2013 and this award affords us both,\u201d said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka.\u201cOur city is creating a police division that serves as an integral component of a community public safety ecosystem and responds to crisis with skill, intelligence and compassion. I\u2019m grateful to Congressman Menendez, the Department of Justice, and the COPS program for helping us hire, train and retain officers who will reinforce Newark\u2019s achievements in violence prevention and trauma recovery.\u201d\n\nThe funds are being awarded through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP). CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. The funds may be utilized for several purposes including building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities, reducing gun violence, combating hate and domestic extremism, and supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis.\n\nSpecifically, the allocations secured are:\n\nEssex County \u2013 $1,875,000\n\nNewark \u2013 $1,875,000\n\nNorth Bergen - $1,250,000", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/declaracion-del-congresista-rob-menendez-al-cumplirse-un-mes-del-ataque", "Declaraci\u00f3n del Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez al Cumplirse Un Mes del Ataque Terrorista del 7 de Octubre contra Israel   WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez emiti\u00f3 la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n al cumplirse un mes del ataque terrorista del 7 de Octubre c", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez emiti\u00f3 la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n al cumplirse un mes del ataque terrorista del 7 de Octubre contra Israel:\n\n\u201cHace un mes, en Israel, m\u00e1s de 1,400 hombres mujeres y ni\u00f1os fueron brutalmente asesinados por terroristas de Hamas. En un festival de m\u00fasica, en sus casas, en las calles, los Israel\u00edes fueron atacados indiscriminadamente en el peor ataque contra la contra la comunidad jud\u00eda desde el Holocausto. El Kibutz Kfar Aza, una de las comunidades atacadas el 7 de Octubre, es un lugar hermoso y unido que tuve el privilegio de visitar en Agosto. Es desgarrador saber que los residentes que conocimos all\u00ed pueden haber sido asesinados o secuestrados por Hamas.\n\nHoy en d\u00eda, cientos de rehenes, incluidos ciudadanos estadounidenses y ni\u00f1os peque\u00f1os, siguen retenidos en Gaza por Ham\u00e1s. Debemos apoyar a Israel en sus esfuerzos por defenderse de Ham\u00e1s y rescatar a estos rehenes. Al mismo tiempo tambi\u00e9n debemos proporcionar ayuda humanitaria a los civiles Israel\u00edes y Palestinos que son v\u00edctimas del brutal r\u00e9gimen de Ham\u00e1s.\n\n\"Afortunadamente, el Presidente Biden ha puesto todo el apoyo del gobierno de Estados Unidos detr\u00e1s de Israel, liderando con claridad moral y coraje al respaldar a uno de nuestros aliados m\u00e1s cercanos. Es fundamental que el Congreso se una al Presidente para proporcionar a Israel la asistencia que necesita, lo que podemos hacer aprobando un paquete de ayuda bipartidista sin demora.\n\n\u201cAdem\u00e1s, desde el ataque terrorista del 7 de Octubre, ha habido un aumento significativo de la ret\u00f3rica y los incidentes antisemitas a nivel mundial y en los Estados Unidos. Esta misma semana, un hombre jud\u00edo de 69 a\u00f1os fue asesinado en una protesta en California. Esto es completamente inaceptable. Todas las formas de odio, incluido el antisemitismo y la Islamofobia, son incompatibles con nuestros valeres estadounidenses y deben ser completamente erradicadas de todos los rincones del mundo. Todos debemos oponernos al odio en todas sus formas.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/el-congresista-rob-menendez-anuncia-el-primer-consejo-asesor-juvenil", "El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez Anuncia el Primer Consejo Asesor Juvenil", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez anunci\u00f3 hoy su primer Consejo Asesor Juvenil para estudiantes de secundaria de todo el Octavo Distrito Congresional de Nueva Jersey.\n\n\"Estoy encantado de lanzar el Consejo Asesor Juvenil como parte de nuestros esfuerzos para apoyar a nuestra pr\u00f3xima generaci\u00f3n de l\u00edderes\", dijo el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez. \"Esta es una oportunidad \u00fanica para que los estudiantes de secundaria de todo nuestro distrito brinden su opini\u00f3n sobre los temas clave que afectan su futuro, al mismo tiempo que aprenden sobre el trabajo que hacemos en el Congreso. Esperamos con ansias seleccionar a nuestro primer Consejo y embarcarnos en esta nueva iniciativa\".\n\nLos estudiantes participantes del Consejo Asesor Juvenil deber\u00e1n:\n\nReunirse con el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez para conocer su trabajo en la C\u00e1mara de Representantes;\n\nProporcionar informaci\u00f3n sobre temas que los afectan, incluido el cambio clim\u00e1tico, la prevenci\u00f3n de la violencia con armas de fuego, inmigraci\u00f3n y asequibilidad en la educaci\u00f3n superior;\n\nSentarse con nuestro personal para aprender sobre los procesos y recursos del Congreso; y\n\nPresentar un proyecto final que abarque su visi\u00f3n sobre un tema en particular y lo que han aprendido durante su tiempo en el Consejo.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-rob-menendez-one-month-anniversary-october-7th-terrorist", "Statement by Congressman Rob Menendez on One-Month Anniversary of the October 7th\u00a0Terrorist Attack on Israel", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Rob Menendez today released the following statement on the one-month anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel:\n\n\u201cOne month ago in Israel, over 1,400 men, women, and children were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists. At a music festival, in their homes, on the streets, Israelis were indiscriminately targeted in the worst attack on the Jewish community since the Holocaust. Kibbutz Kfar Aza \u2013 one of the communities attacked on October 7th \u2013 is a beautiful and close-knit place that I had the privilege of visiting in August. It is heartbreaking to know that many of the residents we met there may have been killed or kidnapped by Hamas.\n\n\u201cToday, hundreds of hostages, including American citizens and young children, are still being held in Gaza by Hamas. We must support Israel in its efforts to defend itself from Hamas and rescue these hostages. At the same time, we must also provide humanitarian aid to Israeli and Palestinian civilians who are victims of Hamas\u2019 brutal regime.\n\n\u201cThankfully, President Biden has put the full support of the United States government behind Israel, leading with moral clarity and courage in backing one of our closest allies. It is critical for Congress to join the President in providing Israel with the assistance that it needs, which we can do by passing a bipartisan aid package without delay.\n\n\u201cFurther, since the October 7th terrorist attack, there has been a significant rise in antisemitic rhetoric and incidents globally and in the United States. Just this week, a 69-year-old Jewish man was killed at a protest in California. This is completely unacceptable. All forms of hate including antisemitism and Islamophobia are incompatible with our American values and must be completely rooted out from every corner of the globe. We all must stand against hate in every form it takes.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/ahead-of-veterans-day-booker-introduces-legislation-to-promote-housing-stability-among-low-income-veteran-families", "Ahead of Veterans Day, Booker Introduces Legislation to Promote Housing Stability Among Low-Income Veteran Families", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC. \u2013 Ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Cory Booker today introduced the Supportive Services for National Guard and Reserve Component Veterans and Families Act, legislation that would expand the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to include former members of the National Guard and Reserves who have retired or separated from service after having served a term of enlistment. Established in 2011, the SSVF program promotes housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing. The program has helped decrease veteran homelessness by 50% and has assisted 850,000 veterans and their families by permanently housing, rapidly rehousing, or preventing them from becoming homeless. However, under the program\u2019s current guidelines, many former members of the National Guard and Reserve Component who were not activated for federal active-duty military service while serving, are ineligible for the program.\n\n\u201cThe SSVF program has provided critical housing assistance to former servicemembers during their times of need, reducing veteran homelessness rates by 50 percent and assisting some of our most vulnerable veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cYet, despite the program\u2019s success, veterans of the National Guard and Reserves are unable to take advantage of its benefits even though they have sacrificed for this nation. This bill would remove this barrier, expanding eligibility to this vital program so that more veterans and their families can access the resources they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cReserve and National Guard service members stand ready to deploy at a moment\u2019s notice to serve their country and state at home and abroad,\u201d said David Pearson, Co-Chair NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders and Assistant Director Catholic Charities Veterans Services. \u201cWe owe them and their families resources to ensure that none of them experience homelessness. NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders and Catholic Charities thank Senator Booker for introducing legislating to expand Supportive Services for Very Low-Income Veteran Families (SSVF) to include those who have served in the National Guard and Reserves.\u201d\n\nIn addition to expanding eligibility of the SSVF program, the legislation would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress detailing food and housing insecurity experienced by current reserve component service members, across all seven components of the Reserves and National Guard.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/ahead-of-veterans-day-booker-releases-updated-resource-handbook-for-new-jersey-vets", "Ahead of Veterans Day, Booker Releases Updated Resource Handbook for New Jersey Vets", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Ahead of Veterans Day this weekend, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today unveiled his 2024 Veterans Handbook, an updated version of his annual, comprehensive resource guide for New Jersey veterans and their families. The handbook, available online here, is designed to help New Jersey veterans with the transition from military to civilian life and includes information on health benefits, workforce centers, employment opportunities, federal and state education programs, crisis support services, and more.\n\n\u201cAfter being elected to the United States Senate 10 years ago, one of the very first meetings I had as a Senator was with a group of New Jersey veterans,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cWe must remain committed to honoring the incredible service and sacrifices made by veterans and their families. I\u2019m proud to have played a part in passing legislation that will close critical gaps in education benefits; increase access to timely, quality, and inclusive healthcare options; expand access to VA housing assistance programs; and help veterans whose health was forever affected by exposure to toxic burn pits. Ahead of Veterans Day, I am proud to release an updated version of this annual handbook that provides the latest information on how New Jersey veterans and their loved ones can access critical resources.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-announces-inaugural-youth-advisory-council", "Congressman Rob Menendez Announces Inaugural Youth Advisory Council", "2023-11-08", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Rob Menendez today announced his inaugural Youth Advisory Council for high school students from across New Jersey\u2019s Eighth Congressional District.\n\n\u201cI am thrilled to launch the Youth Advisory Council as part of our efforts to support our next generation of leaders,\u201dsaid Congressman Menendez. \u201cThis is a unique opportunity for high school students across our district to provide their input on the key issues impacting their future, while also learning about the work we do in Congress. We look forward to selecting our inaugural Council and to embark on this new initiative.\u201d\n\nYouth Advisory Council student participants will:\n\nMeet with Congressman Menendez to learn about his work in the House of Representatives;\n\nProvide input on issues that impact them, including climate change, gun violence prevention, immigration, and affordability in higher education;\n\nSit down with our staff to learn about Congressional processes and resources; and\n\nPresent a final project that encompasses their vision on a particular issue and what they have learned during their time on the Council.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-rob-menendez-hres-845-vote", "Statement by Congressman Rob Menendez on H.Res.\u00a0845 Vote", "2023-11-08", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following his \u201cNo\u201d vote on H.Res. 845, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement:\n\n\u201cLet me be clear: I vehemently oppose Rep. Tlaib\u2019s defense of the \u2018From the River to the Sea\u2019 chant and her inflammatory comments including those about the President. I stand with Israel in its right to self-defense and its continuing efforts to return hostages being held in Gaza to their families. And we must ensure that the events that occurred on October 7th never happen again.\n\n\u201cBut despite my objection to Rep. Tlaib\u2019s offensive and divisive rhetoric, I believe it is inappropriate to take this action against a Member for exercising their right to free speech, even if we find their words to be objectionable. Additionally, we must be mindful of the precedent that we set for this institution in each vote that we take. In the history of the House of Representatives, only 25 members have faced censure, the majority of which occurred before 1900.\n\n\u201cAnd these votes only distract us from the work that remains. A month has now passed since the brutal terrorist assault against Israel resulting in the loss of 1,400 lives. Hundreds of innocent civilians including Americans are being held hostage by Hamas, and we are seeing immense human suffering both in Israel and in Gaza. This is completely unacceptable. And as the global stage looks to the United States for leadership and assistance for one of our closest allies, this chamber has yet to pass a bipartisan aid package.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-new-federal-funding-hire-law-enforcement-officers-new", "Pallone Announces New Federal Funding to Hire Law Enforcement Officers in New Brunswick and Carteret", "2023-11-08", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced new federal funding to support public safety and strengthen law enforcement in Middlesex County. New Brunswick will receive $987,102 to hire 8 law enforcement officers, and Carteret will receive $625,000 to hire 5 law enforcement officers. The funding is provided through the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) COPS Hiring Program that supports the hiring and retention of law enforcement.\n\nAdditionally, the New Jersey Department of Public Safety will receive $3,787,301 through the COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program, which is a competitive award program designed to advance public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement agencies in states to locate or investigate illicit activities relating to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil, or to the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves to be safe in their homes, workplaces, and schools, and this funding will go a long way to make our communities and schools safer. It gives our law enforcement officers the resources they need to prevent crime and combat the opioid epidemic in our state,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to our law enforcement officers who work to build trust with our communities and help make New Jersey a safe place to live. I\u2019ll continue to advocate for federal funding to ensure our cities and towns have the resources they need to promote public safety.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith the acceptance of $987,102 awarded through US Department of Justice\u2019s COPS Hiring Grant, we continue to bolster our law enforcement efforts by hiring new police officers. This funding is a testament to our commitment to safety and the well-being of our citizens,\u201d said New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill. \u201cWith these additional officers, we continue taking significant steps towards ensuring the security and peace of mind of our residents. Together, we will continue to build a safer and stronger future for our city.\"\n\n\u201cThe federal grant from the US Department of Justice, which provides funding for eight (8) dedicated police officers, reinforces our dedication to community safety,\u201d said Police Director Anthony A. Caputo. \u201cThe New Brunswick Police Department is committed to serving our residents and working together to build a safer and stronger future for our city.\u201d\n\n\"We appreciate the Department of Justice for funding the COPS Hiring Program for the Borough of Carteret. We want to express our deep gratitude to Congressman Pallone for his career long support for the USDOJ COPS initiatives and President Biden, for allocating funding to increase police hiring initiatives around the nation. This commitment to bolstering our law enforcement efforts is particularly significant for our community,\u201d said Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman. \u201cIt has been quite some time since the Borough of Carteret last received funding under the COPS program, with President Clinton's administration being the last to provide support. This renewed support from the federal government couldn't have come at a more crucial time, as it will greatly aid in addressing several pressing issues within our community. The funding allocated through the COPS Hiring Program will serve as a lifeline for our police department, enabling us to increase our staffing levels and provide the much-needed resources to continue our fight against crime. With this support, we can further enhance our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-joins-new-jersey-congressional-delegation-announce", "Congressman Rob Menendez Joins New Jersey Congressional Delegation to Announce Over $4 Billion for Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Projects", "2023-11-06", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "NEWARK, NJ \u2013 Congressmembers Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), and Senator Cory Booker today announced over $4 billion in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant awards for Northeast Corridor (NEC) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program projects in New Jersey. The projects are funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and will modernize and revamp rail infrastructure along the NEC.\n\n\u201cToday, I am proud to announce over $4 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding that will transform the passenger experience along the Northeast Corridor,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cThese funds will make the nation\u2019s busiest rail line more resilient and reliable for the millions of passengers that use it every year. Thanks to the partnership of the Biden Administration, Governor Murphy, and our Congressional Delegation, this is the start of a new era of infrastructure investment.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnder President Biden, we are finally delivering the generational investments in passenger rail that Americans have wanted for years, including modernizing the busiest rail corridor in the country,\u201d said United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cThese investments will make our busiest passenger railroad safer, faster, and more reliable, which means fewer delays and shorter commutes for the 800,000 passengers who rely on the Northeast Corridor every day.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter helping craft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and working for years to stop endless bureaucratic delays, there\u2019s nothing better than seeing federal investments delivered to Jersey to improve bridges, tunnels, and public transportation infrastructure \u2014 all without raising taxes on our families,\u201d said Congressman Gottheimer. \u201cThese investments will help residents spend more time with their families by commuting on faster, more reliable infrastructure, create new jobs, and ensure Jersey\u2019s economy is stronger and safer.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday brings us a giant step closer to constructing the new trans-Hudson tunnel we have sought for so many years,\u201d said Congressman Pascrell. \u201cThe only thing New Jersey commuters hate more than traffic and rail suspensions are the political and bureaucratic delays that have plagued this desperately needed project for years. The future of our region and our country depends on expanding mass transit capacity, and I am glad the Biden administration agrees. Thanks to this sizable federal investment from the Biden administration, we are taking a big step towards a tristate for the 21st Century.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am extremely excited that the Biden Administration will award $4.48 billion in federal funding to improve New Jersey\u2019s infrastructure, including the $3.8 billion for the new Hudson River Tunnel,\u201d said Congressman Payne, Jr., Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. \u201cWhen I was Chairman of the Railroad Subcommittee for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I helped write the bill that became the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fought to add $66 billion to it for critical transportation projects, such as the Gateway Program.\n\n\u201cAlso, I have worked diligently to secure $3 billion for the program in other appropriations bills and discuss the project with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg constantly,\u201d Payne, Jr. continued. \u201cThe Hudson River Tunnel is the most important infrastructure project in the country. The current tunnel is 113 years old and needs to be replaced because any service disruptions could disrupt travel for 200,000 daily passengers. This is a great day for New Jersey!\u201d\n\n\u201cThis large round of mass transit investments will pay dividends for generations to come, helping push Gateway toward completion and strengthening regional connectivity,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThanks to this funding, we will upgrade decades-old infrastructure and help modernize our mass transit system, to the benefit of the lives of millions of commuters. These investments will also spur economic growth and create thousands of jobs for New Jerseyans. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration and congressional colleagues to deliver funding to rebuild New Jersey\u2019s and our region\u2019s transportation infrastructure.\u201d\n\nToday\u2019s announcement follows a recent award of $6.9 billion for the Hudson Tunnel Project, and awards for pre-construction work, including $292 million for right-of-way work, and $25 million for the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project.\n\nThis major funding announcement includes:\n\n$3,799,999,820 \u2013 Hudson Tunnel Project - Systems & Fit Out, Advancing the Final Design and Construction of the Project\n\nThese funds will enable final design and construction activities of the Hudson River Tunnel project and rehabilitation of the existing North River tunnels. Construction will include systems and fit out work in the tunnels, including installation of track, signals, traction power, ventilation, and fire and life safety systems. Design support, design management, and construction management will support the overall project, including tunneling and heavy civil engineering work, the New Jersey surface alignment, and rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel.\n\n$300,184,000 \u2013 Dock Bridge Rehabilitation\n\nThese funds will enable rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge, which crosses the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison, NJ. The 90-year-old, six-track, steel through-truss bridge will undergo repair of the structural steel, installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails, repair to concrete piers and fender replacement, and installation of a targeted anti-corrosion protection system to slow or stop future degradation to the bridge structure. The project will improve operations for Amtrak's intercity services, as well as NJ TRANSIT commuter services and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit service. Amtrak will provide $75,046,000 in matching funds.\n\n$133,327,610 \u2013 Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Enabling Components Project\n\nThese funds will enable construction of early-action, critical-path activities for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement project in Kearny, NJ. The scope includes utility relocations, catenary and aerial signal relocations, removal and replacement of the current crossover between the New Jersey Transit Morris & Essex Line and Conrail Center Street Branch, site access improvements, and property acquisition from Conrail.\n\n$59,200,000 \u2013 NJ TRANSIT Newark Penn Station Vertical Circulation Improvements", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/el-congresista-rob-menendez-se-une-la-delegacion-del-congreso-de-nueva-jersey", "El Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez se une a la Delegaci\u00f3n del Congreso de Nueva Jersey para Anunciar m\u00e1s de $4 Mil Millones para Proyectos de Infraestructura en el Corredor Noreste", "2023-11-06", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "NEWARK, NJ\u2013 Los Congresistas Rob Men\u00e9ndez (NJ-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) y el Senador Cory Booker anunciaron hoy m\u00e1s de $4 mil millones en subvenciones de la Administraci\u00f3n Federal de Ferrocarriles (FRA) para proyectos de la Asociaci\u00f3n Federal-Estatal del Corredor Noreste (NEC) para proyectos del Programa de Trenes Interurbanos de Pasajeros en Nueva Jersey. Los proyectos est\u00e1n financiados por la Ley de Inversi\u00f3n en Infraestructura y Empleos (IIJA) y modernizar\u00e1n y renovar\u00e1n la infraestructura ferroviaria a lo largo del NEC.\n\n\"Hoy, me enorgullece anunciar m\u00e1s de $4 mil millones en fondos de la Ley de Inversi\u00f3n en Infraestructura y Empleos que transformar\u00e1n la experiencia de los pasajeros a lo largo del Corredor Noreste\", dijo el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez. \"Estos fondos har\u00e1n que la l\u00ednea ferroviaria m\u00e1s transitada de la naci\u00f3n sea m\u00e1s resistente y confiable para los millones de pasajeros que la usan cada a\u00f1o. Gracias a la asociaci\u00f3n de la Administraci\u00f3n Biden, el gobernador Murphy y nuestra delegaci\u00f3n del Congreso, este es el comienzo de una nueva era de inversi\u00f3n en infraestructura\".\n\n\"Bajo la Presidencia de Biden, por fin estamos logrando las las inversiones generacionales en el ferrocarril de pasajeros que los estadounidenses han deseado durante a\u00f1os, incluida la modernizaci\u00f3n del corredor ferroviario m\u00e1s transitado del pa\u00eds\", dijo el Secretario del Departamento de Transporte de los Estados Unidos, Buttigieg. \"Estas inversiones har\u00e1n que nuestro ferrocarril de pasajeros m\u00e1s concurrido sea m\u00e1s seguro, m\u00e1s r\u00e1pido y m\u00e1s confiable, lo que significa menos retrasos y viajes m\u00e1s cortos para los 800,000 pasajeros que dependen del Corredor Noreste todos los d\u00edas\".\n\n\"Despu\u00e9s de ayudar a elaborar y aprobar el Proyecto de Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista y trabajar durante a\u00f1os para detener los interminables retrasos burocr\u00e1ticos, no hay nada mejor que ver las inversiones federales entregadas a Jersey para mejorar puentes, t\u00faneles e infraestructura de transporte p\u00fablico, todo sin aumentar los impuestos a nuestras familias\", dijo el Congresista Gottheimer.\"Estas inversiones ayudar\u00e1n a los residentes a pasar m\u00e1s tiempo con sus familias al viajar a una infraestructura m\u00e1s r\u00e1pida y confiable, crear nuevos empleos y garantizar que la econom\u00eda de Jersey sea m\u00e1s fuerte y segura\".\n\n\"Hoy damos un paso gigante hacia la construcci\u00f3n del nuevo t\u00fanel trans-Hudson que hemos buscado durante tantos a\u00f1os\", dijo el Congresista Pascrell.\"Lo \u00fanico que los viajeros de Nueva Jersey odian m\u00e1s que las suspensiones de tr\u00e1fico y trenes son los retrasos pol\u00edticos y burocr\u00e1ticos que han plagado este proyecto desesperadamente necesario durante a\u00f1os. El futuro de nuestra regi\u00f3n y nuestro pa\u00eds depende de la expansi\u00f3n de la capacidad de transporte p\u00fablico, y me alegro de que la Administraci\u00f3n Biden est\u00e9 de acuerdo. Gracias a esta considerable inversi\u00f3n federal de la Administraci\u00f3n Biden, estamos dando un gran paso hacia un estado triestatal para el siglo XXI\".\n\n\"Estoy muy emocionado de que la Administraci\u00f3n Biden otorgue $4.48 mil millones en fondos federales para mejorar la infraestructura de Nueva Jersey, incluidos los $3.8 mil millones para el nuevo t\u00fanel del r\u00edo Hudson\", dijo el Congresista Payne, Jr., miembro de alto rango del Subcomit\u00e9 de Ferrocarriles, Oleoductos y Materiales Peligrosos del Comit\u00e9 de Transporte e Infraestructura de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes. \"Cuando era presidente del Subcomit\u00e9 de Ferrocarriles del Comit\u00e9 de Transporte e Infraestructura de la C\u00e1mara de Representantes, ayud\u00e9 a redactar el proyecto de ley que se convirti\u00f3 en la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista de $1.2 billones y luch\u00e9 para agregarle $66 mil millones para proyectos cr\u00edticos de transporte, como el Programa Gateway.\n\n\"Adem\u00e1s, he trabajado diligentemente para asegurar $3 mil millones para el programa en otros proyectos de ley de asignaciones y discutir el proyecto con el secretario de Transporte, Buttigieg, constantemente\", continu\u00f3 Payne, Jr. \"El t\u00fanel del r\u00edo Hudson es el proyecto de infraestructura m\u00e1s importante del pa\u00eds. El t\u00fanel actual tiene 113 a\u00f1os de antig\u00fcedad y necesita ser reemplazado porque cualquier interrupci\u00f3n del servicio podr\u00eda interrumpir el viaje de 200,000 pasajeros diarios. \u00a1Este es un gran d\u00eda para Nueva Jersey!\"\n\n\"Esta gran ronda de inversiones en transporte p\u00fablico pagar\u00e1 dividendos para las generaciones venideras, ayudando a impulsar a Gateway hacia su finalizaci\u00f3n y fortaleciendo la conectividad regional\", dijo el Senador Booker. \"Gracias a estos fondos, mejoraremos la infraestructura de d\u00e9cadas de antig\u00fcedad y ayudaremos a modernizar nuestro sistema de transporte p\u00fablico, en beneficio de las vidas de millones de viajeros. Estas inversiones tambi\u00e9n estimular\u00e1n el crecimiento econ\u00f3mico y crear\u00e1n miles de empleos para los residentes de Nueva Jersey. Continuar\u00e9 trabajando con la Administraci\u00f3n Biden y mis colegas del Congreso para entregar fondos para reconstruir la infraestructura de transporte de Nueva Jersey y nuestra regi\u00f3n\".\n\nEl anuncio de hoy sigue a una reciente adjudicaci\u00f3n de $6.9 mil millones para el Proyecto del T\u00fanel Hudson, y adjudicaciones para trabajos previos a la construcci\u00f3n, incluyendo $292 millones para trabajos de derecho de paso y $25 millones para el Proyecto de Reubicaci\u00f3n del Puente de la Avenida Tonnelle y Servicios P\u00fablicos.\n\nEste importante anuncio de financiaci\u00f3n incluye:\n\n$3,799,999,820 \u2013 Proyecto del T\u00fanel Hudson - Sistemas y Equipamiento, Avanzando en el Dise\u00f1o Final y Construcci\u00f3n del Proyecto\n\nEstos fondos permitir\u00e1n el dise\u00f1o final y las actividades de construcci\u00f3n del proyecto del T\u00fanel del R\u00edo Hudson y la rehabilitaci\u00f3n de los t\u00faneles existentes del R\u00edo Norte. La construcci\u00f3n incluir\u00e1 sistemas y trabajos de acondicionamiento en los t\u00faneles, incluida la instalaci\u00f3n de v\u00edas, se\u00f1ales, energ\u00eda de tracci\u00f3n, ventilaci\u00f3n y sistemas de seguridad contra incendios y de vida. El apoyo al dise\u00f1o, la gesti\u00f3n del dise\u00f1o y la gesti\u00f3n de la construcci\u00f3n respaldar\u00e1n el proyecto general, incluida la construcci\u00f3n de t\u00faneles y el trabajo pesado de ingenier\u00eda civil, la alineaci\u00f3n de la superficie de Nueva Jersey y la rehabilitaci\u00f3n del t\u00fanel existente del r\u00edo Norte.\n\n$300,184,000 \u2013 Rehabilitaci\u00f3n del Puente del Muelle\n\nEstos fondos permitir\u00e1n la rehabilitaci\u00f3n del Puente del Muelle, que cruza el r\u00edo Passaic entre Newark y Harrison, Nueva Jersey. El puente de acero de seis v\u00edas de 90 a\u00f1os de antig\u00fcedad se someter\u00e1 a la reparaci\u00f3n del acero estructural, la instalaci\u00f3n de rieles rectos de acero para reemplazar los rieles de inglete m\u00f3viles, la reparaci\u00f3n de pilares de concreto y el reemplazo de guardabarros, y la instalaci\u00f3n de un sistema de protecci\u00f3n anticorrosi\u00f3n espec\u00edfico para ralentizar o detener la degradaci\u00f3n futura de la estructura del puente. El proyecto mejorar\u00e1 las operaciones de los servicios interurbanos de Amtrak, as\u00ed como los servicios de cercan\u00edas de NJ TRANSIT y el servicio de tr\u00e1nsito Trans-Hudson de la Autoridad Portuaria de Nueva York y la Autoridad Portuaria de Nueva Jersey. Amtrak proporcionar\u00e1 $75,046,000 en fondos de contrapartida.\n\n$133,327,610 \u2013 Proyecto de Componentes de Habilitaci\u00f3n de Reemplazo de Puentes de Diente de Sierra\n\nEstos fondos permitir\u00e1n la construcci\u00f3n de actividades de acci\u00f3n temprana y de ruta cr\u00edtica para el proyecto de reemplazo Puentes de Diente de Sierra en Kearny, Nueva Jersey. El alcance incluye reubicaciones de servicios p\u00fablicos, reubicaciones de catenarias y se\u00f1ales a\u00e9reas, remoci\u00f3n y reemplazo del cruce actual entre la l\u00ednea Morris & Essex de New Jersey Tr\u00e1nsito y el ramal de Calle Conrail Center, mejoras en el acceso al sitio y adquisici\u00f3n de propiedades de Conrail.\n\n$59,200,000 \u2013 Mejoras en la Circulaci\u00f3n Vertical de NJ TRANSIT Estaci\u00f3n Penn de Newark", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-new-jersey-towns-and-cities-will-join-federal-program", "Pallone Announces New Jersey Towns and Cities Will Join Federal Program to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Service Lines", "2023-11-06", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "New Brunswick, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today to announce which New Jersey communities will participate in a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s goal of 100 percent lead service line removal and replacement. The communities in the state selected for the program include Blackwood, Clementon, East Newark, Harrison, Keansburg, Keyport, New Brunswick, Ventnor, Camden, and Trenton.\n\nIn January, the EPA selected New Jersey as one of four test states for the agency\u2019s new \u201cLead Service Line Replacement Accelerators\u201d program, which will provide technical assistance to replace lead pipes in underserved areas. EPA will provide hands-on support to guide communities through the process of lead service line removals, from start to finish, including support in developing lead service line replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure clean, safe drinking water free of lead contamination.\n\n\u201cEvery American has a fundamental right to safe, clean drinking water. That\u2019s why I fought for funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines quickly and equitably. No community should be left to face the health risks stemming from lead pipes any longer,\u201d said Pallone. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that EPA is providing much needed assistance to fast-track the removal and replacement of toxic lead pipes, and I commend Administrator Regan for working diligently to target those communities most impacted. This is another significant step toward ensuring that every family can trust the water coming out of the tap. I look forward to this resource expanding to help other communities in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cAddressing lead in drinking water is long overdue,\u201d said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. \u201cEPA is committed to tackling the problem at the source \u2013 by removing lead service lines. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we finally have the funds to do just that. New Jersey\u2019s role in lead service line replacement serves as a model for the rest of the nation. Together we can protect children and families where they live, work, and play.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Murphy Administration, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, is proud to accelerate the protection of every resident and child in New Jersey from the risk of lead exposure by identifying lead pipes and assuring they will be replaced,\u201d said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. \u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping make it possible to empower our state with the tools, knowledge and resources to protect public health and ensure every community has clean and safe drinking water.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis collaborative effort marks a day of achievement, as we come together to take a significant step forward in ensuring the health and well-being of our community,\u201d said New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill. \u201cThe Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator Program represents a crucial initiative that aligns with our commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water for our residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Borough of Keansburg is excited to be a part of the EPA\u2019s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator\u2019s program. This program is providing my Borough the assistance necessary to identify lead service lines, provide public outreach and education to our community and to prepare a fiscally responsible replacement strategy,\u201d said the Borough of Keansburg Mayor George Hoff. \u201cThe Accelerator Program will enable the Borough to accelerate the lead service replacement program and ultimately get the lead out!\u201d\n\n\u201cCollaboration across all sectors is essential to eradicate lead. Our leaders and officials must foster relationships with grassroots organizations and research institutions to get the lead out,\u201d said Shereyl Snider, Community Organizer with the East Trenton Collaborative. \u201cAs the Lead-Free New Jersey Hub, the East Trenton Collaborative is partnering with Rutgers (EOHSI), Ph.D. Student Sean Stratton and Dr. Brian Buckly to educate and advocate for lead remediation. Without these partnerships, our children continue to be exposed to lead.\u201d\n\n\u201cLead exposure endangers the health of our families and children, especially in older urban communities like New Brunswick,\u201d said President and CEO New Brunswick Tomorrow Jaymie Santiago. \u201cThe Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators program is a tremendous opportunity to remove this public health scourge from our water infrastructure once and for all. We are grateful to the Biden Administration, Congressman Pallone, and the EPA for bringing these resources to New Brunswick, and we look forward to helping achieve a lead-free future for our city.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that accelerating the replacement of lead service lines is critical to taking back the tap for communities already overburdened by multiple pollution sources,\u201d stated Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director, Clean Water Action. \u201cWith the help of the NJ Congressional delegation, USEPA and federal funding, more of NJ's BIPOC and low-income communities will be able to replicate what Newark did in just three years (i.e. replaced all residential lead service lines). This federal accelerator program brings us closer to achieving water justice by putting New Jersey in the fast lane when it comes to replacing more lead service lines faster where people are most vulnerable and in need.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-secures-180-million-new-brunswick-facility-improve-efficiency-and", "Pallone Secures $180 Million for New Brunswick Facility to Improve the Efficiency and Reliability of Passenger Train Service", "2023-11-06", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that New Jersey Transit (NJT) will receive $180 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Delco Lead project in New Brunswick, which will improve efficiency and reliability of passenger train service throughout New Jersey.\n\nNJT\u2019s Delco Lead is an obsolete and undersized rail yard facility used to store trains and is strategically situated along the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The funding will be used to create a new service and inspection facility, crew quarters, equipment storage space, and the 3.5-mile Delco Lead track, which provides capacity to store approximately 300 rail cars. The project will create a robust, more centrally located storage and inspection facility, while significantly enhancing NJT\u2019s ability to provide timely and reliable service to its customers, especially following extreme weather events.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is once again delivering critical funding to New Jersey and my district to bolster our transit system and improve service for riders,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cConstruction of these new rail facilities will reduce congestion and delays and make vital improvements to help passengers safely travel across the state. New Jerseyans rely heavily on our transportation infrastructure, and this funding will go a long way to ensure our system is both efficient and resilient.\u201d\n\nIn March 2023, Pallone wrote to Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose to urge support of New Jersey Transit\u2019s application for the FSP-NEC grant program and to highlight the benefits of the Delco Lead project.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-45-billion-for-new-jersey-northeast-corridor-transit-improvements-including-gateway", "Booker Announces $4.5 Billion for New Jersey, Northeast Corridor Transit Improvements, Including Gateway", "2023-11-06", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced $4.5 billion in federal funding for mass transit improvements in New Jersey and the region, including historic investments in the Gateway Program and the modernization of Newark Penn Station.\n\nJoining Booker at Newark Penn Station on Monday morning for the announcement were Representative Rob Menendez, Jr. (D-NJ), Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett, and Gateway Development Commission CEO Kris Kolluri.\n\nThe funding\u2014authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which Booker voted to support\u2014includes $3.8 billion for the Hudson River Tunnel, a key component of the Gateway Program; $300 million to rehabilitate the 90-year-old, six-track Dock Bridge over the Passaic River, also part of the Gateway Program; and $59 million to improve passenger circulation at Newark Penn Station, a critical hub in the Northeast Corridor.\n\n\u201cThis large round of mass transit investments will pay dividends for generations to come, helping push Gateway toward completion and strengthening regional connectivity,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThanks to this funding, we will upgrade decades-old infrastructure and help modernize our mass transit system, to the benefit of the lives of millions of commuters. These investments will also spur economic growth and create thousands of jobs for New Jerseyans. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration and congressional colleagues to deliver funding to rebuild New Jersey\u2019s and our region\u2019s transportation infrastructure.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis generous award, made possible by the Biden Administration\u2019s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, allows us to significantly advance two major infrastructure projects that have long languished prior to the Murphy Administration,\u201d said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. \u201cDelco Lead and Newark Penn Station are just two of the more than 100 vital projects within our $17 Billion Five-Year Capital Plan, transforming our transit system and the customer experience for generations to come. We are grateful to the USDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration for this critical funding, and thank Senator Booker and our entire Congressional delegation for their tireless advocacy for public transportation in New Jersey.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hudson Tunnel is the most urgent infrastructure project in the nation, and that urgency starts in New Jersey,\u201d said Kris Kolluri, CEO of the Gateway Development Commission. \u201cThe project will finally bring a 21st century, reliable, resilient ride for hundreds of thousands of commuters and riders in our region every single day. We're beyond grateful to Senator Booker, Governors Murphy and Hochul, and our entire delegation for delivering an unprecedented federal funding commitment that will make the tunnel a reality.\"\n\n\u201cI am extremely excited that the Biden Administration will award $4.48 billion in federal funding to improve New Jersey\u2019s infrastructure, including the $3.8 billion for the new Hudson River Tunnel,\u201d said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr., Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. \u201cWhen I was Chairman of the Railroad Subcommittee for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I helped write the bill that became the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fought to add $66 billion to it for critical transportation projects, such as the Gateway Program. Also, I have worked diligently to secure $3 billion for the program in other appropriations bills and discuss the project with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg constantly. The Hudson River Tunnel is the most important infrastructure project in the country. The current tunnel is 113 years old and needs to be replaced because any service disruptions could disrupt travel for 200,000 daily passengers. This is a great day for New Jersey!\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, I am proud to announce over $4 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding that will transform the passenger experience along the Northeast Corridor,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cThese funds will make the nation\u2019s busiest rail line more resilient and reliable for the millions of passengers that use it every year. Thanks to the partnership of the Biden Administration, Governor Murphy, and our Congressional Delegation, this is the start of a new era of infrastructure investment.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis announcement highlights the importance of government\u2019s attention to infrastructure as an essential step toward conscientious stewardship of the planet. By strengthening our transportation network, and particularly our rail system, we promote sustainability, fuel conservation and efficiency, and a cleaner environment,\u201d said Mayor Baraka. \u201cNewark is grateful to the Biden Administration, Senator Booker, and Representative Menendez for enabling these critical improvements to our metropolitan region that specifically bolster Newark\u2019s role as a major eastern corridor transportation hub, etch an effortless pathway between Newark and Manhattan, and support our initiatives to become a more walkable city.\u201d\n\nThis funding announcement comes months after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $6.88 billion in federal funds to the Hudson River Tunnel project, the largest-ever federal investment in mass transit. The federal investment in the Gateway Program now exceeds $11 billion.\n\nThe New Jersey and regional projects receiving funding are:\n\n$3,799,999,820 to Gateway Development Commission for the Hudson Tunnel Project: The proposed project includes final design and construction activities of the Hudson River Tunnel project and rehabilitation of the existing North River tunnels. Construction will include systems and fit out work in the tunnels, including installation of track, signals, traction power, ventilation, and fire and life safety systems. Design support, design management, and construction management will support the overall project, including tunneling and heavy civil engineering work, the New Jersey surface alignment, and rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel.\n\n$300,184,000 to Amtrak for the Dock Bridge Rehabilitation in Newark and Harrison: The proposed project includes construction for rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge, which crosses the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison. The 90-year-old, six-track, steel through-truss bridge will undergo repair of the structural steel, installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails, repair to concrete piers and fender replacement, and installation of a targeted anti-corrosion protection system to slow or stop future degradation to the bridge structure. The project will improve operations for Amtrak's intercity services, as well as New Jersey Transit commuter services and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit service.\n\n$133,327,610 to Amtrak for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Enabling Components Project in Kearny: The project involves construction of early-action, critical-path activities for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement project and includes utility relocations, catenary and aerial signal relocations, removal and replacement of the current crossover between the New Jersey Transit Morris & Essex Line and Conrail Center Street Branch, site access improvements, and property acquisition from Conrail. Completing the early action items is anticipated to accelerate the overall Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project schedule by at least two years.\n\n$180,902,767 to NJ Transit for the Delco Lead project in New Brunswick: The project includes a new service and inspection facility, crew quarters, equipment storage space, and the 3.5-mile Delco Lead track itself, which provides capacity to store approximately 300 rail cars. Construction of the new facilities will reduce New Jersey Transit train volumes through Trenton Station, reducing congestion and delays in this area of the Northeast Corridor. State-of-good-repair benefits, including improved drainage, signal upgrades, and catenary upgrades to the Northeast Corridor main line will occur in the project area. The project would enable subsequent Northeast Corridor chokepoint relief projects in New Jersey.\n\n$59,200,000 to NJ Transit for Newark Penn Station Vertical Circulation Improvements: The proposed project includes final design and construction to upgrade, rehabilitate, or replace 11 elevators and 17 escalators within Newark Penn Station. The project will improve accessibility and overall passenger circulation throughout the station, which serves Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor services, New Jersey Transit\u2019s commuter rail network and local transit services, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey\u2019s Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit service.\n\n$21,600,000 to Amtrak to examine opportunities to increase speeds and reduce travel time between Washington, DC and New York City: The project includes a planning study to identify needs and opportunities to improve service, including operating speeds through on-corridor or adjacent-to-corridor infrastructure improvements along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, DC, and northern New Jersey. The study will inform the planning of improvements to benefit Amtrak\u2019s intercity services, with potential benefits to commuter service operators in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.\n\nThe grants are part of more than $16 billion announced today by the Federal Railroad Administration to 25 projects in seven states and the District of Columbia under the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Northeast Corridor (NEC) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail.\n\nThe Hudson River Tunnel project is part of the Gateway Program, a series of strategic infrastructure investments designed to improve rail service in New York and New Jersey. The Hudson River Tunnel project is particularly critical because the existing North River Tunnel serving Penn Station is more than 110 years old and was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. While the tunnel has been repaired frequently, its age and damaged condition present reliability concerns for more than 200,000 people who travel through the tunnel on more than 400 trains every weekday. According to a study by the Northeast Corridor Commission, commuters in 2020 were delayed more than 210 hours due to maintenance issues.\n\nThe Hudson River Tunnel project will build a new two-track rail tunnel from the Bergen Palisades in New Jersey to Manhattan, directly serving New York Penn Station and rehabilitating the existing North River Tunnel. Additionally, as part of the construction, nearly 5,000 new affordable housing units will be created in the adjacent Hudson Yards. The project will improve New Jersey Transit and Amtrak service for a region that impacts more than 20 percent of the nation\u2019s economy. If the North River tunnel were to shut down for one day, it would cost the United States more than $100 million.\n\nIn 2015, Booker hosted a meeting in his Newark office with federal and state officials, including the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Governor of New Jersey, who reached an agreement to commit a substantial federal grant contribution toward the Hudson River tunnel, paving the way for the project to move forward.\n\nIn January, Booker joined President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to announce the award of $292 million for the Gateway Program to create a concrete casing near Hudson Yards in Manhattan intended to preserve future right-of-way for the new Hudson River tunnel and lay the groundwork for the much-anticipated Hudson River tunnel project.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/declaracion-del-congresista-rob-menendez-sobre-los-principales-fondos-para-el", "Declaraci\u00f3n del Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez sobre Los Principales Fondos para El Programa Gateway", "2023-11-04", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Tras el anuncio de $3.8 mil millones en fondos para el Programa Gateway, el Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez emiti\u00f3 la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n:\n\n\u201c$3.8 mil millones en nuevos fondos federales para el Programa Gateway y el comienzo de la siguiente fase de su componente m\u00e1s grande es una gran noticia para el Octavo Distrito del Congreso.\n\n\u201cBajo el liderazgo del presidente Biden y la Delegaci\u00f3n del Congreso de Nueva Jersey, el progreso en el proyecto de infraestructura cr\u00edtica m\u00e1s grande de la naci\u00f3n contin\u00faa aceler\u00e1ndose r\u00e1pidamente.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-rob-menendez-major-funding-gateway-program", "Statement by Congressman Rob Menendez on Major Funding for Gateway Program", "2023-11-04", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following the announcement of $3.8 billion in funding for the Gateway Program, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement:\n\n\u201c$3.8 billion in new federal funding for the Gateway Program and the start of the next phase of its largest component is great news for the Eighth Congressional District.\n\n\u201cUnder the leadership of President Biden and New Jersey\u2019s Congressional Delegation, progress on the nation\u2019s largest critical infrastructure project continues to quickly accelerate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-rob-menendez-h-res-773-vote", "Statement by Congressman Rob Menendez on H. Res. 773 Vote", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following his vote on H. Res. 773, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement:\n\n\u201cLast night, I joined over 30 of my House Democratic colleagues to prevent what we believe would be a bad precedent for this institution.\n\n\u201cIn the history of our country, only five Members of Congress have been expelled, three for joining the Confederacy, two after being convicted of serious crimes.\n\n\u201cA decision of this magnitude must not be based on our opinions about the suitability of a colleague or their politics. Instead, it must be based on facts and the final determinations of any ongoing legal proceedings or investigation by the House Ethics Committee. Without these critical steps completed, we must trust in the voters who elect Members of Congress to make their own decisions about who will represent them in Washington.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-rob-menendez-israel-aid", "Statement by Congressman Rob Menendez on Israel Aid", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following his vote against the House GOP\u2019s attempt to politicize aid to Israel, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement:\n\n\u201cFor decades, support for our longstanding friendship with Israel and its people has been a bipartisan priority. Now, the House GOP is sending a message of disunity to the world while the lives of American and Israeli hostages hang in the balance.\n\n\u201cFurther, this legislation fails to live up to our historical support for Israel, while excluding critical humanitarian aid for Israelis and Palestinians. At the same time, it inflicts devastating cuts on Internal Revenue Service programs, which would both harm working families and increase our nation\u2019s deficit. For these reasons, I voted no.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-submits-testimony-house-committee-foreign-affairs", "Pallone Submits Testimony to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) submitted the following testimony to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs during the annual Member Day Hearing:\n\n\u201cChairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks, thank you for this opportunity to share several of my priorities that are under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. As Co-Chair of the Armenia Caucus, I would like to highlight the grave and urgent need for humanitarian assistance for more than 100,000 refugees who were forced to abandon their homeland in response to Azerbaijan\u2019s violent military aggression against the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh. I would also like to highlight the need to counter the destabilizing actions of autocrats and support our democratic allies and partners around the world.\n\nFirst, I would like to highlight legislation I introduced in September that is under your Committee\u2019s jurisdiction, the Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act of 2023 (H.R. 5683). Sadly, after I introduced this legislation, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive to ethnically cleanse the area of its native Armenian population that dates back thousands of years. There are aspects of this bill that I believe the Committee should take up. This includes sanctions against the autocratic Azeri regime that rules the country and those responsible for human rights abuses and war crimes. My legislation also includes $30 million in humanitarian aid, $10 million in assistance for Armenia through the foreign military financing program at the Department of State, $650 million in annual assistance to the Armenian energy sector for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, and $50 million for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to promote United States-Armenian cooperation on science and technology.\n\nHowever, given the situation on the ground after the most recent aggression by Azerbaijan, I would recommend the following:\n\nFirst, given the dire plights of the refugees from Nagorno Karabakh, Congress and the Biden Administration must provide as much humanitarian support as possible. The Armenian government has identified $1 billion in urgent housing needs for the over 100,000 refugees who were forced to abandon their homeland. These people have lost almost everything, from their basic possessions to their family homes.\n\nSecond, these refugees also require assistance with educational, medical, social protection, and other needs, which is estimated to cost $360 million annually for at least the next two years. Since the United States was unable to stop this humanitarian disaster from unfolding, we must and should do our part to help these refugees during this vulnerable time.\n\nFinally, Congress must repeal the waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act of 1992. This section of my legislation prohibits United States assistance to Azerbaijan until the President determines and notifies Congress that \u201cthe Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.\u201d In the wake of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan, Congress gave the President the authority to waive Section 907 and issue annual extensions for the provision of assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan if the President determines and certifies that certain criteria are met. For years this extension has been granted and the Aliyev regime has become more emboldened and repressive. Given the continued military assaults on Armenia and the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, we must take a stand.\n\nFurthermore, we must work to counter autocrats who have been destabilizing so much of the world. We have rightfully confronted Putin with sanctions and support for Ukraine. There are other autocrats, like Azerbaijan\u2019s Aliyev or Turkey\u2019s Erdogan, who have caused havoc in the lives of ordinary people around the world. These relationships should be examined, especially our relationship with the Republic of Turkey, whose President has declared Putin a friend, has said our SDF partners in the war against ISIS are terrorists, and most recently declared that Hamas, the organization responsible for the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, are not terrorists but in fact freedom fighters. I can find no reason why we should continue to enable and offer military equipment to an autocrat so opposed to our nation\u2019s values.\n\nAs a founding member and co-chair of the Armenia Caucus, as well as a committed supporter of democracies around the world, I believe we should send a clear message to our friends and adversaries by taking the measures outlined above. The United States must be a partner to all those who share common values, including upholding democracy, human rights, and the sovereignty of all nations. I look forward to working with the Committee and its members and staff on increasing and sustaining U.S. engagement with fledgling and established democracies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-house-resolution-798", "Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on House Resolution 798", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement regarding her vote on House Resolution 798:\n\nI\u2019m deeply disturbed by the sharp rise in anti-semitism in recent years and particularly since the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7th and the resulting hostilities. In recent weeks, I\u2019ve spoken to Jewish leaders in the 12th District and beyond about the fears of members of the Jewish Community. Our Jewish neighbors are scared. They are worried for the safety of their children and their relatives; here and abroad. Some have even resorted to hiding outward expressions of their faith.\n\nThe anti-semitic harassment of our Jewish neighbors is not acceptable. This extends to places of higher learning. New Jersey has a proud tradition of fostering college campuses that thrive on diverse student bodies and a diversity of opinion. It has created a richer, more vibrant democracy. We\u2019ve endeavored to create an environment in which free expression and robust debate are celebrated. That very ideal depends upon the creation of an environment where students feel free to express themselves without fear of harassment or attack.\n\nRising anti-semitism on college campuses is appalling. We must condemn it clearly and take a serious and measured approach to combating it. House Resolution 798 does not meet this standard.\n\nWhile H. Res. 798, which was passed on the House floor last night, contained important sentiments condemning anti-semitism, it also included detrimental factual errors and failed to meet the standard of fighting anti-semitism and misinformation. It falsely implied that instances of anti-semitism have gone unchallenged by university administrators, which is untrue for each specific incident listed. The incidents at Stanford, Cornell, and George Washington University were each reported and investigated, resulting in disciplinary action and denouncement from each institution. Perhaps most harmfully, the student senate at Brandeis, whose larger student union released a statement condemning Hamas, is listed in this resolution a perpetrator of anti-semitism.\n\nThe Republican-authored bill notably deviated from the bipartisan Rosen-Blackburn resolution condemning campus anti-semitism which passed the Senate unanimously last week.\n\nRepresentative Molinaro\u2019s bipartisan resolution, of which I am a cosponsor, better acknowledges the rise in anti-semitic incidents across the country. I am also supporting the bipartisan Kustoff-Wasserman Schultz resolution focusing on anti-semitism on campuses, which contains the exact same language as that which passed the Senate with unanimous support.\n\nAt a time of such heightened emotions and stress, Congress must hold itself to a standard of accuracy that does not contribute to increased division or continued trauma. Unsurprisingly the rise of hateful rhetoric, including the recent uptick in anti-semitic and Islamophobic language, can be attributed, in part, to the increased dissemination of misinformation across many modes of communication. It is unacceptable and unfair to the American people for legislation passed by the House of Representatives to be one of those vehicles of unfactual, biased, or misrepresented information.\n\nAnti-semitism has no place in America and I will continue to fight to ensure our country and our state is a place in which everyone can worship safely and peacefully.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/statement-of-senators-regarding-humanitarian-aid-to-civilians-in-gaza", "STATEMENT OF SENATORS REGARDING HUMANITARIAN AID TO CIVILIANS IN GAZA", "2023-11-03", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to issue the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe tragic war in Gaza, initiated by Hamas terrorist attacks on innocent civilians on October 7, is causing heartbreaking suffering among Israelis, Palestinians and citizens of other nations living in the region.\n\n\u201cIsrael has the right and obligation to defend itself against Hamas, whose leadership continues to state clearly that their goal is the complete annihilation of Israel. Israel also has the obligation, pursuant to international law, to conduct that defense in such a way as to minimize harm to civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those who are suffering. We acknowledge the increased burden that this necessarily places on Israel to accomplish these obligations.\n\n\u201cHamas\u2019s horrific actions cannot be ascribed to all Palestinians. Indeed, Palestinian residents of Gaza have often been victimized by Hamas.\n\n\u201cAs Senators, we have been closely monitoring the war in Gaza and believe that much more must be done to protect civilian life. We have been in ongoing dialogue with government officials in the United States, Israel and other nations in the region. We have communicated extensively with international aid officials doing work in Gaza, including those working together with the U.S. Agency for International Development. And we have talked at length with our own constituents who have family and friends in the region.\n\n\u201cThe failure to adequately protect non-combatant civilians risks dramatic escalation of the conflict in the region and imposes severe damage on prospects for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. Based on the consensus opinion of U.S. and international aid officials, it is nearly impossible to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to protect civilian life under current conditions.\n\n\u201cThus, we join President Biden in his call for a short-term cessation of hostilities that pose high-risk to civilians, aid workers or humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza, in order to accomplish three goals:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=82F34BE5-39B8-4D8F-84C1-C59A7CAAC75A", "Rep. Norcross Announces More Than $600,000 For School Safety in South Jersey", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) announced a $602,148 Department of Justice (DOJ) award for the Collingswood Public School District to support evidence-based strategies that prevent student violence and keeps students safe.\n\n\u201cAs a father and a grandfather, I know that school safety is top of mind for South Jersey families, students, and teachers,\u201d said Rep. Norcross. \u201cNo child should go to school fearing for their safety and no parent should be worried about their child\u2019s safety while at school. School safety is a collaborative effort, and this federal funding will give Collingswood Public School District more tools to prevent violence, support teachers, and keep students safe. I will continue to fight to provide school officials and law enforcement officials with the tools and resources they need to keep our children safe.\u201d\n\nThe DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance seeks to help districts improve K-12 school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence and ensure a positive school climate.\n\n\u201cIn Collingswood Public School District, we are committed to equipping our schools with the resources and tools needed to positively impact school culture and student safety. We are thankful to Rep. Norcross and his office for the continued advocacy for South Jersey schools and to all of the Collingswood faculty and staff who helped secure these much-needed funds from the Department of Justice,\u201d said Collingswood Public School District superintendent Dr. Fredrick McDowell.\n\nThe STOP School Violence Program is administered by the DOJ\u2019s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and provides grants to state, local, and tribal government to prevent student violence by training school personnel and educating students, developing technology solutions, coordinating with law enforcement agencies, establishing threat assessment and intervention teams, and expanding mental health crisis training.\n\nAward recipients must use evidence-based strategies such as those identified in the National Institute of Justice's Comprehensive School Safety Initiative.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-statement-republicans-partisan-israel-aid-bill", "Pallone Statement on Republicans\u2019 Partisan Israel Aid Bill", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement on Republicans' partisan Israel aid bill:\n\n\u201cThis bill sets a dangerous precedent by politicizing support for Israel and making our ally a pawn of partisan politics. House Republicans must abandon their political stunts and work with Democrats to pass a bipartisan package that provides Israel with the military assistance it needs to defend itself and eliminate Hamas.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-525-million-to-new-jersey-ports-to-improve-operations-enhance-sustainability", "Booker Announces $52.5 million to New Jersey Ports to Improve Operations, Enhance Sustainability", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced $52.5 million in funding to New Jersey ports to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of goods.\n\nThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is receiving $32 million for the reconstruction of Berth PN-308 at Port Newark, a project vital to the port\u2019s operations, with regional and national benefits, and $20.5 million is going to South Jersey Port Corporation for environmental remediation and improvements at Paulsboro Marine Terminal.\n\nThe grants are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration\u2019s Port Infrastructure Development Program, which is awarded on a competitive basis to ports for planning and capital projects.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey\u2019s ports are engines of economic development for our region, moving goods, creating jobs, and strengthening our economy,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThese investments will fund critical upgrades that improve port operations and shore up supply chains; secure New Jersey\u2019s position as a leader in clean energy, and create thousands of jobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to provide economic opportunities in our communities and deliver for South Jersey,\u201d said Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ). \u201cThis $20 million investment in the Port of Paulsboro will expand and improve the port\u2019s operations, infrastructure, and capacity while creating and supporting good-paying jobs throughout our region. The long-term sustainability of our ports is vital to our economy, and I will continue to support investments that ensure we can meet America\u2019s freight and transportation needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe ships arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey are carrying the goods that power our region\u2019s economy,\u201d said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O\u2019Toole. \u201cThis grant award will make sure those ships have a reliable place to dock \u2013 a rebuilt wharf and pier structure that will last well into the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Port Authority is committed to maintaining the cargo capabilities of the Port of New York and New Jersey at the highest possible level in order to keep the port at the forefront of the nation\u2019s supply chain,\u201d said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. \u201cThis grant is a key element in achieving that ambition.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe greatly appreciate the Biden Administration\u2019s continued investment in the Ports in South Jersey,\u201d said Andrew Saporito, Executive Director and CEO, South Jersey Port. \u201cThrough the support of our federal partners and Governor Murphy, the Paulsboro Marine Terminal is well positioned to attract a diverse cargo portfolio.\u201d\n\nThe New Jersey grant awards are:\n\n$32 million to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the replacement and modernization of Berth PN-308 at Port Newark, which has been out of service since September 2021 due to structural safety concerns. Specific project activities include demolition and debris removal, pile driving and capping, as well as deck installation. The project will reconstruct the wharf for a 75-year service-life, increase the live load criteria from 500 pounds per square foot (psf) to 2,000 psf, and implement flexible resiliency enhancements such as elevating the structure to manage sea level rise.\n\n$20.5 million to the South Jersey Port Corporation for the construction of a Main Terminal Sanitary Pump Station and Offsite Conveyance; constructing stormwater collection and treatment infrastructure as well as yard piping needed to provide utility connections; final grading and paving to include the removal and disposal of excess contaminated soil and the protection or relocation of existing monitoring wells; construction of 15 high-mast-light poles; electrical infrastructure improvements to include a secondary main transformer, new switchgear, and completion of electrical loops; redevelopment of approximately 2 acres for employee parking; security improvements including fencing and relocation of a guard booth; and decommissioning and restoration of a groundwater treatment plant to convert it for use in port operations.\n\nBooker wrote letters to U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration in support of both projects.\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Booker voted for, appropriated $450 million to the Port Infrastructure Development Program in FY2023, and the FY2023 government funding bill made another $212 million available for the program.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-federal-firearm-licensing-act", "Booker Reintroduces Federal Firearm Licensing Act", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As the toll from the epidemic of gun violence and deadly mass shootings across the country, most recently in Lewiston, Maine, continues to grow, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, reintroduced the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, legislation that would require individuals to obtain a federal firearm license before purchasing or receiving a firearm.\n\nStudies have shown that licensing laws can significantly reduce gun violence in places that have enacted them. For example, according to the Giffords Law Center, Connecticut saw its gun homicide and gun suicide rates decrease by 28 and 33 percent, respectively, after passing a state licensing law. In contrast, after Missouri repealed its firearm licensing law, the state saw a 47 percent increase in its gun homicide rate and 24 percent increase in its gun suicide rate. Licensing laws also enjoy strong support from Americans, with 77% backing the idea according to a Quinnipiac survey from 2019.\n\n\u201cThe epidemic of gun violence and mass shootings continues to claim the lives of thousands of innocent Americans every year,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cIf you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to own and use a gun. Data shows that states that have implemented licensing laws have significantly reduced gun-related deaths. This legislation would mirror this common-sense idea at the federal level and enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals seeking to purchase firearms pass a standard background check and are properly trained before obtaining a required license. We are not powerless to stop the carnage in our communities. Meaningful reforms like this will prevent gun violence, save lives, and make our communities safer.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis common-sense, straightforward measure would require a license to own a gun. States like Connecticut have successfully implemented this very simple standard\u2014requiring a background check and firearm safety training before being able to purchase a firearm. As gun violence continues to horrifically claim innocent lives and with most Americans in support of licensing laws, this is a bill whose time has come,\u201d said Senator Blumenthal.\n\n\u201cThis is simple: in order to buy a deadly weapon, you should be trained and licensed. Right now, you need a license to drive a car, but in some states, you need nothing more than cash to buy a gun. States like Hawai\u2018i with background checks and gun licensing requirements have shown us that this policy is effective in lowering gun-related deaths. Our bill would apply those same commonsense standards on the federal level, which will help keep more communities safe and save lives,\u201d said Senator Schatz.\n\n\u201cThe most recent, devastating mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine is yet another example of the urgent need for meaningful gun reform in this country. Too many Americans are terrified to simply go about living their lives \u2013 sending their kids to school, going to the grocery store, attending a concert \u2013 due to this scourge of gun violence. We are the only nation on earth whose citizens routinely risk getting gunned down when they walk out of their homes. This is an unacceptable reality. We, as legislators, need to step up and protect our communities the best way we can \u2013 with legislation like the Federal Firearm Licensing Act,\u201d said Senator Menendez. \u201cThis legislation requires individuals in the United States to obtain a federal firearm license, receive training and go through a background check before purchasing or receiving a firearm. These are not onerous restrictions; they are just common sense. I am proud to join Senator Booker in cosponsoring this critical, life-saving legislation that prioritizes the safety and well-being of individuals and families in New Jersey and throughout the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation is awash in guns\u2014just this year alone, there have been more than 500 mass shootings in communities across our country,\u201d said Senator Hirono. \u201cAs we work to combat our nation\u2019s gun violence epidemic, I hope this bill will move us closer to stemming the scourge of gun violence. I\u2019m proud to support the Federal Firearm Licensing Act to help protect our communities from gun violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo many families have buried loved ones because of senseless gun violence and it\u2019s long past time for Congress to find the courage to take action on this issue, \u201d said Representative Kim. \u201cI\u2019ve heard from families across our state that we should prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands and take common sense steps like requiring background checks and a license to own a lethal weapon to make our communities safer and save lives. I\u2019m proud to reintroduce this bill in the House and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues in the Senate to get this passed into law so we can deliver the security and freedoms our families deserve.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would require:\n\nAn individual to completed firearm safety training, which must include a written test and hands-on training to ensure safe use and accuracy.\n\nAttorney General to conduct a history background check of any individual purchasing a firearm.\n\nThe federal firearm license must be renewed every five years at which point the applicant will have to go through a background check and undergo firearm safety training again. The bill contains a mechanism for the U.S. Department of Justice to revoke a license if an individual poses a danger to themselves or to others. The legislation would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation to regularly conduct checks to ensure that individuals are in compliance with federal license requirements and keep in place requirements that all people purchasing firearms from a federal firearms licensee undergo a background check.\n\nThe legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI); U.S. Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6A08EF9C-31E2-4F20-8939-19F4ED7E8D88", "Rep. Norcross Hosts Roundtable with Jewish Community and Faith Leaders and Law Enforcement Officials to Combat Rise of Antisemitism", "2023-11-01", "2023", "2023-11", "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) hosted a roundtable discussion with Jewish community and faith leaders and local law enforcement officials focused on combatting the rise of antisemitism and violence against Jews in South Jersey and across the United States.\n\nAccording to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), reported incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault have increased by 388% following the October 7 attack on Israel compared to the same period last year. The ADL also found that out of 312 antisemitic incidents between October 7-23, 2023, 190 were directly linked to the war in Israel and Gaza.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, some people have justified the horrific slaughter of more than 1,400 Israelis by Hamas to justify antisemitism and hatred against Jewish people in South Jersey and the United States. Since the October 7th attack, we have seen a significant rise in disturbing antisemitism incidents across the United States and around the world,\u201d Rep. Norcross said. \u201cEnough is enough. That\u2019s why I brought together faith leaders, community leaders, and law enforcement officials today to discuss ways we can combat hatred and better support people in South Jersey. Everyone, including our Jewish brothers and sisters, deserves to be safe and secure in our communities, and it begins with being forceful and unequivocal in calling out hatred and antisemitism. Our country and our community\u2019s strength are our diversity of people and ideas and now more than ever we have to work together as one to stand up and protect against antisemitism and bigotry in all shapes and forms. I will continue to work across all levels of government to ensure that South Jersey remains a safe and inclusive place for all.\u201d\n\nThe roundtable brought together local law enforcement, elected officials, and community leaders to share stories from the community about the rise in antisemitism and focus on strategies and solutions to combat hatred and bigotry throughout South Jersey.\n\n\u201cMy sincere thanks to Congressman Norcross for bringing this esteemed group together and for working alongside the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and our family of agencies, our Jewish community\u2019s leaders and law enforcement to keep our community safe,\u201d said Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, CEO, Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. \u201cWe are committed to continued collaboration and combatting antisemitism and hate in all forms.\u201d\n\nRep. Norcross was joined by Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, CEO Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, David Fleisher, Council President Cherry Hill Township, Susan Shinn-Angulo, Mayor, Cherry Hill Township, Robert Kempf, Cherry Hill Police Chief, Walt Miller, Evesham Police Chief, Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash, Executive Director, JFed Security LLC Bud Monaghan, Rabbi Yisroel Tzvi Serebrowski, Torah Links Minyan, Rabbi Bryan Wexler, Temple Beth Sholom, Rabbi David Englander, Beth El, Tim Chatten, Camden County, First Assistant Prosecutor, David Deitz, Camden County, Section Chief of Major Crimes, Oded Kraus, Executive Director, JCC, and Raechel Hammer, Executive Director, Jewish family & Children\u2019s service of Southern New Jersey.\n\nFor pictures from the roundtable and press conference, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-transition-clean-energy-lowering-costs-families-and-creating-jobs", "Pallone: The Transition to Clean Energy is Lowering Costs for Families and Creating Jobs", "2023-11-01", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Avenel, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined a cord connection event with local elected officials and New Jersey-based renewable energy company Solar Landscape to launch a new solar energy project that will provide eligible households in New Jersey with affordable, clean energy. This community solar project will save households in the area an estimated $160 per year on their utility bills.\n\nToday\u2019s cord connection event officially makes New Jersey home to the largest number of community solar projects for low- and moderate-income families in the country. Solar Landscape will have 50 operational community solar projects, bringing affordable community solar to over 10,000 New Jersey households and saving them an estimated $2 million per year on their home energy bills.\n\nThe solar energy project was made possible by a solar investment tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress, Pallone included provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the transition to a low-carbon economy by investing in clean energy, distributed energy resources, energy storage systems, and microgrids \u2013 all of which are crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.\n\nThe project will also create jobs in New Jersey thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In June, Solar Landscape received an Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships award from the Department of Energy from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The company will work with Edison Job Corps to expand its Solar Training and Education Partnership for Underserved Populations (STEP-UP) program that trains American workers to install community solar projects.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to join Solar Landscape and Edison Job Corps today to announce the launch of a new community solar project that will lower costs for families in New Jersey, continue our transition to a clean energy economy, and create new jobs right here at home. These investments help ensure our state is ready to tackle the challenges of the climate crisis head on,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cThis project is just more proof that we can empower our workers with new, good paying jobs as we work to lower costs for hardworking Americans. I'm proud that our state is leading the way on our path toward a clean, low-carbon future and showing that we don\u2019t have to choose between fighting climate change and economic growth. As the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I\u2019ll continue to advocate for investments in our transition to a clean economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cWoodbridge Township is excited to again welcome Congressman Pallone to Woodbridge as we announce our partnership with Solar Landscape to implement a brand new community solar project that will help our residents save money on their electric bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,\u201d said Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac. \u201cCommunity solar projects allow access to solar energy without installing panels or owning your own home. As a result, the program helps to widen the range of residents who can participate in the clean energy transition. I am proud of our local businesses, including RPM Warehousing & Transportation, for taking this important step toward realizing the many benefits of acting as a host site for these fantastic renewable energy endeavors. Expanding access to solar within our community helps ensure clean energy equity and reaffirms the Township\u2019s commitment to innovative clean energy initiatives that contribute to the health and sustainability of our community.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-bicameral-legislation-to-address-childhood-obesity-in-us", "Booker Introduces Bicameral Legislation to Address Childhood Obesity in U.S.", "2023-10-31", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the bicameral Reducing Obesity in Youth Act, legislation that would address the epidemic of childhood obesity in America. The bill would create incentives to improve the future health of American children and affect future national health care costs and national security. U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the House version last month.\n\nAccording to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, roughly one in five children in the United States between the ages of 2 and 19 is affected by obesity.\n\n\"A healthy nation starts with healthy children,\" said Senator Booker. \"Childhood obesity not only poses a health crisis, leading to higher risks of chronic diseases, stroke, and heart conditions but also carries significant economic implications. This bicameral bill will allocate funds for grant programs that encourage healthy dietary choices and ensure a healthier future for all our children.\"\n\n\u201cI have long been concerned that Tennessee has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the nation. The national childhood obesity rate is dangerously high but, in recent years, Tennessee has trended even higher than the national average. The Reducing Obesity in Youth Act I am introducing with Senator Booker would reverse this trend and improve the health and well-being of America\u2019s children. Research shows that early childhood is an important time for developing positive dietary and physical activity behaviors. The House and Senate bills being introduced would create a competitive grant program to incentivize the development of earlier health and nutrition education environments for our children. A healthy start will lead to healthy lives,\u201d said Representative Cohen.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, Better Children\u2019s Diets, Curricula Concepts, Inc., First Focus Campaign for Children, Florida Chapter for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Council of Southeast Florida, Jump in for Healthy Kids, Kids Forward, Laurie M. Trisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy, Le Bonheur Children\u2019s Hospital, Mary Ann Liebert Inc., Nemours Children\u2019s Health System, Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, Save the Children, and the Society of Behavioral Medicine.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kim-usda-announce-community-facility-funding-in-burlington-county", "Booker, Kim, USDA Announce Community Facility Funding in Burlington County", "2023-10-31", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), U.S. Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ), and USDA Rural Development State Director Jane Asselta announced $13.6 million in grant and loan awards for the township of Edgewater Park for the construction of a public safety building and a community center.\n\n\u201cI'm thrilled to see Edgewater Park receive these vital federal investments for its public safety building and community center,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThis mix of grant and loans will address the growing needs of the community by providing space to support public safety, civic administration, and community events. This funding is testament to the dedication of local leaders and Rep. Kim\u2019s and the USDA\u2019s commitment to serving all our communities.\"\n\n\u201cI am proud to officially break ground in Edgewater Park. This project will go a long way to support law enforcement\u2019s work keeping people safe and make regular, municipal services more accessible to the community in one, easy-to-access location with a new community center right next door,\u201d said Representative Kim. \u201cI am glad to have been able to connect federal funds to local needs in Edgewater Park. I look forward to seeing the new facility\u2019s doors open and help ease some everyday burdens for neighbors, local municipal employees, and law enforcement.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe needs of rural New Jersey communities are our priority, and these Edgewater Park projects demonstrate our ability to assist towns buy, build or repair facilities that are an essential part of the social fabric of any community,\u201d said USDA Rural Development State Director Asselta. \u201cExpanding access to essential civic resources drives economic growth, strengthens community ties, and showcases our continued collaboration with local and state representatives \u2013 the result is for small towns to thrive.\u201d\n\nThe projects \u2013 financed by the USDA Rural Development\u2019s Community Facilities Program, which is designed to provide affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas \u2013 will serve more than 8,000 Edgewater Park residents.\n\nPublic Safety Building\n\nUSDA Rural Development funded the Public Safety Building through a $4,400,000 grant and $6,140,000 loan to fulfill the township's growing demands to accommodate Edgewater\u2019s public safety and civic administration needs. The civic administration section of the building will feature a covered arcade main entrance opening into a welcoming lobby where patrons can traverse to several areas: court reception, law enforcement, complaint intake, a dedicated court room, and a large seminar training room. The building will also house the law enforcement department, a judge's chamber, and a separate emergency management services suite.\n\nCommunity Center\n\nUSDA Rural Development funded the community center, through a $3,098,000 loan, that will contain a commercial kitchen to host cooking classes and house the community's nutritional program. The center will also contain two restrooms with American with Disabilities Act compliant shower rooms for residents and features a large community room designed to hold 100 persons for community events.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comunicado-de-prensa-la-oficina-del-congresista-rob-menendez-cierra-con-exito", "Comunicado De Prensa: La Oficina del Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez Cierra con \u00c9xito el Mil\u00e9simo Caso Constituyente", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Hoy, el Congresista Rob Men\u00e9ndez anunci\u00f3 el cierre de su mil\u00e9simo caso constituyente. Desde que asumi\u00f3 el cargo en enero, el Congresista Men\u00e9ndez y su equipo han trabajado para resolver casos de constituyentes que van desde casos complejos de inmigraci\u00f3n hasta la devoluci\u00f3n de fondos a los residentes y negocios del distrito.\n\n\"Me enorgullece anunciar que nuestro equipo ha resuelto mil casos de constituyentes para los residentes del Octavo Distrito Congresional,\" dijo el congresista Men\u00e9ndez. \"Cuando asumimos el cargo en enero, nos comprometimos a brindar el m\u00e1s alto nivel de servicio a todos los residentes de nuestro distrito. Es un privilegio haber podido ayudar a tantos de nuestros residentes y espero trabajar para resolver muchos m\u00e1s casos.\"\n\nEn los \u00faltimos 10 meses, el equipo del Congresista Men\u00e9ndez ha resuelto casos que incluyen:\n\nCoordinar la llegada segura de los refugiados afganos a Nueva Jersey trabajando con el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos para asegurar entrevistas en la embajada y colocarlos en un puente a\u00e9reo fuera de Afganist\u00e1n;\n\nAcelerar los visados para un sobreviviente del Holocausto y su enfermera a domicilio para permitirles salir de Israel despu\u00e9s del ataque terrorista del 7 de octubre;\n\nFacilitar el pago de tres a\u00f1os de beneficios del Seguro Social y Seguro de Incapacidad (SSDI, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s) para la familia de un constituyente, incluida la devoluci\u00f3n inmediata de m\u00e1s de $40,000 en pagos atrasados faltantes; y\n\nPermitir que un constituyente no sea de los EE. UU. El esposo de una ciudadana puede viajar a los EE. UU. a tiempo para el nacimiento de su hijo a trav\u00e9s de una aprobaci\u00f3n de visa acelerada.\n\nNuestra oficina ofrece asistencia con una variedad de asuntos con el gobierno federal, incluidos asuntos relacionados con:\n\nInmigraci\u00f3n, visas de viaje y pasaportes;\n\nServicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS);\n\nServicios para personas mayores, incluidos el Seguro Social y Medicare;\n\nBeneficios y programas para veteranos;\n\nEstatus militar, beneficios y programas;\n\nProgramas federales de subsidios y ayuda para peque\u00f1as empresas;\n\nY m\u00e1s.\n\nPara obtener m\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n sobre los servicios que ofrecemos, visite www.menendez.house.gov/services o contacte nuestra oficina.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/office-congressman-rob-menendez-successfully-closes-1000th-constituent-case", "Office of Congressman Rob Menendez Successfully Closes 1,000th Constituent Case", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M001226", "menendez.house.gov", "menendez", "https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013Today, Congressman Rob Menendez announced the closure of his 1,000th constituent case. Since taking office in January, Congressman Menendez and his team have worked to solve constituent cases ranging from complex immigration cases, to returning funds to residents and in-district businesses.\n\n\u201cI am proud to announce that our team has solved 1,000 constituent cases for the residents of the Eighth Congressional District,\u201d said Congressman Menendez. \u201cWhen we took office in January, we made a commitment to provide the highest level of service to every single resident of our district. It is a privilege to have been able to assist so many of our residents and I look forward to working to solve many more cases.\u201d\n\nIn the last 10 months, Congressman Menendez\u2019s team has solved cases that include:\n\nCoordinating the safe arrival of Afghan refugees to New Jersey by working with the United States Department of State to secure embassy interviews and to place them on an airlift out of Afghanistan;\n\nExpediting visas for a Holocaust survivor and their at-home nurse to allow them to leave Israel following the October 7th terrorist attack;\n\nFacilitating the payment of three years worth of Social Security and Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for the family of a constituent, including the immediate return of over $40,000 in missing backpay; and\n\nAllowing a constituent\u2019s non-U.S. citizen\u2019s husband to travel to the U.S. in time for the birth of their child through an expedited visa approval.\n\nOur office offers assistance with a variety of matters with the federal government including issues related to:\n\nImmigration, travel visas, and passports;\n\nInternal Revenue Service (IRS);\n\nSenior services including Social Security and Medicare;\n\nVeterans benefits and programs;\n\nMilitary status, benefits, and programs;\n\nFederal small business grant and aid programs;\n\nAnd more.\n\nFor more information on the services we offer, please visit www.menendez.house.gov/services or contact our office.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-joins-relaunch-brownfields-development-assistance-program-new-jersey", "Pallone Joins Relaunch of Brownfields Development Assistance Program for New Jersey Municipalities", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Sayreville, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined a press conference today to announce the relaunch of the Brownfields Development Assistance Program for New Jersey municipalities. Pallone authored the bipartisan bill that created the Brownfields program in 2002. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Congress passed and President Biden signed into law injected $1.5 billion nationwide into the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Brownfields program to help communities clean up contaminated industrial sites and turn the spaces into parks, housing developments, or new businesses.\n\nIn September, the Biden Administration announced $235 million in grants from the law to assess and clean up polluted Brownfield sites across the country. The new grants through EPA\u2019s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) program will help transform what were once polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets while spurring economic revitalization in underserved communities.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s great to be in Sayreville today for the relaunch of the Brownfields Development Assistance Program. Together with this program and the funding I included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, communities across New Jersey will be able to repurpose the land and return it to good use. The relaunch of this program will help build on our progress across New Jersey to clean up and revitalize these contaminated sites so we can generate new jobs and economic opportunities,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to everyone who joined us today, including Commissioner LaTourette and Speaker Coughlin. I\u2019ll keep fighting to ensure every community \u2013 particularly those that have been historically overlooked and underserved \u2013 receives the resources they need.\u201d\n\nIn 2022, Pallone announced that New Jersey received $6.5 million to clean up Brownfield sites through the first round of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including:\n\n$2 million for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) for Perth Amboy, Atlantic City, Bridgeton, Jersey City, Millville, Paterson, and Trenton\n\n$500,000 for Asbury Park\n\n$3.5 million for the Camden Redevelopment Agency\n\n$500,000 for Hamilton Township", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-joins-state-and-local-leaders-launch-south-amboy-ferry", "Pallone Joins State and Local Leaders for Launch of South Amboy Ferry", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "South Amboy, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today joined state and local leaders for the launch of the South Amboy ferry. The ferry will provide direct service from South Amboy to Lower and Midtown Manhattan.\n\nPallone advocated for the $5.3 million in federal funding that was awarded from the Federal Transit Administration in support of the city\u2019s Passenger Ferry Grant Program application. The project will help meet commuter demand between Central New Jersey and New York City and strengthen the area\u2019s economy.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to join state and local leaders in South Amboy today to witness the launch of the ferry. This moment is the culmination of years of hard work from everyone joining us today. The South Amboy ferry will give residents a new way to commute between Central Jersey and New York City and reduce traffic congestion,\u201d Pallone said. \u201cThe ferry will also bolster economic opportunities in the city and surrounding area. I\u2019m glad to see the federal funding I helped secure for the project in action, and I want to thank everyone who joined us today for their dedication to this important project.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"], ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-biden-executive-order-on-artificial-intelligence", "Booker Applauds Biden Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence", "2023-10-30", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cI commend President Biden, Vice President Harris, and their Administration for the Executive Order announced today to capture the promise of artificial intelligence and effectively manage its risks.\n\n\u201cThe Executive Order is further evidence that the United States is poised to lead the world not just in the development of cutting-edge AI technologies, but also in the development of sound and balanced policies to responsibly govern their use.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad to see that the Executive Order includes many of the principles and priorities I shared with the White House earlier this year, including the need for provisions to bolster AI research and development, promote innovation, combat AI-enabled discrimination, advance equity and civil rights, and otherwise maximize the benefits of AI for all people \u2013 not just the most fortunate.\n\n\u201cAs the Senate continues its critical work under Leader Schumer to develop policies to invest in AI and establish needed guardrails, I\u2019m grateful to the Administration for its efforts to date, and I look forward to our continued collaboration to a create a fair, safe, and secure AI future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 551, "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": "2023"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 551, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NJ&year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 336, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 215, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "NJ", "label": "NJ", "count": 551, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2023", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023", "results": [{"value": "2023", "label": "2023", "count": 551, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2023-10-30,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebooker~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress~2Fbooker-applauds-biden-executive-order-on-artificial-intelligence", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NJ&year=2023&_next=2023-10-30%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ebooker~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress~2Fbooker-applauds-biden-executive-order-on-artificial-intelligence&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 488.76351909711957, "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"}