Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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20,595 rows where state = "NJ" sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-hosts-hispanic-heritage-month-roundtable-with-north-jersey-community-leaders-and-advocates | PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Roundtable with North Jersey Community Leaders and Advocates | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable for Hispanic American Heritage Month. BERGENFIELD, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month Roundtable in Bergenfield, bringing together community leaders, advocates, educators, local elected officials, county officials, faith leaders, veteran advocates, and workforce professionals from across North Jersey to celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community and discuss the challenges families continue to face. “It’s this diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures, honestly, that makes North Jersey strong and such a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family,” Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “If we work together to lift one another up and highlight the diversity that gives us our strength, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.” In New Jersey’s Fifth District, more than 151,000 constituents are part of the Hispanic and Latino community, with towns like Hackensack, Englewood, and Bergenfield — where roughly a third of residents are Hispanic — among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the state. This roundtable was hosted during National Hispanic American Heritage Month, which is celebrated every year from September 15th to October 15th to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. First, this observance originated as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Then, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover this 30-day period, from mid-September to mid-October. This event discussed a range of priorities, including access to affordable and culturally competent health care and mental health care, rising costs and housing affordability, community safety and immigration enforcement concerns, language barriers, and barriers to education. Gottheimer was joined by Camelia Valdes, Passaic County Prosecutor; Raúl Ruiz, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers; John Lucas, President of the S… | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-calls-nj-federal-officials-survey-damage-after-storm-anticipating | Pallone Calls for NJ, Federal Officials to Survey Damage After Storm, Anticipating Federal Disaster Declaration | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Frank Pallone, Jr. | P000034 | pallone.house.gov | pallone | https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | LONG BRANCH, NJ – Following heavy rain and coastal flooding caused by a powerful nor’easter that impacted areas across New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today called on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to conduct a prompt survey to assess the damage to the state in anticipation of the necessity for a federal disaster declaration. “In some parts of my district 6 to 7 feet of tidal flooding inundated businesses and homes, municipal infrastructure such as piers and bulkheads are severely damaged, and cars on the street are submerged in flood water,” Pallone wrote. “While it appears that flood control projects, berms, and raised homes saved many areas from even worse damage, the destruction left behind from this storm is significant.” Pallone also thanked Governor Sherrill for her proactive state of emergency declaration, and reiterated his willingness to work with state officials to provide the necessary federal funds to help towns, businesses, and residents recover from the storm. Full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Commissioner Potosnak and Acting State Director Hengemuhle: Over the weekend, my district and areas across New Jersey were hit by a powerful nor’easter storm that resulted in intense rainfall, tidal surges, and forceful winds. I appreciate your willingness to conduct a prompt survey to assess damage to our state. This is necessary in my effort to secure a federal disaster declaration, should the damage survey thresholds be met. From power outages to substantial coastal erosion, this nor’easter has brought dangerous conditions to our state. In its most recent forecast, the National Weather Service warned that the nor'easter would likely continue heavy rain and tidal surges on mid-Atlantic and northeastern states through Monday night. Coastal sections of New Jersey are seeing signific… | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-urges-ferc-protect-pjm-customers-stronger-data-center-rules | Pallone Urges FERC to Protect PJM Customers with Stronger Data Center Rules | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Frank Pallone, Jr. | P000034 | pallone.house.gov | pallone | https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today urging the Commission to use its authority to approve and strengthen recent proposals put forth by PJM surrounding its handling of data centers. “Americans are deeply frustrated and concerned that the rapid and unceasing development of data centers is driving up their monthly energy bills. At the end of the day, protecting Americans’ power bills is FERC’s responsibility,” Pallone wrote in his letter to FERC Chairman Laura Swett. “While I support many of the provisions included in the proposals, I am concerned that they do not go far enough and believe [FERC] should use its authority to improve PJM’s proposals to protect families across the mid-Atlantic region.” Pallone explained that data centers are responsible for an increase in PJM capacity market costs of nearly $30 billion since the summer of 2024. Meanwhile, demand for electricity over the next decade is expected to explode, with PJM forecasting a roughly four percent increase in peak demand each year driven almost entirely by data centers. PJM is therefore suggesting it implement three reforms: requiring data centers to pay for new power plants to make PJM’s grid reliable, requiring data centers to bring their own new generation capacity online, and creating a registry of data centers within PJM’s boundaries. Pallone writes that while he supports these goals, FERC should impose the following improvements to strengthen them: Ensure that data centers are responsible for all the costs they cause, not just for new power plants designed to shore up reliability; Make the requirement for data centers to bring their own new generation capacity online permanent; and Make the proposed data center registry public so that every American has access to the information they need to protect and empower their communities. “Last year, my constituents saw an outrageous 20 percent increase in their power bills, fueled… | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-introduces-safe-water-schools-act-protect-students-lead | Pou Introduces Safe Water for Schools Act to Protect Students from Lead | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Nellie Pou | P000621 | pou.house.gov | pou | https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, last week introduced H.R. 10596, the Safe Water for Schools Act, legislation to help schools across the country replace aging drinking water fountains and monitor their water for dangerous lead contamination. “Every parent should be able to send their child to school knowing the water they drink is safe,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Last year, testing in Paterson in our district found lead in water fountains and faucets throughout our schools, including dangerous levels that forced some fixtures out of service. This is a problem we can fix. My new bill will help schools in New Jersey and across America replace old fountains, monitor water, and keep lead away from our children. Safe drinking water isn’t political and should be something every family can count on, no excuses.” The Safe Water for Schools Act would reauthorize a federal grant program under the Safe Drinking Water Act at $7 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The program helps local school districts replace older drinking water fountains and cover the costs of monitoring lead levels in school drinking water. The legislation is endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association and the American Federation of Teachers. The need for this investment has hit close to home in the Garden State. Testing conducted in Paterson Public Schools last year found excessive lead levels in fountains and faucets at 10 schools. Fourteen fixtures registered above the federal action level (15 parts per billion, or ppb), while testing found some amount of lead in a whopping 29.5 percent of the district's fountains and faucets. Congresswoman Pou has made improving water infrastructure a major focus of her first term in Congress. Earlier this month, the House overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Development Act, which includes more than a dozen priorities Pou championed to advance flood protection and water projects across North … | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2099 | Congressman Van Drew Issues Statement on FCC Review of Verizon Copper Service Proposal | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew welcomed the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to prevent Verizon's application to discontinue copper-based telephone service in portions of New Jersey from being automatically approved while the Commission conducts further review. Earlier this month, Congressman Van Drew sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urging the Commission to reject Verizon's proposal. "This is a good first step, and I appreciate Chairman Carr and the FCC for taking these concerns seriously," said Congressman Van Drew. "People across South Jersey reached out to us because they are genuinely worried about losing a service they still depend on, especially in rural areas where cell coverage is not always reliable. I will continue working with Chairman Carr and the FCC as they review this proposal, and I am still asking that it ultimately be rejected." | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-coons-merkley-van-hollen-kaine-call-for-secretary-rubio-to-act-to-de-escalate-tension-in-ethiopias-tigray-region | Booker, Coons, Merkley, Van Hollen, Kaine Call for Secretary Rubio to Act to De-escalate Tension in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee (SFRC) on Africa and Global Health Policy issued the following statement after reports of renewed violent conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions. In the statement, Booker was joined by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in condemning the Trump Administration for allowing sanctions to expire on those who facilitated human rights violations in Tigray and urged for mediation to continue: “We are alarmed by the deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia. As conflict in the Tigray, Oromia and Afar regions escalate, we are seeing the unraveling of the agreement that ended the 2020–2022 Tigray war, which the African Union brokered and the United States strongly supported. The international community must push signatories to the agreement to de-escalate tensions and return to mediation or risk seeing another conflict in the Horn of Africa. “Unfortunately, this resumption of hostilities comes less than a week after the Trump Administration let sanctions expire on individuals and entities that facilitated gross human rights abuses in Tigray. Allowing these sanctions to expire emboldens belligerents that see no checks against their horrific actions and leaves victims without much needed justice. Last week, a truck transporting U.S.-funded food assistance for internally displaced people in Northwestern Tigray was hit in a drone strike by the Ethiopian military. A significant portion of the food assistance was damaged or destroyed, and critical assistance was disrupted for people already facing significant humanitarian needs after the 2020-2022 conflict. The Ethiopian military’s expansive use of drones in Amhara and Oromia is extremely concerning, will only worsen the humanitarian situation and risks widening the conflict. The Tigray People’s Lib… | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-hirono-smith-blumenthal-introduce-legislation-to-allow-use-of-us-foreign-assistance-for-abortion-care-overseas | Booker, Duckworth, Hirono, Smith, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Allow Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance for Abortion Care Overseas | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of International Safe Abortion Day, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act and ensure that U.S. foreign assistance may be used to provide the full scope of comprehensive health care, including safe, and legal access to abortion services. U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Diana DeGette (D-CO-1), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Helms Amendment has prohibited any U.S. foreign assistance funds from being used for “the performance of abortion as a method of family planning” and has acted as a total ban on U.S. foreign aid being used for any abortion services. Due to the Helms Amendment, women are being denied abortion care, and even basic information and counseling. The Helms Amendment also forces providers to distinguish between abortion and all other health services and puts an essential health care service out of reach for too many. The bill also includes language clarifying that under U.S. government policy, safe abortion care is a critical component of comprehensive maternal and reproductive care. “For more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has restricted the use of U.S. foreign assistance for abortion care, with real consequences for women around the world,” said Senator Booker. “Women are turned away from safe care and denied information and counseling about their options. Providers are forced to treat abortion differently from other essential health services. That is not a policy grounded in science, compassion, or dignity. The Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act would end these restrictions and make clear that U.S. global health assistance can support comprehensive reproductive health care, including safe abortion care.” “Reproductive health … | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-takes-to-senate-floor-to-oppose-the-protect-college-sports-act | Booker Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose the Protect College Sports Act | 2026-09-28 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON. DC – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a former Division I college football player, took to the Senate floor to oppose the Protect College Sports Act, standing with college athletes and organizations including the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, and AFL-CIO who have raised serious concerns about a bill that was written without athlete input, shields the NCAA from accountability, and puts the burden of enforcement on athletes themselves. “At its core, it's a bill that undermines the rights of young people who pour their blood, sweat, tears, countless hours of work, and more into their craft, ” said Senator Booker. From his earliest days in the Senate, Senator Booker has been a leading voice on college athletes’ rights, standing with athletes against efforts to roll back the hard-fought protections they have earned. “Listen to the athletes. Listen to those who represent them. This so-called “Protect College Sports Act” isn’t about protecting college athletes—it’s about protecting wealthy coaches, powerful institutions, and an NCAA that’s held unbridled power for decades while athletes faced discrimination and injustice, ” continued Senator Booker. College sports is now a roughly $20 billion industry, with more than 40 football coaches earning over $5 million a year. Just 15 fired coaches collected nearly $250 million in contract buyouts in 2025 alone. “College athletes put their bodies on the line, and generate billions, they deserve a real voice and real rights. This bill pulls the rug out from under them. Athletes deserve leaders who stand with them and I’ll keep fighting alongside them,” said Senator Booker. | 1 | 2026-09-29T11:07:12Z | 2026-09-29T11:08:49Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2098 | Congressman Van Drew Provides Update on Storm Response Across South Jersey | 2026-09-27 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew provided an update on the ongoing response to the nor'easter impacting South Jersey and the work underway to prepare for recovery efforts. "Teams are already in the district assessing conditions and damage, and that work will continue throughout the week," said Congressman Van Drew. "In the coming days, I will be personally meeting with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers, including the FEMA Administrator and the Secretary of the Army, both in the district and on the ground. We are going to stay on top of this and make sure our communities get every federal resource and dollar they are eligible for. We have been through storms like this before. South Jersey is strong, and we will recover. My office will be there every step of the way. "If you are without power, or if there is another storm-related issue in your community that you believe needs attention, please fill out the form below. This will help my office know where problems remain so we can follow up with the appropriate agencies, utilities, or local officials. "Finally, I want to thank our first responders, emergency management teams, utility crews, law enforcement, firefighters, and everyone else who has been working to keep our people safe. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done and continue to do." | 1 | 2026-09-28T11:29:07Z | 2026-09-28T11:30:58Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415873 | Storm Resources | 2026-09-26 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | TOMS RIVER, NJ , Sep 26, 2026 Important Storm Resources: Call 911 for emergencies Report power outage to JCP&L - text “OUT” to 544487 or call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) If you see downed power lines: Call 911 immediately if you see a downed power line. Stay at least 30 feet away and instruct others to do the same. State of NJ’s 24-hour helpline: 211 State of NJ’s preparedness info: ready.nj.gov National Weather Service for Central and Southern NJ Additional resources: Ocean County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM): (732) 929-2044 Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM): (732) 577-8700 ** Be sure to keep cell phones fully charged during this emergency** Sept 2026 National Weather Service Map. | 1 | 2026-09-27T10:23:37Z | 2026-09-27T10:25:08Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415871 | The Daily Wire exclusive article on Smith legislation'Federal Pro-Life Protection Hits Major Milestone As New Attacks Emerge' | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Leif Le Mahieu Published September 25, 2026 Fifty-years ago, a Republican congressman from Illinois named Henry Hyde took action to successfully protect American dollars from being used to end the life of an unborn child. To honor the lawmaker’s legacy, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) on Friday introduced a resolution calling for the continued support of the Hyde Amendment, a measure prohibiting the use of federal dollars to fund abortions. Lankford credits the amendment with saving over 2.5 million babies, according to a copy of a resolution first obtained by The Daily Wire. Lankford’s resolution marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Hyde Amendment, which occurred on September 30, 1976. Since that time, the Hyde Amendment has been repeatedly passed ensuring that federal dollars are not paying for abortions. In recent years, some Democrats have pushed to end the amendment and force Americans to pay for abortions. Credit: YsaL via Getty Images. “For 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been an important protection for American taxpayers. Every child is valuable. No American should ever wonder if the check they’re sending to the IRS on April 15 will be used to pay for someone’s elective abortion,” Lankford Told The Daily Wire. “Hyde was a bipartisan agreement five decades ago, and it has been included in appropriations bills every year since. We should keep that commitment in place.” The resolution says its purpose is to recognize the Hyde Amendment’s “enduring legacy of saving the lives of more than 2,600,000 unborn children and respecting the conscience rights of the American people.” It adds that it wants to “encourages the people of the United States to reflect upon the history and significance of the Hyde amendment and the loss of 63,000,000 babies through abortions that have taken place since Roe v. Wade.” A companion resolution was introduced in the House by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). “I had the honor of serving alongside Rep. Hyde in the House for more than two decades, and I can personally a… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-celebrates-bergen-county-seniors-at-annual-senior-citizens-festival | PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Celebrates Bergen County Seniors at Annual Senior Citizens Festival | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer with Bergen County seniors. PARAMUS, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) attended Bergen County’s Annual Senior Citizens Festival. Gottheimer helped serve lunch, greeted and thanked local seniors and veterans for their contributions to the community, and enjoyed the festival’s games, music, and food at Van Saun County Park. He also spoke to seniors about his focus on helping them battle back senior scams and ensure their veterans benefits, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are protected. “Bergen County’s Annual Senior Citizens Festival is one of the great North Jersey traditions, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than spending the day with our Fifth District seniors,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Bergen County seniors make invaluable contributions to our North Jersey community, and I’ll always work to make their lives more affordable by cutting taxes, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and healthcare, and helping them access the Social Security they’ve earned.” Gottheimer is fighting to support Jersey’s seniors by: Lowering the cost for prescription drugs and health care: Gottheimer helped pass legislation to lower prescription drug costs by capping the cost of insulin under Medicare at $35 per month for thousands of residents from the Fifth District and for more than 77,000 residents across New Jersey. The legislation also caps annual out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 under Medicare. Gottheimer is also working to expand Medicare coverage for lung cancer and expand Alzheimer’s testing, helping seniors get timely answers about their health and the care they need. Making life more affordable for Jersey seniors by helping lower property taxes: Gottheimer announced that New Jersey’s Fifth District has now clawed 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States since he took office, helping to lower property taxes, make life more affordable and safer, and improve North Jersey communities amount to an average of more than $750 clawed ba… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-hosts-local-veterans-100th-birthday-celebrates-american-heros-achievements | PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Local Veteran’s 100th Birthday, Celebrates American Hero’s Achievements | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer celebrates August “Augie” Caccavone’s 100th Birthday. FORT LEE, NJ — Today, Friday, September 25, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a 100th birthday celebration for local WWII veteran August “Augie” Caccavone, honoring his life and his service to his country. Watch Gottheimer’s remarks here. “Augie is a living symbol of perseverance, strength, and service. From fighting in the Battle of the Bulge to earning the Bronze Star for his heroism, he represents the very best of the Greatest Generation,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s an honor to celebrate this incredible milestone with him. Augie and every veteran who wore the uniform had our backs when our country needed them most, and we will always have theirs — that’s a promise I’ll never stop working to keep.” Retired U.S. Army Sergeant August “Augie” Caccavone is a lifelong Bergen County resident and a proud World War II veteran. A veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, Augie served as a Sergeant in the 7th Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for destroying two German machine guns. He also served in the Philippines and with the 8th Army in Japan, exemplifying courage in defense of our nation. At 100 years old, Augie remains an active member of VFW Post 2342, where he continues to support fellow veterans with kindness and good humor. Gottheimer was joined by; Bergen County Clerk John Hogan; Deputy Commissioner of the NJ Dep. of Veterans Affairs Esther Chucaralao; 108th Mission Support Group Commander, Colonel Eric Balint; Bergen County Commissioner Dr. Joan Voss; Senator Gordon Johnson; Fort Lee Mayor Mark J. Sokolich; Fort Lee Councilman Harvey Sohmer; Fort Lee Council President Bryan Drumgoole; Fort Lee Councilman Paul Yoon; Upper Saddle River Mayor Arman Fardanesh; Vernon Township Mayor Anthony Rossi; Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko; Leonia Mayor Bill Ziegler; Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna; Palisades Park Mayor Paul Kim; Palisades Park Councilman Charlie Shin; Palisades Park Councilman Christopher Kwak; Tenafly Councilwoman… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/mejia-secures-six-new-jersey-water-infrastructure-priorities-in-house-passed-bill | Mejia Secures Six New Jersey Water Infrastructure Priorities in House-Passed Bill | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Analilia Mejia | M001246 | mejia.house.gov | mejia | https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | For Immediate Release: September 21, 2026 Contact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov The bipartisan water resources bill includes provisions to advance flood protection, protect wetlands, address harmful algal blooms, and improve access to U.S. Army Corps programs across NJ-11 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) announced that six priorities she championed to strengthen flood protection and protect waterways across New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District were included in the House-passed version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week by a vote of 415-9. The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate. The legislation includes provisions directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to advance flood mitigation efforts along the Whippany River, Rockaway River, and Den Brook, and throughout the Passaic River Basin. It also expands support for natural flood protection, calls for additional federal attention to harmful algal blooms affecting Lake Hopatcong, and makes it easier for communities to navigate USACE programs and access technical assistance. “Flooding is one of the greatest natural threats to families and businesses across New Jersey—it is something our communities have experienced again and again. I fought to make sure that the voices of our communities were heard and that these initiatives moved forward,” said Congresswoman Mejia. “These projects will help us better prepare for flooding, protect our waterways, and give local communities more tools to build the resilient infrastructure they need, before disaster strikes. I will continue working to make sure New Jersey gets its fair share of federal support as we confront the growing impacts of climate change.” The House-passed WRDA includes six priorities championed by Congresswoman Mejia: Whippany River Flooding: The bill directs USACE to expedite its ongoing study of flooding along the Whippany River, helping move the project closer to poten… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mejia-supports-victims-calls-for-immediate-resignation-of-lt-governor-caldwell | Rep. Mejia Supports Victims, Calls for Immediate Resignation of Lt. Governor Caldwell | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Analilia Mejia | M001246 | mejia.house.gov | mejia | https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | For Immediate Release: 9/25/2026 Contact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov Glen Ridge, NJ — Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) released the following statement on the independent investigation into Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell: "Lieutenant Governor Caldwell’s conduct is deeply disappointing and falls far short of the standard we should expect from anyone entrusted with public office. I stand with the victims who had the courage to come forward, and they deserve to be heard, supported, and protected. I have spent my life fighting for accountability and justice for workers facing harassment, which is why I support the actions taken by Governor Sherrill and her call for the Lieutenant Governor’s resignation," said Congresswoman Mejia. "When harassment and ethical violations go unchecked, it sends a message to the public and to state employees that this kind of conduct is tolerated. That is simply unacceptable. Government officials have a responsibility to protect workers, stand up for our values, and fight every day to make life better for everyday New Jerseyans." ### | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-icymi-judge-directs-paramount-state-ags-to-respond-to-booker-letter-challenging-paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement | ICYMI: Judge Directs Paramount, State AGs to Respond to Booker Letter Challenging Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger Settlement | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | Judge assigns “homework:” Respond to Booker’s concerns about proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement by Monday WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, is drawing attention following Thursday’s hearing on the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger for sending a letter to District Judge Araceli Martinez- Olguin urging an independent public-interest review of the settlement, resulting in her specifically “questioning attorneys Thursday about concerns raised by Sen. Booker.” In his letter, Booker urged the court to conduct an independent public-interest review of the agreement. “The proposed settlement has reached the Court without a competitive impact statement, without a public comment period, and without any formal opportunity for theaters, distributors, workers, or consumers to be heard,” Booker wrote in his letter. “The Court should not approve this agreement without first ensuring that the public interest has been adequately considered.” SEE FOR YOURSELF: Variety Judge Questions Legal Points of Paramount’s Settlement With States at Hearing, Says a Ruling Will Come in ‘Due Course’ — Judge Martínez-Olguín requests parties submit replies to Sen. Booker's request for an independent public-interest review By Todd Spangler September 24, 2026 Booker sent a letter Thursday urging the court to subject the settlement to an independent public-interest review before approving it, noting it reached the court without a competitive impact statement, public comment period, or chance for theaters, distributors, workers, or consumers to weigh in. Paramount Skydance filed a brief opposing what it called Booker's improper "pseudo-amicus submission." Judge Martínez-Olguín opened by saying the court "isn't a rubber stamp" of the agreement and that she wanted to confirm the deal resulted from an arm's-length process rather than collusion. California senior assi… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/09/25/2026/booker-introduces-transit-oriented-housing-development-act | Booker Introduces Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act, legislation to expand affordable and workforce housing near major transit hubs across the nation. If enacted, the legislation is projected to create more than two million new housing units across the country and increase access to affordable homes for low-income families. The bill also invests $300 billion over ten years into the national Housing Trust Fund to support the construction of affordable housing. “Our nation faces a housing crisis that threatens the very bedrock of the American dream. For millions of families around the nation and in New Jersey, affordable housing is simply out of reach,” said Senator Booker. “When I was Mayor of Newark, I doubled the production of affordable housing across the city, even when the housing market faced severe turbulence. I am proud to build upon that success at the federal level because it will help address one of New Jerseyans’ most urgent challenges; ensuring our families have access to more affordable housing, high-quality schools and opportunities to thrive.” “Housing affordability is an escalating crisis in New Jersey and communities across the country," said Arnold Cohen, senior policy advisor for the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ. "The need for more homes people can afford is undeniable, and this bill would make a significant investment in building those homes where people can connect to jobs, transit, and opportunity. By expanding access to housing near transit, it would also help communities attract and retain workers, support local businesses, and strengthen our economy." "We appreciate Senator Booker introducing the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act to address our state and national housing affordability challenges in a way that supports transit-oriented development, smart growth, and the creation of more walkable places and connected communities. By expanding funding for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the Natio… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-judge-directs-paramount-state-ags-to-respond-to-booker-letter-urging-court-to-scrutinize_paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement | ICYMI: Judge Directs Paramount, State AGs to Respond to Booker Letter Urging Court to Scrutinize Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger Settlement | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | Judge assigns “homework:” Respond to Booker’s concerns about proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement by Monday WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, is drawing attention following Thursday’s hearing on the proposed $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger for sending a letter to the Court oversee the transaction urging an independent public-interest review of the settlement. District Judge Araceli Martinez- Olguin questioned attorneys representing the studios and states “about concerns raised by Sen. Booker.” In his letter, Booker urged the court to conduct an independent public-interest review of the agreement. SEE FOR YOURSELF: Variety Judge Questions Legal Points of Paramount’s Settlement With States at Hearing, Says a Ruling Will Come in ‘Due Course’ — Judge Martínez-Olguín requests parties submit replies to Sen. Booker's request for an independent public-interest review By Todd Spangler September 24, 2026 Booker sent a letter Thursday urging the court to subject the settlement to an independent public-interest review before approving it, noting it reached the court without a competitive impact statement, public comment period, or chance for theaters, distributors, workers, or consumers to weigh in. Paramount Skydance filed a brief opposing what it called Booker's improper "pseudo-amicus submission." Judge Martínez-Olguín opened by saying the court "isn't a rubber stamp" of the agreement and that she wanted to confirm the deal resulted from an arm's-length process rather than collusion. California senior assistant AG Paula Blizzard and a Paramount attorney both affirmed it was an arm's-length process. Asked how the deal addresses competition concerns, Blizzard said the states worried that blocking the merger outright would just send Warner Bros. Discovery looking for another buyer. Forbes Paramount Merger Settlement Won’t Be Resol… | 1 | 2026-09-27T10:23:37Z | 2026-09-27T10:25:08Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2097 | Congressman Van Drew Statement on Nor'easter This Weekend | 2026-09-25 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew released the following statement as South Jersey prepares for a strong coastal storm this weekend. "We are praying for the best, but preparing for the worst," said Congressman Van Drew. "My office is in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House so that if South Jersey is hit hard, we can make sure our communities get any federal help they need as quickly as possible. South Jersey has been through major storms before, and we know how important it is to be ready before conditions get bad. Be prepared for possible flooding and power outages, and pay close attention to updates from your local officials. We will be monitoring the storm closely, and if our towns need help, we will do everything we can to make sure South Jersey gets it." | 1 | 2026-09-28T11:29:07Z | 2026-09-28T11:30:58Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415869 | The Daily Signal exclusive article on Smith letter to Sec. Rubio and Pres. Trump'China Hawk Urges Trump and Rubio to Discuss Chinese Prisoner Release in New Letter' | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Pedro Rodriguez Published September 24, 2026 FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, urging them to discuss with Chinese leader Xi Jinping the release of worshippers and American citizens who remain imprisoned in China. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., penned the letter after he held two hearings in late September on the detainees, including media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, Christian worshippers, Uyghur Muslims activists, Falun Gong, and American citizens detained for minor crimes. “They are people—sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters—whose families have spent years waiting and pleading for their loved ones to come home,” the letter, exclusively obtained by the Daily Signal, reads. “I respectfully ask that you raise the following cases directly with President Xi and press for their release, including through medical or humanitarian transfer where appropriate.” President Donald Trump (right) talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during an arrival ceremony on Sept. 23, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) “At this critical moment, I ask that you make the freedom and humanitarian treatment of these individuals a priority in your discussions with Beijing,” the letter adds. “Several of these prisoners face serious medical conditions that warrant immediate consideration for medical or humanitarian release or transfer.” During the first summit between the second Trump administration and the Chinese Communist Party earlier this year, Trump raised the issue of releasing Pastor Ezra Jin, who was imprisoned for operating a non-state-approved church in China, which eventually led to his release from a Chinese prison. In his letter to the president and the secretary of state, Smith urged them “to bring that same commitment directly to the table with President Xi.” Among the prisoners are eight leaders of Zion Church, who were orig… | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2096 | Congressman Van Drew Urges FCC to Reject Verizon Plan to End Copper Service in South Jersey | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr urging the FCC to reject Verizon's proposal to discontinue copper-based telephone service in parts of New Jersey, including Salem County. "Many people in South Jersey still depend on these copper lines, especially in rural areas where cell service can be unreliable," said Congressman Van Drew. "These lines are used for medical-alert systems, alarm monitoring, elevator phones, and dependable 911 access. I have heard the concerns from people across South Jersey, and I agree with them. I am asking the FCC to turn this proposal down and make sure residents are not left without a reliable option." | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-figures-hayes-ezell-introduce-bill-to-cover-college-costs-for-children-of-longtime-educators-first-responders-and-social-workers | Booker, Figures, Hayes, Ezell Introduce Bill to Cover College Costs for Children of Longtime Educators, First Responders, and Social Workers | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), and Mike Ezell (R-MS-04) introduced the Public Service Educational Assistance Act, legislation that would cover the cost of college or job training for the children of educators, first responders, and social workers who have dedicated at least 20 years to public service. "Educators, first responders, and social workers show up for us in our classrooms, our emergencies, and our hardest moments, year after year," said Senator Booker. "Their families carry that sacrifice too, often quietly, through long hours and stretched budgets. After 20 years of service, the least we can do is make sure their kids can go to college without drowning in debt. I'm proud to work with Representative Figures to get this done." “These public service employees perform among the most challenging and important functions in our communities, so that is why I am proud to introduce this bill that relieves the financial burden of them sending their children to college or job training programs,” said Representative Figures. “I’m committed to making sure that we recognize the sacrifices made by people who are the backbone of communities in Alabama and across America, and that we invest in real opportunities for their families." “Teachers, social workers, and first responders dedicate their lives in service to our communities, oftentimes unable to provide opportunities they fight so hard for others to enjoy, to their own children,” said Representative Hayes. “I am pleased to introduce the Public Service Educational Assistance Act alongside Congressman Figures to honor the work of public servants and make it easier for their own families to pursue higher education." “As someone who spent more than four decades in law enforcement, I know the sacrifices that come with a career dedicated to serving your community—not just for the individual wearing the badge, but for their entire family,” said Representative Ezell.… | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/kim-warner-schatz-take-to-senate-floor-to-demand-passage-of-new-ai-security-legislation/ | Kim, Warner, Schatz Take to Senate Floor to Demand Passage of New AI Security Legislation | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Andy Kim | K000394 | www.kim.senate.gov | kim | https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee’s National Security and International Trade and Finance Subcommittee, Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced sweeping legislation to establish enforceable safety and security standards for the most advanced artificial intelligence systems. Later in the day, Kim, Warner and Schatz spoke about the legislation on the Senate floor. Watch Senator Kim’s Full Remarks “Innovation without control just leads to chaos, and this is our moment to make sure that the American people have control over the incredible strides we’re seeing on AI,” said Senator Kim. “Control means making sure that the technology does not outpace safety and common sense. It means making sure it can be used to advance quality of life instead of hurdling us towards the doomsday scenarios we’ve been warned about. The actions we are proposing are in pursuit of meeting the moment that the American people are demanding; to work with urgency to keep our families safe.” “The companies building the most powerful AI systems in the world are sounding the alarm: the step-change increase in AI models’ capacity for cyber-offense, combined with clear failures to securely host and deploy these capabilities, could pose serious risks to our national security, our critical infrastructure, and the systems Americans rely on every day,” said Senator Warner. “I remain enormously optimistic about the potential of AI, but optimism cannot be an excuse for inaction, nor can we normalize these kinds of concerning incidents. If a model is capable of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in a bank, a water system, or our electric grid, we ought to know that before it is released to the public – not after something goes catastrophically wrong. This legislation establishes basic, enforceable rules of the road to make sure the most powerful models are tested, secured, and responsibly deployed.” … | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-and-colleagues-urge-trump-to-raise-chinas-island-building-campaign-in-south-china-sea-during-summit-with-xi/ | Senator Kim and Colleagues Urge Trump to Raise China’s Island Building Campaign in South China Sea During Summit with Xi | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Andy Kim | K000394 | www.kim.senate.gov | kim | https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Trump begins a summit today with China’s President Xi Jinping, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and a group of Democratic Senate colleagues are urging Trump to address China’s posturing in the South China Sea and the strategic consequences of its renewed island building campaign for the United States, our partners, and allies in the region. Senator Kim sent a letter to President Trump yesterday alongside Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The Senators write: “We are concerned that your administration appears to be ignoring this renewed island building campaign while pursuing diplomacy with China. The fact that China has chosen this moment to resume artificial island-building on your watch, after a decade of dormancy, indicates that your administration’s efforts to bolster frontline states and deter Chinese maritime coercion in the South China Sea have, to date, proven insufficient.” Read the full letter In the letter, the Senators point to how China has previously claimed 90 percent of the South China Sea as its own territory, despite there being no legal basis in international law for China’s claims and strong condemnation by the international community. By building artificial islands in the South China Sea, China has been able to house surveillance technology, long runways for military aircraft, military bases, and other capabilities, threatening regional actors like Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Most recently, China has started to undertake large-scale dredging and land reclamation activities to convert the maritime feature named “Antelope Reef.” The Senators warn: “A Chinese presence on Antelope Island could further reinforce its broad, sweeping territorial claims over the South China Sea in violation of international law and opposition to longstanding U.S. policy, reinforcing Beijing’s vision of a “might makes right” world. Potential air and naval facilities on the island will provide th… | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-introduces-series-of-legislation-to-root-out-corruption-in-government/ | Senator Kim Introduces Series of Legislation to Root Out Corruption in Government | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Andy Kim | K000394 | www.kim.senate.gov | kim | https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | The three bills build on Senator Kim’s anti-corruption agenda to restore trust and integrity in government and fix America’s broken politics WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced three new bills to tackle public corruption and empower individuals to hold government officials accountable for betraying the public’s trust. “Americans look at their government and think, ‘corruption.’ They’ve lost trust that their public officials are looking out for them first, instead of themselves. It’s a threat to our democracy and our responsibility to fix,” said Senator Kim. “It isn’t enough to call out each corrupt act of the Trump administration. We need to dig deeper and move true legislative solutions forward that take on corruption no matter your party, position, or how wealthy you are. Enough is enough.” All three bills are co-sponsored by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Anti-Bribery Improvement Act (aka “the McDonnell Fix”) In 2016, the Supreme Court ruled in McDonnell v. United States to narrow federal bribery law and the definition of “official act,” making it harder to prosecute public officials who accept loans, gifts, or anything of value from individuals seeking an action from the public official in return. For example, their ruling would allow a public official to accept $175,000 in loans and gifts from an individual seeking government approval of a nutritional supplement. Senator Kim’s Anti-Bribery Improvement Act expands the current definition of bribery to include buying or selling access to a federal official by: Expanding the federal bribery statute to explicitly criminalize corrupt access to public officials by defining “access” to mean “use of a public official’s ability to influence any decision or action on any question or matter, which may at any time be pending, or which may by law be brought before such public official, in such official’s official capacity, or in such official’s place of trust or profit.”; and Addressing the Supreme Court’s concern about criminalizing rou… | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-ai-kill-switch-legislation | Kean Introduces AI Kill Switch Legislation | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Thomas H. Kean, Jr. | K000398 | kean.house.gov | kean | https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | (SEPTEMBER 24, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the AI Emergency Button Act to require artificial intelligence developers to install an emergency kill switch. “While AI can be a helpful tool, it is essential that humans remain in control of complex artificial intelligence systems,” said Congressman Kean. “This legislation would ensure that advanced artificial intelligence systems include a technical capability for a human operator to shut down the system.” Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the AI Emergency Button Act in the Senate earlier this month. In July, Congressman Kean introduced the Spot the Fakes Act with Representatives Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Liccardo (CA-16) to require that all AI-generated content carry a label embedded in its metadata, giving Americans the transparency they need to verify the authenticity of the content they view. In September 2025, Congressman Kean introduced the LIFT AI Act with Congressman Amo (RI-01) to improve artificial intelligence literacy for students K-12. The bill passed the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in June of this year. Read the text of the bill HERE. ### | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reintroduces-bill-to-confront-neglected-diseases-of-poverty-in-america | Booker Reintroduces Bill to Confront Neglected Diseases of Poverty in America | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the STOP (Study, Treat, Observe, and Prevent) Neglected Diseases of Poverty Act, legislation that would give public health officials the tools to track, treat, and ultimately eliminate neglected diseases of poverty in the United States. These chronic, often disabling infections spread where families lack basic sewage systems, safe drinking water, and adequate housing. "In many parts of our country, there are disabling conditions commonly associated with developing nations that continue to impact Americans here at home," said Senator Booker. "This injustice is largely hidden. We need to address this challenge by raising awareness and boosting investment in research and monitoring to combat these neglected diseases." An estimated 12 million Americans live with at least one neglected parasitic infection, which are more common in places where there is a lack of sewage infrastructure, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate housing and sanitation. Chagas disease alone, which can cause severe heart and digestive problems, affects 300,000 or more people in the U.S., most of whom don't know they are infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to research by CDC scientists, more than 5,000 of them live in New Jersey. Yet, due to reporting gaps, the true burden of this disease remains unknown. The bill would create an interagency task force, fund state surveillance systems and diagnosis and treatment at community health centers, support research into affordable vaccines and treatments, and train health care providers to recognize these diseases. | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-senate-democrats-statement-on-president-trump-and-president-xis-summit-in-washington | Booker, Senate Democrats' Statement on President Trump and President Xi’s Summit in Washington | 2026-09-24 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) — all Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — along with Dick Durbin (D-IL), Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Michael Bennet (D-CO); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Raphael Warnock (D-GA); Peter Welch (D-VT); Andy Kim (D-NJ); Adam Schiff (D-CA); and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), released the following statement on President Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. “Diplomacy with China remains vital to preventing conflict and protecting American interests, but it must ultimately produce results for hardworking Americans. President Trump’s summit today with President Xi Jinping failed to deliver. This outcome was predictable: Over the past 19 months, President Trump has systematically hollowed out the foundations of American competitiveness. The Trump Administration has traded away long-term technological dominance for short-term commercial gains, decimated the scientific and talent ecosystem that drives our domestic innovation and inflicted lasting damage on the network of global alliances that keep Americans safe, prosperous and free. “At a time when Americans are struggling with rising costs of gas, electricity and groceries, President Trump rolled out the red carpet for Xi. Rather than confronting China’s unfair trade practices, technology theft, complicity in attacks against our troops or economic and military aggression against our allies, President Trump opted for pageantry over purpose—trading tough diplomacy for a ballroom tour and a lavish dinner with his billionaire friends. “On the economic and security issues… | 1 | 2026-09-26T09:43:57Z | 2026-09-26T09:44:55Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415853 | The Epoch Times article on Smith hearing'Families Call for Release of Loved Ones in China as Xi Visits US' | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Eva Fu Published September 23, 2026 WASHINGTON—These are the faces that Beijing doesn’t want the world to see. They are political prisoners, ranging in age from their early 20s to nearly 80, each held behind bars because their beliefs or speech do not align with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Each of them is a father or a mother, a son or a daughter. In the United States and elsewhere, someone is thinking of them, waiting for the day they will be allowed to go home. Among those waiting are a mother of an 8-year-old, and a daughter undergoing chemotherapy, wishing to hold her father’s hand. As the U.S.–China summit looms over Washington, advocates see an opening to make that happen. One phone call to Beijing from the Oval Office, they argue, and these detainees could walk free. On Capitol Hill, the plight of the political prisoners has galvanized bipartisan lawmakers ahead of the bilateral talks. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said at a presser that he believes the “release of the hostages” is on the agenda. Five Democratic lawmakers have also presented the president with the names of 22 prisoners he could bring up with Chinese counterparts. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) hosted two hearings this month championing their cause. “It’s like that could be me. That could be my wife if she lives in China,” he told The Epoch Times. “We’re all God’s children. If we don’t raise [this cause], who will?” Butterfly in the Kitchen On the kitchen counter of her Florida home, Ziba Murat keeps an embroidered image of a swallowtail butterfly. It’s a small, tangible piece of Gulshan Abbas, Murat’s reticent mother, who’s now in Chinese jail under a 20-year sentence on terrorism-related charges. The United States has deemed those accusations as unfounded. Ziba Murat holds a photo of her mother, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, at Murat's home in Virginia in 2024. Ziba Murat keeps a framed image of a butterfly that was cross-stitched by her mother, jailed political prisoner Dr. Gulshan Abbas, in her kitchen. It was hard for… | 1 | 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z | 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415866 | On the eve of Trump-Xi meeting in Washington, D.C.Capitol Hill hearing features heartfelt appeals to Xi Jinping: let these wonderful people go | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | At yesterday’s Capitol Hill hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), lawmakers heard compelling, emotional testimony about the people imprisoned and persecuted by the Chinese government, the families and religious communities working for their freedom, and the retaliation faced by those who speak out on their behalf in China. “Behind every statistic about political prisoners is a person with hopes and dreams, and a life filled with isolation and pain. Behind every person in a Chinese prison is a family waiting, praying, and hoping that someone will not forget them. And behind many of those families is an entire community that feels threatened and intimidated,” Smith said during his opening remarks. “Today, we appeal to Xi Jinping to release women and men of conscience and goodness—as a tangible good faith expression of good will, benevolence, respect, and strength. We appeal to Xi Jinping’s heart,” continued Smith, the Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). “We again ask President Trump—who helped Pastor Ezra Jin gain his freedom—to appeal to Xi Jinping to show compassion and courage.” At the hearing—entitled “The Faces of Repression: Prisoners, Families, and Communities Targeted by the CCP”—members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) heard from multiple highly anticipated witnesses, including Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, the founder and pastor of China’s underground Zion Church, who was recently released from Chinese detention after spending more than 260 days in custody. During the first panel of witnesses, Pastor Jin—accompanied by his daughter and translator, Grace Jin Drexel—testified before Congress for the first time since his long-awaited release in July. Pastor Jin described the persecution, harassment, and intimidation inflicted upon his church and congregants by the Chinese government, explaining that “the government put pressure on the landlords to terminate our leases, police came to stop church activities and demanded that attendees register thei… | 1 | 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z | 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-bergen-community-college-hispanic-heritage-month-celebration | PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins Bergen Community College Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer joins students, faculty, families, and community members for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Bergen Community College. PARAMUS, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined students, faculty, families, and community leaders at Bergen Community College to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. “New Jersey’s Hispanic and Latino community is central to who we are — our small businesses, our schools, our hospitals, and our neighborhoods are all stronger because of it,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “During Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m here to do what I always try to do: listen and keep fighting for the families of the Fifth District every single day.” Gottheimer was joined by County Executive Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Dr. Joan M. Voss, President of Bergen County Community College Dr. Eric M. Friedman, President & CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Deborah Visconi, Consulate General of Ecuador in New Jersey & Pennsylvania – Acting Consul General Dr. Ramiro Hidalgo Tandazo, Consulate General of Peru in New Jersey & Pennsylvania – Consul General Dr. Ramiro Hidalgo Tandazo. Below: Gottheimer joins students, faculty, and community members for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Bergen Community College. ### | 1 | 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z | 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z |
| https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-gillen-van-drew-introduce-legislation-reduce-commuting-expenses | Kean, Gillen, Van Drew Introduce Legislation to Reduce Commuting Expenses | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Thomas H. Kean, Jr. | K000398 | kean.house.gov | kean | https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | (SEPTEMBER 23, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), and Congressman Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02) introduced the Lowering Commuting Costs Actthat would help hardworking families save money on their daily commutes to work. "Commuting costs strain hardworking New Jerseyans' bottom lines," said Congressman Kean. "The Lowering Commuting Costs Act would create a new deduction for taxpayers to save thousands of dollars of costs incurred when commuting, whether on train fare, on congestion pricing tolls, and more. I am proud to co-lead this bill to help families keep more of their hard-earned money and reduce the monetary strain of daily commutes.” “Hardworking Long Islanders are forced to pay skyrocketing costs just to get to work, making the cost of living crisis even worse,” said Rep. Gillen. “With the rising price of gas, LIRR fares and the NYC congestion tax, working families are left with no affordable way to get to their jobs. This bipartisan bill will help families save money as they commute to work and contribute to the economy by creating the first-ever tax credit for personal commuting expenses.” “For millions of Americans, just getting to work every day is expensive,” said Rep. Van Drew. “Gas is expensive, tolls are expensive, and for a lot of families, those costs add up to thousands of dollars a year. If businesses can deduct the cost of doing business, working people should be able to deduct what it takes to get to and from their jobs. I am proud to join Congresswoman Gillen on this bill and give some of that money back to the people who earn it.” The Lowering Commuting Costs Act would establish a federal income tax deduction of $340 a month for individuals or $680 for joint filers, for personal commuting expenses, including the cost of gas, public transit, and tolls such as New York City’s congestion pricing. Congressman Kean has championed efforts to provide tax relief and lower costs for New Jersey families in the U.S. House of Repr… | 1 | 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z | 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cortez-masto-culinary-union-call-on-senate-to-pass-bipartisan-faster-labor-contracts-act | Booker, Cortez Masto, Culinary Union Call on Senate to Pass Bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) joined leaders and members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 to call on the Senate to pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act, bipartisan legislation that would guarantee workers who vote to form a union a first contract without years of delay. Under current law, there is no deadline for an employer to reach a first agreement once workers vote to unionize. Workers wait an average of 465 days for a first contract, and many never get one at all. The Faster Labor Contracts Act would require employers to begin bargaining within 10 days of a union's written request to negotiate, allow either party to request mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service if no agreement is reached within 90 days, and refer the dispute to a three-person arbitration panel if mediation fails to produce a contract within an additional 30 days. An arbitration panel's decision would be binding for two years. The House passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) on June 9 by a vote of 230-193, with 20 Republicans joining every House Democrat, after a discharge petition led by Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) forced the bill to the floor over the objections of Republican leadership. The Senate companion, S. 844, was introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), with Sen. Booker as the lead Democratic cosponsor. Cosponsors include Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). The bill has been endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "For too long, workers have voted to organize and then waited years for a company to bargain with them in good faith," said Senator Booker. "That's not how this is supposed to work. The Faster Labor Contracts Act sets clear, reasonable deadlines so that when workers speak up and vote to unionize, they actually get a seat at the table. I'm proud to stand with Culinary Union members today, and I'm calli… | 1 | 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z | 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415867 | The Epoch Times article on Smith hearing'"Bring Them Home": Americans Push to Free Loved Ones Jailed in China' | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Eva Fu Published September 23, 2026 WASHINGTON—With the U.S.–China summit approaching, Americans who have loved ones detained in China are pleading with President Donald Trump not to forget them. One of them is 20-year U.S. Army veteran Nelson Wells, whose son, Nelson Wells Jr., has been in Chinese prison for 12 years on charges that the family says are dubious. At a hearing held by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China on Sept. 22, Wells appealed to the U.S. president “father to father.” Weeks ago, his son was diagnosed with hepatitis C. He is set to be released in 2041. But with Wells Jr.’s deteriorating health, including chronic pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and seizures, Wells said he’s not sure whether his son could last that long. “He’s sick. His family has suffered. There’s no justice in allowing him to die in prison,” Wells said. He said Wells Jr.’s daughter, now 12, “has never seen her father outside photographs” and prays at night “for someone who can bring him home.” Trump can be that someone, he said. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), who hosted the hearing, agreed that the United States cannot look away. Freeing political prisoners needs to be on the U.S.–China summit agenda, he told The Epoch Times. “It has to be—period,” he said. The congressman said he hopes the president can convey “a sense of urgency and compassion” for “these suffering individuals.” Seated next to Wells at the witness table was Tim Hunt, whose sister, Dawn Michelle Hunt, like Wells’s son, was arrested in China in 2014 for alleged drug smuggling. Both families deny the accusations. While visiting his sister in July, Hunt said, he didn’t recognize the sibling he had last seen two years ago. “She has aged dramatically. Her posture is that of someone much older. She is slumped over,” he said. He noticed how her teeth had yellowed and shifted, and how her hair had grayed. When they met, he said, she kept asking when she would be freed, and he couldn’t give her an answer. In January, their father passed … | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415868 | The Epoch Times article on Smith hearing'Congress Warned About Beijing's Repression on US Soil' | 2026-09-23 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Eva Fu Published September 23, 2026 WASHINGTON—The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) sweeping repression targeting one faith group is creating a challenge to the United States and allowing Beijing to expand its toolbox to persecute other communities, a Falun Gong spokesperson testified to Congress. Erping Zhang described a wide spectrum of Beijing-linked tactics targeting the spiritual community, playing out in America—including assault, anonymous violent threats, spying, disinformation, and frivolous lawsuits. The tactics can be used against “any group the CCP decides is a problem,” Zhang told the Congressional-Executive Commission on China on Sept. 22. “The regime’s actions undermine the basic rights of Americans and the rule of law,” he said in his written testimony. “The impact of this activity reaches far beyond our own community, creating a playbook of tactics that the regime can use against other targets while undermining U.S. democracy, freedom, and sovereignty.” Zhang pointed to a June report by the Falun Dafa Information Center, which identified more than 600 cases of transnational repression incidents across 30 states. Falun Gong practitioners have faced these threats for simply practicing their faith in the United States, Zhang said. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a meditation practice with spiritual teachings based on the core tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. In the 1990s, 70 million to 100 million people began practicing, with many crediting Falun Gong for uplifting their physical and mental well-being. In 1999, the Chinese communist regime marked it for eradication. Organizations monitoring the persecution have verified thousands of deaths, which they say represent a drop in the ocean. Between March and April, nearly 800 practitioners in China reported experiencing harassment, arrest, or house raids, according to Minghui.org, a clearinghouse for such information. The oldest of them was 94. Since 1999, Falun Gong practitioners have been “detained by the m… | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415850 | The Washington Times Op-Ed by Rep. Smith'A presidential appeal to release unjustly detained U.S. citizens' | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Rep. Christopher H. Smith - Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Political prisoner in China Jimmy Lai illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times OPINION: President Trump and General Secretary Xi Jinping will meet in Washington this week with trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran on a crowded agenda. These critical, wide-ranging disputes require intense focus and attention but are unlikely to be resolved in a single day. Yet, the summit can produce one immediate result: bringing home Americans unjustly detained in China and political prisoners such as Jimmy Lai, whose time behind bars must come to an end. Mr. Xi should leave the U.S. knowing four names by heart: Nelson Wells Jr., Dawn Michelle Hunt, Youlin Chen and Min Zin. Mr. Trump already understands why detention cases require leader-level diplomacy. In May, Mr. Trump personally raised the case of Mr. Lai, the 78-year-old Hong Kong publisher nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, who is serving a 20-year sentence for his peaceful advocacy. We hope the president will raise Mr. Lai again. Only Mr. Xi can approve a release of that political significance. Only Mr. Xi can do the same for Americans whose cases have already become U.S. priorities. Mr. Wells and Ms. Hunt have spent more than 12 years behind bars. Mr. Wells is a Louisiana-born father of three. Ms. Hunt is a Chicago artist. They were prosecuted in a judicial system controlled by the Communist Party. Testimony at hearings I have chaired has documented failures of evidence, legal defense and due process in these cases. Mr. Wells was first sentenced to life; his sentence was later reduced to 22 years, which could keep him imprisoned until 2041. Ms. Hunt received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve, which was later commuted to life. Their health is now deteriorating. Mr. Wells’ family reports seizures, diabetes and high blood pressure. He also has endured physical attacks in prison. Ms. Hunt needs blood transfusions, has experienced sexual abuse and mistreatment while in prison, and has sever… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415851 | Opening statement of Co-Chairman Smith at CECC hearingThe Faces of Repression: Prisoners, Families, and Communities Targeted by the CCP | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | The following are excerpts of Co-Chairman Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) opening statement at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China’s (CECC) September 22nd hearing, entitled “The Faces of Repression: Prisoners, Families, and Communities Targeted by the CCP”: Behind every statistic about political prisoners is a person with hopes and dreams, and a life filled with isolation and pain. Behind every person in a Chinese prison is a family waiting, praying, and hoping that someone will not forget them. And behind many of those families is an entire community that feels threatened and intimidated. Perhaps, that is what the Chinese Communist Party wants. It wants the prisoner isolated. It wants the family frightened. And it wants everyone watching to conclude that speaking out is either futile or simply too costly. But today, we are here to say: we will not look away. The real cost is failing to speak out. Silence is not an option. Today, we appeal to Xi Jinping to release women and men of conscience and goodness—as a tangible good faith expression of good will, benevolence, respect, and strength. We appeal to Xi Jinping’s heart. We again ask President Trump—who helped Pastor Ezra Jin gain his freedom—to appeal to Xi Jinping to show compassion and courage. Pastor Jin founded Beijing Zion Church, which grew to a congregation of approximately 1,500 people before Chinese authorities forcibly shut down its sanctuary in 2018. Even after the physical church was closed, the congregation continued to meet, worship, teach, and evangelize across China. By 2025, Zion Church had nearly 100 meeting points in 40 cities. The response from the Chinese Communist Party was a nationwide crackdown. In October 2025, authorities carried out arrests in 11 cities, taking approximately 30 pastors and church leaders into custody. Eighteen were ultimately criminally detained. Pastor Jin was one of them. His amazing daughter, Grace, came before this Commission and told us what his imprisonment meant for him and their family. Both Congress an… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-during-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-gottheimer-announces-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-fight-pediatric-cancer | RELEASE: During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation To Fight Pediatric Cancer | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer announces “Kylie’s Law” at Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen. MONTVALE, NJ — Today, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen in Montvale, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Kylie’s Voices for Childhood Cancer Act, or “Kylie’s Law,” with his colleague Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). Named in honor of a close family friend of Gottheimer, Kylie Kupperman, the bill would require states to include at least two pediatric cancer experts on the coalitions that write state cancer control plans, ensuring children’s needs aren’t overlooked in blueprints built largely around adult cancer. Kylie was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and grew up in Chappaqua, New York. Just weeks before her fourth birthday, she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare and fast-growing pediatric brain tumor. After undergoing months of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, she was declared cancer-free. Just as she was starting her freshman year at the University of Delaware, her cancer returned. She tragically passed away on September 10, 2025, at age 19. Every state has a Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition that shapes its long-term cancer plan, but only about a third of states build specific childhood cancer goals into those plans. New Jersey ranks third in the nation for pediatric cancer incidence, with roughly 440 children and teens diagnosed every year and nearly 1,900 cases across Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties over one recent 25-year stretch. Watch Gottheimer’s remarks here. “Kylie should be starting her junior year of college right now — and wow, you should have heard how her friends gushed about her — and how her brother and sister who played games and music for her — and carried her up the stairs when she was too weak.” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). “But, instead of being at the University of Delaware, her parents are here today, along with friends from Jersey, Chappaqua, and beyond, to honor… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-media-advisory-for-wednesday-september-23-2026-at-12pm- | *** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 AT 12PM *** | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | Booker, Cortez Masto, Culinary Union to Call for Senate Passage of Bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 will host a press conference to call on the Senate to pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act legislation that would guarantee workers who vote to form a union a first contract without years of delay. Workers who vote to unionize currently wait well over a year on average for a first contract, and many never get one at all. The Faster Labor Contracts Act would require employers to begin bargaining within 10 days of a union’s request, bring in federal mediation if no agreement is reached within 90 days, and send the dispute arbitration if mediation fails. The House passed the bill in June by a vote of 230-193 with the support of 20 Republicans after a discharge petition forced a floor vote. The Senate companion, led by Sen. Booker and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), is now awaiting action. WHO: U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), lead Democratic sponsor of the Faster Labor Contracts Act U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Hospitality workers employed at Station Casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada WHAT: Press conference calling for the Senate Passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act (S.844). WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 12:00PM WHERE: SVC 208 PRESS PLEASE RSVP TO: press_@booker.senate.gov | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-tillis-introduce-resolution-celebrating-65-years-of-the-peace-corps-and-honoring-nearly-250000-americans-who-answered-the-call-to-serve | Booker, Tillis Introduce Resolution Celebrating 65 Years of the Peace Corps and Honoring Nearly 250,000 Americans Who Answered the Call to Serve | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a resolution celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps and commending its volunteers for more than six decades of public service focused on enhancing U.S. global leadership, strengthening international stability, empowering communities, and expanding people-to-people ties. U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) introduced a companion resolution in the House. Since President John F. Kennedy issued his historic call to service and established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, nearly 250,000 Americans have served as volunteers in 144 countries. They have worked side by side with local communities to advance education, health, agriculture, environmental resilience, youth development, and economic opportunity. That work has built lasting partnerships around the world, promoting global stability and American values beyond what can be achieved through traditional policy measures alone. "For 65 years, the Peace Corps has sent some of our nation's best ambassadors across the world," said Senator Booker. "Nearly a quarter of a million Americans have taken on 'the toughest job you'll ever love,' teaching in classrooms, strengthening health systems, and helping communities, often in remote and hard-to-reach areas, build their own futures. Their service makes our country safer, our workforce stronger, and our democracy richer. As we mark this milestone, we must not only honor that legacy but recommit to it, so that the next generation of Americans can answer the same call." By strengthening international stability, promoting economic growth, and addressing the root causes of conflict through education and community development, Peace Corps volunteers have advanced U.S. national security while improving lives. This resolution also highlights the value returned volunteers bring home. Their language, cultural, and technical skills strengthen the U.S. workforce, expa… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker_statement-on-state-attorneys-general-settlement-clearing-paramounts-takeover-of-warner-bros-discovery | Booker Statement on State Attorneys General Settlement Clearing Paramount’s Takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, issued the following statement after a coalition of state attorneys general announced a settlement with Paramount Skydance in their lawsuit to block its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The settlement clears the way for the deal to close: “Attorney General Bonta said it plainly: this settlement is not an endorsement of this merger. He is right. He and the attorneys general of 11 other states took on one of the most powerful media companies in the world, a company backed by the full weight of the White House. Paramount answered with what amounted to extortion. It threatened to pull jobs out of California if they blocked the deal, after calling its artists and workers a priority. It promised its own shareholders a ticking fee it never expected to pay because it assumed the Justice Department would wave the deal through, and then used the mounting cost as leverage against the states when the balance came due. “This is what happens when federal enforcers abandon their posts. States are left to carry the fight alone, and even the strongest state enforcers cannot outlast a company willing to say anything and spend anything. That is not justice. That is a price tag. “This merger is illegal. It shrinks two of Hollywood’s major studios from five to four and combines two of the largest basic cable owners—putting nearly a third of the theatrical film market and nearly a third of basic cable programming under one roof. Behavioral promises cannot fix a structural problem. Media merger after media merger has ended the same way, with fewer jobs, lower wages, fewer stories told, and higher prices for families. Writers, crews, artists, theater owners, and consumers will pay the price. “This merger threatens the First Amendment. Paramount will control two major news networks, CNN and CBS News. An ‘independent’ editorial board handpicked by David Elliso… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415852 | OSV News article on Smith hearing'Ezra Jin Mingri, lawmakers call on Trump to push Xi to free prisoners of conscience' | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Kate Scanlon Published September 22, 2026 at 5:03 PM WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Ezra Jin Mingri, founder and pastor of an underground church in China and a former prisoner of conscience in that country, called for the release of other individuals imprisoned for their religious beliefs Sept. 22 at a hearing by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. With his daughter Grace Jin Drexel acting as translator, Jin said in remarks at the hearing that “reuniting with my family after eight years apart and watching the fireworks together on America’s 250th Independence Day felt like a dream.” “Even as I rejoice and enjoy such freedom and joy with my family, I cannot stop thinking and worrying about my eight fellow church leaders who remain in prison,” he said. Jin was released from imprisonment and reunited with his family in the U.S. shortly before Independence Day. President Donald Trump previously sought his release during a May summit with China’s President Xi Jinping. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington March 10, 2021. (OSV News photo/Ken Cedeno, Pool via Reuters) Ezra Jin Mingri, founder and pastor of an underground church in China and a prisoner of conscience in that country until his release, is pictured in a 2018 file photo in Beijing. Mingri arrived in Los Angeles July 3, 2026, after he was released from imprisonment and reunited with his family in the U.S. shortly before Independence Day, U.S. officials said. (OSV News photo/Thomas Peter, Reuters) Ezra Jin Mingri calls for release of pastors As Trump prepared to host Xi for a state visit in Washington, advocates have urged him to again push for the release of additional prisoners of conscience and political prisoners of interest to the U.S., including Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s prominent Catholic and pro-democracy campaigner. Lai remains in prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence. “I sincerely hope that the members of Congress will continue to pay attention to religious persecution and human rights within Ch… | 1 | 2026-09-24T09:44:48Z | 2026-09-24T09:45:52Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415870 | The Washington Stand article featuring Smith's commentary'Advocates, Lawmakers Press Trump to Uphold Prisoners of Faith, Conscience during Xi Visit' | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Dan Hart Published September 22, 2026 With President Trump set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday as part of a state visit to Washington, human rights advocates and lawmakers are urging the commander in chief to champion the cause of Christians and other citizens who are imprisoned in China simply for practicing their faith or for advocating for freedom. A large-scale crackdown on non-government approved churches is being carried out by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the past year. Last October, almost two dozen pastors and other workers from a single church called Zion Church were arrested, including founder and head pastor Ezra Jin. But in July, the power of personal advocacy was put on display as Xi’s communist regime released Jin following a personal appeal to Xi from Trump in May for Jin’s release. Now, human rights advocates such as Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton are highlighting the plight of other imprisoned pastors such as John Cao. As detailed by Family Research Council’s Bob Fu, Cao “spent seven years in a Chinese prison for conducting humanitarian work along the China-Myanmar border,” but even two years after completing his sentence, he is still being prevented from reuniting with his family in the U.S. by the CCP. Others are urging Trump to fulfill a promise to secure the freedom of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media mogul and champion of democracy. As Fu catalogs, the list of the wrongfully imprisoned in China goes on and on: Gao Zhisheng, a human rights lawyer; Dr. Wang Bingzhang, a leader of the overseas Chinese democracy movement who was kidnapped by CCP agents in Vietnam; Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist who exposed the truth about COVID-19. Then there are the eight pastors and members of Ezra Jin’s Zion Church who remain imprisoned, as well as Elder Li Yingqiang, Pastor Yang Rongli of Golden Lampstand Church, and Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church. These Christians are imprisoned simply for refusing to surrender the authority of their churches to the Comm… | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-lawler-push-bipartisan-plan-on-ai-safety | RELEASE: Gottheimer, Lawler Push Bipartisan Plan on AI Safety | 2026-09-21 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer and Lawler discuss their bipartisan AI legislation. WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) held a press conference to amplify the importance of their bipartisan Stop Rogue AI Act, legislation that would establish clear, practical guardrails for the powerful new AI “agents” now operating inside America’s networks. This commonsense legislation ensures that businesses and agencies have the ability to see and stop rogue agents before they cause real damage. The Representatives also highlighted several other bipartisan actions they’ve led this Congress on AI — including legislation to protect consumers, develop America’s workforce, and boost innovation. Watch Gottheimer and Lawler’s remarks here. “You can’t drive a car in this country without a license plate, without insurance, without some way for a cop — or the person you just rear-ended — to know who’s behind the wheel and who’s responsible,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy. “AI agents right now don’t have any of that. Our bill puts a driver’s license on every AI agent operating in this country — so organizations can find every agent on their network, verify who built it, watch it in real time, and cut off its access the second something looks wrong. That means putting humans back in the driver’s seat. It’s time for Congress to get back to work and get this done.” “This isn’t about stopping AI or stifling innovation. It is about making sure we can safely deploy AI. A pause is not a safeguard. Some states have put a moratorium on the infrastructure that powers this technology. That does not invent a kill switch. It does not inventory the agents already on a hospital network or a utility system,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17.) “If the United States taps the brakes while others floor it, we do not get safer AI. We get someone else’s AI. We are not going to regulate ourselves into second place.” Ri… | 1 | 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z | 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z |
| https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-bills-to-combat-ai-driven-cyberattacks-and-protect-americans-from-scams-pass-out-of-committee | Menendez Bills to Combat AI-Driven Cyberattacks and Protect Americans from Scams Pass Out of Committee | 2026-09-21 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Robert Menendez | M001226 | menendez.house.gov | menendez | https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that two of his bipartisan bills with Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bills are as follows: H.R. 7294, AI for Secure Networks Act (Menendez and Pfluger) The AI For Secure Networks Act strengthens the cybersecurity of America’s communications networks by promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence while addressing the risks posed by its misuse. “As our communications networks face growing threats, we must advance forward thinking solutions to protect the communications, emergency services, critical infrastructure, and financial systems Americans depend on,” said Congressman Menendez. “Our legislation promotes the responsible use of AI while confronting the growing risks posed by its exploitation, including the potential for more sophisticated cyberattacks on the communications systems Americans rely on every day. I look forward to working to pass this legislation and strengthen protections for our networks and the people who depend on them.” Click here to view Congressman Menendez’s remarks. H.R. 5967, Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act (Menendez and Houchin) The Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act establishes a federal task force to develop a national scam prevention strategy that strengthens support for victims, provides local law enforcement stronger tools to stop scams, and lowers the risk of financial losses from fraudulent activity. “As scams become increasingly more sophisticated, we need a national strategy to protect American families and consumers,” said Congressman Menendez. “The Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act brings together the federal government, law enforcement, and corporations to protect our families and seniors from being targeted by bad actors online and over the phone. I am proud that our legislation has passed the full Committee and is one step closer to becoming law and look forward to… | 1 | 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z | 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z |
| https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-condemns-trump-administration-attempts-to-hijack-nih-research-grants | Rep. Watson Coleman Condemns Trump Administration Attempts to Hijack N.I.H. Research Grants | 2026-09-21 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Bonnie Watson Coleman | W000822 | watsoncoleman.house.gov | watsoncoleman | https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Yesterday, theNew York Times reported that White House officials were attempting to make massive cuts to research grants at the National Institutes of Health, conflicting with months of denials from NIH officials. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who sits on theLabor, Health and Human Services and Education subcommittee, released the following statement: Today, we learned that the White House is trying to cancel funding that "does not conform to Trump's political agenda." Over the last year and a half, the NIH director and his sub-directorshave assured my colleagues and me that politics would bekept out of decisions for health research that saves millions of lives in the United States. Last June, I introducedlegislation to insulate vital NIH research grants from Trump's political attacks. As recently as this past Tuesday, NIH Institute directors told members of the Appropriations Committee that grant funding was still on track. Yet today, we get the news that President Trump and OMB Director Vought are moving to cut funding that doesn’t align with their extreme ideology. Funding decisions are supposed to be made by experts based on scientific merit and the likelihood of outcomes that could save lives and reduce suffering. The Trump Administration's public health record has been an abysmal failure. Instead of correcting course, they're doubling down and playing political games with the lives of the American people. Congress MUST reassert its authority over the budget and ensure the government works for the American people regardless of partisan politics. | 1 | 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z | 2026-09-22T10:42:50Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415849 | The Washington Times article featuring Smith's commentary'Republican Rep. Chris Smith urges Trump to confront Xi about Americans jailed in China' | 2026-09-21 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Kerry Picket Published Monday, September 21, 2026 With as many as 300 Americans detained in China, where some are subjected to sexual abuse and torture, Rep. Chris Smith is demanding that President Trump make their release a centerpiece of his upcoming summit with China’s President Xi Jinping. The New Jersey Republican, who co-chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, warned that quiet, piecemeal diplomacy has only emboldened Beijing to keep taking American hostages. Mr. Smith, who has been chairing hearings with witnesses testifying about people imprisoned and persecuted by the Chinese government, told The Washington Times that China “only recognizes strength.” He cited his 1994 meeting with Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng, who warned that Western pleading is held in contempt by the Chinese Communist Party. “They only recognize one thing, and that is strength. I met with [Wei Jingsheng] in 1994 when he was released briefly in Beijing,” Mr. Smith said. “They rearrested him. … We worked really hard to make sure he got out, because they were going to kill him. When we, the West, and especially the United States, in any way kowtow … they hold that in contempt.” Mr. Smith said, “That’s why we have to be firm. Very civil, but very firm. Our hope is that the president will have a very well-defined list … to effectuate the release of these individuals.” Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been advocating for all American citizens unlawfully or wrongfully detained in China. Among the people detained or imprisoned by China, the most well-known include Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai; Uyghur economics professor Ilham Tohti; American think tank scholar Min Zin; American businessman Kai Li; Americans Dawn Michelle Hunt, Nelson Wells Jr., and John Chen; Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu; and the Zion 8 — eight pastors and co-workers of Beijing Zion Church. A senior official told The Washington Times that Mr. Trump raises the issue of Americans and others detained in China every time he has met wit… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-honors-local-veterans-at-the-bergen-county-sheriffs-annual-veterans-appreciation-bbq | PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Honors Local Veterans at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ | 2026-09-20 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer at Bergen County Sheriff’s Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ. PARAMUS, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, local veterans, and their families for their Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ, honoring the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform. “Our veterans answered the call to serve and protect our great country, and we owe them a debt we can never fully repay,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It was an honor to spend the day with the brave men and women who wore the uniform, and their families who have stood beside them. I want to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for putting on this event and for standing with our veterans year after year. In Congress, I’ll always keep fighting to make sure our veterans get the care, recognition, and respect they’ve rightfully earned.” The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ brings together local veterans, their families, and community members each year to recognize and thank those who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Below: Gottheimer at Bergen County Sheriff’s 3rd Annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ. ### | 1 | 2026-09-21T10:25:24Z | 2026-09-21T10:26:54Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415846 | The Washington Stand article on Smith Special Order'Hyde Amendment Approaches 50th Anniversary Having Saved almost 3 Million Babies' | 2026-09-18 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Quinn Delamater Published September 18, 2026 “An innocent, defenseless human life, in a caring and humane society, deserves better than to be flushed down a toilet or burned in an incinerator.” Such are the words of Henry Hyde, the former U.S. congressman from Illinois who tirelessly championed life and introduced the Hyde Amendment in 1976. Almost 50 years later, the legislative rider faces the opportunity to be renewed again. For a half-century, the Hyde Amendment has stopped taxpayer dollars from funding abortion. On Wednesday evening, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, hosted a Special Order on the House floor to acknowledge the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment on September 30. “The promise of America is that life is not just for the privileged, the planned, or the perfect,” Smith said, quoting Hyde. “This may sound odd, even ironic; you are here in the flush of victory. And yet it is precisely now that I ask you to contemplate the possibility of defeat, perhaps even the necessity of defeat. If you don’t know the principle or the policy for which you are willing to lose your office, then you are going to do damage here.” Quena González, senior director of Government Affairs at Family Research Council, explained to The Washington Stand that Smith and Hyde have a history. “Representative Chris Smith served with Representative Henry Hyde for 26 years; he’s been a tireless defender of the unborn in Congress for 45 years and comes as close as anyone to carrying Hyde’s inimitable mantle.” After the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the U.S. government paid for an estimated 300,000 abortions each year via Medicaid. According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, since the Hyde Amendment’s first enactment in 1976, approximately 2.7 million lives have been saved. During Wednesday’s event, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) asserted that society has a duty to protect the unborn. “Life matters. Who are we as a people if we cannot stand up in defense of the most innocent form… | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415847 | Tues., Sept. 22: Rep. Chris Smith to chair CECC hearing“The Faces of Repression: Prisoners, Families, and Communities Targeted by the CCP” | 2026-09-18 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | On Tuesday, September 22nd, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), will chair a congressional hearing on people imprisoned and persecuted by the Chinese government, the families and religious communities working for their freedom, and the retaliation faced by those who speak out on their behalf. The hearing will examine the treatment of prisoners in China, the prolonged detention of U.S. citizens, and the persecution of Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, and Uyghurs. Witnesses will also discuss Beijing’s campaign to suppress Uyghur and Tibetan identity, including through the new Ethnic Unity Law, and the threats, surveillance, legal harassment, pressure on relatives, and online abuse directed at advocates outside China. WHAT: Congressional hearing on how Congress and the Administration can press for the release of those still detained in China, protect their loved ones and the people who advocate for them, and impose consequences on those responsible for their persecution—including through the passage and enactment of the Nelson Wells Jr. and Dawn Michelle Hunt Unjustly Detained in Communist China Act (HR 5491), introduced by Rep. Smith earlier this Congress. WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 2:30 PM WITNESSES: (Partial list) Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, Founder and Pastor, Zion Church Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director, Campaign for Uyghurs Erping Zhang, Spokesperson for Falun Gong Nelson Wells Sr., Father of Detained American Citizen Nelson Wells Jr. Tim Hunt, Brother of Detained American Citizen Dawn Michelle Hunt WHERE: 216 Hart Senate Office Building and livestreamed here WHO: Co-Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman Dan Sullivan (R-AK), other members of the CECC, and witnesses ### | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-announces-new-bipartisan-legislation-on-ai-safety-to-protect-jersey-families-national-security | RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation on AI Safety to Protect Jersey Families, National Security | 2026-09-18 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer announces new AI safety legislation at FDU. TEANECK, NJ — Today, Friday, September 18, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House AI Commission and a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, announced a new bipartisan agenda to put real guardrails on AI development to ensure the U.S. can win the global AI race in the right way. Watch Gottheimer’s remarks here. “Right now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing of frontier AI models,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That doesn’t work in banking, it doesn’t work in food safety, it doesn’t work in medicine, and it sure as hell shouldn’t work with the technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. This isn’t about stopping AI or stifling innovation, it is about making sure — with warning signs flashing red — that we can safely deploy AI, and win the race the right way. “Artificial intelligence is one of the most consequential technologies of our time, and we have a responsibility to make sure it strengthens our national security rather than becoming a tool for those who seek to harm Americans. The American AI Security Act takes a commonsense approach: before the most powerful AI models are deployed, we should know whether they could be used to launch devastating cyberattacks or facilitate the development of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). Gottheimer’s AI safety agenda includes two new bipartisan pieces of federal legislation and an inquiry into the Administration’s new cybersecurity plan, including: The American AI Security Act, co-led by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), establishes a mandatory, pre-deployment national security review for the most powerful AI models. Before releasing a covered model, developers would be required to give the National Security Agency full access to evaluate whether it could be used to launch a serious cyberattack or help build a chemical, biological, o… | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-sends-follow-up-letter-to-dhs-secretary-demanding-information-on-the-status-of-sick-constituent-at-delaney-hall | Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Follow-up Letter to DHS Secretary Demanding Information on the Status of Sick Constituent at Delaney Hall | 2026-09-18 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Bonnie Watson Coleman | W000822 | watsoncoleman.house.gov | watsoncoleman | https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella demanding answers on the investigation into the death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo and the status of detainee Amro Sehaim. The letter comes after the Department failed to respond to an inquiry sent by the Congresswoman and several members of the New Jersey Delegation on August 7th calling for answers surrounding the death of Lopez Cornejo and demanding the immediate humanitarian release of Amro Sehaim, an Egyptian national and small business owner in the 12th District who, before his detention, was undergoing treatment for cancer. The letter reads in part: Individuals in your custody are your responsibility. The shocking number of deaths within ICE custody, including Mr. Lopez Cornejo’s, is appalling and unforgivable. The conditions in ICE detention facilities across the country are atrocious and bring shame to your Department, this Administration, and our nation. The September 17th letter demands detailed explanations as to the conditions that led to the death of Mr. Lopez Cornejo and of the actions being taken to provide Mr. Sehaim with adequate, independent medical care. Related Files | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/icymi-booker-blasts-fbi-director-kash-patel-drawing-praise-for-demanding-accountability-at-committee-hearing | ICYMI: Booker “Blasts” FBI Director Kash Patel, Drawing Praise for Demanding Accountability at Committee Hearing | 2026-09-18 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | Booker to Patel: “You’re an embarrassment to this agency” WASHINGTON, DC—In case you missed it, earlier this week U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, “grilled” FBI Director Kash Patel at a committee hearing and called him an “embarrassment to the agency,” drawing widespread praise for “laying out the degree to which he is not qualified” for the role. He specifically pressed Patel on the FBI’s investigation into a New York Times reporter who covered his use of agency resources, as well as grand jury subpoenas issued to Times reporters after they reported on security lapses involving Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One replacement. SEE FOR YOURSELF: MS NOW The Weeknight: Cory Booker on Kash Patel September 15, 2026 Commentator: “I think that Cory Booker did a great job of laying out the degree to which Kash Patel is not qualified for this.” Booker: “We have a lackey here who is using [the FBI]. And frankly, he’s not even a good lackey. He’s an incompetent lackey. He’s like an 18-year-old kid who wants to join a fraternity that he could never be a member of, doing keg stands and chugging with friends. He’s an embarrassment to the agency and wouldn’t qualify even to be an FBI agent. What’s bad is that we have Republicans in the Senate that are enabling him to go without any objective oversight or transparency or accountability.” Commentator: “I thought that point was so important because Trump has a lot of lackeys. The issue is, they are all incompetent for the most part. And secondly, to have the head of the FBI likely not even pass a background check to be an agent speaks volumes of where we are.” ABC News Sen. Cory Booker and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman September 15, 2026 FBI Director Kash Patel during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday was pressed about whether he would send the FBI agents to polling places -- clashing with Democrats over the topic. CentralJersey.com Booker Calls FBI Director Patel a “Lackey” as GOP Lawmaker Moves to Impe… | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-garcia-hayes-reintroduce-legislation-to-create-a-well-prepared-and-diverse-educator-workforce | Booker, García, Hayes Reintroduce Legislation to Create a Well-Prepared and Diverse Educator Workforce | 2026-09-18 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) reintroduced the Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth (DIVERSIFY) Act, legislation that would increase the TEACH Grant award to support middle- and low-income students interested in becoming teachers, ensuring an education workforce as diverse as the students it serves. The DIVERSIFY Act would ensure the grant amount more closely matches rising college costs and student loan debt which are major deterrents to students of color pursuing careers in education. The $4,000 a year award has not increased since it was created nearly 20 years ago. Not only has it failed to keep up with the rising cost of college, but since 2013 it has also been cut annually. Meanwhile, since 2007, college costs have continued to climb and the total student loan debt owed has increased by more than $1.2 trillion. The failure to protect and increase the award amount limits the program’s potential. The DIVERSIFY Act would combat these reductions to support all students, but especially students of color who perform exponentially higher in test scores, increase high school graduation rates, and better likelihood of college success with teachers of color. “Research shows that a diverse educator workforce can improve student achievement and close opportunity gaps,” said Senator Booker. “Yet, the high cost of teacher preparation remains a barrier to developing and sustaining a workforce that adequately represents the diversity of our nation’s students. By doubling the TEACH Grant and ending harmful annual cuts to the program, this legislation will provide greater support to current and future educators while helping strengthen and diversify our teacher workforce. Every student deserves access to great teachers, including educators who reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities they serve.” “Students deserve to see their own diversity reflected in those w… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415843 | Shielding NJ families and communities from high energy costsSmith votes for Ratepayer Protection Act to protect Americans from footing AI data centers’ energy costs | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | Yesterday, with Rep. Chris Smith’s (R-Manchester) strong support and vote, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (HR 9340)—by a margin of 417-3—to protect hard-working Americans from shouldering the hefty energy costs associated with the construction and operation of data centers. “Protecting families and communities from increased energy costs is paramount—especially after years of skyrocketing energy costs driven by Joe Biden’s ‘Green New Scam,’” said Smith. “The Ratepayer Protection Act will inject transparency and public scrutiny into the system to ensure that the largest users of energy—including hyperscale data centers—pay for energy infrastructure upgrades and generation capacity,” continued Smith, who cosponsored HR 9340. The Ratepayer Protection Act amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act by adding a new ratemaking standard for large-load customers, ensuring that the costs associated with grid upgrades and new generation requirements are borne by the project customer and not American families. “American families deserve protection from exorbitant and unpredictable energy bills, and this legislation ensures that the companies who want to build and operate data centers will be made to pay for the massive amounts of electricity they consume. “I strongly support the Ratepayer Protection Act, and although the Senate blocked unanimous consent for the legislation, I urge my colleagues in that chamber to immediately reconsider this bill, pass it, and send it to President Trump’s desk for his signature,” concluded Smith. ### | 1 | 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z | 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-calls-on-trump-to-convene-congress-for-special-session-on-ai | Booker Calls on Trump to Convene Congress for Special Session on AI | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) took to the Senate floor to call on President Trump to use his authority under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution to convene Congress for a special session to address the rapidly evolving risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Article II, Section 3 gives the President the power, on "extraordinary occasions," to convene both Houses of Congress. "We find ourselves in such an extraordinary moment. The safety of artificial intelligence systems demands urgent attention. The President should convene Congress at once to address it," said Senator Booker. "This is not a moment for panic or despair. It is a moment for the government to govern," continued Senator Booker."Congress will soon leave Washington for two months. Artificial intelligence will not recess." Americans are already experiencing the effects of AI through scams, privacy threats, workplace disruption, and surveillance, while increasingly powerful systems present new risks that policymakers have yet to fully address. Booker called for Congress to address three urgent challenges: protecting Americans from potentially catastrophic AI risks, including dangerous biological and cyber capabilities; confronting harms already affecting Americans; and ensuring Americans can benefit from AI's potential to advance science, improve health care and education, boost productivity, and help small businesses compete. "AI will not recess. These issues demand our urgent attention. Mr. President: It's time for a Special Session," concluded Senator Booker. WATCH FLOOR SPEECH HERE. Senator Booker’s Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution gives the President the power, on “extraordinary occasions,” to convene both Houses of Congress. The last time a president used that power was Harry Truman in 1948. Seventy-eight years ago. We find ourselves in such an extraordinary moment. The safety of artificial intelligence systems demands urgent attention. Th… | 1 | 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z | 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415845 | The Epoch Times article on Smith hearing'Jimmy Lai's Son Pleads for Ailing Father's Release Ahead of Xi's US Visit' | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Eva Fu and Frank Fang Published September 17, 2026 WASHINGTON—The son of imprisoned Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai has appealed for his father’s release on humanitarian grounds ahead of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s expected meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Lai founded the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. He was detained in 2020 under the Beijing-imposed national security law and sentenced to 20 years in prison in February. Sebastien Lai described the “painful realization” of imagining his elderly father’s physical and mental state if they were ever reunited, five years after their last meeting. Sebastien Lai (R) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) stand for a photo after a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing regarding the continued imprisonment of his father, Jimmy Lai, on Capitol Hill on Sept. 16, 2026 Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo Jimmy Lai outside West Kowloon Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on Sept. 18, 2020. Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times “I hear about his health declining every single day,” Sebastien Lai said on Sept. 16 at a congressional hearing hosted by the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China. “It’s really sad. It’s really worrying.” Sebastien Lai’s sister, Claire Lai, was diagnosed with cancer recently and is undergoing chemotherapy in London. “My father learned of his own daughter’s diagnosis from a maximum-security prison. He cannot hold her hand. She wants nothing more than to have him with her for this fight,” Sebastien Lai said. “We hope the Chinese authorities will consider what compassionate release would mean for her and for a 78-year-old man who has already suffered enough. “My father poses no threat. His imprisonment makes him a symbol of injustice. His death in prison would be a disgrace.” He said that his father’s release was just a “phone call away” for Xi. Sebastien Lai speaks with reporters after a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing regarding the continued imprisonment of his father, Jimmy Lai, on Capitol Hill on… | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415848 | WATCH: 'Free Jimmy Lai: Rep. Chris Smith | The World Over with Raymond Arroyo' | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), sat down with host Raymond Arroyo on EWTN's The World Over with Raymond Arroyo to discuss the congressional hearing he chaired this week to press for the release of incarcerated Hong Kong businessman and Catholic Jimmy Lai, and the hope that Lai might be released after next week's summit in DC between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. The full interview can be viewed by clicking here. ### | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-introduces-bill-to-eliminate-delays-for-americans-with-disabilities-to-receive-social-security-and-medicare-benefits/ | Senator Kim Introduces Bill to Eliminate Delays for Americans with Disabilities to Receive Social Security and Medicare Benefits | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Andy Kim | K000394 | www.kim.senate.gov | kim | https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced legislation to eliminate the delay leaving Americans with disabilities waiting months to years for their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare benefits. “It is horrifying that any American should be forced to endure months or even years of waiting for benefits they worked hard to earn. Care cannot be put on hold. Congress needs to step up for our disability community and end these harmful waiting periods once and for all,” said Senator Kim. The Government Accountability Office found that between Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2019, over 109,000 individuals died while awaiting a determination of their SSDI application. And in 2023, approximately 30,000 Americans died while waiting. An estimated 1.8 million people with disabilities are caught up in the Medicare waiting period at any given time. Workers who become disabled can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, but the process to apply for benefits is slow, and even once an individual qualifies, there is a statutory five-month waiting period before they receive their first disability check, and 24 months before becoming eligible for Medicare insurance coverage. In total, individuals face a 29-month waiting period from the onset of disability before fully receiving their SSDI benefits. Senator Kim’s Stop the Wait Act specifically would: Phase out the five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits over the next five years, eliminating it entirely by 2031; and Eliminate the 24-month waiting period for Medicare disability benefits for individuals who are uninsured or unable to afford health insurance. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA) and endorsed by: Federation of American Hospitals, American Association of People with Disabilities, UnidosUS, The Arc, Alzheimer’s Ass… | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-jayapal-wilson-introduce-legislation-to-combat-high-rate-of-heart-disease-in-south-asian-americans | Booker, Jayapal, Wilson Introduce Legislation to Combat High Rate of Heart Disease in South Asian Americans | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) as well as U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Joe Wilson (SC-02) reintroduced the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, legislation that would establish a federal grant program to expand cardiovascular research, raise awareness of heart disease, and improve health outcomes for South Asian Americans "Heart disease is taking a devastating toll on South Asian families in New Jersey and across the country, yet their risk is still too often overlooked in the doctor's office," said Senator Booker. "This bill invests in the research and community resources we need to catch heart disease early, treat it effectively, and save lives." “As the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, I’m fully committed to increasing understanding of heart disease and the unique risk factors in the South Asian community while ensuring that all those living with it get the resources, treatment, and support they need,” said Representative Jayapal. “Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for over a century, and it is even more dire in the South Asian community. The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act is essential legislation that ensures that we have the research, resources, and treatments to prevent heart disease cases and deaths in the South Asian community and beyond.” “Heart disease disproportionately affects certain populations such as the South Asian community, and this bill will expand research and education to benefit those communities. I am grateful that this bipartisan bill passed the House in multiple previous Congresses, and I look forward to its final passage into law,” said Representative Wilson. Studies show that South Asians in the United States – people who immigrated from or whose families immigrated from countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal – are experiencing a dramatic rise in heart disease and face four times the risk of heart disease compared t… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-calls-for-investigation-into-trumps-blm-letting-wild-horses-go-to-slaughter | Booker Calls for Investigation Into Trump’s BLM Letting Wild Horses Go to Slaughter | 2026-09-17 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined U.S. Representative Dina Titus (NV-01) and 17 congressional colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a review of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program, following reports that wild horses sold by BLM were sent to slaughter. The letter follows reporting from the New York Times describing how BLM sold wild horses to buyers who quickly shipped them to slaughter in Canada. Signers include other Congressional Wild Horse Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Mark Pocan (WI-02). This letter is also endorsed by the American Wild Horse Conservation and Rewilding America Now. “Wild horses are among some of America’s most respected national treasures. Year after year, Congress has barred the Bureau of Land Management from slaughtering them. I’m deeply concerned by the report that Trump’s agency is recklessly selling these animals to buyers who send them to slaughter. The GAO must investigate these allegations,” said Senator Booker. “We now know what we have long suspected — that the BLM has been selling off wild horses that end up in slaughterhouses,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus. “This practice must end now. I am leading my Congressional colleagues in demanding an investigation of the Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program to ensure wild horses and burros received the protections they are guaranteed by federal law." “It’s long past time to fix the ongoing failures in how America’s wild horses are managed. For years, across both Republican and Democrat administrations, we’ve seen alarming reports of hostility toward these animals and serious questions about how the Bureau of Land Management is carrying out its responsibilities. This cannot be a partisan issue. It’s a stewardship issue. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to demand accountability, protect our wild horses, … | 1 | 2026-09-25T10:04:52Z | 2026-09-25T10:05:46Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-house-passes-bill-first-championed-by-gottheimer-am-radio-for-every-vehicle-act | RELEASE: House Passes Bill First Championed by Gottheimer, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, September 15, 2026, the House of Representatives passed the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act,” supported by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), delivering a major win for public safety and moving the country one step closer to guaranteeing that every new car and truck sold in America comes equipped with AM broadcast radio. Gottheimer, who first announced and introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress to protect public safety and encourage electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to include AM radio in their cars and trucks, applauded the bill’s passage. “AM radio is a lifeline. When the power goes out, when the cell towers go down, and when the Internet cuts off during a storm or an emergency, AM radio is often the only way families can get the life-saving information they need,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s outrageous that some automakers want to rip out a basic, free feature — one that helps keep people safe — just to pad their own bottom line. I’m proud to have helped lead this bipartisan bill from day one, and today the House stood up for every driver, every first responder, and every family who counts on AM radio when it matters most.” “For more than 100 years, AM radio stations have provided music, sports, news, and entertainment to listeners across the Garden State and the country. More importantly over the last century, radio has provided a critical lifeline in times of emergency. Ensuring that this free service utilizing the public’s airwaves is readily available in every vehicle sold in the United States by passing the AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act is the right decision for public safety,” said New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) Executive Director Jordan Walton. “It’s hard to imagine that what started as a conversation over a cup of coffee has evolved into this legislation being passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. New Jersey’s broadcasters thank Rep. Gottheimer, leaders in the House, and all who advanced AM4EVA today.” More than 50 millio… | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-house-passes-bipartisan-gottheimer-led-guard-act-to-protect-seniors-from-financial-fraud-and-scammers | RELEASE: House Passes Bipartisan, Gottheimer-Led GUARD Act to Protect Seniors from Financial Fraud and Scammers | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan GUARD Act (Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception Act, H.R. 2978) legislation that U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) co-led to protect seniors and their families from the financial fraud and scams costing Americans billions every year. The GUARD Act was introduced alongside Representatives Zachary Nunn (IA-3) and Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5), and now heads to the Senate. “Every day, scammers are targeting our seniors — draining the hard-earned savings they spent a lifetime building, often with a single phone call or a fake investment scheme,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus and member of the House Financial Services Committee. “These criminals don’t play it straight, and too often they hide behind overseas networks that make them nearly impossible to track. The GUARD Act gives our cops and investigators the tools and the resources to hunt these fraudsters down, claw back stolen money, and protect the people who built this country. Protecting our parents and grandparents is just common sense, and I’m proud this bipartisan bill is one step closer to becoming law.” The GUARD Act empowers state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to fight back against the fraud epidemic targeting older Americans. Specifically, the legislation: Allows law enforcement to use existing federal grant funds to investigate elder financial fraud, “pig butchering” cryptocurrency investment scams, and general financial fraud — including by hiring analysts and experts and providing specialized training on complex, often transnational financial crimes; Clarifies that federal law enforcement agencies may assist state, local, and Tribal partners and fusion centers in using blockchain-tracing tools and related technology to follow the money and identify the criminals behind these scams; Instructs the Treasury Department, FinCEN, and federal partners to report to C… | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415831 | Opening statement of Co-Chairman Smith at CECC hearingA Son and Daughter’s Appeal to Xi Jinping to Release Their Dad, Jimmy Lai | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | The following are excerpts of Co-Chairman Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) opening statement at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)’s September 16th hearing, entitled “A Son and Daughter’s Appeal to Xi Jinping to Release Their Dad, Jimmy Lai”: Today’s hearing is about Jimmy Lai—and an earnest appeal to Xi Jinping from Jimmy’s children to set him free on humanitarian grounds. They are grateful that President Trump has personally raised Jimmy Lai’s release with Xi Jinping, and they respectfully ask him to do so again at the upcoming summit. We will hear directly from Jimmy Lai’s son, Sebastien, speaking for himself and on behalf of his sister, Claire, who was initially scheduled to join her brother today. Sadly, Claire was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and has begun treatment. We are thinking of her, praying for her, and wishing her a full recovery. Sebastien, who testified on behalf of his father in 2023, will tell us today: “My father learned of his own daughter's diagnosis from a maximum-security prison. He cannot hold her hand. She wants nothing more than to have him with her for this fight. We hope the Chinese authorities will consider what compassionate release would mean for her, and for a 78-year-old man who has already suffered enough…Let Jimmy Lai come home to his family and let him sit beside his daughter in her hardest moment.” Jimmy Lai is 78 years old. He has spent six years in detention. In February, a Hong Kong court sentenced him to 20 years in prison following his conviction under the National Security Law. It was the longest sentence, thus far, imposed under that law. For a man of Jimmy Lai’s age, and given the serious concerns about his health, a 20-year sentence carries an obvious and deeply troubling humanitarian consequence. His son, Sebastien, has described it as a death sentence. That is why time matters. Jimmy Lai is not being imprisoned because he committed an act of violence. His son has emphasized that his father has never advocated violence. Rather… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415836 | Providing critical funding for Lyme disease researchKay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act passes House, on its way to President Trump’s desk | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation to provide $150 million over five years in continued funding for Lyme disease research at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sending the bill to President Trump’s desk for his signature. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act (S. 2398)—sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)—is the identical Senate companion legislation to Rep. Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) HR 4348, which passed the House in late July. Having now passed both chambers, the President is expected to sign the final Senate version into law in the next several days. The soon-to-be law will fund critical vector-borne disease research programs and initiatives at the CDC that were due to expire on September 30th. “My colleagues will recall that our distinguished colleague, North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan, suffered a tick bite and died in 2019 from encephalitis caused by Powassan virus—the current law and reauthorization is named in her honor,” said Smith, the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, during the bill’s debate on the House floor. “Vector borne diseases are now endemic in regions of the country where they have not historically been present. Disease-laden ticks are now found in all 48 contiguous U.S. states. The problem is exploding—not abating,” said Smith. The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act will allocate $50 million over five years for the CDC’s regional Centers of Excellence and provide funding for states in regions that have an elevated risk of Lyme or other tick-borne disease outbreaks, enabling them to work in tandem with the federal government to quickly identify and address such outbreaks. “Critically, this new bill reauthorizes cooperative agreement funding for states and localities—$100 million over five years—to tangibly assist state public health departments and other local entities to support the development and implementation of evidence-based research, interventions, and treatment,” Smit… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415837 | Ahead of planned Trump-Xi meeting in Washington, D.C.An appeal from Jimmy Lai’s son | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | At today’s Capitol Hill hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), lawmakers examined the unjust imprisonment of Jimmy Lai—a well-known free-speech advocate and the publisher of the pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily—by Hong Kong officials, as well as what his case reveals about the continued erosion of the freedom of the press, judicial independence, and the rule of law in Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled Hong Kong. “Today’s hearing is about Jimmy Lai—and an earnest appeal to Xi Jinping from Jimmy’s children to set him free on humanitarian grounds,” said Smith, the Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). Smith pushed for Jimmy’s release on humanitarian grounds, highlighting the “human dimension of this case.” He noted that “for more than five years, Jimmy Lai’s children have had to live with the reality that their father is imprisoned thousands of miles away,” and that Jimmy’s son, Sebastien, “has spoken publicly about the possibility that he may never see his father again.” “Jimmy’s children are grateful that President Trump has personally raised Jimmy Lai’s release with Xi Jinping, and they respectfully ask him to do so again at the upcoming summit,” said Smith. The hearing was intentionally scheduled in anticipation of the upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and General Secretary Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C. on September 24th. Given Jimmy’s advanced age—78-years-old—and the “serious concerns about his health,” Smith argued that “a 20-year sentence carries an obvious and deeply troubling humanitarian consequence. Sebastien has described it as a death sentence. That is why time matters.” Sebastien, who testified at today’s hearing about the urgency of his father’s release, spoke on behalf of himself and his sister, Claire—who was initially scheduled to testify alongside her brother, but was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. “My father learned of his own daughter’s diagnosis from a maximum-security prison. He cannot hold her hand. She… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415839 | Daily Signal article on Smith hearing'Congress Hears Pleas for Release of God-Fearing Chinese Democracy Advocate' | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Pedro Rodriguez Published September 16, 2026 A top congressional panel on Wednesday examined the imprisonment of Chinese media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai and the state of press freedom and judicial independence in China. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing, titled “A Son and Daughter’s Appeal to Xi Jinping to Release Their Dad, Jimmy Lai,” comes a week before the Chinese Communist Party leader’s visit to the United States. The hearing featured testimony from Sebastien Lai, the son of the imprisoned media entrepreneur, who called for the immediate release of the 78-year-old democracy activist. Jimmy Lai was sentenced to prison after founding a non-state-sponsored newspaper and “believing in the almighty,” the panel’s chairman, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said during the hearing. People gather in front of the Chinese Consulate General to protest the unjust conviction of media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai on Feb. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images) “America understands, in his pains, that freedom dies with the last men willing to defend it. And that the cost of not standing up for liberty is not felt until it is too late,” Sebastien Lai said. “My father poses no threat. His imprisonment makes him a symbol of injustice. His death in prison would be a disgrace.” Lai also said during his testimony that his sister, Claire Lai, was supposed to testify before the panel alongside him Wednesday but was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month and is currently undergoing chemotherapy in London. The congressional panel also heard from Steve Yates, senior research fellow for China and national security at The Heritage Foundation, who provided the committee with insight into the Chinese Communist Party’s control. “This is no longer principally an appeal to law, foreign or domestic,” Yates said. “It is a litmus test of whether there remains any reason to believe there is a future in Xi Jinping’s China for the kind of man that Jimmy Lai is.” During his testimony, Yates, who lost his 25-year-ol… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415840 | OSV News article on Smith hearing'Advocates urge Trump to push for Jimmy Lai release during Xi’s state visit to the US' | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Kate Scanlon Published 2:43 PM September 16, 2026 WASHINGTON (OSV News) — President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House in late September, and advocates for Hong Kong’s prominent Catholic media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai said Trump should push for his release from prison during the summit. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., a Catholic, who is a longtime lawmaker and co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, held a hearing Sept. 16 examining Lai’s imprisonment, with Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, among the witnesses. Trump and other U.S. officials have pushed for Lai’s release and have cast the charges leading to Lai’s conviction on national security offenses under the city’s controversial national security law as fabricated, arguing that they were evidence that the Chinese Communist Party is seeking to silence dissent. Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong Catholic, philanthropist and media mogul, poses for a portrait in London Dec. 15, 2025, next to a campaign poster featuring imagery of his father during an interview with Reuters. He gave the interview after his father was found guilty under Hong Kong's national security law of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and to publish seditious material. Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment Feb. 9, 2026. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his trial. (OSV News photo/Toby Melville, Reuters) Smith: Trump ‘has to be absolutely unmovable’ At a May summit in China, Trump asked Xi to release political prisoners of interest to the U.S., including Jimmy Lai and Ezra Jin Mingri, founder and pastor of Zion Church. U.S. officials expressed grave religious freedom concerns in both cases. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., is pictured in an Oct. 11, 2022. Smith, a Catholic who is a longtime lawmaker and co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, held a hearing Sept. 16, 2026, examining Jimmy Lai’s imprisonment, with Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, among the w… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415841 | “The Hyde Amendment reaffirms the fundamental truth that every life is precious and irreplaceable.”Smith hosts Special Order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | Tonight, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, hosted a Special Order on the House floor to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, which protects taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, both directly and through federal health plans. Rep. Smith’s remarks are provided below: Fifty years ago—on September 30th, 1976—Congress first enacted an amendment offered by the late, great Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois to prohibit federal Medicaid funds from being used to subsidize the killing of unborn children by abortion. During debate in the House, Henry said: “An innocent, defenseless human life, in a caring and humane society, deserves better than to be flushed down a toilet or burned in an incinerator. The promise of America is that life is not just for the privileged, the planned, or the perfect.” Mr. Speaker, according to Dr. Michael J. New of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, approximately 2.7 million people are alive today—and each year, another 60,000 evade the irreversible consequence of abortion and survive—because of Henry Hyde’s amendment. Thanks to Henry Hyde, 2.7 million people—who would have otherwise been aborted—have experienced the joys and challenges and opportunities to thrive. Beginning in 1981, I had the honor of serving alongside Henry Hyde in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was brilliant, compassionate, tenacious, incredibly articulate, self-effacing, a man of great wisdom and humor—a one-of-a-kind lawmaker—who, to this day, remains the greatest defender of unborn children and their mothers. He was so good at debate, you always wanted him to be your closer. Henry believed sound moral principles and courage should inform and guide the decisions we make in government, and he addressed the 1990 class of incoming freshman Members of Congress with these words: “This may sound odd, even ironic. You are here in the flush of victory. And yet it is precisely now that I ask you to contemplate the possibility of defeat—perhaps even the necessi… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-small-business-committee-advances-mejia-bill-to-ensure-accurate-disaster-assistance-information | House Small Business Committee Advances Mejia Bill to Ensure Accurate Disaster Assistance Information | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Analilia Mejia | M001246 | mejia.house.gov | mejia | https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | For Immediate Release: September 16, 2026 Contact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov Disaster Loan Outreach Consistency Act would require SBA to provide consistent, current disaster loan information to small business owners WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Committee on Small Business today advanced legislation introduced by Representative Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) to strengthen federal disaster assistance for small businesses and ensure owners have accurate, up-to-date information when recovering from natural disasters. The legislation will advance to the House floor when scheduled for a vote. Small businesses are increasingly on the front lines of natural disasters, facing flooding, severe storms, blizzards, and other events that can threaten their ability to stay open. The Disaster Loan Outreach Consistency Act would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish standardized procedures to ensure disaster outreach materials are consistent, current, and accurate across its field operations centers—equipping businesses with the information to seek and receive aid in a timely manner. “With nearly 99 percent of all businesses in my home state of New Jersey are small businesses and each one facing the threat of coastal storms and severe floods, these are over 1 million owners and potential borrowers who need all the relevant information. This is why my bill, the Disaster Loan Outreach Consistency Act, offers a simple solution and basic oversight to this issue,” said Congresswoman Mejia. “I urge my colleagues and members of this committee to support this legislation. In a period of time where misinformation is rampant, we must work to ensure small business owners have all the possible information they can have to make the best decision for themselves. We cannot let our federal agencies misguide, misdirect, and withhold vital information, especially when they make regulatory changes that affect Americans. The disaster loan program is one crucial step in recovery after a natural disaster.” Small … | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-legislation-to-strengthen-electric-grid-planning-amid-rapidly-growing-energy-demand-passes-the-house | Menendez Legislation to Strengthen Electric Grid Planning Amid Rapidly Growing Energy Demand Passes the House | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Robert Menendez | M001226 | menendez.house.gov | menendez | https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that his bipartisan legislation, the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act, passed the House of Representatives. The legislation, introduced in June with Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12), would help protect families and strengthen grid planning amid rapidly growing energy demand due to AI data centers. “Families across America are facing rapidly rising utility bills as a result of unprecedented strain on our power grids, including increased demand from AI data centers,” said Congressman Menendez. “I am pleased that our legislation has passed the House of Representatives and is one step closer to becoming law. We will continue working to lower energy costs for families, protect ratepayers, and ensure our electrical grid can meet growing needs.” “To protect Americans from higher electric bills and make sure our grid can keep up with rising demand, we need to plan ahead,” said Congressman Balderson. “The bipartisan Load Forecasting Enhancement Act gives states and utilities the tools they need to better understand future electricity demand and prepare for it. I applaud my House colleagues for supporting this practical legislation and helping make electricity reliable and more affordable for American families.” The bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) to convene regional joint boards with state public utility commissions to identify best practices for electric load forecasting. The legislation also requires FERC to report its findings and recommendations to Congress and encourages states to consider adopting improved forecasting procedures to support reliable, affordable electric service. The United States is experiencing unprecedented growth in electricity usage and demand. At the same time, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment warns that much of North America faces a growing risk of energy shortfalls over the next five years, with PJM—the regional transmission org… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallones-bipartisan-am-radio-every-vehicle-act-passes-house | Pallone’s Bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act Passes House | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Frank Pallone, Jr. | P000034 | pallone.house.gov | pallone | https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today applauded House passage of his bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bill to ensure AM radio remains available in new vehicles sold in the United States. Pallone introduced the legislation with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in response to automakers removing AM radio from some new vehicles, threatening access to an important source of emergency information when other communications systems fail. Their bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue a rule to require automakers to include AM radio as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles. “Today, the House acted to protect a service that millions of Americans rely on every day and that can become a lifeline when disaster strikes,” Pallone said. “During Superstorm Sandy – when power, cell service, cable, and internet went down across New Jersey – radio listenership in my district surged 247 percent as people tuned in for critical information on AM radio stations. I’m proud we passed this bipartisan bill today, and I’ll keep working to get it across the finish line.” AM radio remains an important part of the nation’s Emergency Alert System. A network of AM broadcast stations serves as Primary Entry Points for emergency alerts, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) invests in maintaining their ability to continue broadcasting during major disasters. Pallone’s AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would: Require automakers to maintain free AM radio in new passenger vehicles sold in the United States. Require clear disclosure to consumers if a vehicle lacks AM radio access before the new requirement takes effect. The legislation previously advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support in September 2025. Today’s House passage sends the legislation to the Senate for further consideration. | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2094 | Congressman Van Drew's PROOF Act Passes House to Crack Down on Fraud in Federal Programs | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that H.R. 10326, the Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds (PROOF) Act, has passed through the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would give federal investigators a direct way to obtain records from states when investigating fraud in programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, unemployment benefits, disaster assistance, and other federally funded programs. "To me, it is simple. If taxpayer money is being stolen, investigators should be able to get the records they need to find out where it went," said Congressman Van Drew. "Right now, that does not always happen. We just saw four states refuse twice to provide SNAP data, to the point where the Justice Department had to take them to court just to get the information. Meanwhile, the states that did cooperate provided data that showed billions of dollars a year going to overpayments and fraud. "The PROOF Act fixes this problem. If the Attorney General is investigating fraud involving federal taxpayer dollars, the state has to provide the records needed for that investigation. We also made sure there are strong privacy protections in place to ensure that the information is only used for the investigation. Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar not going to a family, senior, or individual counting on that help. It is our responsibility to make sure that these programs are working as they were intended." Click here to read the text of the bill. | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2095 | Congressman Van Drew Celebrates Passage of Major South Jersey Water Infrastructure Priorities | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew celebrated the passage of the Water Resources Development (WRDA) Act of 2026 through the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation includes eleven priorities he secured for South Jersey, and it is expected to be signed into law. "This is exactly the kind of work I came to Congress to do," said Congressman Van Drew. "South Jersey is surrounded by water, and our towns deal with flooding, erosion, aging dams, and waterways that need our full attention. I fought to get these priorities into the bill because they will directly address these concerns and make a real difference in the safety of the residents of South Jersey. Now they are on their way to becoming law. I am proud of what we were able to get done here, and I am going to stay on top of these projects to make sure the work gets done." Priorities Secured: East Point Lighthouse Shore Protection- Expands the ongoing Maurice River dredging study to include shoreline protection for the East Point Lighthouse. North Wildwood Shore Protection- Expedites the North Wildwood hurricane and storm damage reduction project using Hereford Inlet as the source of sand. Coastal Storm Risk Management Trust Fund Study- Includes Congressman Van Drew's provision directing a study to create a dedicated funding source for beach projects. Dam Assessment and Mitigation Support (DAMS) Act- Reauthorizes the National Dam Safety Program through 2031 and includes Congressman Van Drew's DAMS Act provision to strengthen dam safety nationally. Great Egg Harbor River Watershed Assessment- Adds the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed to the Corps' authorized watershed and river-basin assessment list. New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway Rerouting- Authorizes a study to reroute the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway near Ventnor City to solve navigation challenges related to the Dorsett Avenue bridge. Absecon Island Shoreline Project- Accelerates the Atlantic City hot spot erosion study. Hot Spot Erosion Program Improvements- Strengthens Congress… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kennedy-launch-bipartisan-senate-creators-caucus | Booker, Kennedy Launch Bipartisan Senate Creators Caucus | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Kennedy (R-LA) launched the Senate Creators Caucus, a first-of-its-kind, bipartisan effort to recognize and engage creators shaping public conversation for millions of Americans. The new caucus highlights the growing creator economy and the role that creators play in elevating cultural, social, and political issues. To mark the launch, Booker and Kennedy hosted a panel and reception featuring 15 leading creators whose work spans tech, politics, beauty, mental health, sports, and lifestyle content—collectively reaching tens of millions of viewers across the country. “Content creators are more than our favorite teachers, cooks, music critics, and voices online. They are also entrepreneurs who create jobs, drive economic growth, and invest in their communities. Creators represent a growing sector of the economy, but Congress and our laws haven’t kept up. The bipartisan Senate Creators Caucus seeks to change that by educating lawmakers, advocating for policies that have creators in mind, and ensuring that creators are recognized as legitimate small businesses, ” said Senator Booker. “America’s content creators are entrepreneurs. They’re turning good ideas into careers, building businesses and reaching millions of people in ways that weren’t possible a generation ago. Creators and social media have tremendous influence over how Americans communicate and get information, and that influence comes with a responsibility to be honest and tell the truth. Senator Booker and I started this caucus to hear directly from creators, better understand this growing part of our economy and make sure they have a voice in Congress,” said Senator Kennedy. "YouTube creators are online storytellers, entrepreneurs, and employers in every state across the country. We're grateful to Senators Booker and Kennedy for launching the Senate Creators Caucus to ensure America’s digital creators have a strong voice in Washington,” said Leslie Miller, VP of Government Affairs and Public … | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-committee-passage-of-farm-bill | Booker Statement on Committee Passage of Farm Bill | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement on the Committee’s passage of the Republican Farm Bill: “The Republican Farm Bill that passed the Senate Agriculture Committee today on a party line vote fails to meet this moment of crisis our farmers and our families are facing. Not only does the bill fail to meaningfully fix the massive cuts to SNAP that Republicans made last year, it also does not provide funding or policy changes to help the hundreds of thousands of struggling small and mid-sized farmers across our country. Since Congress passed the last Farm Bill in 2018, we have lost over 150,000 farms in our country. That is an average of over 50 farms going out of business every single day. The repeated need for emergency assistance demonstrates that our current farm programs are no longer working as intended. Congress cannot continue responding to every farm crisis with another hasty bailout while leaving the underlying problems unaddressed. This Farm Bill needs to be amended into a better bill that would help to build a more resilient agricultural economy by restoring fair markets, strengthening local and regional food systems, and investing in the production of the healthy foods Americans need.” | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415842 | EWTN News article on Smith hearing'Jimmy Lai’s family, advocates press for his release before Xi-Trump meeting' | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Tessa Gervasini Published September 16m, 2026 at 5:32 PM ET Family members and advocates of imprisoned Catholic pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai offered urgent pleas for his release ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned trip to the U.S. to meet with President Donald Trump. In anticipation of Xi’s visit to Washington on Sept. 24, Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai’s son, met with leaders to advocate for his father. He joined a Sept. 16 congressional hearing led by Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey. “Jimmy Lai is not being imprisoned because he committed any act of violence whatsoever,” Smith, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said. Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, left, holds a congressional hearing with testimony from Sebastien Lai on Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C. | Credit: Tessa Gervasini/EWTN News “His son has emphasized that his father has never, never advocated violence. Rather, Jimmy Lai used his voice, his newspaper, and his public platform to support freedom and democracy,” he said. Smith said he introduced legislation Sept. 16 that would require the State Department to quickly assess any death in custody of a Hong Kong political prisoner and impose sanctions on officials found responsible. He titled the bill the “Jimmy Lai Hong Kong Political Prisoner Accountability Act of 2026.” At the hearing, Sebastien Lai offered testimony along with Steve Yates, a research fellow on China and national security policy, and Mark Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. “I want to thank America, President Trump, who has been a true champion of my father’s, his administration, and the senators and members of both parties whose support has never wavered and only gotten stronger. That is moral courage, and my family does not take it for granted,” Sebastien Lai said. “By the end of this year my father will have spent six years in a maximum-security prison in solitary. At 78, he is the oldest political prisoner in Hong Kong. With a 20-year sentence looming ov… | 1 | 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z | 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z |
| https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-blasts-pairing-unchecked-trump-tariffs-russia-sanctions | Congresswoman Pou Blasts Pairing of Unchecked Trump Tariffs with Russia Sanctions | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Nellie Pou | P000621 | pou.house.gov | pou | https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) tonight blasted sabotage of Ukrainian support by authorizing broad new tariff authorities to President Trump. “For nearly five years, Ukrainians have fought bravely for their survival, and against all odds, Ukraine is now winning the war. America should be giving Ukraine the necessary support it needs to expel Russia from its borders and end this war of aggression,” said Congresswoman Pou. “I support providing broad aid to Ukraine, strong sanctions against Russia, and the message that Congress stands with Ukraine. Tragically, the substance of this bill does not match the message and this bill wrongly pairs Russian sanctions with giving Donald Trump destructive tariff powers that would go beyond this conflict. “And for nearly two years, the President has imposed widespread tariffs on allies, yet has waived Russian sanctions and has refused to apply similar tariffs on Russia, despite Russia’s repeated attacks on Ukrainian civilians and its refusal to engage in good-faith peace negotiations. “Nothing is preventing the President from imposing sanctions on the Russian war machine and he could have imposed harsh sanctions on day one of his administration nearly two years. I call upon him to do that today. To my Ukrainian friends: Americans are with you, and I am with you. Slava Ukraini!” concluded Pou. Congresswoman Pou’s support for Ukraine Pou was a cosponsor of a discharge petition that, in June, forced Speaker Johnson to bring H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, to a vote on the House floor. The legislation – which Pou voted in favor of – would provide fresh funding to Ukraine in its fight for survival and help impose long-sought sanctions on Russia for its cruel and illegal war. Pou has advocated for the U.S. Department of State to increase funding to assist Ukraine with tracking and returning children abducted by Russia and has repeatedly called on the Department of Homeland Security to uphold legal protections for Ukrainian refugees in the United States. … | 1 | 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z | 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z |
| https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-backed-flood-protections-pass-house | Pou-Backed Flood Protections Pass House | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Nellie Pou | P000621 | pou.house.gov | pou | https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House’s Water Resources Subcommittee, spoke on the floor of the House in favor of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The legislation includes over a dozen priorities Pou championed to help protect North Jersey from flooding and advance critical local water infrastructure projects. The legislation passed the House overwhelmingly, 415-to-9. The passed legislation includes provisions that will help move long-delayed flood mitigation projects forward, launch new studies, and strengthen protections for communities across North Jersey that have endured repeated flooding. The bill also incorporates Congresswoman Pou’s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, legislation she introduced earlier this year to remove barriers that have stalled environmental remediation projects. “In our North Jersey communities, flooding is not some distant threat. In just the last few weeks, our communities have seen terrible flash floods turn streets into rivers, destroying homes, cars, and small businesses, and upending lives,” said Congresswoman Pou. “This bill takes action by moving long-delayed flood protection projects forward across Bergen and Passaic Counties. I am especially proud this package includes my bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act. We cannot keep waiting until after disaster strikes to act. We must be proactive and give our communities the tools to protect themselves before the next storm comes.” Since taking office, Congresswoman Pou has made flood mitigation one of her key priorities in Congress. Earlier this year, she introduced the CLEAN-UP Act to remove barriers delaying Army Corps projects and authored the Water Crisis Prevention Act to improve the federal response to infrastructure failures. During the Surface Transportation Reauthorization mark-up, Pou also secured an amendment into the bill that would direct the Government Accountability Office to review Department of Transportation PROTECT grants and produce a report identifying best practices and… | 1 | 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z | 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z |
| https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-thanedar-watson-coleman-introduce-legislation-to-strengthen-ice-reporting-standards | Reps. Thanedar, Watson Coleman Introduce Legislation to Strengthen ICE Reporting Standards | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Bonnie Watson Coleman | W000822 | watsoncoleman.house.gov | watsoncoleman | https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Yesterday, Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13) and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the No ICE Deaths in the Dark Act, comprehensive legislation that will ensure that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports quickly and transparently on any deaths that occur in ICE custody. In a reversal from previous policy, ICE is no longer required to report certain deaths that occur within 30 days after release from custody, even when ICE detention or release conditions may have contributed to the death. This legislation would codify Biden-era reporting rules that required full reporting on these and all other deaths in ICE custody. “Since President Trump took office, ICE has gotten out of control, detaining a record number of Americans in horrific conditions,” said Thanedar. “It is beyond unacceptable that detainees are dying in custody and ICE is refusing to report their deaths. I’m proud to introduce this necessary legislation with Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman to ensure ICE finally acts with the transparency the American people deserve and to protect the lives of those in detention centers.” “ICE has had free reign to attack people in front of cameras, so it’s imperative we demand to see what is going on behind closed doors,” said Watson Coleman. “Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, one of my constituents, was denied medical care and died in ICE custody. How many other detainees have suffered from medical neglect while in custody, only to die once released? These people deserve justice too.” This legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Al Green (TX-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Mike Quigl… | 1 | 2026-09-18T09:27:43Z | 2026-09-18T09:29:09Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-presses-doj-on-antitrust-nominees-reported-work-at-the-department-before-senate-confirmation | Booker Presses DOJ on Antitrust Nominee’s Reported Work at the Department Before Senate Confirmation | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, demanded answers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) about reports that Adam Candeub, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Antitrust Division, is already working at DOJ while his nomination is still pending before the Senate and he seemingly still serves at the Federal Communications Commission. President Trump nominated Candeub on July 21 to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division. The Senate Judiciary Committee held his confirmation hearing on August 5 but has not voted on his nomination. Recent reporting indicates that Candeub has been working at DOJ headquarters for several weeks as Counselor to the Attorney General and has taken part in antitrust-related briefings. The Department has disputed part of that account, saying Candeub has not attended leadership or policy briefings. In a letter to DOJ”s Office of Legislative Affairs, Booker pressed the Department to clarify Candeub’s role and authority. The letter also raises questions about Candeub’s dual roles. The FCC has identified Candeub as its General Counsel since January 2025. Booker asked whether Candeub had resigned or taken leave from the Commission, and what legal authority, if any, allows him to serve at both agencies at the same time. Particularly when the DOJ and FCC have overlapping jurisdiction over broadcast, cable, and wireless transactions. “The Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution conditions Mr. Candeub’s service in this office on the Senate’s advice and consent,” wrote Senator Booker. “The Senate Judiciary Committee assesses a nominee’s qualifications, independence, and conflicts before he assumes authority, not after he has spent substantial time inside an agency directly or indirectly influencing the very matters he would inherit.” Booker asked the DOJ to respond in writing by Monday, September 21. The Senator requested details on when Candeub beg… | 1 | 2026-09-22T09:42:49Z | 2026-09-22T09:44:35Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-merkley-grassley-hinson-and-adams-lead-bipartisan-push-for-stillbirth-prevention-and-awareness | Booker, Merkley, Grassley, Hinson, and Adams Lead Bipartisan Push for Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness | 2026-09-16 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. Nearly one-fourth of stillbirths are potentially preventable, and the resolution underscores the need to advance evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts across the United States. "Every year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable," said Senator Booker. "Losing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies." "No family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there's still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies' lives," said Senator Grassley. "Every parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss," said Senator Merkley. "Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for… | 1 | 2026-09-23T09:45:16Z | 2026-09-23T09:46:14Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415828 | Hyde Amendment violations & transparency failures revealedNew GAO report: Taxpayers bankrolled Obamacare health insurance plans covering elective abortions for 4.4 million individuals in 2026 | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | A new report from the U.S. government’s nonpartisan watchdog agency revealed that federal taxpayers subsidized 1,719 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) that covered elective abortions for an estimated 4.4 million individuals this year alone. The report also showed that 683 more abortion-covering QHPs were available through the ACA than when GAO issued a similar brief in 2014. The recent report, compiled by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), was requested by House and Senate majority leadership, Co-Chairs of the House and Senate Congressional Pro-Life Caucus and Values Action Teams, and Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees of jurisdiction. Upon the release of the report—first reported by The Daily Wire—Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, and Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Chairman of the House Values Action Team (VAT), issued the following statement: “For far too long, pro-life Americans have been deceived by the ACA and strongarmed into paying for health plans that do not respect the sanctity of life. American taxpayers deserve complete transparency and truthfulness as to where their hard-earned dollars are going—and under the ACA as it currently stands, that’s just not possible. “Today’s GAO report confirms the very concerns that Republicans have raised for over fifteen years: the ACA fails to apply the longstanding and bipartisan Hyde Amendment law, which protects taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, both directly and through federal health plans. “The ACA allows premium tax credits to be directed towards health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion. Federal taxpayer dollars—even from individuals living in pro-life states—are subsidizing plans that include elective abortion coverage for over 4.4 million people. “The report also found that some insurance issuers failed to comply with the ACA’s consumer transparency provision, which requires plans to prominently disclose abortion coverage. “As we approach the 50th annive… | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415829 | The Daily Wire exclusive article on Smith-requested report'EXCLUSIVE: Obamacare Plans Use Taxpayer Dollars For Abortions, Watchdog Finds' | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Mary Margaret Olohan Published September 15, 2026 WASHINGTON—A nonpartisan federal watchdog on Tuesday revealed that Obamacare subsidizes abortions, upending a longtime Democrat talking point, The Daily Wire can first report. Nearly a third of Affordable Care Act plans cover abortions, the Government Accountability Office found. Of the 6,655 qualified health plans offered on Obamacare exchanges, 1,719 cover “non-excepted abortion services,” meaning elective abortions that are not the result of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s life. States that have banned abortion prohibit exchange plans from covering these services. About 4.4 million Americans are enrolled in Obamacare plans that cover abortions, the report found. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) “As a strong defender of life, I find the results of today’s GAO report deeply concerning,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told The Daily Wire. “American taxpayer dollars should not be used to subsidize elective abortions in violation of the longstanding Hyde Amendment.” Republicans have long said that the Hyde Amendment — which bans the use of federal funds to pay for abortions except in cases where the unborn baby is conceived through rape or incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger — should apply to Obamacare plans. Critics say that Democrats have misled the public about when Obamacare plans are subject to Hyde rules. Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) “Today’s GAO report confirms the very concerns that Republicans have raised for over fifteen years,” New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith told The Daily Wire. “The ACA fails to apply the longstanding and bipartisan Hyde Amendment law, which protects taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, both directly and through federal health plans.” Earlier this year, some Republicans pushed back strongly when President Donald Trump suggested that they should be flexible on the Hyde Amendment. Smith, who leads the co… | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415830 | Washington Examiner article on Smith-requested report'GAO finds millions of Obamacare enrollees have abortions covered' | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Rena Rowe Published September 15, 2026 1:32pm ET A new report from the Government Accountability Office found that federal premium tax credits have helped subsidize Affordable Care Act health plans that cover abortions for millions of enrollees this year. The GAO found that 1,719 of the 6,655 ACA plans available nationwide in 2026, or roughly 26%, covered abortions. Those plans covered an estimated 4.4 million people. That is an increase of 683 plans from the number GAO found in a similar review in 2014. The availability of abortion coverage varied widely by state, largely because of varied state abortion laws. The findings come as Congress approaches the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, a long-standing federal policy that bars federal funds from being used to pay for abortions, with exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest and cases in which the woman’s life is endangered. But Obamacare is not funded annually through the appropriations process, so it is not required to follow the rules of the Hyde Amendment. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, and Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), chairman of the House Values Action Team, said the report shows Obamacare does not provide the same Hyde protections to marketplace plans as those that apply to other federal programs. “The ACA allows premium tax credits to be directed towards health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion,” the lawmakers said, calling for stronger Hyde protections and greater transparency about abortion coverage. Smith has also called on the Trump administration to take action on abortion coverage in Obamacare plans until Congress passes legislation extending Hyde protections to those plans. “Today’s GAO report confirms the very concerns that Republicans have raised for over fifteen years: the ACA fails to apply the longstanding and bipartisan Hyde Amendment law, which protects taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, both directly and through federal health plans,” the law… | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/statement-gottheimer-says-third-party-audits-alone-dont-meet-the-moment | STATEMENT: Gottheimer Says Third-Party Audits Alone Don’t Meet the Moment | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, September 15, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement: “Handing independent auditors the job of protecting America’s national security just won’t cut it and certainly doesn’t meet the moment. With our cybersecurity, biosecurity, critical infrastructure, and national security on the line, every AI developer should have to submit their frontier models to the U.S. government for a shot-clocked review before they release them to the public. It can’t only be voluntary, and we can’t rely on third-party organizations that don’t have the compute power, expertise, or security clearances to actually test and assess these models effectively. When AI developers cheer on the framework meant to hold these companies accountable, it should raise red flags, not confidence.” ### | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-hosts-fourth-annual-seniors-distinction-event | Kean Hosts Fourth Annual Seniors of Distinction Event | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Thomas H. Kean, Jr. | K000398 | kean.house.gov | kean | https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | (September 15, 2026) BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Last week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) hosted his fourth annual Seniors of Distinction event at the Bridgewater Township Senior Center to honor the outstanding seniors of New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District. This year, Congressman Kean celebrated 24 seniors representing all six counties within New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District. Each honoree was nominated by their friends, families, or local officials in recognition of their exceptional service and dedication to others. The Seniors of Distinction were selected for their long history of giving back to their communities. “The people we recognize today represent what is best about our communities,” said Congressman Kean. “They have spent years giving their time, sharing their experience, helping their neighbors, and strengthening their hometowns. So much of what makes a community strong comes from people who simply choose, day after day, to show up for others. It is a privilege to recognize these extraordinary New Jerseyans and to thank them for the example they continue to set for all of us.” “I want to thank Congressman Kean for being here and for holding this event,” said 2026 Honoree Gloria Padgett. “It was great getting to know the people here and hearing about their volunteering. They are doing wonderful things for their communities, and when you give to people, it deserves to be recognized.” “I want to thank Congressman Kean for hosting the Seniors of Distinction event and for his advocacy, which has made a real, measurable difference in our district,” said Bernard Rosario. “For working families and seniors on fixed incomes in a high-property-tax state like New Jersey, the SALT deduction that Congressman Kean fought is often the difference between being able to afford to stay in the home and community we have spent our lives in or being forced to relocate out of state in retirement. Thank you, Congressman Kean, for your continued dedication to NJ-07 and for fighting for policies that keep our c… | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/co-chairs-of-defend-the-14th-amendment-task-force-introduce-resolution-to-protect-voting-rights-and-defend-free-and-fair-elections | Co-Chairs of Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force Introduce Resolution to Protect Voting Rights and Defend Free and Fair Elections | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Analilia Mejia | M001246 | mejia.house.gov | mejia | https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Co-Chairs of the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force, Representatives Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), today introduced a resolution reaffirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to enforcing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and protecting every eligible American’s right to vote. The resolution comes as fundamental voting-rights protections face growing threats, including efforts to deploy armed federal or immigration enforcement personnel at or near polling places, impose documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, compile sensitive voter registration information into a national database, and use executive authority to interfere with election administration. In response, the resolution condemns voter intimidation and suppression, opposes efforts to restrict access to the ballot, and calls for protecting every eligible voter’s ability to cast their ballot free from fear. The resolution also calls for restoring federal voting rights protections weakened by recent Supreme Court decisions, including the preclearance protections struck down in Shelby County v. Holder and protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act weakened by Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee and Louisiana v. Callais. It supports legislation including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Protect Our Polls Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act. “The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and that foundation is under attack. We are witnessing a coordinated assault on the people’s power to choose their leaders: voter intimidation, barriers to the ballot, the weaponization of voter data, and threats of federal interference at the polls,” said the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force members. “The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments were born out of a struggle to make our democracy more inclusive and more representative. Generations of Americans fought, marched, organized, … | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-applauds-major-passaic-river-cleanup-milestone-following-pressure-on-epa-and-doj | Menendez Applauds Major Passaic River Cleanup Milestone Following Pressure on EPA and DOJ | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Robert Menendez | M001226 | menendez.house.gov | menendez | https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement after a proposed $125,000,000 settlement agreement was reached by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) in the long-overdue cleanup of the Passaic River. “The Passaic River cleanup agreement is a necessary step forward for families in Newark and our neighboring communities who have borne the brunt of toxic pollution for far too long,” said Congressman Menendez. “We demanded action from the EPA and DOJ to protect our residents, and we fought alongside dedicated community advocates to get our residents long overdue progress. I will not stop fighting until the Passaic River is fully cleaned up, our families’ health is protected, and environmental justice is served.” The proposed consent decree comes after Congressman Menendez led an effort with Congresswomen LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and former Attorney General Pam Bondi to hold polluters accountable, accelerate the cleanup of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site, and protect the health and well-being of New Jerseyans. The Diamond Alkali Superfund Site was added to the National Priorities List in 1984, but the complex cleanup remains incomplete. The Passaic River continues to suffer from the impact of industrial waste, including dioxins discharged during the Vietnam War-era production of Agent Orange. This new proposed agreement will support the next phase of the cleanup and ensure that liable polluters pay for the restoration, not taxpayers. Congressman Rob Menendez has represented New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District since 2023. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Subcommittees on Environment, Energy, and Communications and Technology. | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2092 | Congressman Van Drew Chairs Hearing on New Jersey Voter Roll Scandal | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew, Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, held a hearing examining how 6,600 people who indicated they were not U.S. citizens were improperly registered to vote in New Jersey, with almost 400 later casting votes. "The part that should make every person in New Jersey angry is that the state knew there was a problem in June of 2024 and did not tell the public what happened until two years later," said Congressman Van Drew. "How do thousands of noncitizens get registered, hundreds vote, and nobody thinks the people of New Jersey deserve to know? Now we are asking questions to find out exactly what went wrong, and we have been met with resistance from the state every step of the way. That is why I chaired this hearing today. Elections can come down to one vote, so yes, we are going to keep asking questions to make sure that it is only Americans voting in American elections." | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-vote-against-clarity-act | Booker Statement on Vote Against Clarity Act | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Cory A. Booker | B001288 | www.booker.senate.gov | booker | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press | scraper | “After nearly a year of negotiating in good faith towards a bill that protects consumers, cracks down on Trump’s corrupt crypto schemes and sets fair rules of the road for the crypto industry, I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans brought a bill to the floor without bipartisan agreement. I said from the start of my work on this issue, I will not support legislation that allows President Trump to line his own pockets. It's outrageous that the President of the United States and Senate Republicans decided to protect President Trump’s corruption, self-dealing and schemes to turn the White House into his personal ATM over the interests of American consumers." | 1 | 2026-09-16T09:43:13Z | 2026-09-16T09:44:22Z |
| https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415832 | National Review article on Smith-requested report'One in Four Obamacare Plans Cover Elective Abortions Despite Hyde Amendment Restrictions, GAO Finds' | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher H. Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | chrissmith | https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx | scraper | By Kamden Mulder Published September 15, 2026 5:42 PM Twenty-six percent of Obamacare exchange plans cover elective abortions, even as the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for such procedures, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. The Hyde Amendment only allows federal money to be used to pay for abortions under limited circumstances: when the life of the mother is at risk, or when the pregnancy is the product of rape or incest. But the GAO report found one in four Affordable Care Act plans cover “non-excepted abortion services.” Of the 6,655 Obamacare plans on the market, 1,719 cover abortions outside of the federal exceptions. Pro-life advocates have long voiced concerns about how the Hyde Amendment applies to Obamacare insurance plans and how effectively it prohibits taxpayer-subsidized insurance coverage from including abortion. Affordable Care Act forms in 2013(Jonathan Bachman/Reuters) “Obamacare was the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion in American history after Roe v. Wade. Tax dollars have paid for the violent deaths of countless babies, in an end run around the longstanding protections of the Hyde Amendment. Democrats’ gaslighting is inexcusable,” SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “While the Hyde Amendment has saved nearly 2.7 million lives in its 50-year existence, Obamacare is a glaring exception.” Representatives Chris Smith (R., N.J.) and Robert Aderholt (R., Ala.) similarly said the report “confirms the very concerns that Republicans have raised for over fifteen years: the ACA fails to apply the longstanding and bipartisan Hyde Amendment law, which protects taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, both directly and through federal health plans.” “The ACA allows premium tax credits to be directed towards health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion,” the pair added in a joint statement. “Federal taxpayer dollars—even from individuals living in pro-life states—are subsidizing pla… | 1 | 2026-09-17T09:52:05Z | 2026-09-17T09:53:00Z |
| https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-introduces-bill-to-support-veteran-owned-small-businesses-mciver-introduces-bill-to-support-veteran-owned-small-businesses | McIver Introduces Bill To Support Veteran-Owned Small Businesses | 2026-09-15 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | LaMonica McIver | M001229 | mciver.house.gov | mciver | https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the Ensuring SBA Implementation of GAO Recommendations Act of 2026. This bill would require the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Veteran Business Development (OVBD) to establish procedures to comply with existing reporting requirements on veteran-owned small businesses. The bill would strengthen SBA support for veteran entrepreneurs by requiring the SBA to report on ways to improve veteran-owned small businesses' access in areas such as federal contracting and programing. “This bill does the important work of supporting veteran entrepreneurs in creating, maintaining, and growing their businesses,” said McIver. “Veterans are essential members of our communities and their work deserves to be lifted. Making sure the proper procedures are in place to support them allows for our small businesses and communities to thrive.” Currently, the SBA provides entrepreneurial training and education through Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs). However, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the SBA lacked procedures for submitting the required annual report on veteran-owned small businesses and had not complied in recent years. By developing procedures to ensure compliance with reporting requirements, the SBA and Congress will have better information to serve America’s hardworking veteran-owned businesses. The full text of the Ensuring SBA Implementation of GAO Recommendations Act of 2026 can be found here. ### | 1 | 2026-09-19T09:11:33Z | 2026-09-19T09:12:45Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/icymi-as-ai-advances-gottheimer-leads-bipartisan-charge-to-put-up-immediate-guardrails | ICYMI: As AI Advances, Gottheimer Leads Bipartisan Charge to Put Up Immediate Guardrails | 2026-09-14 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Led an Extensive Series of AI Bipartisan Bills Calls on Republican Leadership to Stop Delaying & Take Real Action WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House AI Commission, has led an extensive series of bipartisan bills this Congress to put up immediate guardrails to keep pace with the rapid rise of AI. Teaming up with Republican and Democratic colleagues alike, Gottheimer’s bills tackle current issues from rogue AI agents and cybersecurity to commonsense consumer and child protections to AI digital literacy. Unfortunately, Republican leadership has refused to directly bring any of these critical pieces of legislation to the floor for a vote. “AI is moving lightning fast, and Washington needs to keep up. This isn’t about losing this race to our adversaries. It’s about winning the right way, in a way that protects our children, families, and country. We need mandatory, commonsense guardrails and clear rules of the road, so that we innovate safely,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Over the last year, we have introduced a series of bipartisan bills that will both protect our families and national security, and ensure we can seize upon the opportunities ahead of us. I’m calling on Republican leadership to immediately bring these critical, bipartisan bills to the floor. We should not go home until we take action.” Gottheimer’s Bipartisan AI Bills | 1 | 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z | 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-following-labor-day-gottheimer-hosts-roundtable-with-local-labor-leaders | PHOTO RELEASE: Following Labor Day, Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable with Local Labor Leaders | 2026-09-14 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer meeting with North Jersey labor leaders. PARAMUS, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable with North Jersey labor leaders to discuss his ongoing work to help create jobs, lower costs, and support the hard-working men and women of labor. The roundtable was held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 164. Gottheimer and North Jersey labor leaders discussed affordability, future of AI, next generation of workers, health care costs, rising taxes, and Gottheimer’s continued work in Washington to support Jersey families. Watch video from his event here. “I’m proud to stand with North Jersey and our hardworking families,” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Labor unions helped build this state, this country, and create the most competitive workforce in the world. I’ll keep fighting in Washington for better wages, safer working conditions, more job opportunities, and the dignity and respect every worker has earned.” Gottheimer fighting to support Jersey’s workforce: Gottheimer helped write, negotiate, and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, delivering more than $10 billion to fix Jersey’s crumbling roads and bridges and creating hundreds of thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs — all without increasing the tax burden on our families. Gottheimer also fought hard for strong Davis-Bacon protections in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ensuring that unions can compete for infrastructure contracts and that workers are well-paid. Gottheimer voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill to protect tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus, Gottheimer introduced and is fighting to pass the Invest to Protect Act, which makes critical, targeted investments in our local police departments. Gottheimer has announced the Fight Fires and Fight Cancer Act to stop extremists from recklessly slashing programs that support firefighters’ safety, training, and health care. Gottheimer introduc… | 1 | 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z | 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z |
| https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-visits-somerville-highlight-1942000-secured-federal-funding-0 | Kean Visits Somerville to Highlight $1,942,000 Secured in Federal Funding | 2026-09-14 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Thomas H. Kean, Jr. | K000398 | kean.house.gov | kean | https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | (September 14, 2026) SOMERVILLE, NJ – Last week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) visited downtown Somerville with Mayor Brian Gallagher to highlight the $1,942,000 he secured in a House funding bill through the Community Project Funding process. The funding will be used for two complementary capital improvement projects: the Division Street Arts Plaza and the Giardina Walk Improvements. Together, these projects will transform two heavily traveled public corridors into vibrant, safe, and fully accessible pedestrian spaces that anchor Downtown Somerville’s arts and cultural identity. “Downtown Somerville is truly the heart of Somerset County, and this investment will help make it an even better place to live, work, shop, and dine,” said Congressman Kean. “I fought for this funding because Somerville deserves a downtown that reflects the energy, character, and pride of this special community. This project will be transformational in supporting local businesses, improving the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.” "I'm grateful to Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. for securing nearly $1.94 million in federal funding for the Division Street Arts Plaza and Giardina Walk improvements,” said Mayor Brian Gallagher. “This investment will make our downtown safer and more accessible, strengthen Main Street as a regional destination, and benefit the entire community. Congressman Kean's persistence in advancing this funding through Washington reflects his genuine commitment to Somerville and the region, and we're thankful for his leadership and partnership." “The Division Street and Giardina Walkway improvements are an investment in the future and economic vitality of Downtown Somerville, the county seat,” said Dana Kessel, Executive Director of the Downtown Somerville Alliance. “This project demonstrates what is possible when a community, its businesses, municipal partners, and a strong Main Street organization work together toward a shared vision. By creating inviting places to gather, shop, dine, and experienc… | 1 | 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z | 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z |
| https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-calls-united-save-nonstop-newark-lima-flights | Congresswoman Pou Calls on United to Save Nonstop Newark→Lima Flights | 2026-09-14 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Nellie Pou | P000621 | pou.house.gov | pou | https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | PATERSON, NJ – Congressmember Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the Vice Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, today called on United Airlines to reconsider its plan to eliminate a popular direct route between Newark Liberty International Airport and Lima, Peru, long relied on by New Jersey’s large Peruvian-American community. “I write to express my concern about United Airlines’ recent decision to eliminate nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru. Ending this longstanding route would have a serious impact on New Jersey communities that rely on direct service to Peru, while potentially leaving travelers with fewer choices and higher costs,” Congresswoman Pou writes United CEO Scott Kirby. United announced earlier this month that it will end nonstop service between Newark and Lima on March 27, 2027, ending a route that has operated since 1996, first under Continental Airlines and later United following its merger. United plans to double its Houston-Lima service to two daily flights when the Newark route ends. “Given the impact this decision would have for New Jersey’s Peruvian community and for travelers across the Tristate area, I am asking United Airlines to pause its plan to eliminate the Newark–Lima route and consider alternatives that could preserve direct service, including operating the route on a reduced schedule,” Pou concludes in her call to United’s CEO. According to Census data, New Jersey has roughly 95,000 people of Peruvian origin living in the state. New Jersey’s Ninth District is home to one of the largest Peruvian communities in the United States. At the heart of this community is Paterson’s “Little Lima,” which is full of Peruvian bakeries, salons, restaurants, and other small businesses. Congresswoman Pou is the lead sponsor of the PERU Act (H.R. 5335) which seeks to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Peru by adding Peru to the list of countries eligible to obtain E1 and E2 visas, so long as the Per… | 1 | 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z | 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z |
| https://www.kim.senate.gov/press_release/senator-kim-calls-on-senate-to-reassert-control-over-ai/ | Senator Kim Calls on Senate to Reassert Control over AI | 2026-09-14 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | Senate | NJ | Andy Kim | K000394 | www.kim.senate.gov | kim | https://www.kim.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) released the following statement: “AI is moving faster than anyone – including its creators – can understand or control. We need to act and act now to ensure that humans remain in control of this technology and that all people – not just the elite few – benefit from it. “The warnings we’ve gotten after multiple concerning AI incidents need to serve as a wake-up call to establish a comprehensive approach including government action to put guardrails on our own technology, and ensure that our competitors and adversaries aren’t able to develop dangerous technologies. “Technology and innovation must move forward; it’s what has powered our nation’s economy and kept us safe. But moving forward recklessly without sensible controls is a recipe for chaos and danger. The American people don’t want this technology to advance without rules that they have a say in writing. “The Senate will reconvene this week. We should call together a Senate wide discussion on next steps and set out to pass critical bipartisan legislation that we can get done before the end of the year like the MATCH Act and BLADE Act that I’ve put forward along with other legislation to protect our kids. I’ve also pushed to develop a protocol to “Mythos-proof” our critical infrastructure and financial/healthcare sectors from AI-driven attacks and vulnerabilities. These are steps we can take right now as we build out broader solutions and regulations. “It should be a focus of ours to discuss how to reassert control over AI for the American people. Control based on a set of principles, enforced by a set of rules, all built for a common purpose: to ensure the technology and innovation that moves us forward never leaves us behind. And controls to ensure our competitors and adversaries aren’t able to proceed recklessly while we take sensible steps.” ### | 1 | 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z | 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z |
| https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2090 | Congressman Van Drew Condemns Immigration Failure After Attack on Six-Year-Old Girl in NJ | 2026-09-12 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | House | NJ | Jefferson Van Drew | V000133 | vandrew.house.gov | vandrew | https://vandrew.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew released the following statement after an illegal immigrant who had previously been in ICE custody was charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in New Jersey. "There are no words for what this little girl and her parents are going through," said Congressman Van Drew. "Nothing we say can make this right. There is only one thing we can do, and that is to make sure this never happens again. This man should have been deported in 2024. He was already in ICE custody, but instead he was released back into our communities. And while this is happening, taxpayers should certainly not be funding legal defense programs for illegal immigrants fighting deportation. This little girl deserved to be protected. She was failed. We cannot allow that to happen again." | 1 | 2026-09-15T09:50:21Z | 2026-09-15T09:52:05Z |
| https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-on-25th-anniversary-of-9-11-attacks-gottheimer-honors-the-fallen-of-north-jersey | RELEASE: On 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks, Gottheimer Honors the Fallen of North Jersey | 2026-09-11 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Democrat | House | NJ | Josh Gottheimer | G000583 | gottheimer.house.gov | gottheimer | https://gottheimer.house.gov/press | scraper | Above: Gottheimer commemorates the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks. NEW JERSEY — Today, Friday, September 11, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in the 25th anniversary of 9/11 remembrance ceremonies in Mahwah and Hackensack to honor North Jersey community members and first responders who lost their lives in the horrific attacks, commemorating those lost since, and recommitting to protecting America from extremism and terror. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks, including more than 400 firefighters, police, and other first responders. New Jersey lost nearly 750 residents, and Bergen County alone lost 147 residents. Since then, more than 9,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died as a result of toxic exposure. See Gottheimer’s full remarks here. “Out of the worst morning in this country’s history, we decided to be loud, united, and unafraid. That’s the Jersey I know, and the America I strive for,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “A place where our memory and our pride outlast our fear. A place where every one of the neighbors we lost that day will never, ever be forgotten. We will never forget.” Gottheimer was joined by Mayor Caseen Gaines, Deputy Mayor Agatha Toomey, Councilman Roberto Diaz, Councilwoman Sonya Clark-Collins, Councilman Philip Carroll, City Manager Thomas Freeman, Fire Chief Keith Rosazza, Police Chief Michael Antist. Over the past year, Gottheimer served as co-chair of the bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report. Last week, the committee released its bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force Report, that lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations for the Intelligence Community to protect against the new and emerging threats — including faster information sharing between agencies, adopting AI to stay ahead of our enemies, and deeper partnerships with our state, local, and private-sector partners to fight terror. Gottheimer also… | 1 | 2026-09-12T09:02:30Z | 2026-09-12T09:03:27Z |
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