{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-concludes-2026-annual-21-county-tour", "Booker Concludes 2026 Annual 21-County Tour", "2026-08-28", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEW JERSEY \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker concluded his 2026 Annual 21-County Tour, underscoring his commitment to fighting \u2014 and delivering \u2014 for New Jersey\u2019s priorities in the Senate. Since launching the tradition 13 years ago, Senator Booker\u2019s tours have spotlighted new federal investments, advanced local priorities, and strengthened partnerships with organizations, businesses, and industries across all 21 counties.\n\n\u201cEvery stop on this tour reminded me why I love this job,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cI met extraordinary people in every corner of our state who are caring for their neighbors, lifting up their communities, and showing what is possible when we come together. I end this tour with deep gratitude and even more Jersey pride. It is the honor of my life to represent New Jersey in Washington, and I\u2019ll never stop fighting for the people of our state.\u201d\n\nSenator Booker concluded his tour with stops in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties, highlighting federal investments, local economic development, and support for New Jersey farmers.\n\nIn Atlantic County, Senator Booker visited the Orange Loop, an Opportunity Zone neighborhood, where he met with local business owners and entrepreneurs for a roundtable discussion and driving tour. He heard directly about their experiences and saw firsthand how his Opportunity Zone legislation has helped spur economic development, support small businesses, and create new opportunities in historically underserved communities.\n\nAlso in Atlantic County, Senator Booker toured the AtlantiCare Trauma Center and helipad and presented AtlantiCare Health System with a ceremonial check commemorating the $1 million FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending award he secured for the hospital. He met with hospital leadership and frontline staff to discuss the importance of this federal investment in strengthening emergency response capabilities. The funding will help ensure New Jersey families have access to high-quality care when they need it most.\n\nIn Cape May County, Senator Booker toured the Cape May\u2013Lewes Ferry Terminal\u2019s three-vessel fleet and celebrated a $30 million Federal Transit Administration award he helped secure for the Delaware River and Bay Authority to purchase a new diesel-hybrid ferry. The award builds on a previous $20 million award he secured in 2024. He also discussed the $9.6 million FTA award to the Borough of Carteret and NJ TRANSIT\u2019s Carteret Ferry Service Expansion Project, highlighting how the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering investments that will strengthen New Jersey\u2019s transportation infrastructure, tourism, and economic development.\n\n\"For over 60 years, the Cape May\u2013Lewes Ferry has been a vital crossing connecting New Jersey and Delaware, which is a significant contributor to our regional economy,\u201d said Joel Coppadge, Executive Director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority. \u201cThis grant award is critical toward our efforts to modernize our fleet with cleaner, more efficient hybrid technology for the next generation. Beyond the environmental benefits, this investment safeguards an essential engine that drives more than $250 million in annual tourism and economic activity to the region. We are incredibly thankful for Senator Booker\u2019s dedicated advocacy on behalf of the DRBA and the thousands of travelers who depend on our crossing every day.\"\n\nIn Cumberland County, Senator Booker ended the day with a visit to Cedar Rose Vineyards, where he saw firsthand the crop damage caused by the April freeze and met with farmers who suffered significant crop losses. He also received a briefing on the freeze\u2019s impact across the state and discussed his efforts to secure federal disaster relief for farmers.\n\nSenator Booker\u2019s 2026 Annual 21-County Tour included:\n\nAnnouncing the Rory Ahern Act in Ocean County, legislation to expand NARCAN training for first responders, school personnel, and substance use treatment professionals and help prevent overdose deaths.\n\nHighlighting more than $33.5 million in federal investments he helped secure for New Jersey, including $2 million for Inspira Health Network, $1 million for AtlantiCare, $559,000 for Liberty Science Center\u2019s new mobile planetarium, and $30 million for a new diesel-hybrid ferry for the Cape May\u2013Lewes Ferry.\n\nHonoring New Jersey veterans across Bergen and Monmouth Counties, includingpresenting medals and certificates to 57 veterans and hosting a Veterans Town Hallto listen directly to veterans and their families and stand up for the services and support they have earned.\n\nSupporting New Jersey families facing food insecurity, including visits to theFranklin Food Bank in Somerset County, the Greater Mount Zion Food Pantry in Trenton, and Cathedral Kitchen in Camden County.\n\nMeeting with researchers, students, and workers at Hackensack Meridian Health\u2019s Center for Discovery and Innovation, Salem Community College\u2019s Glass Education Center, and L\u2019Or\u00e9al Groupe\u2019s North America Research and Innovation Center to highlight scientific innovation, STEM education, and workforce development.\n\nSupporting New Jersey farmers and small businesses, including visits to theHunterdon County 4-H & Agricultural Fair, Wharton\u2019s Canal Day festival, Atlantic City\u2019s Orange Loop, and the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce, as well as meeting with Cumberland County farmers facing significant crop losses from the April freeze and discussing federal disaster relief.\n\nSEE ALSO:", 1, "2026-08-29T11:31:28Z", "2026-08-29T11:32:37Z"]], "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"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-concludes-2026-annual-21-county-tour"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.6977388188242912, "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"}