url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-joins-north-jerseys-korean-american-community-at-the-25th-annual-korean-harvest-festival-of-new-jersey,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Joins North Jersey’s Korean-American Community at the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Below: Gottheimer at the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey to celebrate Chuseok.

RIDGEFIELD, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) attended the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey. The festival brings together New Jersey’s diverse communities to enjoy and experience Korean culture. This year’s festival featured Korean dishes, music, art, games, and more to celebrate Chuseok, a South Korean holiday celebrating the full moon and harvest.

“The Korean American community is a critical part of North Jersey — they work every day to make the Fifth District an even better place to live, raise our families, and do business. I’m proud to be able to help celebrate Chuseok and remember that our greatest strength is diversity in the United States,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

Gottheimer has worked with Korean American community and business leaders from North Jersey to support small businesses, lower taxes, keep communities safe, help make life more affordable, and combat hate against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, NJ Assemblywoman Ellen Park, NJ Assemblyman Robert Auth, Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna, Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mark Park, Palisades Park Mayor Paul Kim, Palisades Park Councilman Christopher Kwak, Palisades Park Councilman Charlie Shin, Palisades Park Councilman Frank Donohue, the Korean American Association of NJ, The Ko-American Harvest Festival Committee, Korean Produce Association of NY, The Korean NY Daily.

Below: Gottheimer at the 25th Annual Korean Harvest Festival of New Jersey celebrating Chuseok.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-calls-on-the-u-s-doj-and-nj-attorney-general-to-investigate-lindens-targeting-of-jewish-community,RELEASE: Gottheimer Calls on the U.S. DOJ and NJ Attorney General to Investigate Linden’s Targeting of Jewish Community,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"LINDEN, NJ — Today, Wednesday, September 30, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced he is working with the U.S. Department of Justice and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport to address serious concerns about the seven-year pattern of discriminatory zoning changes and selective enforcement by the City of Linden against its Jewish community. Gottheimer has now sent a letter to both U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and New Jersey Attorney General Davenport, asking them to work together on a review.

“Religious freedom is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and any attempt to exclude or harass a certain population based on prejudice, particularly by public officials, is deeply upsetting and disturbing,” wrote Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).”For more than 35 years prior to the arrival of the Jewish community in Linden, there were no significant changes to the City’s zoning regulations. However, in the seven years since the Jewish community began to settle there, the City has enacted four major zoning changes. Each of these changes directly impacts the Jewish community’s religious life and unique family needs… I encourage the U.S. Department of Justice and New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to investigate these claims and, if necessary, take legal action to remediate these alarming actions by the City of Linden.”

The full letter can be found here.

Gottheimer’s September 2026 letter asks the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to look into a seven-year pattern of zoning changes and selective enforcement by the City of Linden (Union County) aimed at its Jewish community. It builds on his May 2025 letter to the Department of Justice. The letter outlines:

Houses of worship: Months after approving a synagogue in May 2017, the City raised the minimum lot size for houses of worship from 25,000 to 75,000 square feet. It then made combining lots effectively impossible.

Residential zoning: Between 2023 and 2025, the City proposed counting basements, attics, and garages toward floor area, requiring garages (which would cut living space by about 29 percent), and barring basement kitchens and bathrooms. After community pushback, the City dropped the basement-counting provision.

The October 7 sweep: On October 7, 2025, which fell during Sukkot and on the anniversary of the Hamas terror attack, City officials issued more than 34 violations. They allegedly went only to addresses listed in a Yiddish community circular.

Services and infrastructure: In 2025, Mayor Derek Armstead personally blocked dumpsters requested ahead of Passover. School buses carrying Jewish children were ticketed and stopped. The permit for Corner Bite, a kosher pizzeria, was revoked retroactively.

Legal basis: The concerns raise issues under the First and Fourteenth Amendments; Article I, Section 3 of the New Jersey Constitution; the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA); the Fair Housing Act; the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination; and the Open Public Meetings Act. On the last point, the City scheduled meetings during Passover week and turned away Jewish residents on April 18, 2025.

###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-secures-over-2-million-hire-more-clifton-firefighters,Congresswoman Pou Secures Over $2 Million to Hire More Clifton Firefighters,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Nellie Pou,P000621,pou.house.gov,pou,https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today announced that she helped secure a $2,139,724.80 federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for the Clifton Fire Department. Awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the funding will allow the department to hire additional firefighters.

“Clifton’s firefighters put themselves in harm’s way seven days a week. They deserve to have the people they need beside them when the alarm sounds,” said Congresswoman Pou. “I am proud to help bring more than $2.1 million home to Clifton to put additional firefighters on the job. More firefighters mean a stronger department and more support for the men and women already serving on the front lines. I will always fight to make sure our local fire departments have the federal money they need to protect our communities and bring their firefighters home safely.”

“As a vibrant, growing community, Clifton’s fire heroes need every dollar of federal resources to do their jobs. Thanks to this federal funding secured by Congresswoman Pou, Clifton will be able to hire more firefighters and protect our residents when the worst strikes,” said Clifton Mayor Ray Grabowski.

Congress created the SAFER program in 2003 to address staffing shortages at fire departments across America. While existing federal fire grants largely helped departments purchase equipment and improve training, SAFER was designed specifically to help communities put more firefighters on the job and ensure departments have adequate personnel to respond to emergencies. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Pou sent a letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee requesting increased funding for the SAFER program.

SAFER was created through the efforts of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., who was also the longtime head of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

Administered by FEMA, SAFER supports two primary activities: hiring additional career firefighters and recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters. Over 20 years, the program has provided billions of dollars to fire departments across America.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-introduces-resolution-celebrating-bangladeshs-global-leadership,Pou Introduces Resolution Celebrating Bangladesh’s Global Leadership,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Nellie Pou,P000621,pou.house.gov,pou,https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, has introduced a bipartisan House resolution congratulating the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and reaffirming the importance of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States. The Republican lead cosponsor is Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC-02).

“Bangladesh’s leadership at the United Nations is a proud moment for Bangladeshis around the world, including the thousands of Bangladeshi Americans I am honored to represent in North Jersey,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Our two nations share deep economic, security, and personal ties that have grown stronger over more than half a century. As co-chair of the Bangladesh Caucus, I want Congress to recognize this historic achievement and continue building a relationship that benefits the people of both our nations.”

“We are grateful for Congresswoman Nellie Pou’s leadership in introducing this important resolution and working hard to deepen the ties between the United States and Bangladesh,” said Paterson Second Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique.

Pou represents one of the largest Bangladeshi-American communities in the United States. In Congress, she has worked to elevate the voices of Bangladeshi Americans in Washington and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh. As her new resolution notes, an estimated 300,000 people of Bangladeshi heritage live in the United States.

The United States and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations in 1972 and maintain important economic, military, security, and humanitarian ties. The Congresswoman’s resolution finds that bilateral trade in goods and services totaled an estimated $13.7 billion in 2025 and highlights Bangladesh’s major contributions to U.N. peacekeeping and its hosting of more than one million Rohingya refugees.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st General Assembly on June 2, 2026 and began serving as President when the session opened on September 8, 2026.

###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-hosts-hispanic-heritage-month-roundtable-with-north-jersey-community-leaders-and-advocates,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Roundtable with North Jersey Community Leaders and Advocates,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable for Hispanic American Heritage Month.

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 Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Gladis Cuadros, Career Services Supervisor at the Women’s Rights Information Center; Matilde Villacorta, Career Counselor at the Women’s Rights Information Center; Ramon Hache, Ridgewood YMCA President and former Bergen County Commissioner; Francisco Galindo, Director of Coaching and Mentoring at ALPFA New Jersey; Bolívar Flores, Vice President of the New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers; Larry F. Mantilla, President of Latino Veterans of NJ; Zoila Cassanova, Surrogate Judge of Passaic County; Roberto Diaz, Hackensack Councilman; Daisy Velez, Washington Township Councilwoman;Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner; Nathalie Salinas, Councilwoman and Vice President of the Fair Lawn Latin Heritage Committee; Arvin Amatorio, Mayor of Bergenfield; Hernando Rivera, Bergenfield Councilman; Matthew Gonzalez, Social Media and Student Outreach Fellow at the New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development; and Gladys Ciron-Ricci, Program Officer at the New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development.

Below: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable for Hispanic American Heritage Month.

###",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 significant flooding. In some parts of my district, six to seven feet of tidal flooding inundated businesses and homes, municipal infrastructure such as piers and bulkheads are severely damaged, and cars on the street are submerged in flood water. While it appears that flood control projects, berms, and raised homes saved many areas from even worse damage, the destruction left behind from this storm is significant.

I appreciate Governor Sherrill’s proactive state of emergency declaration, and I urge the DEP and OEM to gather information on the full extent of the damage as soon as it is safe to do so.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I stand ready to work with you to provide the necessary federal funds to help towns, businesses, and residents recover from this devastating storm.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.

Member of Congress

CC: US Army Corps of Engineers

Federal Emergency Management Agency",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-urges-ferc-protect-pjm-customers-stronger-data-center-rules,Pallone Urges FERC to Protect PJM Customers with Stronger Data Center Rules,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 by skyrocketing prices in PJM’s capacity market. Over 90 percent of the increased demand PJM expects to see on its system by the end of the decade is from data centers,” Pallone continued. “If FERC gets this right, then it will have granted American families a measure of protection from the costs imposed by data centers. If the Commission falls short, then American families will pay the price.”

Pallone has publicly and repeatedly called for substantial federal guardrails to protect communities against data centers’ impact on their air, water, power grid, and monthly utility bills. If Congress fails to adopt strong guardrails, he has said a federal moratorium on data centers should be put in place.

While the guardrails proposed by PJM are not sufficient to fully protect consumers, Pallone writes that they represent important progress, and FERC should incorporate the critical improvements highlighted in his letter and approve them.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-introduces-safe-water-schools-act-protect-students-lead,Pou Introduces Safe Water for Schools Act to Protect Students from Lead,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Nellie Pou,P000621,pou.house.gov,pou,https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"PATERSON, NJ – 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 Jersey. The legislation also includes Pou’s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, designed to remove barriers that have delayed environmental remediation and flood mitigation projects by the U.S. Army Corps.

Earlier this Congress, Pou also introduced H.R. 5072, the Water Crisis Prevention Act, to strengthen the federal response to major water infrastructure failures and direct a federal review to improve infrastructure resilience against flooding.

Pou helped secure $500,000 to improve the Lower Saddle River channel and, with Senator Andy Kim, delivered another $1.2 million this year for stormwater improvements along River Street in Paterson.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/reps-watson-coleman-bynum-krishnamoorthi-calls-for-review-of-epas-microplastics-monitoring-and-research,"Reps. Watson Coleman, Bynum, Krishnamoorthi Calls for Review of EPA’s Microplastics Monitoring and Research",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) led 21 of their colleagues in a letter requesting Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Brown, to conduct a review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to monitor and evaluate the risks of human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics.

The lawmakers argue that to continue protecting Americans’ health, they need to understand what the EPA has accomplished in its work on microplastics and what progress still needs to be made. They also emphasize the urgency of this review amid emerging research connecting microplastics to adverse health consequences and serious environmental risks.

In the letter, the lawmakers write:

“Even as the EPA's FY2023-FY2026 research plan approaches its conclusion, Congress lacks a clear assessment of what the EPA has accomplished in its work on microplastics and what work remains necessary to support reliable monitoring, risk assessment and potential regulatory action.”

Later, they write: “Addressing microplastic pollution is critical for protecting the health of Americans and safeguarding our waterways and ecosystems. Our constituents deserve to know what microplastic exposure means for their families’ health, and the requested information above will be critical in informing Congress’s work in tackling this challenge.""

The letter was also signed by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representatives Jesús G. ""Chuy"" García (IL-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C), Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Dave Min (CA-47), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Judy Chu (CA-28), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Mike Levin (CA-49), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18).

Researchers at the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) define microplastics as plastic particles ranging in size from 5 millimeters to one nanometer. Microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, as well as in food, beverages, and animal and human tissue. When Environment Oregon sampled 30 of Oregon’s most iconic rivers, lakes, and urban waterways, they found microplastic fibers in 100% of the samples.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-celebrates-bergen-county-seniors-at-annual-senior-citizens-festival,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Celebrates Bergen County Seniors at Annual Senior Citizens Festival,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer with Bergen County seniors.

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 back for each household in the Fifth District.

Protecting Social Security and helping North Jersey seniors access their benefits: Gottheimer has helped more than 6,100 seniors access their earned Social Security checks since taking office and is continuing to fight to protect the vital Social Security program that North Jersey seniors paid into for their entire lives.

Stopping financial scams targeting our seniors: Building on his past record of protecting seniors, Gottheimer introduced the GUARD Act, which passed the House by a vote of 414-7 on September 15, 2026. The GUARD Act empowers state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to fight back against the fraud epidemic targeting older Americans.

As an active member of the Expand Social Security Caucus, Gottheimer is also working to pass bipartisan legislation to support organizations that operate senior legal hotlines. This will help seniors access free legal information, advice, and referrals on topics related to health, long-term care, finances, housing, and disability.

Below: Gottheimer with Bergen County seniors.

###",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 Jenny Jackson; Harrington Park Mayor Joon Chung; Allendale Mayor Amy Wilczynski; Allendale Council President Susanne Lovisolo; Waldwick Councilwoman Alyson Wingate; Waldwick Councilwoman Angela Smith; Glen Rock Councilman Jon Hendl; Paramus Councilman Alfredo Nadera; New Milford Councilman Matt Seymour; Fort Lee Police Chief Matthew Hintze.

Below: Gottheimer celebrates August “Augie” Caccavone’s 100th Birthday.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/mejia-secures-six-new-jersey-water-infrastructure-priorities-in-house-passed-bill,Mejia Secures Six New Jersey Water Infrastructure Priorities in House-Passed Bill,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: September 21, 2026

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 potential design, funding, and construction of flood-control improvements.

Rockaway River and Denville Flooding: The legislation calls for an update on efforts to reduce flooding along the Rockaway River and Den Brook, including solutions that can protect homes and businesses without relying solely on major construction projects.

Passaic River Basin Flooding: WRDA directs USACE to accelerate its work on the Passaic River Basin and report on the status of flood-management efforts, helping identify projects that could provide flood protection while broader regional strategies continue to move forward.

Protecting Wetlands and Natural Flood Protection: The bill expands support for wetlands, floodplains, green infrastructure, and other natural solutions that can reduce flooding and strengthen long-term resilience. These natural systems can absorb and store stormwater while complementing traditional infrastructure.

Lake Hopatcong and Harmful Algal Blooms: WRDA requires an update on USACE efforts to combat harmful algal blooms, with Lake Hopatcong identified as a priority area. Harmful algal blooms can threaten water quality, restrict recreational activities, and affect businesses that depend on the lake.

Making USACE Programs Easier for Towns to Use: The legislation includes reforms intended to provide communities with additional technical assistance and a more workable federal feasibility process. These changes can help smaller municipalities with limited staff and resources navigate USACE programs and advance local water infrastructure projects.

###",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://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://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 and celebrate her memory, and to continue fighting Kylie-style, so that no other family has to go through what they went through.”

Kylie’s Law will:

Require Pediatric Representation on State Cancer Coalitions. States receiving federal funding for their comprehensive cancer control plan would be required to include at least two pediatric cancer experts on their coalitions.

Establish a National Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a new Cancer Control Plan Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee, bringing together representatives from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Title V and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded state programs, and pediatric cancer survivors and caregivers. The committee would develop best practices for addressing pediatric cancer, survivorship, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) care in state cancer plans.

Expand the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program. Amends the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program to include pediatric cancer as an explicit purpose of the program, allowing states to use existing federal dollars to support children with cancer and their families.

Gottheimer’s additional actions:

Work with Trenton to Act at the State Level. Gottheimer is partnering with Senator Joe Lagana, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, and Assemblyman Chris Tully, who are introducing State legislation here in New Jersey to codify the requirement that pediatric cancer representatives sit on our state’s cancer control coalition. This ensures no future administration can remove pediatric cancer experts from their cancer coalitions.

Designate November 13 as “Kylie’s Day.” Gottheimer will introduce a House resolution on November 13, 2026, which would have been Kylie’s 21st birthday, to formally honor her life, her fight, her love of pink, and her legacy.

“When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the last thing their family should have to worry about is whether they can afford the care or find the treatment their child needs. We must keep working together and investing in lifesaving research and care so that every child has the chance to grow up, follow their dreams, and live a long, healthy life,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).

“As the father of a childhood cancer survivor, I know the toll this awful disease has on our families. Our community deserves to be heard, and I am thankful to Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler for their steadfast support. We are proud to stand alongside the Kupperman family as we honor their daughter’s memory through the Kylie’s Voices for Childhood Cancer Act. Together, we will ensure that the pediatric cancer community has a seat at the table, ” said Jeff Gelfand, CEO, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

“At the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, we fought to ensure kids with cancer were part of the state cancer plan and efforts in Georgia. Childhood cancer offers unique challenges, and our families deserve a voice in the process. This new bill would guarantee our advocates can be heard throughout the country. We are happy to support this legislation,” said Dean Crowe, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.

“Coalition members have worked tirelessly to make sure kids with cancer aren’t an afterthought, but in too many spaces, they still are. This bill gives patients, families, clinicians, and researchers real power to fix that. We thank Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler for standing up for kids with cancer, and we urge their colleagues to join them,” said Ginny McLean, Board Chair, Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2).

The bill builds on Gottheimer’s record of leading actions on childhood cancer. He is co-leading the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act to align federal cancer research funding with the share of kids affected by the disease, and helped pass the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act into law, which gives the FDA new authority to require pediatric studies of combination cancer therapies. In 2018, he helped enact the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, strengthening research and survivorship tracking, and he is currently a cosponsor of the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, which improves care for survivors of childhood cancer. This year, he also led an appropriations letter calling on the CDC to develop better guidance for adolescent and young adult cancer patients, which was included in the House appropriations bill that passed committee this summer.

Gottheimer was joined by Senator Holly Schepisi, Memorial Sloan Kettering Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Andrew Kung and pediatric oncologist Dr. Ira Dunkel, Congressman Mike Lawler’s District Director Donna Chiapperino, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Director of Advocacy Mike Henry, the Christopher Brandle Joy of Life Foundation, Adam and Haley Kupperman, and the family and friends of Kylie Kupperman.

Gottheimer remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning, everybody. My name is Congressman Josh Gottheimer, and I represent New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District, just a stone’s throw from the Kupperman’s congressional district and where they live in Chappaqua, New York — represented by my friend, Congressman Mike Lawler. Thank you, Donna, for being here, and to Senator Schepisi, and to Mike Henry from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Thank you to Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen for having us here today, right in the heart of my district, and in North Jersey, for all you and your incredible doctors, nurses, and techs do as a global leader in the fight against cancer. By being right here in Montvale, families in our Jersey communities can receive your critical care closer to home, without having to drive into New York City.

Just last week, MSK’s pediatric cancer program, MSK Kids, where Kiley was treated, was named among the nation’s best children’s hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report.

For thousands of families across our district, state, and country—including some of my own friends and family — MSK has been a place of hope, comfort, and support when they have needed it most.

That kind of care and compassion doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because of the incredible doctors, the nurses, the techs, and every single person who walks these halls and decides, every single day, that the fight against cancer is worth everything they’ve got. So, before I say another word: to everyone who works here, thank you, and North Jersey is lucky to have you.

While cancer is brutal and unforgiving for anyone, I think we’d all agree that when a child gets it, there is something that’s extra cruel and heart-wrenching about it. Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children in America. This year alone, more than 15,000 children and teenagers across America will be diagnosed with it. One in 264 children in America before they turn 20 will develop cancer.

And while, thank God, today about 85% of children survive at least five years after diagnosis, the challenges don’t end with treatment. Between 60 and 90% of survivors will develop a chronic health condition later in life because of what the treatment did to their growing bodies.

Here in New Jersey, this isn’t an abstract issue. Our state ranks third in the entire country for pediatric cancer incidence. Roughly 440 children and teenagers in New Jersey are diagnosed with cancer every single year.

That’s more than one every single day. These are the kids that play on our neighborhood playgrounds, get picked up on the school bus, and compete on the Little League field.

It goes without saying that we should be doing everything humanly possible — from research, to treatments, to public policy — to protect America’s children from cancer.

We’re here this morning, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, because there’s one area where we can and must be doing more to help pediatric cancer — and it’s one most don’t even know exists.

Every state in America has what’s called a Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, which brings together public health officials, medical professionals, researchers, and advocates to help develop the state’s cancer control plan. These plans serve as a roadmap for how states address cancer — from prevention and treatment to support for patients and survivors — for five to ten years at a time. Think of these plans as the state’s attack plan for curing cancer and treating patients.

But, here’s the problem: pediatric cancer experts are too often missing from the table. And, when the people who understand childhood cancer best aren’t helping write these plans, our children’s needs can — and too often do — get overlooked. Currently, only about a third of states include specific childhood cancer goals or recommendations in their plans. That’s unacceptable. We’re lucky, because New Jersey actually includes pediatric cancer goals and representatives in our state cancer plans. New York doesn’t right now, but, apparently, they’ve recently agreed to add pediatric experts to their state cancer coalition. Still, that leaves more than thirty states that don’t.

Let me explain why this matters. What many people don’t realize is that childhood cancer is very different from adult cancer. It requires different research, different treatments, and different survivorship care. A five-year-old’s body doesn’t respond to chemo, radiation, and medication the way a fifty-year-old’s does, and it doesn’t recover the same way either. But, when the folks writing these plans are focused almost entirely on adult cancer, children’s needs too often get left out. That’s why having pediatric cancer experts at the table matters.

For decades, children weren’t even considered in addressing pediatric cancers. The same goes for drugs and treatments. Research shows a six-and-a-half-year gap between when cancer drugs were first tested in adults and when they were first tested in children. For children with sarcomas and brain cancer, the treatment gap is even greater—nearly two decades behind adults. Our kids deserve better.

The bottom line: when it comes to cancer, caring for our children is different than adults — and they deserve attention, plans, research, and treatment tailored for them, because our children aren’t just statistics.

They are our loved ones — our family members, our neighbors, our closest friends.

If you’ll allow me, I want to talk about a victim of childhood cancer — a very special young woman none of us will ever forget. Kylie Kupperman. She’s the reason this fight is deeply personal for me — and I want you to know her story.

Kylie’s parents, Hayley and Adam, who you heard from, are very dear friends of mine. We all went to college together, including with my wife, Marla, who is here.

Adam is my best friend. I was his best man at his wedding, and he was mine. So, I had the privilege of knowing Kylie from the day she was born here in Englewood, New Jersey, and watching her grow up in Chappaqua. Just weeks before her fourth birthday, and I’ll never forget this phone call, Kylie was diagnosed with medulloblastoma — a rare and fast-growing pediatric brain tumor. She went through surgery, followed by months of chemo and proton therapy, which is targeted radiation, up in Boston. She was a trooper. Kylie beat her first battle with pediatric cancer. After a few years, she was declared cancer-free.

But, that was just the beginning of her fight. The very treatments that saved her life slowed her growth and made school a real struggle. She was smaller than all her classmates. She had to work twice as hard just to keep up. She was small but mighty — I can relate. While she was raised in New York, she had the Jersey fight she was born with — Adam is a Bergen County guy — and the tenacity to rise to the occasion. And through every bit of it, everyone who loved her called her “Smiley Kylie” because that smile never left her face, no matter what her body had been through.

She kept dancing at her ballet recitals. Loved camp and her friends – and the color pink. She kept being the big sister her siblings — Alexa and Jared — adored. And, she kept working, and working, and working in school, even when it wasn’t always easy — until she got into her first-choice college, the University of Delaware, to study fashion and design, and with a merit scholarship to go with it. That’s the Kylie I knew. Pretty, sweet, and a determined young woman who built the life she wanted, no matter what obstacles anyone put in front of her. Everyone loved her.

And then, just as she was starting her freshman year, Kylie’s cancer sadly came back. It spread to parts of her brain that doctors couldn’t operate on. But, the Kuppermans and Kiley fought it the way she’d always fought – with more courage than most adults I have ever known, but it was too much, even for her. Kylie passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 10 last year. She was a sophomore at the University of Delaware. She was nineteen years old.

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. But, instead of being at Delaware, her parents are here today, along with friends from Jersey, Chappaqua, and beyond, to honor and celebrate her memory, fighting Kylie-style so that no other family has to go through what they went through.

Here’s the thing: when Kylie was first diagnosed in 2009, we know that the studies, treatments, and plans were years behind those for adults with cancer. As a member of Congress, that’s unacceptable to me. We must make sure that kids like Kylie are part of the plan when states decide how to fight cancer.

As I said, right now, only seventeen states in our entire country have set specific goals for childhood cancer in their state cancer plans or through other state initiatives.

Even while New Jersey has a dedicated pediatric cancer research fund and pediatric cancer groups on our cancer coalition, our state’s cancer plan still lacks a dedicated section laying out goals and recommendations for childhood cancer. In other words, there is still room for improvement. Every state should have comprehensive requirements.

That’s why today, on the anniversary of her bat mitzvah seven years ago, I’m introducing Kylie’s Voices for Childhood Cancer Act, or “Kylie’s Law,” with Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. This is a bipartisan bill, because keeping children supported and healthy shouldn’t be a Democrat or a Republican issue.

Here’s what it does. First, it requires that any state receiving federal funding for its comprehensive cancer control plan include at least two pediatric cancer experts on its coalition. Not zero. Not “maybe, if there’s room.” At least two dedicated champions for pediatric cancer and voices in every single state. This makes sure our states are building plans, studies, and initiatives that support, fund, and are tailored to pediatric patients.

Second, Kylie’s Law directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – or HHS – to establish a new national committee, the Cancer Control Plan Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee.

It will bring together representatives from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, state programs funded through Title V and HRSA, and pediatric cancer professionals, survivors, and caregivers who have lived this fight themselves. This committee will develop best practices and recommendations for addressing pediatric and adolescent cancer in state cancer plans. That means sharing what’s working and helping states use available HRSA and Title V funding to better support children with cancer and their families.

We are not just adding representatives in each state, but we are also creating a national committee that will support those representatives and ensure real change.

Third, Kylie’s Law expands the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program to make pediatric cancer an explicit part of its mission. That allows states to use federal dollars that are already there, right now, to help children like Kylie, instead of leaving that money on the table.

But, we’re not stopping at the federal level.

I’m proud to be partnering with Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Senator Joe Lagana, and Assemblyman Chris Tully, who are introducing new state legislation here in New Jersey to codify requiring pediatric cancer representatives on our state’s cancer control coalition. Yes, we have good people on it right now, and I commend the current administration for having representatives. But, we need to make sure it stays that way. What one administration gives, the next administration can take away. Their legislation ensures children and their families have a seat at the table under any future administrations. I’m also calling on the state department of health to release their cancer goals that I know they have been working on.

Finally, on November 13th, on what would have been Kylie’s 21st birthday, I will introduce a congressional resolution in the United States House of Representatives, commemorating November 13th as “Kylie’s Day” — formally honoring her life, her fight, her legacy, and the color pink. For all of us, Kylie Kupperman was so much more than a tenacious fighter against cancer — she was a loving daughter. A sister. A friend. A dancer. A fashion student with a whole life ahead of her. And, now, when we pass “Kylie’s Law,” her name will forever be attached to bipartisan legislation that gives a voice to children with cancer for generations to come.

Look, this fight didn’t start today, and it isn’t going to end today either. Kylie’s Law will be another critical step. As a member of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I’m also proudly leading the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act to ensure that the share of federal cancer research dollars going to pediatric cancer actually reflects the number of kids in this country.

Earlier this year, I helped get the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act signed into law that gives the FDA new authority to require studies of combination cancer therapies in children, so that our children get treatments built and tested for their bodies, not just hand-me-downs from adult medicine. Back in 2018, I helped pass the Childhood Cancer STAR Act into law, which expanded research into childhood cancer, improved how states track cases, and strengthened care for survivors long after treatment ends.

And, right now, I’m sponsoring the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, to build coordinated, patient-centered care for the hundreds of thousands of childhood cancer survivors living across this country today.

I want to be clear: this fight doesn’t stop when children turn eighteen. Young adults with cancer face a completely different set of challenges. They may be starting college, beginning a career, getting married, or thinking about having a family — and now suddenly they’re dealing with cancer on top of all of it.

That’s why this year, I led an effort calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, to develop better guidance in caring for adolescent and young adults — known as “AYA” cancer patients and survivors — to help address the unique challenges these young people face — including psychological, reproductive, and financial challenges. I am proud to say that my request was included in the House appropriations funding bill that passed out of committee this summer.

Like Kylie Kupperman, like her parents, like the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and so many other cancer organizations and advocates, I’ll never stop fighting for our children.

I’ll keep fighting until every state in this country has pediatric cancer experts in the room where decisions get made.

So, to everyone here today, let’s get Kylie’s Law passed. Let’s get it done, for her, and for every child with cancer and family still fighting.

If we all work together and fight for our children with just a fraction of Kylie’s strength, I know, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-lawler-push-bipartisan-plan-on-ai-safety,"RELEASE: Gottheimer, Lawler Push Bipartisan Plan on AI Safety",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer and Lawler discuss their bipartisan AI legislation.

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.”

Right now, most organizations have no reliable way to know how many unauthorized AI agents are running in their systems, who built them, or what they have access to. AI agents can be activated by employees, embedded in third-party software, or deployed by vendors — often with little to no visibility for the organization whose networks they’re operating on to know that they are there. That blind spot is becoming more dangerous by the day. The recent Hugging Face incident and other autonomous cyberattacks have shown AI systems are being used to hack organizations at scale, without a person ever watching or stepping in.

Drafted and introduced by Gottheimer and Lawler, the Stop Rogue AI Act would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop national standards, guidelines, and best practices for discovering, verifying, monitoring, and controlling AI agents.

Other Bipartisan AI Initiatives from Gottheimer and Lawler include:

AI Workforce Training Act (H.R. 7576) — Helps workers upgrade their AI skills without leaving their jobs. More than 60% of small businesses now use AI — double the share from 2023 — and the challenge isn’t that AI is replacing workers, it’s that workers need help keeping up with the tools their employers are already using. The bill provides a 30% tax credit, capped at $2,500 per employee, for training in practical AI skills. The goal: help workers adapt to AI, not get replaced by it.

Advancing American Quantum Leadership Act of 2026 (H.R. 9585) — Expands the definition of “quantum” under the Export-Import Bank’s China and Transformational Exports Program, broadening “quantum computing” to “quantum information science and technology.”

No Rigged Grocery Prices Act (H.R. 8895) — Bans grocery stores and delivery apps from using AI-driven personal data to charge different customers different prices for the exact same item.

The two members have also pressed the administration and industry on AI accountability — urging the Federal Trade Commission to protect anti-discrimination measures for AI systems; calling on the CEOs of leading AI companies to ensure voters get accurate, unbiased information ahead of the 2026 midterms; and urging DHS, DOJ, CISA, and the FEC to coordinate against AI-related threats to the 2026 elections.

Below: Gottheimer and Lawler discuss their AI legislation.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-bills-to-combat-ai-driven-cyberattacks-and-protect-americans-from-scams-pass-out-of-committee,Menendez Bills to Combat AI-Driven Cyberattacks and Protect Americans from Scams Pass Out of Committee,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – 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 its passage through the House.”

Click here to view Congressman Menendez’s remarks.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-condemns-trump-administration-attempts-to-hijack-nih-research-grants,Rep. Watson Coleman Condemns Trump Administration Attempts to Hijack N.I.H. Research Grants,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Yesterday, theNew York Times reported that White House officials were attempting to make massive cuts to research grants at the National Institutes of Health, conflicting with months of denials from NIH officials. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who sits on theLabor, Health and Human Services and Education subcommittee, released the following statement:

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://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://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, or radiological weapon. The review operates on a firm clock — 30 days, with a single 30-day extension if needed — so it functions as a serious national security check rather than either a rubber stamp or endless bureaucracy. Companies would be able to provide technical support for the reviews, and appeal decisions through an expedited process modeled on the courts already used for national security cases.

The China FIREWALL Act, co-led by Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-1), keeps Chinese-developed AI off of U.S. government systems. The bill would ban all Chinese-developed open-weight AI models from government-issued devices and prohibit federal agencies from procuring software that relies on those models. The legislation builds on Gottheimer’s No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act, which became law as part of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and blocked the Chinese AI model DeepSeek from federal devices. The China FIREWALL Act closes the loophole that still allows other Chinese open-weight models to be used at federal agencies.

And finally, Gottheimer announced he is sending a letter to Sean Cairncross, the President’s Cyber Director, about the Administration’s new AI cybersecurity clearinghouse and how it can help the government respond to growing fears of autonomous cyberattacks.

The announcement was made at Fairleigh Dickinson University, which is launching a new state-of-the-art Health Humanics Innovation Hub, that’s designed to train the next generation of healthcare workers to use AI tools without losing the human being in front of them.

Gottheimer was joined by New Jersey State Senator Gordon Johnson, Teaneck Mayor Mark Schwartz, FDU Senior VP of Government Affairs, Robert Pignatello, Engineer Lab Director, Reggie Joseph, and students from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Below: Gottheimer announces new AI safety legislation at FDU.

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

Thank you all for having me here today, and thank you to Fairleigh Dickinson University for opening up your campus for a discussion on this critical topic.

Now, I’ve been to a lot of events at a lot of great institutions across the Fifth District, but I want to take a second to recognize FDU, because this school has a story worth telling.

It started in 1942, right down the road in Rutherford, as a little two-year junior college founded by Peter and Sally Sammartino. Today, it’s the largest private university in the entire state of New Jersey, with 12,000 students, more than 100 degree programs, and students coming here from all over the world. It’s a great American story of true leadership.

Speaking of leadership, President Avaltroni and his team have built something they call “Humanics.” The idea is simple: as AI gets built into everything, especially health care, you don’t throw out empathy, ethics, and equity.

You build them in from day one. They’re standing up a Health Humanics Innovation Hub right here on the Metropolitan Campus, which Senator Johnson helped secure funding for, that brings together a healthcare humanity lab, a storytelling data lab, and partnerships with Epic Systems to make sure the doctors and nurses of tomorrow know how to use these tools without losing sight of the human being in front of them. That’s exactly the mindset we need to bring to the AI policy debate right now – as the AI race accelerates, we have to remember that the benefits of innovation are boundless in the new opportunities they offer, but can be equally boundless in the new threats they pose.

AI can change the world. It can make our businesses more productive, help Americans develop new skills, strengthen our national security, and keep the United States at the forefront of technological innovation, especially in the competition with China. It can make incredible discoveries in medicine; it can personalize education, make government more efficient and accessible, and help workers focus more on key decisions.

But, as we learned in the last weeks with Hugging Face, and yesterday, with more disclosures from OpenAI of rogue agents with basically a mind of their own, the downsides of this transformative technology, if not controlled, are real.

In these cases, agents deceived their developers, coordinated amongst themselves, and escaped from what were supposed to be secure sandboxes. If this technology gets into the wrong hands, you can imagine the potential for destruction – cybersecurity, biosecurity, our national security. Used maliciously, the government of China or Iran or a non-state actor could wreak havoc on the world. Two weeks ago, an engineer from Anthropic quit his job, declaring that this technology “could kill us all by the end of the decade.” As Bill Gates recently put it, “AI models could begin to act against our interests, and we could lose control.”

As I just mentioned, last month, a swarm of AI agents broke out of a locked-down sandbox test, found a security hole nobody even knew existed, and used it to hack straight into Hugging Face — one of the biggest and most important AI platforms on the planet. Hundreds of AI agents were coordinating with each other on a hidden message board, running for days all on their own, and they even lied to their programmers about what they did. That incident was one of the most alarming AI-driven cybersecurity failures on record — and it was conducted without any human oversight. That might sound like a movie plot or an unreleased Terminator sequel, but unfortunately it’s not.

And that’s not the only warning sign. Two weeks ago, a researcher who worked at both OpenAI and Anthropic made headlines when he quit his job at Anthropic and posted publicly that the industry is racing toward superintelligence and, in his words, gambling with our lives. That single post got 150 million views in just a day and a half. That should tell you something about how many Americans are scared of AI’s risks, and how few of them think anyone in Washington has their back. And in response, several of the leading AI CEOs acknowledged the technology’s dangers.

The runaway agents are just one of many new challenges AI poses — there are issues related to energy, water, and data centers; deepfakes, disinformation, and discrimination; chip policy and the need to protect our children; effects on the workforce. The list goes on.

And, when you’re in a race like this one, there is a great deal of pressure to go faster, both between our leading frontier labs — including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta — and between nations, particularly our competition with the Chinese Communist Party.

Ultimately, like in the Cold War, it will decide who has the military and economic might, which countries ally with others, and who will lead the world in areas like science, health care, and the humanities. While I believe deeply that we can’t afford to lose this race, we must win in the right way, or we like during the nuclear arms race, ultimately, we will all lose. I don’t mean to sound dark, but, as a member of the Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the House AI Commission, I have seen the briefings.

This is not a hypothetical threat. I’ve concluded that we are at a critical crossroads … on the precipice of changes that none of us can even imagine … and either we are going to get it right, or the ramifications will be unimaginable. This is happening now, and Congress needs to act like it.

This morning, I want to focus on one area of that race that is central to how we protect our children, our families, and our national security — and that is how we test the latest AI frontier models before they are let out into the wild … before the public is able to utilize them.

Right now, there are no mandatory requirements for pre-deployment testing. We are solely reliant on the Trump Administration’s voluntary cybersecurity review process based on a June 2026 Executive Order. It’s caused mass confusion in the AI world – nobody really knows who’s covered, what the rules actually are, or what happens if you don’t play along. It seems nuts to me that we wouldn’t want to require testing from the best and brightest in our government before these models are released — to protect our cybersecurity, biosecurity, critical infrastructure — our families and our national security.

But, that’s where we are here. And why? Because there are many who believe that the AI labs can handle it themselves – or, as some of the founders suggested this past week, that they rely on third-party testers or auditors to handle it. My problem with that is multi-fold: one, there are very few of these outside testers; they have limited people, compute, and access to the labs; they lack national security clearances; they don’t have broad enough expertise on the threats posed, and they rely, in part, on the labs themselves for funding. In short, it’s like having the fox guard the hen house.

It 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 technology that experts say could help build a bioweapon or take down our power grid. The answer isn’t, like some have suggested, to just shut it all down. That’s not tenable. Like it or not, AI is here. We can’t just cede the race to China. If we panic or stop AI development, we won’t actually stop AI — that’s not a safeguard. China is not slowing down for anybody. We will just hand the future to Beijing. It will put us right in the bullseye of our adversary. We will just get someone else’s AI.

That brings me to what we’re actually doing about it.

First, I’m announcing the American AI Security Act — new bipartisan federal legislation that I’m introducing with Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. This bill ensures that before any company releases one of the most powerful AI models in the world, they have to give the government full access to evaluate it first — to check whether that model could be used to launch a serious cyberattack, attack our critical infrastructure, or help build a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon.

It’s a real, time-bounded review that other frontier developers can help coordinate. Not endless bureaucracy, but also not a rubber stamp. A serious national security check, with a deadline, with industry input, and a proper appeals process modeled on the courts we already use for national security cases. This isn’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.

Second, I’m announcing the China FIREWALL Act to stop Chinese AI on all government systems.

Right now, DeepSeek is blocked on most federal devices — because I fought to put that block in place, through my No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act. It became law through last year’s defense spending bill. But, here’s the problem: other Chinese open-weight models, like Moonshot’s Kimi K3 and Alibaba’s Qwen, are still walking right through the front door of our federal agencies, and they can still buy software with these models baked in without anyone even knowing it.

So, alongside Congressman Nick LaLota of New York, I’m introducing this new bipartisan legislation to close that loophole for good — banning Chinese-developed open-weight models from government devices, and blocking agencies from procuring software that relies on them. If we can’t trust Beijing with our data, we shouldn’t allow our government to use their AI systems.

Third, I’m sending a letter to the President’s Cyber Director about the Administration’s new AI cybersecurity clearinghouse. Look, the idea behind it is the right one. But right now, it’s only built to catch known vulnerabilities. That is, the stuff we already know to look for.

It does nothing about what happens when you’ve got swarms of AI agents operating at machine speed, coordinating attacks faster than any human can respond. My letter asks the hard question: is this clearinghouse actually built for the threat we’re facing in 2026, or the threat we were facing two years ago? And it raises whether the AI supply chain itself should be treated as critical infrastructure, the same way we treat our power grid and our water systems. If AI breaks, everything built on top of it breaks with it.

This Congress alone, I’ve led more than a dozen bipartisan bills that put up immediate guardrails to keep pace with the rapid rise of AI.

There is nothing partisan about protecting our country. That’s why I’ve repeatedly teamed up with Republican and Democratic colleagues alike – and why I’m co-chairing the new AI Problem Solvers Task Force. My bills tackle critical issues from rogue AI agents and cybersecurity to commonsense consumer and child protections to AI digital literacy. These bills would both protect our families and national security, and ensure we can seize upon the opportunities ahead of us.

Unfortunately, Republican leadership has refused to directly bring any of these critical pieces of legislation to the floor for a vote. And they sent us home from Washington without acting. I think that’s a huge mistake — and, right now, every week matters for America’s safety. I strongly urge the Speaker to bring us back before the election to pass AI safety legislation like the bills I’m proposing today.

Finally, let me ask this question: How did another generation handle a technology terrifying enough to end the world, without either burying their heads in the sand or torching the relationship with their biggest rival? Go back to the Cold War.

The United States and the Soviet Union were racing each other on nuclear weapons — real enemies, real stakes, real distrust. And yet, at the height of that rivalry, President Kennedy stood up and said something that still holds up today. He said, “Among the traits the peoples of our two countries have in common, none is stronger than our mutual abhorrence of war.” Soon after, we signed a nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviets. We never stopped competing with them, but we understood that some risks are big enough that even fierce rivals have to keep the guardrails up.

That is exactly the balance we need with AI: compete like hell to win, and put real safety rails in place so winning doesn’t destroy us in the process.

Our country has never been a country that waits around scared of the future — we go out, and we build it, safely, and better than anyone else on Earth. The choice is not between innovation and responsibility. We need both. We need Americans to know that as AI becomes more powerful, there are commonsense guardrails in place.

I believe that if we keep working together across the aisle for our future, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-sends-follow-up-letter-to-dhs-secretary-demanding-information-on-the-status-of-sick-constituent-at-delaney-hall,Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Follow-up Letter to DHS Secretary Demanding Information on the Status of Sick Constituent at Delaney Hall,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella demanding answers on the investigation into the death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo and the status of detainee Amro Sehaim.

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://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 million Americans listen to AM broadcast radio every month, and it remains one of the most reliable ways to reach the public during emergencies. AM radio is the backbone behind America’s National Public Warning System, which provides emergency-alert and warning information to the public during major natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, chemical incidents, health emergencies, and other domestic threats, often when cellular and Internet networks fail. In the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, AM broadcast radio provided a crucial lifeline for life-saving information, and for many rural communities it remains a primary source of local news, weather, and emergency alerts.

Despite the clear public safety uses of AM broadcast radio, many manufacturers had stopped including AM broadcast radio in their vehicles because they did not want to spend the minimal funds to ensure public safety during emergencies.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act will require the Department of Transportation to issue a rule mandating that all automakers include AM radio as standard equipment in their vehicles, at no additional cost to consumers.

Since first taking on this back in 2023, Gottheimer pushed manufacturers directly, called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to add AM broadcast radio to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and helped secure a critical federal investment of $56 million for the Next Generation Warning System to improve the capabilities of public broadcasters to send vital emergency and civil defense warnings.

###",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 Congress on the true scale of scams in the United States — including how much Americans are losing each year, how many of these schemes trace back to overseas actors and organized crime, and how effective enforcement efforts have been.

“Iowa retirees spent a lifetime building their savings, and scammers are using increasingly sophisticated technology to steal it out from under them,” said Rep. Nunn (IA-3). “The GUARD Act came directly from an Iowa sheriff’s deputy who told me officers were watching criminals steal the life savings of hardworking Iowans but lacked the tools to track them down and recover the money. Today, the House voted to give state and local law enforcement the resources they need to pursue fraudsters, recover stolen funds, and deliver justice for victims. I urge the Senate to take it up without delay and get these protections to the Iowans who need them.”

“Elder fraud and financial scams are robbing older Americans of their life savings at an alarming rate, and the 4,200 credit unions across the country see that firsthand,” said Kathleen Coulombe, Chief Advocacy Officer, America’s Credit Unions. “America’s Credit Unions strongly supports the GUARD Act and measures like it, which take concrete steps to defend seniors and preserve the savings they spent a lifetime earning. By directing real investigative resources to local law enforcement and providing advanced tools to trace stolen funds, the GUARD Act strengthens our front lines against scammers. We thank Representative Nunn for championing this bill and urge Congress to quickly pass this legislation.”

“The GUARD Act will help provide state and local law enforcement with necessary resources to combat fraud and the organized crime rings that are hurting retirees and communities,” said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The U.S. Chamber is proud to support this legislation and thanks Rep. Nunn for his leadership in this critical battle against scammers.”

“The Crypto Council for Innovation supports the bipartisan GUARD Act. Strong consumer protection requires that law enforcement have the tools, training, and resources necessary to identify and pursue illicit activity in digital asset markets,” aid Ji Hun Kim, Chief Executive Officer, Crypto Council for Innovation. “We commend Representatives Nunn, Gottheimer, and Fitzgerald for their leadership and for their bipartisan work on this important legislation.”

“Representative Nunn is a close partner on a number of fraud issues, especially the GUARD Act that directs federal grant money toward local law enforcement for the tools and training they need to fight fraud,” said Iowa AARP. “He’s been a champion in his district and across Washington, D.C., and we’re proud to see the GUARD Act move through the House.”

“Protecting consumers from sophisticated financial crime requires a united front across government, law enforcement, and the private sector,” said Chris Sparks, Head of Card Fraud, Capital One. “By passing the GUARD Act today, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a decisive step toward filling critical gaps to help stop criminal scammers before they strike. Capital One applauds Representatives Nunn, Fitzgerald, and Gottheimer for this bipartisan achievement in advancing legislation that will safeguard older Americans and reinforce trust in our financial system.”

A “pig butchering” scam is a type of financial fraud where scammers target individuals, commonly retirees, to convince them to invest money in a fake opportunity. The term “pig butchering” refers to the process of “fattening up” a victim with false promises before “butchering” them by stealing their invested funds.

The FBI’s 2025 IC3 report states that total internet crime losses reached $20.9 billion in 2025, a 26% increase over 2024 and the first time the figure surpassed $20 billion. Cryptocurrency-related losses hit a record $11.37 billion across 181,565 complaints, up 22% from 2024. Investment fraud, the category that captures most pig butchering activity, was the single largest loss type at more than $8.6 billion.

The bipartisan GUARD Act is supported by the AARP, the Iowa State Police Association, the Financial Technology Association, Consumer Bankers Association, America’s Credit Union Association, Digital Chamber, National Police Association, Crypto Council for Innovation, and the Iowa Bankers Association.

Gottheimer has been a leading voice for protecting seniors and cracking down on financial fraud and emerging-technology threats.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-small-business-committee-advances-mejia-bill-to-ensure-accurate-disaster-assistance-information,House Small Business Committee Advances Mejia Bill to Ensure Accurate Disaster Assistance Information,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: September 16, 2026

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 businesses make up nearly 99 percent of businesses in New Jersey, making access to reliable disaster assistance particularly important as communities across the state face increasingly severe storms and flooding.

The legislation would provide greater consistency and accountability across SBA’s disaster outreach efforts, helping ensure that the small business owners who rely on federal disaster loans receive the information they need to make informed decisions and recover more quickly.

Click here to read the full bill text.

Click here to view Rep. Mejia’s remarks.

###",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 organization serving New Jersey—classified as “high risk.” Accurate load forecasting is critical to ensuring that the electric grid can meet future demand without blackouts or forcing consumers to pay for unnecessary infrastructure.

In addition to directing FERC to develop recommendations for improving load forecasting, the legislation:

Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act to encourage state consideration of those recommendations; and

Updates the Policy and Conservation Act to promote greater accuracy, oversight, and transparency in utility forecasting practices.

Congressman Menendez serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he has been a leader on tackling rising costs for families in New Jersey and across the country. He recently introduced legislation to address skyrocketing energy bills and the environmental impacts of AI data centers across the country. To learn more about his work, click here.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallones-bipartisan-am-radio-every-vehicle-act-passes-house,Pallone’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://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. When the Department of Defense announced it would halt munitions shipments to Ukraine last year, Pou joined her colleagues in demanding that the decision be reversed.

Congresswoman Pou is a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and represents one of the nation’s largest Ukrainian American communities.

###",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 strategies to prevent flooding, improve safety, and strengthen infrastructure resilience.

Additionally, the annual spending bill for FY2026 included $500,000 in federal funds supported by Pou to improve the Lower Saddle River channel.

The House’s passage of the Water Resources Development Act builds on that record and represents another significant step toward delivering long-awaited relief for communities living with chronic flooding.

###",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 Quigley (IL-05). It has also been endorsed by the following organizations: Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Coalition on Human Needs, Emgage Action, ICE Out of NJ Collective, Make the Road NJ, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Public Citizen, and the Vera Institute of Justice.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://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://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, and sacrificed to secure the right to participate fully in our democracy. We will not allow the rights they secured to be dismantled, and we will defend the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot freely, safely, and without fear.”

The resolution is endorsed by Popular Democracy.

“The Fourteenth Amendment is where this country finally cemented into our Constitution the promise that citizenship, equal protection and the rights of this country belong to all of us. That promise is at the heart of so many of the fights we face today, from voting rights and immigrant rights to equal protection under the law. Defending the 14th must be central to the fight for a multiracial democracy because these fights are all connected. At a moment when those fundamental protections are being chipped away, defending them requires a coordinated and sustained movement at every level. This resolution meets this moment by putting Congress on record and making clear that defending the 14th and 15th Amendments, and their promise of equal protection, due process and the right to vote for all, must be at the heart of our fight to protect our democracy and our fundamental rights,” said DaMareo Cooper, Executive Director, Popular Democracy.

Read the full resolution text here.

###",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://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 introduced and is fighting to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters across America — whether volunteer or professional — can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.

As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Gottheimer helped get the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law to ensure workers can get their full public sector pension and Social Security benefits.

Gottheimer helped introduce the bicameral FAMILY Act to guarantee up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who have to take leave for serious medical and family events.

Gottheimer helped introduce the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which reverses an Executive Order from the current Administration that would eliminate collective bargaining rights across multiple federal agencies.

Gottheimer supports the Faster Labor Contracts Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that will speed up the collective bargaining process for newly unionized workers and their employers.

Gottheimer helped introduce the bicameral Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which guarantees the right of public service employees to organize and bargain collectively, regardless of state law.

Gottheimer helped introduce the Tax Fairness for Workers Act, which allows union members to deduct their dues from their taxes.

As Co-Chair of the House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy, Gottheimer introduced and is fighting for the bipartisan AI Workforce Training Act to help American workers and businesses prepare for the rapid integration of artificial intelligence across the economy.

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Commissioner and IBEW Local 164 President Tom Sullivan; Park Ridge Mayor and IBEW Local 164 Business Agent Keith Misciagna; IBEW Local 164 Business Agent Victor Docherty; IBEW Local 164 Business Agent Vincent Colucci; Professional Firerfighters Association of New Jersey Labor Vice President Dave Hines; New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association Labor Chair Jason Kurdyla; NJEA President Steve Beatty; NJEA-Bergen County Education Association President Sue McBride; NJEA-Sussex County Education Association President Angela DeLuccia; NJEA-Passaic County Education Association President Rob Sarti; Bergen County Central Labor Council President Andrew Mattson; Passaic County Central Labor Council and IBEW 827 President Tom Kelly; Passaic County Central Labor Council and IBEW 827 Political Director Pat Glover; Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association President James Griglio; Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association 2nd Vice President Matthew Reheis; State Troopers NCO Association President Daniel Oliveira; State Troopers Fraternal Association President Wayne Blanchard; State Troopers Fraternal Association Trooper Michael Basti; Teamsters Local 560 President and Principal Officer Joseph DiPalma; Teamsters Local 560 Vice President Joe DiLeo; Teamsters Joint Council Local 73 and Local 863 President Al Rispoli; Teamsters Local 127 President and Principal Officer Paxton Ryan; Health Professionals and Allied Employees Vice President Barbara Rosen, RN; Health Professionals and Allied Employees Executive Director Chris Whalen; Operating Engineers Local 825 Community Affairs Director Daniel Ortega; Operating Engineers Local 825 Business Representative John Alvarado; Ironworkers Local 11 Business Agent Mike Kenny; Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Council Representative Gino Zilocchi; Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation International Region 1 Organzier Robert Rotolo; Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Union Local 137 Organizer Robert Soto; Sheetmetal Workers Local 25 Business Agent and Recording Secretary Rea McIntosh; Building Construction Laborers Local 3 Business Agent Tom Salerno; Laborers Heavy Highway Construction Local 472 Business Representative Daniel Pizzone; Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 10 President Rich Silva; Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 10 Business Manager Brian Jackson; Carpenters Local 253 Business Representative Pedro Navedo; Bricklayers Local 4 1st Vice President Mike Fasulo; Heat and Frost Insulators Local 32 Business Manager Jeremiah Farmer; Tile Marble Terrazzo Local 7 Business Agent Adolfo DiCosmo; Pipefitters Local 274 Business Agent Chet Rozmus; Pipefitters Local 274 Business Agent James Lutz; and former Assemblyman and Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO NJ President Thomas Giblin.

Below: Gottheimer meeting with North Jersey labor leaders.

###",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 Peruvian government treats United States nationals similarly.

The text of Congresswoman Pou’s letter is below.

Dear Mr. Kirby:

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.

New Jersey has deep-rooted ties with Peru, with roughly 95,000 people of Peruvian origin living in the state, the third largest Peruvian population in the country. New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District, and Paterson in particular, is home to one of the largest Peruvian communities in the United States. At the heart of this community is Paterson’s “Little Lima,” which is full of Peruvian bakeries, salons, restaurants, and other businesses. These ties led Paterson to establish “sister city” partnerships with Machu Picchu and the Municipality of Lurigancho-Chosica in 2024 and 2025, respectively. For decades, our local community members have also worked to strengthen ties between Peru and the United States and rallied to support Peru in times of crisis, including the devastating 2007 earthquake.

For over 30 years, United Airlines and its predecessor Continental Airlines have maintained direct service between Newark and Lima. This route is far more than a convenience. It connects New Jersey families with loved ones in Peru and supports business, tourism, and trade between our two countries. Eliminating it would force many travelers to take connecting flights or travel to other airports, adding time and expense to trips that are already prohibitively expensive.

I recognize that rising fuel prices have created new challenges for the airline industry this year. United Airlines must make business decisions that reflect fast-changing market conditions. However, United has also reported increased revenues and strong passenger demand while announcing plans to expand its network. Given the company’s strong business performance over the last two quarters, United Airlines should provide greater clarity about when a long-established route serving a major New Jersey community is being eliminated. This is particularly true given that United has told investors that it expects to recover 100% of higher fuel cost by the fourth quarter.

The decision to eliminate the non-stop Newark-Lima route comes as United Airlines is announcing new routes to destinations in Luxemburg, Slovenia, France, and elsewhere. This growth is exciting for travelers, but new service should not come at the expense of a route that has served New Jersey’s Peruvian community for decades, particularly when the Newark-Lima route has continued to see strong demand and frequently full flights. United Airlines should be able to expand its network without leaving behind communities that have relied on established routes for decades.

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.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, along with representatives of our large Peruvian community, to discuss this decision and explore ways to preserve direct service between Newark and Lima. I hope we can work together toward a solution that keeps this important connection in place.

Sincerely,

###

Congresista Pou hace un llamado a United para mantener los vuelos entre Newark y Lima

La congresista hace un impulso para pausar la cancelación de una ruta con 30 años de servicio que atiende a la numerosa comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey

PATERSON, NJ – La congresista Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), vicepresidenta de mayor rango de la Subcomisión de Aviación de la Cámara de Representantes, pidió hoy a United Airlines que reconsideren la decisión de eliminar la popular ruta directa entre el Aeropuerto de Newark y Lima, Perú, de la cual la numerosa comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey ha dependido durante décadas.

“Le escribo para expresar mi preocupación por la reciente decisión de United Airlines de eliminar el servicio sin escalas entre el Aeropuerto Internacional Newark Liberty (EWR) y el Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM) en Lima, Perú. El fin de esta histórica ruta tendría un grave impacto en las comunidades de Nueva Jersey que dependen del servicio directo a Perú, y podría dejar a los viajeros con menos opciones y costos más altos”, escribió la congresista Pou al director ejecutivo de United, Scott Kirby.

United anunció a principios de este mes que pondrá fin al servicio sin escalas entre Newark y Lima el 27 de marzo de 2027, terminando así una ruta que ha operado desde 1996, primero a través de Continental Airlines y posteriormente de United. United planea duplicar su servicio entre Houston y Lima a dos vuelos diarios cuando finalice la ruta desde Newark.

“Dado el impacto que esta decisión tendría en la comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey y en los viajeros de toda el área triestatal, estoy pidiendo a United Airlines que suspenda su plan de eliminar la ruta Newark-Lima y considere alternativas que permitan preservar el servicio directo, incluida la posibilidad de operar la ruta con una frecuencia reducida”, concluyó Pou en su llamado al director ejecutivo de United.

De acuerdo con el Censo, Nueva Jersey cuenta con aproximadamente 95,000 residentes de origen peruano. El Noveno Distrito Congresional de Nueva Jersey alberga una de las comunidades peruanas más grandes de Estados Unidos. En el corazón de esta comunidad se encuentra Little Lima en Paterson, donde abundan panaderías, salones de belleza, restaurantes y otros pequeños negocios peruanos.

La congresista Pou es la principal patrocinadora de la Ley PERU (H.R. 5335), que busca fortalecer los lazos entre Estados Unidos y Perú al agregar a Perú a la lista de países cuyos ciudadanos pueden solicitar visas E-1 y E-2, siempre que el gobierno peruano otorgue un trato similar a los ciudadanos estadounidenses.

El texto de la carta de la congresista Pou se encuentra a continuación.

Estimado Sr. Kirby:

Le escribo para expresar mi preocupación por la reciente decisión de United Airlines de eliminar el servicio sin escalas entre el Aeropuerto Internacional Newark Liberty (EWR) y el Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM) en Lima, Perú. El fin de esta histórica ruta tendría un grave impacto en las comunidades de Nueva Jersey que dependen del servicio directo a Perú, y podría dejar a los viajeros con menos opciones y costos más altos.

Nueva Jersey tiene profundos lazos con Perú, con aproximadamente 95,000 residentes de origen peruano, la tercera población peruana más grande del país. El Noveno Distrito Congresional de Nueva Jersey, y Paterson en particular, alberga una de las comunidades peruanas más grandes de Estados Unidos. En el corazón de esta comunidad se encuentra Little Lima en Paterson, donde abundan panaderías, salones de belleza, restaurantes y otros negocios peruanos. Estos vínculos llevaron a Paterson a establecer relaciones de “ciudades hermanas” con Machu Picchu y la Municipalidad de Lurigancho-Chosica en 2024 y 2025, respectivamente. Durante décadas, miembros de nuestra comunidad local también han trabajado para fortalecer los lazos entre Perú y Estados Unidos y se han movilizado para apoyar a Perú en momentos de crisis, incluido el devastador terremoto de 2007.

Durante más de 30 años, United Airlines y su predecesora, Continental Airlines, han mantenido un servicio directo entre Newark y Lima. Esta ruta es mucho más que una comodidad. Conecta a familias de Nueva Jersey con sus seres queridos en Perú y apoya los negocios, el turismo y el comercio entre nuestros dos países. Eliminarla obligaría a muchos viajeros a tomar vuelos con conexiones o trasladarse a otros aeropuertos, agregando tiempo y gastos a viajes que ya tienen costos prohibitivos.

Reconozco que el aumento de los precios del combustible ha creado nuevos desafíos para la industria aérea este año. United Airlines debe tomar decisiones comerciales que reflejen las condiciones rápidamente cambiantes del mercado. Sin embargo, United también ha reportado un aumento en sus ingresos y una fuerte demanda de pasajeros mientras anuncia planes para ampliar su red. Dado el sólido desempeño comercial de la compañía durante los últimos dos trimestres, United Airlines debería ofrecer mayor claridad cuando decide eliminar una ruta de larga trayectoria que presta servicio a una importante comunidad de Nueva Jersey. Esto es particularmente cierto dado que United ha dicho a sus inversionistas que espera recuperar el 100 por ciento del aumento en los costos del combustible para el cuarto trimestre.

La decisión de eliminar la ruta sin escalas Newark-Lima se produce mientras United Airlines anuncia nuevas rutas a destinos en Luxemburgo, Eslovenia, Francia y otros lugares. Este crecimiento es una buena noticia para los viajeros, pero los nuevos servicios no deberían implementarse a costa de una ruta que ha servido durante décadas a la comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey, especialmente cuando la ruta Newark-Lima continúa registrando una fuerte demanda y vuelos que con frecuencia están llenos. United Airlines debería poder ampliar su red sin dejar atrás a comunidades que han dependido de rutas establecidas durante décadas.

Dado el impacto que esta decisión tendría en la comunidad peruana de Nueva Jersey y en los viajeros de toda el área triestatal, estoy pidiendo a United Airlines que suspenda su plan de eliminar la ruta Newark-Lima y considere alternativas que permitan preservar el servicio directo, incluida la posibilidad de operar la ruta con una frecuencia reducida.

Agradezco su pronta atención a este asunto y agradecería la oportunidad de reunirme con usted, junto con representantes de nuestra numerosa comunidad peruana, para hablar sobre esta decisión y explorar maneras de preservar el servicio directo entre Newark y Lima. Espero que podamos trabajar juntos para encontrar una solución que mantenga esta importante conexión.

Atentamente,

Nellie Pou

Miembro del Congreso

###",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 introduced legislation with Rep. Stefanik to ensure that 9/11 education is taught in every classroom in America; today, just 25 states have requirements on the books. Of those who are between the ages of 18 and 24, none of whom were alive on 9/11, 60% first learned about 9/11 in class or through school assignments.

Gottheimer also recently clawed back $5 million to my district for local and state police for counterterrorism equipment to prevent tragedy and be ready in case one does happen.

And this week, he also introduced a resolution with the entire Jersey House Congressional delegation to honor the service and sacrifice of Jersey first responders on 9/11.

Last year, Gottheimer helped lead the reintroduction of the bipartisan American Victims of Terror Compensation Act, which provides funding for the United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, or USVSST Fund. This legislation will help ensure the USVSST consistently provides compensation to more than 18,000 American victims of State Sponsors of Terrorism, including the families of the more than 3,000 victims of September 11th.

Gottheimer helped fight for and pass legislation like the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fully fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families for injuries, medical expenses, and other benefits.

Gottheimer also helped pass the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Act, which requires the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial passenger aircraft to prevent terrorist attacks similar to 9/11.

Gottheimer is continuing to fight to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters, especially those exposed on and after 9/11, can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.

Below: Gottheimer commemorates the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.

###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-claws-back-more-than-1-7-million-in-federal-security-funding-for-nj-houses-of-worship,RELEASE: Gottheimer Claws Back More than $1.7 Million in Federal Security Funding for NJ Houses of Worship,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer visits Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn ahead of the High Holidays.

NORTH JERSEY — Today, September 10, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced $1.7 million clawed-back for eight nonprofit organizations across North Jersey for Fiscal Year 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding, delivering critical resources to help churches, synagogues, temples, and faith-based schools in the Fifth District protect their communities from the growing threat of hate and violence. Gottheimer also announced the funding at Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn and visited Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman and Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky ahead of the High Holidays.

See video of Gottheimer’s visit here.

Gottheimer also hosted a briefing with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) and Jewish faith leaders from across North Jersey to address the security threats facing the Jewish community as they prepare for the High Holidays. The meeting brought together NJOHSP Director Hauck, state leadership, and Jewish faith leaders to discuss the current threat landscape, coordination between law enforcement and religious institutions, and the urgent need to deliver federal security resources to houses of worship — the very resources this NSGP funding provides.

Gottheimer has been pushing for the long-delayed resources, passed in 2024, to be distributed after clawing it back for the district. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), administered by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides funding to nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attacks or hate-related incidents, with a particular focus on houses of worship and other faith-based institutions like schools and community centers. The funding allows organizations to invest in physical security upgrades like cameras, gates, bollards, and blast-resistant film, and to provide training that helps staff and congregants recognize and respond to threats.

Anti-Jewish hate crimes account for nearly two-thirds of all religion-based hate crimes reported to the FBI nationwide. Antisemitic incidents in the United States have increased by 68% since 2022, before October 7. In 2025, ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the United States. That means Jewish Americans were targeted an average of 17 times per day. New Jersey recorded the third-highest total of antisemitic incidents across the nation in 2025, with Bergen County ranking first in highest rates of antisemitic incidents in New Jersey.

Gottheimer has been a vocal advocate for this vital funding to be distributed. Last year, Gottheimer led a bipartisan group of 78 colleagues in urging the Administration to reverse its decision to pause the drawdown of federal grant funding at FEMA, which includes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

“No one should ever have to worry about their safety while praying, learning, or gathering with their community,” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5). “With hate crimes and antisemitic incidents spiking at historical levels, this funding is crucial. It gives our religious communities the resources they need to strengthen their security and protect the people who walk through their doors every day. I’ll keep fighting in Washington to make sure North Jersey’s nonprofits and religious institutions get every dollar they need to stay safe.”

The following North Jersey organizations were awarded funding:

Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn (Fair Lawn) — $380,000

Young Israel of Fort Lee (Fort Lee) — $190,000

Grace Redeemer Church (Glen Rock) — $190,000

Hindu Samaj Temple of Mahwah (Mahwah) — $175,750

The Frisch School (Paramus) — $380,000

The Church Gathered and Scattered (Teaneck) — $95,000

The Young Israel of Teaneck (Teaneck) — $190,000

Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley (Woodcliff Lake) — $190,000

Gottheimer will continue working in Congress to protect and expand funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and push FEMA for faster turnaround and greater transparency so that at-risk organizations can plan and receive their security investments with confidence.

###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-celebrates-grand-opening-of-revitalized-reading-center-for-trenton-community,Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates Grand Opening of Revitalized Reading Center for Trenton Community,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) attended a ribbon cutting celebrating the grand reopening of the renovated Reading Senior Center in Trenton, New Jersey and gave the following remarks:

When the senior center closed years ago, it was a tremendous loss to the Trenton senior community. The road to bring it back was a long one – and not without bumps along the way. But Mayor Reed, the City Council, and Mercer County were committed to serving the community and to getting this center back up and running… and better than it was before.

The city secured $600,000 in federal American Rescue Plan money, which I was proud to vote for, and it was signed by President Biden. In addition, the county secured matching Community Development Block Grants that I fought to protect from cuts in the Appropriations Committee.

The Reading Senior Center is a shining example of what can be accomplished when city, county, and federal officials work together, with one vision, to deliver for the seniors who have given so much to our city.

People have asked me, “What has been the most rewarding part of your time in Congress?” It’s days like this, when we can deliver results and give back to people who have put their hearts and souls into their communities.

The 11,000 square-foot facility will open its doors for the first time in over eight years, with its new operations and programs beginning Tuesday, September 15th. The Reading Senior Center will also become the new home of the City of Trenton Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Community Relations and Social Services, beginning Wednesday, September 16, providing seniors with convenient access to City programs and assistance.",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-lt-gov-investigation,Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Lt. Gov. Investigation,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) made the following statement regarding the reported investigation into Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell:

For more than three decades, I have known Lt. Gov. Caldwell to be a good and decent man. I also take any allegation of improper actions very seriously. I have full confidence in the investigatory process the Governor has established.",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-addresses-housing-affordability-and-equity-at-panel-event-in-trenton,Rep. Watson Coleman Addresses Housing Affordability and Equity at Panel Event in Trenton,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) spoke to the Capital Region Minority Chamber of Commerce (CRMCC) about housing affordability. Joined by CRMCC President Herb Ames and industry experts, the Congresswoman highlighted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a comprehensive bipartisan package passed earlier this year that addresses many dimensions of housing policy.

Over the past few years, Americans have dealt with rising housing costs, putting a strain on millions of families looking to pay their bills and in 2023, the Brookings Institute estimated that there is a shortage of about 4.9 million housing units. This highlights the importance of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which is the largest bipartisan housing law in a generation. President Trump did not sign it into law, however, calling it “a big yawn.” Per the United States Constitution, the bill eventually became law on July 11th, 2026 after the President failed to sign it or veto it within the 10 days following its delivery by Congress. Based on track-record, there is reason to be concerned that the Trump Administration may ignore the law.

The Congresswoman gave the following remarks:

It's been over 50 years since the New Jersey Supreme Court handed down the Mount Laurel Doctrine that said exclusionary zoning practices that prevent low- and moderate-income families from living in a town are unconstitutional. Yet today, safe, affordable housing remains out of reach for so many. Fewer than four in ten non-homeowning families can afford a typical starter home.

It is not enough to remove legal barriers to the middle class while leaving socioeconomic barriers in place. Economic predators have filled the vacuum left behind by the law. Money is like water; it'll find the cracks.

The result is that young people and Black people suffer. The homeownership rate for Black households is barely half that of white households, at about 41%. Meanwhile, over 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year. This astonishing number consists of a disproportionate number of people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Not coincidentally, in 2023 the Brookings Institute estimated that there is a shortage of about 4.9 million housing units.

This is not only immoral - it is unsustainable in an economy in which homeownership plays such an important role in wealth accumulation. Housing is a right; it is not a privilege. Shelter is as fundamental a need as food and water. And, in a country as wealthy as ours, the difference between a housing crisis and a roof over everyone's head is a policy choice.

The policy choices of the Trump administration have been clear. After passing their latest round of tax cuts for the mega rich and corporate donors, they had the gall to cut the HUD budget by 51%. That included a $27.25 billion cut to rental and homeless assistance programs- or 40%. A $53 billion cut to Section 8. An $8.8 billion cut to public housing. And a $1.25 billion cut to the HOME program, to name a few.

In addition, HUD withdrew legal guidance for the Fair Housing Act's coverage of appraisal discrimination of undervalued homes in majority-black neighborhoods. They also disbanded the Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity taskforce and repealed the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing subregulatory policies, removing federal requirements for local governments to proactively desegregate their communities.

Now I've worked to fight back on these abysmal policies, including during Appropriations hearings with Secretary Scott Turner, and through legislation like my Homes for Young Adults Act and Rep. Omar's Homes for All Act. But the biggest dent we've made was with the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which passed earlier this summer.

This new law is not perfect, but it does some important things like prohibiting large institutional investors, like BlackRock, from purchasing new single-family homes, a practice that has priced millions out of their own neighborhoods, forcing people who rent who would otherwise buy, and leaving many homes vacant in the process.

It also increases grants to local governments that successfully increase housing supply through zoning reform and density bonuses. And it raises the public welfare investment cap for community development banks.

Incorporated into the final package were six Democratic priorities including, the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act to codify the Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery, the PRICE Act to help manufactured communities preserve affordability, the VALID Act to improve transparency for veteran homebuyers, the Build Now Act to incentivize housing development in certain CDBG jurisdictions while protecting disaster-hit areas, a Moving to Work provision to add up to 25 Public Housing Authorities while prohibiting these PHAs from imposing overwhelming work requirements, and a provision to codify Rental Assistance Demonstration to help convert aging public housing into long-term Section 8 contracts to fund critical property repairs.

This bill passed the Senate 85 - 5 and the House 358 - 32. The president did not sign it, but he also did not veto it, so it became law on July 11th this year. We have the law passed now. But Trump’s refusal to engage with the bill, even just to sign it, hints at the likelihood that he will ignore the law.

He’s done this before and his administration is filled, at the highest levels, with people who believe a President can simply ignore a law he doesn’t agree with. So, we need a Congress that will hold the Administration accountable. That starts this November.

During his testimony last summer, HUD Secretary Turner repeatedly referred to the administration's efforts at dismantling housing assistance as a so-called “paradigm shift.” However, the real shift we've seen is how Americans of vastly different stripes and political persuasions view housing.

People are fed up. They see their grown children unable to afford homes, they see rents skyrocketing, and they see more and more of their budgets going to rent and mortgage payments while they struggle to stay afloat.

We are at the precipice of a revolution in how people view housing. And while I may not be in Congress to see universal housing become a reality, I am confident that if we keep working in this space, it will.

Thank you and God bless.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=49B0E3DF-BC2D-415A-8D9C-FDAB739A37D8,"Norcross, Pallone, Camden leaders meet to discuss nationwide lithium battery fires",2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"September 10, 2026: EMR USA CEO Joe Balzano (second from left) gives tour of Camden recycling plant to Rep. Norcross, Rep. Pallone, and Mayor Carstarphen (left to right)

CAMDEN — Congressmen Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today met with representatives from EMR’s Camden recycling plant and local elected officials to discuss the nationwide issue of lithium battery fires.

Lithium batteries contain more power and charge faster than other batteries, but those efficiencies can also create a fire hazard if exposed to physical damage or excess heat. While these risks require special disposal processes, many consumers are unaware when they are disposing lithium batteries and recycling facilities are often underequipped to identify them in the waste stream. As such, there are an estimated 5,000 fires at recycling plants in the United States each year, with most being ignited by improperly disposed lithium batteries.

Without action the problem will only continue to grow: Lithium batteries are used in a large amount of modern products such as handheld electronics, e-cigarettes, medical devices, and the total amount of lithium consumption nearly quadrupled between just 2010 and 2021. Municipalities from coast to coast, including Camden, are increasingly being forced to respond to large battery fires.

“Lithium batteries aren’t going away, and communities are struggling to safely recycle them across the world. Reducing these fires will take a team effort, and the producers of these batteries need to play a more active role – especially since they know what happens to these batteries at the end of their lifecycle,” Norcross said. “There’s no one silver bullet solution, but my visit with Congressman Pallone and folks on the frontlines here in Camden certainly helps me feel that more people are taking this issue seriously.”

“Lithium-ion batteries shouldn’t be turning recycling facilities into fire hazards. When these batteries end up where they don’t belong, they can put entire communities at risk. I came to Camden with Congressman Norcross to see the problem firsthand and figure out what we can do in Congress to prevent these fires before they start,” said Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue.

“Everyone wants to ensure that fires of this magnitude never occur,” Victor Carstarphen, mayor of Camden said. “I commend Congressman Norcross for looking at potential solutions to this issue and for working with local officials to help safeguard against the threat of a future event. Improving federal regulations and requiring standardized labeling of materials would be a positive step forward.”

“Recyclers everywhere are reckoning with the risks that lithium batteries pose to the waste stream, and no one has more stake in preventing these fires than the hardworking men and women staffing these facilities in their own communities,” Joe Balzano, chief executive officer of EMR USA said. “EMR appreciates the leaders who came to Camden today to see the issue up close – and for elevating the need for solutions about what can be done about this national problem.”

Multiple efforts have been launched this Congress to prevent lithium battery fires. In October, Norcross introduced the Battery Fire Prevention Act, which includes measures to boost recycling facilities’ access to battery detectors and create a lithium battery buyback fund. Earlier this month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee also advanced the Battery Recycling for America’s Competitive Economy (BRACE) Act – legislation that would modernize and clarify regulations and safeguards for lithium battery storage and recycling.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-stefanik-discuss-combating-antisemitism-on-college-campuses-at-vanderbilt-university-launch-new-bipartisan-caucus-on-campus-antisemitism,"RELEASE: Gottheimer, Stefanik Discuss Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses at Vanderbilt University, Launch New Bipartisan Caucus on Campus Antisemitism",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer announces Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus at Vanderbilt University.

NASHVILLE, TN — Today, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) announced the launch of the new bipartisan Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus while visiting Vanderbilt University. The caucus aims to hold colleges and universities accountable for protecting Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

The Representatives announced the formation of the caucus during a conversation at Vanderbilt University featuring Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and five visiting university leaders from across the country, including leaders from The University of Kentucky, The University of Texas at Austin, Dartmouth College, The University of Alabama, and Washington University in St. Louis. The panel discussed how their campuses are working to combat antisemitism while protecting free expression.

“Since October 7th, Jewish students on too many campuses have been harassed, intimidated, and made to feel like strangers in their own school,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why Elise and I are teaming up to launch this caucus to hold universities accountable, back up the schools getting it right, like Vanderbilt, and make sure every Jewish kid can have a college experience without fear of discrimination or violence.”

“From asking questions at the most watched hearing in Congressional history with university presidents that led to an earthquake in higher education to passing key legislation, I have been proud to be the leader in Congress on combatting antisemitism and anti-Americanism at our colleges and universities,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY- 21). “I am proud to launch this bipartisan Congressional Caucus with my friend and colleague Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) who has been a leading partner and legislator with whom I have worked on this critical issue. We are committed to saving American higher education for the next generation.”

Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, antisemitism on American college campuses has surged to levels never before recorded. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents on campuses spiked more than 300 percent in 2023 alone, followed by a further sharp rise in 2024, with well over a thousand incidents logged in the year after October 7th. The vast majority of Jewish college students say they have personally witnessed or experienced antisemitism since that day.

The Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus will:

Serve as a bipartisan forum for Members of Congress to coordinate oversight of how colleges and universities respond to antisemitism.

Press institutions to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff, and to enforce their own anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies.

Advance and track federal legislation targeting campus antisemitism and BDS-driven discrimination, including the Antisemitism Awareness Act, the HEAL Act, and the newly House-passed Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act.

Spotlight schools that are getting it right and share best practices across campuses nationwide.

Gottheimer has been a leading voice in Congress against antisemitism, including:

Authoring the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which directs the Department of Education to use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination law. The bill passed the House 320–91 last Congress.

Helping pass the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, restricting federal student aid to colleges that engage in commercial BDS boycotts of Israel. The bill cleared the House 237–169 on September 3rd and now heads to the Senate.

Authoring the HEAL Act (Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act) and the October 7th Remembrance Education Act to strengthen Holocaust and October 7th education in schools.

Leading H.Res. 883, declaring the “from the river to the sea” chant antisemitic, and the IGO Anti-Boycott Act, both of which have passed the House.

Pressing university presidents directly, sending letters to schools including Rutgers, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, MIT, Princeton, Brown, GW, and NYU demanding concrete plans to protect Jewish students.

Serving as a member of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.

Below: Gottheimer announces Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus at Vanderbilt University.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-ahead-of-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11-gottheimer-announces-more-than-5-million-in-federal-funds-to-combat-terrorism,"RELEASE: Ahead of the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, Gottheimer Announces More Than $5 Million in Federal Funds to Combat Terrorism",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer unveils 9/11 legislation package.

NEW MILFORD, NJ — Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced several concrete actions including more than $5 million clawed back from Washington to Jersey for local law enforcement in North Jersey to combat terrorism.

Watch Gottheimer’s remarks here.

The new funding will go toward expanding and modernizing intelligence and coordination, officer training, and additional resources to protect Jersey families.

The resources include:

More than $5 million in counterterrorism funding clawed back for local law enforcement across Bergen, Sussex, and Passaic Counties.

Every single town — all 65 in the Fifth Congressional District — in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties — will receive $50,000 to be utilized for counter-terrorism training.

$1.5 million dollars for Bergen County to expand and modernize the Bergen County Real-Time Intelligence Center.

Newton in Sussex County will receive $200,000 in funding to be able to purchase a real-time intelligence platform to enhance its capabilities.

Bloomingdale will receive $100,000 to purchase a response drone and active-threat gear — ballistic shields, armor, breaching kits.

Vernon will receive $30,000 in funding for a thermal search-and-overwatch drone for fast response at any time of day or conditions.

Highlighted the bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force Report that lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations for the Intelligence Community to protect against the new and emerging threats — 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.

Sent a letter pressing the FAA and Secretary Duffy to fully implement secondary flight deck barriers on all commercial aircraft — the only 9/11 Commission recommendation still not fully implemented 25 years later — to require the barriers on every plane, including older aircraft already flying. In 2018, I wrote the bipartisan Saracini Aviation Safety Act, requiring these barriers on all new aircraft and it was signed into law in 2018. Years later, the FAA still hasn’t finalized the rule to retrofit the existing fleet.

Introduced a 9/11 education bill with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) to ensure that 9/11 is taught in every school across America. Only 15 states require 9/11 education.

Introduced a resolution, cosponsored by every member of the New Jersey House congressional delegation, formally recognizing the state’s law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who responded to the World Trade Center attacks and carried out the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts in the days and months that followed. The resolution honors their service and sacrifice, remembers those who have since died — including from 9/11-related illnesses — and reaffirms the federal commitment to the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

“We all have a responsibility, in honor of those who gave their lives, and for the sake of our democracy, to teach our children, our students, and our future leaders the history of our homeland,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Today, I unveiled a package of federal action that lays out a series of steps we must take to not only honor those who perished on 9/11 and in its aftermath, but to be prepared to stop any future attacks. With today’s actions, we will keep fighting to protect our state, our homeland, and ensure that a tragic day like that one in September of 2001 never happens again.”

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Sussex County Prosecutor Dan Perez, New Milford Mayor Michael Putrino, New Milford Councilwoman Lisa Sandhusen, New Milford Councilwoman Randi Duffie, New Milford Councilman Matt Seymour, Bloomingdale Councilman David Bronkhurst, Newton Police Chief Dan Finkle, Vernon Mayor Anthony Rossi, Vernon Police Chief Daniel Young, Sussex County Chief of Detectives Nicholas T. Elmo, Sussex County Lieutenant Kyle Phlegar, Sussex County Detective Andrew Moore, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz.

Below: Gottheimer unveils 9/11 legislation package.

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning, everyone.

Twenty-five years ago, this week, New Milford lost one of its own.

Stephen Dorf (DOOR-F) was 39 years old. He worked as a communications technician for Euro Brokers, on the 84th floor of the South Tower.

Stephen was one of six kids in a close-knit family from Brooklyn, and by every account I’ve read, he was exactly the kind of guy you’d want as a neighbor and friend. He was the neighbor grilling in the backyard, the guy who’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. That’s who New Milford and Jersey lost on September 11, 2001. Not a statistic. Not a name on a wall. A friend from this remarkable community and our great state.

The steel beam behind us from the towers, the plaque, this plot of land — they mean something. Because behind them is a piece of New Milford’s story that this town will never be torn down.

Because of 9/11, and the havoc monsters wreaked that day, we have memorials like this one across our state and country. I’ve prayed at beautiful memorials like this one more times than I can count over the years. They are both powerful remembrances of our loved ones, a reminder of the strength of our democracy and the flag we pledge to, the indefatigable will of our people, and, in our hours of need, our ability to come together as a nation.

Last week, I was at memorials at the Pentagon, in Lower Manhattan, in Shanksville — and every time, I think about the same thing: the people we lost and their families.

The nearly 3,000 souls that day, and the 750 who called New Jersey home. One hundred and forty-seven from Bergen County alone.

I think about the passengers on Flight 93, who fought back over a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, so that plane never reached its target — the United States Capitol. They literally came together and voted, on the spot, to swap their lives for the terrorists — to protect us.

I think about the more than 400 first responders who ran into those towers instead of running away — because that’s what they do, and that’s what they still do, every day, right here in New Milford.

And I think about something that doesn’t get said enough: more than 9,000 first responders and survivors have died from illnesses tied to what they breathed in at Ground Zero. That is three times the number of people who died on the day of the attack itself. I think about the 60,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in or were injured in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For those of us who lived through this tragedy, where we were and how we learned about the attacks is seared in our memory. But, twenty-five years is a long time.

It’s long enough that we have college students graduating this spring who weren’t alive for 9/11. We have educators in our classrooms who weren’t alive. 100 million Americans have been born since that tragic morning — nearly a third of our country. Their only connection to that day is a memorial like this one, a story from their parents, a paragraph in a textbook, if they’re lucky enough to get a paragraph at all.

So, when we say never forget, we all have a responsibility, in honor of those who gave their lives, and for the sake of our democracy, to teach our children, our students, our future leaders the history of our homeland. Otherwise, TikTok will do it — and they may say what the most despicable people are posting and what some of our enemies are spreading — that 9/11 was our fault. I will do everything in my power, and I know you will, too, to ensure that our children learn the truth, honor the fallen, and protect the greatest country the world has ever known.

But that takes work. In 2004, the 9/11 Commission published a report with clear steps to help prevent another terror attack on our soil. As a result, Congress established the National Counterterrorism Center. We created the Director of National Intelligence. We built a system where our intelligence agencies can escape their silos and share information – it was one of the great weaknesses that contributed to the attack that day.

Twenty years later, there is still one 9/11 Commission recommendation — just one — that has never been fully carried out: secondary barriers, to keep terrorists out of the cockpit on every commercial flight in America. Many of us have been working on that for years – but we’re still not there, and there’s no excuse for the airlines’ failure to fully meet that demand. And, there is still work to be done to make sure threats are better shared between our intelligence agencies, especially as they develop faster and grow more sophisticated

As we’ve said, twenty-five years is a long time. America is facing new threats that didn’t exist in 2001, like Artificial Intelligence and the government of China.

For the past year, I served as Co-Chair of the House Intelligence Committee’s bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force, with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Chairman Rick Crawford, and Ranking Member Jim Himes. We spent a year in hearings and briefings, grading our own government’s homework: how well did we actually carry out the original 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, what worked and what didn’t — and how do we prepare for the next generation of threats.

Our report [hold up a copy] lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations to close the gaps for the next 25 years. Things like faster information sharing between agencies, adopting AI to stay ahead of our enemies, and deeper partnerships with our state, local, and private-sector partners to fight terror.

Today, I want to lay out a series of steps we must take to not only honor those who perished on 9/11 and its aftermath, but to be prepared to stop any future attacks.

The first step starts here, in our communities, and it’s about ensuring that our towns and first responders have the resources they need to protect our families here in Bergen, Sussex, and Passaic Counties. This morning, I’m announcing $5 million in new federal counter-terrorism resources that I secured for every community in the Fifth District.

Every single town — all 65 in the Fifth Congressional District — in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties — will receive $50,000 to be utilized for counter-terrorism training — to be prepared for any threats, especially the new ones. That’s $3.25 million in new training dollars.

That funding will allow our towns to receive advanced tactical training for responding to active shooters and violent threats. New specialized training will help identify and mitigate threats to our schools and houses of worship, and it will ensure the maximum number of officers can receive this crucial training without impacting day-to-day operations.

What worked twenty-five years ago doesn’t work today. We must invest in our first responders so they can protect themselves and our families.

In addition, to ensure we are prepared and coordinating, we are investing more than 1.5 million dollars here in Bergen County to expand and modernize the Bergen County Real-Time Intelligence Center. That’s the hub that connects more than 70 law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies countywide — to better integrate and coordinate emergency response across the county.

The Intelligence Center ensures that agencies don’t miss a beat when a thief flees from one town to the next, and all hands will be on deck for major events at MetLife Stadium.

As part of the federal dollars I secured, Newton in Sussex County will be able to purchase a real-time intelligence platform and help existing systems that aren’t connected. Vernon will receive funding for a thermal search-and-overwatch drone for fast response at any time of day or conditions. And Bloomingdale will receive dollars to purchase a response drone and active-threat gear — ballistic shields, armor, breaching kits. Those are major tools — major federal investments — in the hands of the men and women who are the first on the scene when we need them most – to handle any major threat thrown at them, including terror.

My hope is that all of our communities and agencies will be able to work hand-in-hand, locally, seamlessly, across the state, and with federal partners. That is so critical and one of our biggest lessons from the original 9/11 report and our review.

Second, I’m sending an urgent letter to the FAA and Secretary of Transportation Duffy to finally finish the job on secondary cockpit barriers. Years ago, I wrote the bipartisan Saracini Aviation Safety Act, requiring these barriers on all new aircraft. It was signed into law in 2018.

I then helped pass legislation to require the barriers on every plane — including older aircraft already flying. Yet, years later, the FAA still hasn’t finalized the rule to retrofit the existing fleet. When it finally happens, it will take years to implement. We need the FAA to implement a final rule and get every plane in our skies equipped with a secondary cockpit barrier.

It makes no sense for flight attendants to drag a drink cart into the aisle when the pilot needs to leave the cockpit to use the restroom.

We know that won’t work if a terrorist wants it — studies show that they will literally push over the cart.

Third, I’m leading a resolution this week with the entire New Jersey Congressional House delegation formally honoring New Jersey’s 9/11 first responders. The cops, the firefighters, the EMTs who ran toward the towers, who searched the rubble for months afterward, drawn from all twenty-one of our counties. The ones who helped run the largest waterborne evacuation in American history, carrying an estimated half a million people to safety across the Hudson.

This resolution remembers them, and it reaffirms our commitment to funding the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund for as long as they’re needed.

Finally, this step addresses what I discussed at the beginning of my remarks. With my colleague Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, I just introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure that 9/11 is taught in every classroom in America. Not on TikTok, but in our textbooks.

Why? Because if a generation of kids grows up not understanding what happened that day, and why, we haven’t just failed the memory of those lost. We’ve failed the future, we’ve our democracy, and our ability to protect our country. I will not let that happen. Only fifteen states have a requirement to teach about 9/11 – and, believe it or not, New Jersey isn’t one of them. We should change that today, and, in the meantime, I will fill that gap with bipartisan federal legislation.

Twenty-five years ago, I remember, like a lot of you probably do, watching President Bush stand on a pile of smoking rubble at Ground Zero, grab a bullhorn, and shout back to rescue workers who couldn’t hear him: “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you.” Out of the worst morning in this country’s history, that’s what America decided to be — loud, united, and unafraid.

That’s the New Jersey I know. That’s the New Milford I know. A place where our memory and our pride outlast fear. A place where a guy named Stephen Dorf, who just wanted to go to work and come home to his family, will never, ever be forgotten.

With today’s actions — with real funding, a real report, and real legislation — with the best first responders in the country, the best service men and women, and intelligence officers in the world, we will keep fighting to protect our state, our homeland, and ensure that a tragic day like that one in September of 2001 never happens again.

Because in the greatest country in the world, I know that if we work together, our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you. God bless you, God bless our first responders, and God bless the United States of America.",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-stop-rogue-ai-agents-and-keep-people-in-control,RELEASE: Gottheimer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Rogue AI Agents and Keep People in Control,2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the bipartisan Stop Rogue AI Act to ensure businesses and federal agencies have the ability to see rogue and dangerous AI agents operating inside their own networks, and stop them before they cause real damage.

Right now, most organizations have no reliable way to know how many unauthorized AI agents are running in their systems, who built them, or what they have access to. AI agents can be activated by employees, embedded in third-party software, or deployed by vendors — often with little to no visibility for the organization whose networks they’re operating on to know that they are there. That blind spot is becoming more dangerous by the day. The recent Hugging Face incident and other autonomous cyberattacks have shown AI systems are being used to hack organizations at scale, without a person ever watching or stepping in.

“Right now, AI agents are running loose in our networks, and nobody can see them or verify who built them — making it increasingly hard to stop them,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s a five-alarm security risk. We’ve already seen AI systems hack organizations on autopilot, with no person at the wheel. My bipartisan bill with Congressman Lawler puts humans back in the driver’s seat so we can find agents and know exactly who’s behind them so that organizations can effectively protect their systems.”

“AI agents are becoming more capable and more deeply integrated into our government and economy. We need to make sure we know what these systems are, what they can access, and who is responsible for them. We can harness the benefits of AI while making sure these systems don’t operate in the shadows of the networks they have access to,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).

The Stop Rogue AI Act would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to develop national standards, guidelines, and best practices for discovering, verifying, and controlling AI agents.

Under the bill, those standards will provide guidance to organizations on how to:

Find and track every AI agent operating on their systems, in a continuous, easily readable inventory;

Verify who built and operates each agent, using verifiable identity and provenance — not just a vendor’s word;

Monitor agents in real time, including detecting prompt injection, data theft, and agents behaving outside their approved limits; and

Allow, deny, or revoke an agent’s access, actions, and interactions at any time – so people have the final say over what it can access or do.

The bill also requires federal contractors and agencies to build these safeguards into how they buy and deploy AI agents, and directs NIST and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to fold the standards into existing federal cybersecurity guidance.

The bipartisan legislation has already earned support from a broad coalition spanning network security, internet infrastructure, and AI governance, including:

Palo Alto Networks

GoDaddy

Infoblox

AI Policy Network

Alliance for Secure AI

“As AI agents become more capable of acting and transacting on our behalf, identity and accountability are foundational. We need open, interoperable standards that make it possible to know which agent is acting, who stands behind it, and whether its credentials are valid. Representatives Gottheimer and Lawler’s bipartisan effort is an important step toward establishing those standards and putting them to work through federal adoption. GoDaddy is pleased to support an approach that can strengthen security while keeping the agentic web open to businesses and innovators of every size,” said Jared Sine, Chief Strategy & Legal Officer, GoDaddy.

“Securing AI agents starts with knowing they exist and being able to trust who they are. This bill rightly treats agent discovery as foundational cybersecurity, giving agencies the ability to continuously find, verify, and control the AI agents interacting with their systems. We’re especially encouraged that this legislation promotes open, vendor-agnostic, and interoperable discovery standards built on existing internet infrastructure like the domain name system, rather than locking agencies into proprietary platforms. That approach is scalable, resilient, and the right foundation for agent security. Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler are doing commendable work, and we look forward to supporting the bill’s advancement,” said Wei Chen, Chief Legal Officer and EVP, Regulatory Strategy, Infoblox

“As AI agents rapidly scale across government and enterprise systems, security and governance must evolve to address the novel risks of agentic decision-making. Palo Alto Networks applauds Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mike Lawler for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the AI Agent Standardization and Security Act. This legislation provides a strong foundation for organizations to safely adopt agentic AI while maintaining continuous visibility, runtime monitoring, identity verification and control,” said Daniel Kroese, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Palo Alto Networks

The Stop Rogue AI Act builds on Gottheimer’s work as Co-Chair of the House AI Commission and his bipartisan track record on AI safety and consumer protections. It comes as Congress and federal regulators face growing pressure to keep pace with the rapid development and deployment of autonomous AI systems.

###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mejia-menendez-and-espaillat-conduct-oversight-visit-at-delaney-hall-following-reports-of-negligent-conditions,"Reps. Mejia, Menendez, and Espaillat Conduct Oversight Visit at Delaney Hall Following Reports of Negligent Conditions",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: September 9, 2026

Contact: Beth Wiesinger | Beth.Wiesinger@mail.house.gov

NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Representatives Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) today conducted an oversight visit at Delaney Hall, operated by GEO Group, following repeated complaints regarding conditions inside the detention facility, including reports of spoiled food, inadequate or non-functioning air conditioning, and grave concerns about access to timely and appropriate medical care.

Following the visit, the members issued the following joint statement:

""ICE and GEO Group have a responsibility to the people they are holding in federal custody. What we heard and observed today makes clear that those held in Delaney Hall are dangerously neglected.

We met with individuals who detailed medical care being delayed or denied when people are sick or in pain, spoiled and unsafe food being served, and inadequate air conditioning leaving people to endure dangerous conditions. This is a federally funded failure of care and oversight.

We will continue to demand clear answers about what is happening inside this facility, including the deaths of individuals held at Delaney, what DHS is doing to address these conditions, and why people in federal custody have been forced to endure them in the first place.""

The members will continue to review information gathered during today's visit and pursue additional oversight as warranted, including seeking answers from federal officials and facility operators regarding the conditions reported at Delaney Hall.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH remarks from the Representatives.

###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/los-reps-menendez-espaillat-y-mejia-realizan-visita-de-supervision-en-delaney-hall-tras-reportes-de-condiciones-negligentes,"Los Reps. Menendez, Espaillat y Mejia realizan visita de supervisión en Delaney Hall tras reportes de condiciones negligentes",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"JERSEY CITY, NJ – El miércoles, los Representantes Rob Menendez (NJ-08), el Presidente del Caucus Hispano del Congreso, Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) y Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) realizaron una visita de supervisión en Delaney Hall, operado por GEO Group, tras las repetidas denuncias sobre las condiciones dentro del centro de detención, incluyendo reportes de comida en mal estado, aire acondicionado inadecuado o no funcional y graves preocupaciones sobre el acceso a atención médica oportuna y adecuada.

Tras la visita, los miembros emitieron la siguiente declaración conjunta:

""El ICE y GEO Group tienen una responsabilidad con las personas que mantienen bajo custodia federal. Lo que escuchamos y observamos hoy deja en claro que quienes se encuentran en Delaney Hall continúan siendo peligrosamente desatendidos.

Nos reunimos con personas que detallaron la demora o negación de atención médica cuando las personas están enfermas o con dolor, la entrega de alimentos en mal estado e inseguros, y un aire acondicionado inadecuado que obliga a las personas a soportar condiciones peligrosas. Esto es un fracaso de atención y supervisión financiado con fondos federales.

Seguiremos exigiendo respuestas claras sobre lo que está ocurriendo dentro de esta instalación, incluyendo las muertes de personas detenidas en Delaney, qué está haciendo el DHS para abordar estas condiciones y por qué las personas bajo custodia federal se han visto obligadas a soportarlas en primer lugar.""

Los miembros continuarán revisando la información recopilada durante la visita de hoy y llevarán a cabo una supervisión adicional según sea necesario, incluyendo la búsqueda de respuestas de los funcionarios federales y los operadores de la instalación con respecto a las condiciones reportadas en Delaney Hall.",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-espaillat-and-mejia-conduct-oversight-visit-at-delaney-hall-following-reports-of-negligent-conditions,"Menendez, Espaillat, and Mejia Conduct Oversight Visit at Delaney Hall Following Reports of Negligent Conditions",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"JERSEY CITY, NJ – Congressional Hispanic Caucus (""CHC"") Vice Chair of Policy Rob Menendez (NJ-08), CHC Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and U.S. Representative Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) today conducted an oversight visit at Delaney Hall, operated by GEO Group, following repeated complaints regarding conditions inside the detention facility, including reports of spoiled food, inadequate or non-functioning air conditioning, and grave concerns about access to timely and appropriate medical care.

Following the visit, the members issued the following joint statement:

“ICE and GEO Group have a responsibility to the people they are holding in federal custody. What we heard and observed today makes clear that those held in Delaney Hall continue to be dangerously neglected.

We met with individuals who detailed medical care being delayed or denied when people are sick or in pain, spoiled and unsafe food being served, and inadequate air conditioning leaving people to endure dangerous conditions. This is a federally funded failure of care and oversight.

We will continue to demand clear answers about what is happening inside this facility, including the deaths of individuals held at Delaney, what DHS is doing to address these conditions, and why people in federal custody have been forced to endure them in the first place.”

The members will continue to review information gathered during today’s visit and pursue additional oversight as warranted, including seeking answers from federal officials and facility operators regarding the conditions reported at Delaney Hall.",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-attends-unveiling-of-joans-joy-legacy-lane-in-honor-of-joan-dalessandro,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Attends Unveiling of “Joan’s Joy Legacy Lane” in Honor of Joan D’Alessandro,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer Helps Unveil “Joan’s Joy Legacy Lane”

HILLSDALE, NJ — Yesterday, Monday, September 7, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Mayor Michael Sheinfield, the Hillsdale community, Rosemarie D’Alessandro, and the D’Alessandro family to unveil “Joan’s Joy Legacy Lane,” a new street sign honoring the memory of Joan D’Alessandro and her mother’s decades-long fight for stronger child protection laws.

“Joan’s joy is still here. It’s on this street sign. It’s in the law that bears her name. And it’s in every child who is a little safer because you refused to let her story end in silence,” said Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5).

Joan D’Alessandro was a seven-year-old Girl Scout who was murdered on April 19, 1973, while delivering cookies to a neighbor’s house in Hillsdale. Her mother, Rosemarie D’Alessandro, turned her grief into advocacy, championing the passage of “Joan’s Law” in New Jersey in 1997 under Governor Christie Whitman, and its federal counterpart, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1998, ensuring that anyone who murders and sexually assaults a child under fourteen is never eligible for parole. The legislation has been updated in New Jersey to apply to any child under eighteen.

Gottheimer is a cosponsor of the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act, to raise the age for prohibition on parole to cover all minors eighteen and under who were murdered and sexually assaulted.

Below: Gottheimer Helps Unveil “Joan’s Joy Legacy Lane”

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-unveils-bipartisan-back-to-school-agenda-for-ai-in-k-12-education,RELEASE: Gottheimer Unveils Bipartisan Back-to-School Agenda for AI in K-12 Education,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement for Critical Thinking

New Bipartisan Legislation will Help K-12 Schools Build AI Labs, Train Teachers, Keep Jersey Students Ahead of Curve

Emphasizes Importance of Screen Time Limits In School

Above: Gottheimer announces Bipartisan Back-to-School Agenda on AI and Screen Time in K-12 Education.

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Today, September 4, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy, unveiled a comprehensive, bipartisan back-to-school agenda to make sure students in the Fifth District and across the country are prepared for a world increasingly shaped by AI. Speaking at George Washington Middle School, Gottheimer announced his new bipartisan AI LABS Act, co-led by Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), to help K-12 schools build dedicated AI labs and train teachers — and paired it with a broader push to keep phones out of the classroom, protect New Jersey’s phone-free schools resources, boost AI literacy in the classroom, and close the digital divide so no community gets left offline.

Watch full remarks here.

“We’re not going to pretend AI doesn’t exist, and we’re not going to ban it and hope it goes away. So, here in Jersey, we need to do this differently,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “AI can be a powerful tool, but it can never replace the fundamentals. Give our schools the tools. Give our teachers the training. And give our children a real head start, instead of a false choice between banning technology outright and drowning in it.”

AI is already reshaping how students study, how teachers plan, and how employers hire, but K-12 schools have unequal access to the tools and curricula students need to learn how to use it responsibly. The bipartisan AI LABS Act tackles that gap head-on.

This legislation directs the Department of Education to create a new federal grant program or make resources from existing grant programs available to help K-12 schools establish dedicated AI labs, much like the computer and typing labs that became a fixture in schools a generation ago. Those labs would give students hands-on curricula on how to use and understand AI, help teachers better understand the technology, and incorporate it into their classrooms. The bill also directs the Department to study who receives the resources, how they are used, and to make recommendations on future investment so students and educators stay ahead on AI education.

Alongside the AI LABS Act, Gottheimer announced additional steps in his AI back-to-school agenda:

Protecting New Jersey’s phone-free schools resources. Gottheimer is sending a letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill and New Jersey Commissioner of Education Dr. Lily Laux that emphasizes the importance of the state’s Phone-Free Schools Grant Program. Public school districts across Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties — including eleven here in the Fifth District — received grants to go bell-to-bell phone-free this year.

Boosting AI education in New Jersey. Gottheimer is calling on the State to dedicate K-12 resources specifically to responsibly integrate AI literacy, ethics, and practical skills into K-12 public school curriculum while limiting screen time to ensure fundamentals remain a priority in education.

Keeping phones out of the classroom. Gottheimer is supporting the bipartisan UNPLUGGED Act, introduced by Representatives Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Jen Kiggans (VA-2), which supports state and local policies that keep personal electronic devices out of the classroom during school hours. It also establishes a Department of Education grant program to help schools purchase secure lock boxes and pouches, with commonsense exceptions for students with medical needs, disabilities, and English learners.

Ensuring Connectivity for All Students and Families. Gottheimer is sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) urging the agencies to prioritize broadband deployment to rural and underserved school districts, so the benefits of AI are not concentrated in the wealthiest, most connected communities. This letter builds on Gottheimer’s work fighting for broadband funding for New Jersey, including more than $260 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that he helped write, negotiate, and sign into law.

These actions build on Gottheimer’s consistent support for New Jersey schools, including fighting against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to over $1 billion in education funding for New Jersey, which were fortunately blocked.

Ridgewood Public School District, one of the largest and top-ranked school districts in Bergen County, is implementing a “Return to a Strong Foundation” emphasis this year focused on limiting screens in the classroom and keeping fundamentals front and center in the age of AI.

Gottheimer was joined by Ridgewood Councilman Frank Mortimer, Ridgewood School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Schwarz, George Washington Middle School Principal Dave Bailey, Bergen County Association of School Administrators President Dr. Joseph Cirillo, NJ PTA President Jackie Gibbs, NJ PTA Federal Legislative Chairperson Sharon Roseboro, and NJ PTA Bergen County Council of PTAs President Nancy Wallace. Gottheimer was also joined by four George Washington Middle School students involved in student government – Alaiya Barnes, Landon Ponchak, Karleigh Cadaret, and Druv Kethini.

Below: Gottheimer announces Bipartisan Back-to-School Agenda on AI and Screen Time in K-12 Education.

Read full remarks here:

Good morning, Ridgewood!

As you close out your first week back to school, I want to start by thanking everyone here at George Washington Middle School, including the educators, the administrators and staff, the school board, and especially the students, for having me here today.

Now, I did a little homework before I came, because that’s what you’re supposed to do at school, right? And, I learned a couple of things about this building that I did not know.

First, some of you know the name Willie Geist. He anchors Sunday Today and co-hosts Morning Joe. Willie met his wife, Christina, in their sixth-grade homeroom right here at George Washington Middle School, back in 1986. Forty years later, they’re still together. So, I don’t know exactly what they were teaching in that homeroom, but whatever it was, keep doing it.

Second, Ridgewood’s roots go all the way to the Revolutionary War. George Washington visited this area and wrote letters from right around here, while Patriot and British troops fought nearby. The borough was practically founded during America’s fight for independence. When Washington delivered his first Annual Address to Congress, he said something I think about a lot, especially on a day like today. He said, “Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”

Two hundred and fifty years after our founding, that’s still true, and it’s exactly why we’re here this morning.

I want to give real credit to the Ridgewood School District. While you study the past, you’re not living it. You’re on the cutting edge of education, including how to best use, and not use, technology to learn. This year, you launched your “Return to a Strong Foundation” initiative, cutting back laptop use in the classroom for its nearly 5,500 students, especially for the youngest children. Ridgewood started limiting cell phones in school, too, with phones in lockers, all day, for every student, from elementary school right up through high school. I should add that’s now the state law. No phones in the classroom.

In my opinion, that’s exactly the kind of commonsense, community-driven leadership we need more of, and it’s exactly the balance we need to be talking about in the age of AI. The answer isn’t more screens. The answer is smarter, more purposeful use of technology, alongside real, honest-to-goodness reading, writing, and critical thinking. In other words, technology can’t do your work or your thinking for you. When the calculator showed up to replace the abacus, we still learned how to count. As a kid, I used to look up facts in the World Book Encyclopedia – and then came the Internet.

I still got to read about and learn about the landing on the moon, but I found the information online, not in a book on the shelf. There’s a big difference. We can’t let AI write our papers or do our math assignments, but it can be a tool for helping us learn. We can’t allow AI to replace our educators, but it can certainly help take the busy work off their plate, or allow them to develop more personalized lesson plans for students.

It’s clear that your school system and your educators already get that. Today, I’m here to take that approach across our state and nationwide.

We are at a true inflection point. Technology isn’t slowing down for us. It never has and never will. Just this week, OpenAI introduced Astra, its latest model. This is on the heels of Anthropic’s Mythos – and new Chinese open-weight models that are coming at us nearly every week.

Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence, or AI, is already in our children’s backpacks, on their laptops, and on their phones. The question isn’t whether our children will encounter AI in their lives – K-12, in college, in their jobs. They will. Just the way we have iPhones and our parents didn’t.

The question is whether we prepare them for it, or just cross our fingers and hope for the best.

Obviously, we can’t take that chance. Our children absolutely need every tool available to compete, not just against others in New Jersey or in the US, but against children in China, India, and all over the world already being trained on this technology. If we sit on our hands, if we don’t have the tools, we will fall behind. That’s just the reality.

But, I want to be really clear about this. AI can be a powerful tool, but it can never replace the fundamentals.

Our students need to learn how to think, solve problems, ask questions, and understand the material for themselves, not through a chatbot. We should use AI to strengthen those skills – not use it as a shortcut around them.

Here’s why I say that. A recent poll found that 45 percent of Jersey students report using AI frequently for schoolwork. But, here’s the number that should get every parent’s attention: nearly two out of three students admit they’ve used AI to cheat in school. And nationally, the majority of teens think AI cheating happens regularly at their own school.

Meanwhile, a lot of parents are flying blind – and, while there are some tools to help, it’s not always easy for an educator to catch a kid using AI to do his or her assignment. In a recent survey from Montclair School District, half of parents said they had no idea how often their own kid uses AI for schoolwork, and 87 percent said they want clearer communication from schools about all of it. So, we’ve got children using a powerful new technology every single day, and we’ve got parents and teachers who, in far too many cases, don’t even know it’s happening, let alone whether it’s helping or hurting their student or child.

Now, some places have looked at all this and panicked. This week, Mayor Mamdani and New York City rolled out a policy banning AI tools outright for every student through eighth grade, with only high schoolers getting restricted access.

I get the instinct. Fewer screens, more critical thinking. I agree with that part, one hundred percent – and I think a lot more of our tests and note-taking should be on a piece of paper, not a computer. But, an outright ban doesn’t teach a single kid how to use AI responsibly, nor does it teach the skills that can help them.

It just guarantees that the first time they really encounter AI with no guardrails and no guidance is the day they get handed a diploma and shoved into a workforce that runs on this stuff. That’s not a plan. That’s sticking your head in the sand and hoping it goes away.

Think about it this way. When I was a kid, we had typing class. Some of you probably did too, pecking away on those big clunky keyboards.

Then by the 80s, and into the ’90s, schools built computer labs because people realized that if children don’t learn a new technology in school that would prepare them for life, in a structured way, with a teacher guiding them, they will learn it somewhere else: badly, unsupervised, and usually too late.

AI technology is the same idea for this generation. We’re not going to pretend it doesn’t exist, and we’re not going to ban it and hope it goes away. So, here in Jersey, we need to do this differently.

We should put AI skills in a classroom, with a curriculum, with an educator, and with guardrails, so that our children grow up to be smart users of AI, not passive victims of it.

That’s why, today, I’m announcing my new bipartisan AI LABS Act, with my colleague Congressman Jay Obernolte of California. This federal legislation directs the U.S. Department of Education to create a new federal grant program to help K-12 public schools set up dedicated AI labs, with real curricula, that teach students how AI actually works, and how to be prepared to utilize it smartly in the new AI world.

This builds on recommendations from the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association for real, dedicated curricula that are directed and supervised by educators. There is a reason why AI companies are now hiring college students with philosophy and history degrees, not just those with computer science degrees. They want people who can think critically. The trades also want young people who know how to use AI on the shop floor and in building and manufacturing.

That means learning how to use AI, how to question it, and how to know when to – and not to — trust it. My new legislation will also help teachers get trained up, too, so they’re not scrambling to keep pace with their own students. It also requires a study on how the funds are actually being utilized, so we know what’s working and can keep improving it.

I don’t want to raise a generation of children who can prompt a chatbot, but can’t write a paragraph on their own, or think through what question to ask the chatbot.

I want to raise a generation of children who can use it to genuinely improve their work, because they understand how to use it and know its limits.

That’s the whole idea behind the AI LABS Act. Give our schools the tools. Give our teachers the training. And give our children a real head start, instead of a false choice between banning technology outright and drowning in it.

Second, I’m sending a letter to Governor Sherrill and Education Commissioner Laux on the State’s Phone-Free Schools Grant Program. That program has already helped eighty-six school districts, including eleven right here in the Fifth District. It puts real bell-to-bell cell phone policies in place, with secure pouches, lockers, and the staff training to make it actually work.

Here’s the problem: The current budget for next year includes a record $12.4 billion for K-12 education, but there’s no dedicated earmark in there to keep this program going in the future.

My letter emphasizes the importance of this funding – school districts are just starting to get this right, and we can’t pull the rug out from under them now.

Third, I’m also pushing for new federal funding to help supplement the state’s program. That’s why, I’m very proud to cosponsor the bipartisan UNPLUGGED Act – legislation that directs states and school districts to actually implement phone-free policies during the school day, and it creates a federal grant program to help schools pay for the lockboxes and secure pouches to make it happen.

It includes sensible exceptions too, for children managing a medical condition like Type 1 diabetes, children with disabilities, and English language learners who need translation support.

More resources for this important effort will help implement New Jersey’s new cell phone ban legislation that previous Governor Murphy signed into law in January, which requires all school districts in the state to adopt policies restricting the use of cell phones and other internet-enabled devices in K-12 public schools.

Fourth, I’m working with the state to keep building out real K-12 AI literacy priorities. This builds on New Jersey’s Department of Education’s new core AI principles that were developed with TeachAI, a global partnership that helps schools and governments use AI safely and responsibly in education. These principles will ensure Jersey schools keep people in the loop and put students’ own thinking front and center, not just whatever the AI spits out. This is exactly the kind of approach we need.

We can’t risk losing funding for this program. That’s why, along with others, I successfully fought the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to New Jersey’s schools. He tried to gut more than $1 billion in federal funding – and we beat him.

And finally, I’m writing to the FCC and the NTIA about broadband access and connectivity. This is an issue that I’ve been working on for years, and, while we’ve made a ton of progress, we still have towns in Northern Jersey with basically dial-up connectivity, and speeds that AI can’t run on. That’s unacceptable.

Right now, there are more than 5,000 homes in Sussex County without dial up, with more than 3,000 more who don’t have access to broadband.

If we don’t get high-speed internet into our rural and disadvantaged school districts, like parts of Sussex County that I represent — net inequality will be permanently baked in. The advantages that AI promises shouldn’t depend on your zip code. I am urging both agencies to prioritize the communities furthest behind, so they get connected first, not last.

This builds on my work getting hundreds of millions in funding for broadband infrastructure right here in Jersey through the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, and the CARES Act, three historic bills that I helped write, negotiate, and sign into law. I’m calling on the state to put to work the money that I fought for in the Care Act. New Jersey was approved for more than $260 million that I helped bring back from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. So far, only $60 million has been deployed to help connect Jersey families, but we have a long way to go.

Right now, the Trump administration is holding up the last $200 million of this critical funding to connect families across Sussex County and the rest of the state. That’s why the FCC and the administration need to release the rest of the funds and get broadband access to every family across the state.

Put it all together, and here’s what we’re doing today: a bill to teach AI the right way, and a push to keep phones out of the way, a push to get real funding for AI literacy, and a push to make sure no community in America gets left offline while the rest of the world races ahead.

I’ll be honest with you: as Co-chair of the House Commission on AI, technology is moving fast, and some days it can feel like it’s moving faster than we can keep up with. But, I have never once bet against American children and Jersey’s incredible educators and schools – and I’m not about to start today.

I promise you, these children will run circles around whatever the future throws at them.

As long as we keep investing in our children and working together, here in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always, always be ahead of us.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God continue to bless and watch over the United States of America.",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/pou-bresnahan-scholten-unveil-aviation-safety-legislation,"Pou, Bresnahan, Scholten Unveil Aviation Safety Legislation",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Nellie Pou,P000621,pou.house.gov,pou,https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmembers Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), and Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), all members of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, today introduced the bipartisan Flight Logistics Initiative to Gain Heightened Travel Data and Enhance Communication Knowledge, or FLIGHT DECK Act.

The legislation would establish a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training program that allows air traffic controllers to observe pilots during actual flights, giving controllers better firsthand experience with the demands pilots face in the air as they interact and coordinate with air traffic controllers on the ground.

Air traffic controllers and pilots work together every day to keep the American aviation system running safely, but controllers rarely have the chance to experience operations from the other side of the radio. The FLIGHT DECK Act would give controllers the opportunity to observe pilots and better understand the conditions and requirements pilots work under during a flight.

“Air traffic controllers and pilots depend on each other every minute of every flight. Giving controllers firsthand flight deck experience can help both sides better understand the challenges the other faces and so ultimately make our skies safer,” said Congresswoman Pou, the Vice Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee. “We ask an enormous amount of our air traffic controllers while our aviation system faces serious staffing and broader infrastructure challenges. Our bipartisan FLIGHT DECK bill will give controllers another tool to do their jobs and represents a practical way to strengthen communication between the people most responsible for keeping American skies the safest on earth.”

“Pilots and air traffic controllers work together every day to keep our skies safe, but very few see their partner’s side of the job,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “As a pilot, I’ve spent hundreds of hours talking to controllers over the radio, but touring a control tower gave me a whole new perspective on the work they do. The FLIGHT DECK Act gives controllers that same opportunity in the cockpit, helping pilots and controllers better understand each other’s responsibilities, challenges, and workload. When both sides can see the full picture, our entire aviation system is safer, including the people who rely on it.”

“Our hardworking aviation professionals rely on their team and training to keep our skies safe. Expanding training opportunities at the flight deck is critical so that air traffic controllers and pilots can ensure it remains safer than ever before to fly,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “I’m proud to support the FLIGHT DECK Act to allow air traffic controllers to observe pilots’ work at the flight deck. This will bridge the gap between controllers and pilots alike, and help our controllers understand in-flight demands. This bipartisan solution will keep our aviation system safe and reliable, including for folks who rely on air travel.”

The FAA would develop the training program in consultation with air traffic controllers, pilots, and flight crews with participating airlines. After the program’s first year, the FAA would report to Congress on participation and any barriers preventing controllers or aircraft operators from participating.

American skies have long been the safest in the world. After the crash of Flight 3407 outside Buffalo in 2009, the United States went nearly 16 years without a major commercial airline crash. That remarkable record ended with the tragic collision outside Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025.

That record was built on a highly trained aviation workforce. But today, a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers is placing greater strain on the system and on the controllers responsible for managing millions of flights each year. As Congress and the FAA work to recruit and train more controllers, it is equally important to give the existing workforce the training needed to do their jobs effectively.

The FLIGHT DECK Act would provide air traffic controllers a better understanding of what pilots experience in the air and strengthen coordination between the two critical sides of America’s aviation system.

As Vice Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, Congresswoman Pou has made aviation safety and improving the nation’s air traffic control system major priorities during her first term. Pou has pressed the FAA for answers on communication failures including disruptions at Philadelphia TRACON that have threatened operations at airports throughout the region. Pou also successfully pushed the FAA to install a brand-new fiber optic communications network to replace antiquated equipment affecting Newark and Teterboro Airports, the latter of which sits in New Jersey’s Ninth District.

Pou has also demanded full implementation of the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act and supported efforts to expand the pipeline of trained air traffic controllers.

During the government shutdown, Pou championed the cause of air traffic controllers and FAA personnel and pushed that they be paid for their hard work.

###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-visits-northern-border,Congresswoman Pou Visits Northern Border,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Nellie Pou,P000621,pou.house.gov,pou,https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"BUFFALO, NY – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, joined Democratic colleagues in upstate New York to meet with law enforcement leaders and assess security along the United States border with Canada.

Pou was joined by Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) and fellow committee members Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26) and Lou Correa (D-CA-46).

“While it is sometimes overlooked, our nation’s northern border is a critical nexus for commerce and immigration. It was essential for me to see it for myself to get a full picture of how the administration’s enforcement policies are being carried out on the ground,” said Congresswoman Pou. “I thank our hardworking law enforcement officers at the border for managing a challenging job. Having now visited both borders, I feel as strongly as ever that America’s immigration challenges can only be addressed by finding bipartisan solutions and with enforcement grounded in fairness and humanity. That is not happening now and it must change.”

While on the trip, Pou and her colleagues also held a press conference to demand greater cooperation from DHS with the homicide probe of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a New York man who was found dead earlier this year shortly after being released from DHS custody. Up to now, DHS has been blocking meaningful oversight of the tragic case.

Commenting on this case, Pou said: “Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s death was a tragic injustice that the Department of Homeland Security wants to sweep under the rug. We will never forget what happened to Mr. Shah Alam and we will never stop fighting for justice for his family and this community.""

Soon after her swearing-in, Congresswoman Pou visited the southern border, where she toured homeland security facilities and a detention center, spoke directly with officials with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, and met with groups that aid arriving migrants.

###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-telephone-town-hall-to-discuss-affordability,RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Telephone Town Hall to Discuss Affordability,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer conducts a Telephone Town Hall with North Jersey families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a Telephone Town Hall with thousands of North Jersey constituents to discuss his efforts to lower the cost of childcare and learning centers, support our first responders, lower health care costs and utility bills, assist veterans in our community, and make life more affordable for Jersey families.

“This Telephone Town Hall was a great opportunity to hear directly from the people that I represent about what’s on their minds,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “In Washington, I’m fighting to cut taxes, lower the cost of childcare, health care, and utility bills, back our cops, EMTs, and firefighters, and make everyday life more affordable for North Jersey families.”

Gottheimer took questions directly from constituents and outlined his work to help lower costs for Jersey families, from cutting taxes and reducing the cost of childcare to lowering utility and health care bills. He also highlighted the federal dollars he has clawed back to North Jersey to support our veterans and first responders and to rebuild the community’s roads, bridges, and infrastructure.

Gottheimer was joined by Bloomingdale Mayor John D’Amato, Fair Lawn Mayor Cutrone, Bloomingdale Mayor John D’Amato, Sussex County Commissioner Chris Carney, Newton Police Chief Dan Finkle, and Valley Bible Chapel Pastor Bob Hayes.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-house-passes-gottheimer-foxx-bipartisan-bill-to-hold-higher-education-accountable-for-hate-driven-bds-activity-that-targets-jewish-students-and-professors,"RELEASE: House Passes Gottheimer, Foxx Bipartisan Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Hate-Driven BDS Activity that Targets Jewish Students and Professors",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer speaks on the House floor in favor of the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, September 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, authored by U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Virginia Foxx (NC-5), by a vote of 237-169. The legislation prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial and academic boycotts promoted by the antisemitic and hate-fueled boycott-divest-sanction (BDS) movement. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate.

See full bill text here.

See Gottheimer’s remarks on the house floor here.

“No student, no professor should be shut out of research, study abroad opportunities, or academic partnerships, or feel unwelcome in the classroom because of where they’re from or what religion they practice. Yet that’s exactly what the boycott-divest-sanction movement seeks to do — targeting one country and one religion: Israel and Judaism,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “My bipartisan bill with Congresswoman Foxx is narrow and targeted — it doesn’t touch anyone’s speech, protest, or academic debate. It simply says that if your university takes federal taxpayer dollars, it can’t discriminate against academic partnerships or investments with one country. That’s it. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan bill.”

“The antisemitic rot that has corroded college campuses must be eradicated – enough is enough. The safety and security of Jewish students, faculty, and staff should never be threatened under any circumstances. Today, the House sent a clear message: if an institution of higher education chooses to capitulate to the caustic BDS movement, there will be consequences – starting with this bipartisan legislation,” said Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5).

The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act will:

Require colleges and universities to certify that the institution is not engaging in a non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel, or forgo the ability to receive federal student aid.

Define “non-expressive commercial boycott of Israel” to mean a commercial action (including engaging in refusals to deal with Israel and terminating business activities) intended to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities conducting business in Israel or Israeli-controlled institutions, and is not based on a valid business reason.

Direct the Department of Education to make publicly available a list of all institutions that do not certify.

Require colleges and universities that are recipients of International Education Programs (Title VI) funding to not allow academic boycotts, but instead engage in academic exchange reciprocity.

Congressman Gottheimer has long been a leading voice in Congress against antisemitism. As a member of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, he helped lead the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act to hold campuses accountable for antisemitic harassment, authored the HEAL Act to strengthen Holocaust education, and has helped secure millions in Nonprofit Security Grants to protect synagogues and Jewish institutions across NJ-5. He will keep fighting to root out antisemitism — on college campuses and everywhere else — and to keep Jewish families and communities safe.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-recent-violence-in-trenton,Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Recent Violence in Trenton,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement in response to recent violence in Trenton, NJ including Sunday’s shooting at a block party on Locust Street:

The tragedy of Sunday's shooting highlights the need to do better by the people of Trenton. The city’s unique role as our state capital means responsibility falls not just on the city, but on all levels of government and community members.

This block party, while unsanctioned, was not unknown to Trenton Police. A visible police presence could very well have prevented tragedy, and the lack of communication between city departments created the conditions that allowed Sunday’s events.

While we pray for the victims and their loved ones, we have a duty to them and others to make Trenton the great city we know it can be. The people of Trenton deserve to feel safe in their communities. This will require collaborative intelligence gathering and sharing, improved community/police relationships, and visible police presence to deter those who would subject our neighbors to terrible violence.

This is not out of reach; city-wide, violent crime is down over the last decade. However, the feeling of safety is not shared equally. Too many neighborhoods still suffer from deep poverty and its impact on community safety.

The burden for this change cannot be laid squarely at the feet of the city of Trenton. An enormous amount of local property tax revenue is lost to land occupied by the State and County buildings and parks, starving the city government of financial resources. That is not unique to Trenton, but the investments required to make the Capital City the jewel I know it can be will require a change in how we view our responsibility to it.

There was a time when the city, county, and state closely collaborated to ensure Trenton's safety - and not just the blocks surrounding State Street. We recognized that the Capital City was more than merely a place where the Assembly and Senate gathered to pass laws and budgets. It represented the State of New Jersey itself: a city with a rich past and one that deserved a rich future. We need to return to that understanding of shared responsibility.

Long term, we will need the state and county to pitch in the resources necessary to establish real poverty reduction and jobs programs while also collaborating on the community policing, intelligence, and visual police presence that will give the great people of Trenton confidence in their own safety as they walk the streets.

The city of Trenton has given so much to the world; it's time for all of us to come together to ensure Trenton has what it needs to shine once more.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-attends-wreath-laying-ceremony-at-the-pentagon-9-11-memorial-ahead-of-25th-anniversary-of-september-11th,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Attends Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Ahead of 25th Anniversary of September 11th,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial with other House Intelligence members.

ARLINGTON, VA — Yesterday, Tuesday, September 1, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, in advance of the 25th anniversary. The Congressman joined fellow Members of Congress to pay tribute to the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon and the nearly 3,000 Americans killed on 9/11.

“Twenty-five years later, we still carry the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost on September 11th, 750 of which were from New Jersey. We will never forget,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “We honor those we lost, the families who carry that grief every day, and the first responders and service members who ran toward danger. As we mark this solemn anniversary, we recommit ourselves to their memory and to keeping our nation safe.”

Gottheimer serves as the Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report. The review evaluates the progress made on the intelligence-related recommendations produced by the 9/11 Commission Report, released in July 2004, and identifies areas of improvement to protect against the next generation of threats.

Gottheimer has helped lead and pass legislation like the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fully fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families for injuries, medical expenses, and other benefits.

Gottheimer is continuing to fight to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.

Below: Gottheimer attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial with other House Intelligence members.

###",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-trump-stiffs-new-jersey-again-disaster-aid,Pallone: Trump Stiffs New Jersey Again on Disaster Aid,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today blasted President Trump for denying New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s appeal for $84.4 million in federal disaster aid following February’s deadly blizzard.

“Donald Trump is stiffing New Jersey taxpayers out of $84 million in disaster aid that his own government determined we qualified for. Twelve people died. New Jersey communities were buried under record snowfall. But apparently if you live in a state Trump doesn’t like, you’re on your own,” said Pallone.

“And where are the Republicans in Congress? I asked the committee chairs responsible for overseeing FEMA to investigate this weeks ago. Not one of them even bothered to respond. Trump is treating federal disaster aid like his personal political slush fund, and Republicans in Congress are too afraid to lift a finger to stop him,” Pallone continued.

In August, Pallone called on the Republican chairs of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over FEMA to investigate Trump’s initial denial of New Jersey’s disaster declaration after reports that regional FEMA and NOAA officials determined New Jersey and other affected states met federal thresholds for assistance. The Republican chairs have not responded. Governor Sherrill appealed the denial on July 20, seeking Public Assistance, including snow assistance for 19 counties, and statewide Hazard Mitigation assistance. Today the Trump Administration denied that appeal.

###",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressman-al-green-congresswoman-lateefah-simon-and-congresswoman-bonnie-watson-coleman-lead-effort-demanding-hud-protect-fair-housing-program,"Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Lead Effort Demanding HUD Protect Fair Housing Program",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Congressman Al Green, along with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, raising serious concerns about recent actions that threaten the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the local fair housing organizations that serve communities across the nation. A copy of the letter can be accessed by clicking here.

The lawmakers expressed concern that HUD’s proposed funding changes threaten local fair housing organizations, which handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints nationwide. Following a federal district court order blocking the changes, the lawmakers are calling on Secretary Turner to comply with the court’s order, rescind HUD’s FY 2025 and FY 2026 FHIP funding notices, and ensure nonprofit fair housing organizations remain eligible for funding.

""The Fair Housing Initiatives Program was created by Congress to protect Americans from housing discrimination and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to safe, stable, and equitable housing. The Administration’s repeated attempts to circumvent Congress and dismantle basic civil rights protections are unacceptable,"" said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. ""I am proud to help lead this effort alongside Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to hold this administration accountable for its unlawful implementation of this program and to stand firmly with the organizations and nonprofits doing the essential, on-the-ground work to combat housing discrimination in communities across the country.""

“From day one, the Trump administration has tried to reshape HUD from an agency that makes housing fairer and more accessible into one that benefits wealthy developers and landlords,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “Housing costs are skyrocketing, yet HUD is being weaponized to go after municipalities, siphon funding from non-profit organizations seeking to give people opportunities to put a roof over their heads, and gift Trump’s friends instead. Considering Trump's history of housing discrimination as a developer and his eventual refusal to sign the largest bipartisan housing bill in a generation into law, an overarching theme of disregarding the needs of the working-class comes into focus.""",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-analilia-mejia-the-first-afro-latina-to-serve-in-congress-sworn-in-to-congressional-black-caucus,"Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, the first Afro-Latina to Serve in Congress, Sworn In to Congressional Black Caucus",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: September 1, 2026

Contact: Beth Wiesinger | Beth.Wiesinger@mail.house.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, in a ceremony conducted before the exalted statue of civil rights leader Rosa Parks, Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) was sworn in as a new member of the Congressional Black Caucus by Chairwoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). Newly elected Congressman Everton Blair Jr. (GA-13) was sworn in alongside her.

After the ceremony, Congresswoman Mejia released the following statement:

“It is an honor and a privilege to join the ranks of the Congressional Black Caucus. The CBC has stood as the moral conscience of Congress for over fifty years, uplifting the voices of Black communities across the country in the halls of our nation’s Capitol.

As the first Afro-Latina to serve in Congress, the daughter of a Dominican machinist and a Colombian seamstress, I am grateful for the recognition and the testament of belonging. As a member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I understand that our futures; Black, Latino, immigrant, working-class, and more — are inextricably connected. We share more in common than divides us and our ability to come together is what truly makes America great.

This insight, alongside my commitment to the people of New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, will continue to fuel me in every action I take.”

###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-passage-of-continuing-resolution,Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), a member of the Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after her vote to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11, 2026.

“Today’s passage of this continuing resolution pushes the government funding deadline to December 11th. While keeping the government open and functioning is important, I’m disappointed in the Republicans in the House who have thus far failed to seek bipartisan agreements with Democrats on eleven of the twelve appropriations bills.

“Continuing resolutions are not a long-term solution and deny the people their due representation. I hope that we can return to the negotiating table and produce real funding bills that meet the needs of the American people and rein in the abuses of the Trump Administration.”",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-co-chair-of-the-bipartisan-intelligence-committee-9-11-review-task-force-releases-report-marking-25th-anniversary-of-september-11th-attacks,"RELEASE: Gottheimer, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Intelligence Committee 9/11 Review Task Force, Releases Report Marking 25th Anniversary of September 11th Attacks",2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"ABOVE: Gottheimer Visits Shanksville to Announce Report Marking 25th Anniversary of September 11th Attacks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence’s (HPSCI) bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force, joined Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-1), Ranking Member Jim Himes (CT-4), and Task Force Co-Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21) to release the Committee’s report reviewing the federal government’s implementation of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, 25 years after the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Watch Gottheimer’s remarks here.

Over the past year, the bipartisan Review Task Force held hearings and briefings examining how the Intelligence Community carried out the reforms recommended in the original 2004 9/11 Commission Report — including the creation of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which coordinates the nation’s intelligence agencies. The Task Force found that while many of the Commission’s reforms have made the country safer, dangerous gaps remain, and the threats facing the United States have grown far more complex, from great power competition with China and Russia to cyberattacks, foreign influence campaigns on social media, and the rise of artificial intelligence.

Based on its findings, the Task Force’s report offers 20 new bipartisan recommendations to close those gaps and prepare the intelligence community for the threats of the next 25 years — while continuing to protect Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.

“This morning, we had the heart-wrenching experience of visiting the Flight 93 Memorial and hearing from the first responders and family members of the heroes of Flight 93 – the brave forty men and women who put the lives of other Americans, and of our country, ahead of their own on the morning of September 11th,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Intelligence Committee’s 9/11 Review Task Force. “The fight against terror isn’t static – our adversaries and their weapons of war are always evolving, and we must evolve too. That is why, after the last year of work, we are proud to release our bipartisan twenty-five-year review of the original 9/11 Commission Report, and I’m proud to have led this effort with my colleague Representative Elise Stefanik.”

The Committee’s report reviews the 9/11 Commission’s original recommendations related to the Intelligence Community — including the creation of the NCTC and ODNI, along with reforms to congressional oversight and bolstering information sharing. The report also examines threats that did not exist in 2004, including great power competition with China and Russia, cyberattacks, foreign influence campaigns, economic espionage, drones, and the rise of artificial intelligence.

The report’s 20 bipartisan recommendations call on the nation’s intelligence agencies to operate as a single team by sharing information faster, training their people across agencies, and adopting new tools like artificial intelligence and open-source intelligence to keep pace with modern threats. They also aim to strengthen defenses against foreign spying and deepen partnerships with state, local, and private-sector partners to protect our communities. Twenty-five years after September 11th, the message of the report is simple: America must keep evolving to stay ahead of its enemies.

The full report is available here.

BELOW: Gottheimer Visits Shanksville to Announce Report Marking 25th Anniversary of September 11th Attacks.

###",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z
https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-sophia-bush-interviews-mciver-on-oversight-newark-and-being-a-pregnant-mother-in-congress,"ICYMI: Sophia Bush interviews McIver on Oversight, Newark, and Being A Pregnant Mother In Congress",2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"“My 10-year-old self seeing me now as a congresswoman would be like, ‘what in the heck? This girl is a cCongresswoman?’ I would have never put my finest dollar on that. So it's just a shocker, and it's something that I definitely didn't dream of wanting to do.

“When I learned about community and being civically engaged, that became my everything… I started passing out flyers and telling people ‘get out and vote’ on election day. Something about that made me feel really good about myself, and it made me want to be a better young person.”

“Just the stress of knowing that these people, a Stephen Miller, a Donald Trump, a Todd Blanche, would want nothing more but to see me in handcuffs, serving time. That would delight them… It saddens me to know that I'm someone who has done nothing wrong, right? I showed up to do my job and these people want to put me behind bars.”

“I'm a Black woman who came to [Delaney Hall] to express the power– not the power that I gave myself, but the power that the people of the 10th congressional district of New Jersey gave me– and do oversight.

[...]

“Black women have always stood in the gaps. I'm standing on the shoulders of many who stood in the gaps for many different issues… I had to stand in the gap on behalf of my constituents and immigrants who are being detained … My duty is to stand up for people and to protect them, and I would do it on any issue, on all issues, because that is what I am here for.”

“The people I represent– they have been so strong. Everywhere I go, they have lifted me up, given me a hug. People don’t understand how lifting that is, to say ‘we’ve got your back. You call us, you rally the call, and we’re there.’”

“I think about my journey all together… what I want to leave behind. What is my legacy of all of this? I want to be known as someone who fought for things that were right for people on all fronts… I want [my children] to know that their mom was a fighter for good.

[...]

“I knew when I was [growing] up I wanted the best for people, no matter where they are. That is why I do what I do. And I am going to continue doing that until there is no more breath in my body.”",1,2026-09-28T11:29:07Z,2026-09-28T11:30:58Z
https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/what-theyre-saying-responses-to-the-third-circuits-refusal-to-dismiss-us-v-mciver,What They’re Saying: Responses to the Third Circuit’s Refusal to Dismiss U.S. v. McIver,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"“A brazen and unlawful abuse of power, and a direct attack on congressional oversight”

WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals threw out Congresswoman LaMonica McIver’s (NJ-10) motion to dismiss her case, U.S. v. McIver. Since the news broke, McIver has received a groundswell of support for the case which she said in a Wednesday statement is “not over.” One thing is clear: The case against McIver is not only baseless, but it poses a threat to democracy. The people are talking and they’re not happy about this outcome. Here’s what they’re saying.

What lawmakers are saying:

“Donald Trump wants Congressmembers to fall in line & not conduct oversight of detention centers. And he wants to make an example out of @RepLaMonica. But we’re not letting up.” (Rep. Ayanna Pressley)

“Criminalizing oversight deters lawmakers from holding Trump accountable—even if Democrats take back Congress. LaMonica is strong and won’t be intimidated, but the continued attacks on her for doing her job is dangerous to our democracy.” (Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman)

“Trump weaponizing the Department of Justice to target members of Congress simply for doing their jobs is straight out of his corruption playbook. It’s a brazen and unlawful abuse of power, and a direct attack on congressional oversight.” (Gov. Mikie Sherrill)

What the press is saying:

“Between going to doctor’s appointments, attending congressional hearings, serving her constituents, meeting with her lawyers, raising money for her defense and continuing to keep a spotlight on the treatment of immigrants in detention, McIver isn’t just fighting for her seat — she’s fighting for her freedom.” (Errin Haines, The 19th)

“McIver faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted in the case. She argued that the charges brought against her were for political reasons, citing numerous statements by the Trump Administration, President Trump himself and former prosecutor Alina Habba, who initially brought federal charges against McIver before leaving her position and becoming an aide in the administration.” (Brandon Caldwell, TheGrio)

What advocacy groups are saying:

“One of the more troubling features of the current administration is its apparent penchant for prosecuting perceived political adversaries of the President. The prosecution of Congresswoman McIver bears the hallmarks of just such a prosecution.” (Washington Litigation Group)

“Today’s decision is a grave miscarriage of justice… What is happening to Rep. McIver is no accident: it is an intimidation tactic aimed at silencing a sitting member of Congress who stood up to protect her community members from human rights violations.” (Fatima Goss Graves, NWLC)

“Weaponizing the DOJ to target a sitting Member of Congress undermines our system of checks and balances and threatens our democracy.” (Amol Sinha, ACLU NJ)

“The Trump administration is using LaMonica McIver as an example. It is a message to all lawmakers– if you stand up to ICE, if you fight back, we’ll come after you. Rep. McIver is showing us what fighting back looks like. Despite a split appeals court declining to drop the case, she is standing strong against these politically motivated charges… We stand with her 100%” (Vote Mama)

McIver and her legal team are currently exploring all options for moving the case forward. Those options include but are not limited to asking for the case to be heard en banc by the Third Circuit or by the U.S. Supreme Court. McIver is running for re-election and is eight months pregnant. For additional information on the upcoming developments in McIver’s case, please contact Hanna.Rumsey@mail.house.gov.",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-celebrates-next-steps-beach-replenishment-projects-monmouth-county,Pallone Celebrates Next Steps on Beach Replenishment Projects in Monmouth County,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LONG BRANCH, NJ — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that the US Army Corps of Engineers is awarding a $38.3 million contract to Weeks Marine to begin a targeted sand replenishment project in Monmouth County, including sections of the towns of Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, and Long Branch. With this funding, the Army Corps of Engineers will be able to complete the sections of the project covered by both the base contract and its options.

“Beach replenishment is about keeping people safe,” said Pallone. “With strong coastlines, our residents, businesses, and communities are better equipped to face extreme weather events. I’m glad I was able to secure the federal funding necessary to support this project, which will make these Jersey Shore communities more resilient in the years to come.”

Congressman Pallone secured $37 million in federal funding for the project, which will be matched with a combination of state and local funds. The contract includes a section of Monmouth Beach starting at the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion and going north to the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club. Sea Bright will see most of their ocean beach front replenished and the area in Long Branch north of Pier Village to Seven President’s Park will also receive sand.

The US Army Corps of Engineers will place 1.3 million cubic yards of sand across these three towns. The project is expected to begin in late fall, finishing by March 2027.",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-josh-on-the-job-gottheimer-visits-dumbo-ice-cream-shop-in-dumont,PHOTO RELEASE: “Josh on the Job” — Gottheimer Visits Dumbo Ice Cream Shop in Dumont,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer with staff at Dumbo Ice Cream.

DUMONT, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited Dumbo Ice Cream in Dumont to meet with local owners and employees, working alongside their team and hearing first-hand from Jersey customers as part of his “Josh on the Job” series highlighting small, locally owned businesses across northern New Jersey.

During his visit, Gottheimer joined staff behind the counter, speaking with employees and customers from across the community about the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses today.

“Small businesses like Dumbo Ice Cream are what give our towns their character, and it’s the hard-working crew behind the counter every day who make that happen,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Working with them for a day gives me a first-hand look at what our small business owners and their employees are really up against. I’ll keep fighting to lower costs, cut through the red tape, and make sure our workers and local businesses have what they need to thrive.”

Gottheimer regularly visits small businesses across New Jersey’s Fifth District as part of his Josh on the Job series to hear directly from workers, owners, and customers about the issues impacting their jobs and their communities.

Below: Gottheimer at Dumbo Ice Cream in Dumont.

###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-mciver-and-counsel-paul-fishman-press-call-debriefing-courts-refusal-to-dismiss-us-v-mciver-case,ICYMI: McIver and Counsel Paul Fishman Press Call Debriefing Court’s Refusal To Dismiss U.S. v. McIver Case,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"NEWARK, NJ – Today, on a briefing call, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and her counsel, Paul Fishman, broke down Wednesday's Third Circuit decision to not dismiss U.S. v. McIver. The decision carries troubling legal and political implications that threaten separation of powers.

McIver and Fishman discussed the complex ruling— the Court ruled to not dismiss the case on two counts and ruled to vacate and remand the third count— the next steps from the court and the legal team, and the broader implications and consequences of the case for democracy. The case, if not dismissed, would set a precedent for extreme ICE impunity, executive branch overreach, and weaponization of the DOJ.

Below are excerpts from the briefing.

Fishman on the stakes of the case

“Let me make something clear. We are not afraid to try this case, and if we try this case…we will win that trial.

[...]

“This is a fight for Congresswoman McIver and every other member of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate who could be targeted by this administration for speaking out, for conducting oversight of the executive branch… [The case is] designed both to chill her and to chill the other members who want to engage in…the same kind of conduct and hold the executive branch responsible for what they're doing.”

McIver on defending and serving her district

“Making sure that my duties as a member representing the 10th district doesn't fall short at all is something that I was very adamant about when [the Trump administration] charged me. I think that's what they hoped for, that it would cripple me in doing my job… But we’ve delivered thousands of dollars in casework and continue to show up on so many different fronts.

“I'm super just grateful for the support I have in my district… That was the reason that took me to Delaney in the first place. The response that I was getting from my community about the things that they heard and saw happening… So I'm going to continue to… show up for them, and protect them, and fight for them because that's what they elected me to do.”

For additional information on the upcoming developments in McIver’s case, please contact Hanna.Rumsey@mail.house.gov.

###",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-presents-service-medal-to-57-brave-north-jersey-veterans,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Presents Service Medal to 57 Brave North Jersey Veterans,2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer speaks at the New Jersey State Service Medal to honor local veterans.

PARAMUS, NJ — Today, Wednesday, August 26, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) presented the New Jersey State Service Medal to 57 North Jersey veterans at a ceremony honoring their courage and sacrifice in defense of our country.

Watch the full remarks here.

“These are fifty-seven stories of courage, fifty-seven stories of sacrifice, and fifty-seven reasons we have the honor of living in the greatest country the world has ever known,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “There is no higher calling than raising your hand and volunteering to serve to protect our flag.”

Gottheimer continued, “None of these veterans served for the glory or the paycheck — they served because they love our country and were willing to put everything on the line to protect their fellow Americans. I’ll keep fighting in Washington to make sure they get the resources, care, and recognition they deserve.”

Among today’s honorees was Paramus resident Librado Lombana, who joined the Army at seventeen and served with the 82nd Brigade Engineers from 1962 to 1966, building bridges and infrastructure across the Philippines, Guam, Vietnam, and Korea. Gottheimer has long been a champion for veterans and their families throughout his time in Congress, fighting to expand access to benefits, mental health care, and resources for service members and their loved ones.

Gottheimer was joined by Senator Cory Booker, Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell, and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Vincent Solomeno. He was also joined by Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, NJ State Senator Joe Lagana, NJ State Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, NJ State Assemblyman Chris Tully, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Tom Sullivan, Paramus Mayor Chris DiPiazza, Paramus Councilman Alfredo Nadera, and Paramus Councilman Robert Kaiser.

Below: Gottheimer presents New Jersey State Service Medal to local veterans.",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/ruling-third-circuit-declines-to-dismiss-us-v-mciver-mciver-remains-steadfast,"RULING: Third Circuit Declines to Dismiss U.S. v. McIver, McIver Remains Steadfast",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"NEWARK, NJ – Today, a divided panel of judges for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit largely sided with a New Jersey district court and refused to dismiss the Trump administration’s case against Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10).

McIver and her counsel have argued that the Constitution prohibits her prosecution because she is immune for acts related to her duties as a member of Congress and because the Department of Justice’s decision to charge her was selective and vindictive. McIver is the only member of Congress under indictment by the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ). If convicted, she faces up to 17 years in prison.

“I fundamentally believe that the court got it wrong here. To protect the people, their elected representatives must be authorized to conduct oversight of the executive branch without fear of retaliation,” said McIver. “Today’s decision chills that authority and emboldens the Trump administration to continue persecuting our most vulnerable communities, those who try to defend them, and anyone who dares hold the president or his lackeys accountable. I will not fold to this administration. We are exploring every possible option. The administration will not stop me from doing my job or standing for what is right. This is not over.”

In a dissenting opinion to the Third Circuit’s decision, Judge Thomas L. Ambro wrote:

“The Constitution does not permit the Executive to wield its considerable discretion over criminal prosecutions in retaliation against disfavored legislators...the majority’s comparison misses a step. When an Executive Branch official prevents a Member from entering a DHS facility, she is denied effective access to an oversight inspection.”

Paul J. Fishman, McIver’s attorney, issued the following statement:

“While the court clearly gave our arguments thoughtful consideration, we are disappointed by and disagree with the decision. As we argued before the court, it is too dangerous if the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security are able to thwart members of Congress from inspecting an ICE detention facility, create chaos, and then prosecute those members and pretend it was their fault. The goal of the administration is clear: chill members of Congress from overseeing the actions of the Trump administration. As Judge Ambro noted in his dissenting opinion, ‘the Constitution does not permit the Executive to wield its considerable discretion over criminal prosecutions in retaliation against disfavored legislators.’ We agree and are evaluating all possible next steps.”

Hanna Rumsey, a spokesperson for McIver, added:

“Congresswoman LaMonica McIver is innocent and we are confident that any jury will agree. But there should never have been an indictment at all, much less a trial. Congresswoman McIver was doing her job at Delaney Hall, and for that she has been targeted, burdened with wildly expensive and time-consuming litigation, and is facing the threat of 17 years in prison. The administration is using criminal charges to go after political opponents who dare conduct oversight of their activities—that is what was at stake in this appeal. Congresswoman McIver was first, but she will not be the last, and these protections are more critical than ever.”

The Third Circuit heard oral argument on the motions made by McIver and her defense team on June 24, 2026. The charges stem from a confrontation, instigated by the Department of Homeland Security, at the controversial Newark detention center Delaney Hall. McIver had been conducting legally authorized and protected oversight of the facility and thus should be protected by legislative immunity prerogatives from persecution.

###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-and-senator-kim-deliver-12-million-fight-flooding-passaic,Congresswoman Pou and Senator Kim Deliver $1.2 Million to Fight Flooding in Passaic County,2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,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) today joined Passaic County officials at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to celebrate $1.2 million in federal money she secured with U.S. Senator Andy Kim to improve stormwater management along River Street in Paterson.

Passaic County Commissioners Orlando Cruz and Nick Veliky attended the event, along with Leonardo Fuentes, North Jersey Regional Director for Senator Kim.

The funding stems from requests from Passaic County to Pou and Kim’s offices. The requests were combined during the competitive FY2026 congressional appropriations process into a single $1.2 million award for the county.

“There could hardly be a more fitting place to celebrate this funding than at the Great Falls. Water helped build Paterson and our nation more than two centuries ago, but today we also know the damage it can cause when heavy rain overwhelms our streets and drainage systems,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Instead of waiting for the next storm, we are preparing for it. I am proud Senator Kim and I worked together to bring this federal money home. New Jersey gets the best results when our delegation works together as a team.”

""As North Jersey continues to be hit with life-threatening storms and increasingly dangerous floods, this $1.2 million investment will help the Paterson community make needed repairs to River Street to fortify their resilience efforts,"" said Senator Andy Kim. ""It takes partnership at all levels to deliver for our constituents, and I'm grateful that Rep. Pou and I were able to secure this funding to help Paterson stay safe.""

Flooding is a familiar threat across North Jersey, and especially in the Passaic River Basin. Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm older drainage systems, sending water into streets and threatening homes. For residents who live in flood-prone areas, these are constant concerns. A single severe storm can cause enormous damage and leave families dealing with the effects long after the water recedes. Stormwater systems like the one this money will help fund carry water away when severe weather hits.

Congresswoman Pou has made water infrastructure a major focus of her first term in Congress and serves on the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

In response to a ruptured pipe that cut off water to four Passaic County communities last summer, Pou introduced the Water Crisis Prevention Act to help identify areas at risk of water crises and get federal aid to communities faster. Pou’s bill would also improve access to federal relief for states, towns, businesses, and residents affected by water emergencies.

The $1.2 million Passaic County award is part of Pou’s broader effort to bring federal resources directly back to New Jersey’s Ninth District. In her first term, Pou has already delivered more than $24 million in federal money for local projects across the district, supporting work identified by the communities themselves.

###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-josh-on-the-job-gottheimer-visits-ihop-in-fair-lawn-to-meet-with-jersey-families-workers-business-owners,"PHOTO RELEASE: “Josh on the Job” — Gottheimer Visits IHOP in Fair Lawn to Meet with Jersey Families, Workers, Business Owners",2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer with staff at IHOP in Fair Lawn.

FAIR LAWN, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited IHOP in Fair Lawn to meet with the Jersey families, workers, and small business owners. It’s all part of his “Josh on the Job” series highlighting small, locally owned businesses across Northern Jersey.

During his visit, Gottheimer joined staff behind the counter, speaking with employees and customers from across the community about the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today.

“There’s nothing more American than a business like IHOP, and it’s the hard-working folks who show up before sunrise every day that make it all possible. I loved flipping pancakes!” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Rolling up my sleeves and working a shift gives me a first-hand look at the real challenges our workers and small business owners face. I’ll never stop fighting to lower costs, cut through the red tape, and give our workers and local businesses the support they need to thrive right here in North Jersey.”

Gottheimer regularly visits businesses across New Jersey’s Fifth District as part of his “Josh on the Job” series to hear directly from workers, owners, and customers about the issues impacting their jobs and their communities.

Below: Gottheimer at IHOP in Fair Lawn.",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-calls-on-republican-leadership-to-bring-bipartisan-resolution-to-floor-next-week-condemning-bigot-streamers-hasan-piker-candace-owens,RELEASE: Gottheimer Calls on Republican Leadership to Bring Bipartisan Resolution to Floor Next Week Condemning Bigot Streamers Hasan Piker & Candace Owens,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, August 25, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) is calling on Republican leadership to immediately bring his bipartisan resolution with Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) condemning hate-filled, anti-American, antisemitic rhetoric from online personalities, including Hasan Piker and Candace Owens, to the House floor for a vote next week.

See Gottheimer’s comments on Fox and CNN today.

This follows recent comments from Twitch streamer Hasan Piker suggesting that American Jews who support Israel are “making antisemitism worse” and warning that “eventually someone will come around and take action” against them.

“Hatred is hatred, period. I said it months ago with Rep. Lawler, and Piker has proved it again,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Telling millions of followers that Jewish Americans are bringing violence on themselves is blatantly antisemitic and one of the oldest tropes in the book. This is exactly why we introduced this resolution, and there’s no excuse left for Republican leadership to keep sitting on it. Anyone still supporting or campaigning with these personalities is complicit. Let’s bring the vote to the floor.”

Gottheimer and Lawler introduced the resolution in April after Hasan Piker and commentator Candace Owens spread antisemitic conspiracy theories and hate-filled rhetoric to millions of followers. Piker’s latest comments — targeting Michigan State Senator Jeremy Moss by name while suggesting Jewish Americans invite violence against themselves by supporting Israel — have drawn bipartisan condemnation.

The resolution reaffirms the United States’ commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish individuals and communities both online and offline.

The resolution can be found here.

###",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-returns-over-61-million-to-constituents-through-casework-efforts,Menendez Returns Over $6.1 Million to Constituents Through Casework Efforts,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"JERSEY CITY, NJ – Congressman Rob Menendez announced today that his team has successfully returned more than $6.1 million to New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District residents through federal casework assistance.

Since taking office, Menendez’s casework team has assisted constituents in recovering federal benefits from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and other federal programs.

“Making sure government works for everyone who calls our communities home is at the core of our mission,” said Congressman Menendez. “Our team is committed to delivering government as a service. Reaching this milestone reflects our team’s hard work, and we will keep fighting every day for the people we serve.”

One such case involved a constituent from Hoboken who had severe difficulties obtaining public service loan forgiveness that they were eligible for. Menendez’s casework team was able to work to resolve this situation and secure over $370,000 in loan forgiveness for their constituent.

“I am writing to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable assistance and support in resolving my student loan issues, resulting in the discharge of these loans. Your office listened and acted with compassion and efficiency. This debt forgiveness is life-changing for me and my family. Thank you!” - Constituent from Hoboken.

Another constituent from Jersey City faced an unresolved IRS issue for years. With the assistance from Menendez’s casework team, the matter was resolved in a few weeks and over $88,000 was returned.

“I had a wonderful experience with the Office of Congressman Rob Menendez. The whole team quickly responded to my request for help, and everyone was very helpful. I had been trying to solve my problem with the IRS for years, and they solved it in a few weeks. They did an amazing job! I really appreciate the support from the team. Thank you!” - Constituent from Jersey City.",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-leads-87-house-democrats-demanding-answers-50-deaths-ice-custody,"Pallone Leads 87 House Democrats Demanding Answers on 50+ Deaths in ICE Custody, Medical Care at Private Detention Centers",2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today led 87 House Democrats in demanding that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) account for deaths and medical-care failures across the nation’s immigration detention system following the latest death connected to GEO Group-operated Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David J. Venturella, the lawmakers cite more than 50 deaths in ICE custody since January 20, 2025, additional deaths shortly after individuals were released from custody, and more than 300 allegations of medical neglect across at least 33 states. The lawmakers point to reported failures at facilities operated by major private ICE contractors including GEO Group and CoreCivic and warn that “the federal government cannot outsource its responsibility to provide adequate medical care” while continuing to pay contractors when deficiencies in care put lives at risk.

“The federal government cannot outsource its responsibility to provide adequate medical care, nor can ICE continue paying private companies to detain people without holding those companies accountable when serious deficiencies in care put lives at risk,” the members wrote. “If they cannot be operated in compliance with federal law and the Constitution, GEO Group, CoreCivic, and any other private contractors should not continue to profit from taxpayer dollars, and the detention centers must be closed.”

Pallone and his colleagues are demanding a facility-by-facility accounting of deaths, serious medical emergencies, delays in medical treatment, interruptions in prescription medications, access to specialists and diagnostic testing, and medical and mental-health staffing since January 20, 2025. They are also asking ICE to identify individuals who were released or transferred after a serious medical emergency or while hospitalized and whether they subsequently died, following ICE’s decision to stop requiring public reporting and congressional notification of deaths occurring within 30 days of release. The lawmakers are demanding ICE disclose which private companies provide medical care at each detention facility and how many medical-care violations have resulted in corrective actions, financial penalties, contract modifications or termination.

The letter can be found here and below:

Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella,

As Members of the House of Representatives, we write with profound outrage following the latest death connected to Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey operated under a billion-dollar contract by GEO Group, a for-profit prison contractor. This tragic death is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of deaths occurring in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities across the country. More than 50 people have died in ICE custody since January 20, 2025, with additional deaths occurring shortly after individuals were released from ICE custody.[1] These deaths raise serious questions about the conditions in which individuals are being detained, the quality and timeliness of the medical care they receive, and whether ICE and its private detention center contractors are meeting their responsibilities to safeguard the health and well-being of people in their custody.

Detention should never be a death sentence. Yet reports from detention centers across the country have documented delayed and denied medical treatment, failures to provide necessary medications, inadequate treatment of chronic illnesses, insufficient mental health services, and dangerous delays in emergency care. More than 300 allegations of medical neglect have been identified in federal court filings involving individuals detained across at least 33 states. Detainees have reported going without medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, HIV, and other serious conditions, while requests for medical attention have gone unanswered for weeks as their conditions deteriorated.[2]

These concerns are particularly serious about facilities operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic, two of ICE’s largest private detention contractors. The federal government cannot outsource its responsibility to provide adequate medical care, nor can ICE continue paying private companies to detain people without holding those companies accountable when serious deficiencies in care put lives at risk.

At GEO Group’s Delaney Hall operations, detainees and their families have repeatedly reported difficulty obtaining medications and timely medical treatment.[3] Members of Congress have raised these concerns with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) repeatedly, and recent reporting has described seriously ill detainees being released from the facility while families and advocates continue to raise questions about the medical treatment they received while in custody.[4] ICE’s subsequent decision to stop requiring public reporting and congressional notifications of deaths occurring within 30-days of release makes it even more difficult to determine whether inadequate medical care in federal custody contributed to these deaths.[5]

The concerns involving GEO Group are not limited to New Jersey. At GEO Group’s Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California, a federal court recently ordered significant changes to conditions at the facility and required independent monitoring of medical care. The order followed allegations concerning inadequate medical treatment and other conditions that placed detainees at risk.[6] Taken together, the documented problems at Delaney Hall and other GEO-operated facilities demand federal oversight and accountability rather than continued acceptance of contractor assurances that adequate medical care is being provided.

Serious deficiencies have also been documented at facilities operated by CoreCivic. In February, cases of measles, a highly contagious virus that spreads in close quarters, occurred in two CoreCivic detention facilities in Arizona and Texas. Dozens of detainees at CoreCivic facilities have also complained of hours-long waits to see nurses, only to be turned away and told their conditions were not serious enough to warrant treatment. Detainees with injuries have reportedly waited days or even weeks for x-rays, while people with diabetes have struggled to receive regular access to insulin. Many detainees and their attorneys also reported denial of access to outside specialists, including oncologists and dentists. Even when detainees are able to see a doctor and receive a prescription, they are often forced to wait days or weeks for their medication to be provided.[7] Infectious disease outbreaks are particularly concerning in detention settings where overcrowing and inadequate access to medical care can place both detained individuals and surrounding communities at risk.

At CoreCivic’s California City Detention Facility, these concerns have been substantiated through independent court oversight. A court-appointed medical monitor recently documented delays in medical assessments and treatment, missed medications, and inadequate follow-up care. The monitor concluded that the facility lacked a reliable system for consistently providing adequate health care and that these deficiencies placed detainees at risk of immediate and long-term harm.[8] A separate investigation by the California Department of Justice found that medical staffing at the facility had failed to keep pace with the growing detained population. At the time of the state’s inspection, the facility reportedly had only one physician for nearly 1,000 detainees.[9]

Similar concerns have been identified regarding facilities operated by other major ICE contractors. At Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, operated by LaSalle Corrections, two detainees died in less than two months this year. A federal inspection identified deficiencies involving medical care and medical recordkeeping, including failures to maintain updated treatment documents and laboratory testing records.[10] At the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in New York, where ICE contracts with Akima Global Services, medical staffing shortages have contributed to significant delays in care. A 2025 DHS Inspector General inspection found that staffing shortages resulted in detainees waiting as long as five months for dental care.[11] At the Management & Training Corporation operated Imperial Regional Detention Facility in California, two detainees died over the past year amid concerns about access to medical care as the population increased. One death, at the detention center in Camp East Montana operated by Amentum Services Inc, was even ruled to be a homicide by a local medical examiner and the Government Accountability Office documented preventable deaths and medical neglect in the facility in a June 2026 report.[12]

These deaths cannot be viewed in isolation from the documented failures in medical care occurring throughout ICE’s detention system. Delayed treatment, interruptions in prescription medications, inadequate medical and mental health staffing, failures to respond appropriately to serious medical conditions, and gaps in emergency and follow-up care have devastating and fatal consequences. DHS and ICE have an obligation to determine whether failures in medical care contributed to deaths in federal custody or shortly after release, make those findings available to Congress, and hold responsible officials and contractors accountable.

Federal standards of care require ICE detention facilities to provide timely and appropriate medical care to individuals in their custody. Under these standards, detainees must receive a physical examination and mental health screening within 14 days of arrival. Detention facilities must also have a physician available around the clock, and prescription medications and other necessary treatments must be provided in a timely manner.[13] Yet a recent investigation into ICE’s detention oversight system found that facilities continue to receive high inspection ratings despite reports of serious medical and safety deficiencies, raising more concerns about whether ICE’s inspection process is effectively identifying and correcting dangerous conditions.[14] The repeated reports of medical neglect across facilities operated by multiple private contractors raise fundamental questions about whether ICE is adequately enforcing its own requirements and what consequences, if any, contractors face when they fail to comply.

Accordingly, we request your response to the following:

1. Provide data on access to medical and mental health care provided to individuals in ICE custody since January 20, 2025, including the average time from intake to initial medical screening, comprehensive health assessment, receipt of prescribed medications, and the average response time for routine and urgent medical requests. Identify, by facility, the number of instances in which required medical evaluations or treatment were delayed and the length of those delays.

2. Provide, by facility, data on specialty medical care and diagnostic services, including the number of requests for outside specialists, diagnostic testing, and follow-up appointments; the number approved and denied; average wait times; and any current backlogs.

3. Describe in detail ICE’s procedures for ensuring continuity of prescription medications, including medications prescribed before detention and time-sensitive medications such as insulin, HIV medications, seizure medications, psychiatric medications, anticoagulants, and transplant medications. For each facility, identify the number of documented medication interruptions, and any current backlogs in fulling or administering prescriptions.

4. Provide, by facility, data on serious medical emergencies in ICE custody since January 20, 2025, including hospitalizations, emergency-department visits, suicide attempts, overdoses, cardiac events, seizures, and other life-threatening incidents. Identify any instances in which treatment, transportation, or hospitalization was delayed and the length of the delay.

5. Provide the total number of deaths in ICE custody since January 20, 2025, including the facility, date, cause of death when known, and whether the death remains under investigation. How many deaths involved documented medical complaints or concerns about the adequacy or timeliness of medical care? Provide autopsy results and other records for every death in ICE custody, or an explanation of why an autopsy was not conducted.

6. Identify all individuals since January 20, 2025, who were released from ICE custody or transferred to another facility after experiencing a serious medical emergency or while hospitalized. For each individual, provide the facility and facility operator, date and reason for the release or transfer, the individual’s medical condition at the time, and whether the individual subsequently died.

7. Describe ICE’s mental health and suicide-prevention procedures, including screening requirements, suicide-watch policies, available interventions, and the number of individuals identified as being at risk of suicide since January 20, 2025.

8. Provide current medical staffing levels and vacancies at each ICE detention facility, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, mental health professionals, dentists, and pharmacists. Are licensed medical professionals available onsite 24 hours a day at each facility?

9. Identify the private contractors responsible for providing medical, mental health, and pharmaceutical services at each ICE detention facility and describe how ICE monitors their performance. How many medical care violations have resulted in corrective actions, financial penalties, contract modifications, or contract termination since January 20, 2025?

10. Describe ICE’s process for inspecting and enforcing compliance with applicable detention standards, including the number of medical-care deficiencies identified since January 20, 2025, the number that remain unresolved, and the corrective actions required.

11. What mechanisms are available to detained individuals and their attorneys to report inadequate medical care or violations of detention standards, and what protections are in place against retaliation?

12. What steps has ICE taken to address systemic concerns regarding medical care, medication access, staffing, serious medical emergencies, and deaths across its detention system, and what additional measures does the agency plan to implement?

13. Identify all ICE detention contracts executed, amended, or renewed since January 20, 2025, that include provisions stating or asserting that state or local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, inspections, or enforcement actions “shall not apply” to the detention facility. Why is ICE attempting to prevent state and local authorities from independently inspecting these facilities?

As Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, you both have the authority and responsibility to address the serious deficiencies at these facilities. If they cannot be operated in compliance with federal law and the Constitution, GEO Group, CoreCivic, and any other private contractors should not continue to profit from taxpayer dollars, and the detention centers must be closed. We expect your prompt response no later than Tuesday, September 1st. As Members of Congress, we remain prepared to exercise our constitutional oversight authority to ensure that detainees are treated humanely and federal law is faithfully executed.

Pallone’s letter was signed by 87 Members of Congress: Amo, Gabe; Barragán, Nanette; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Carson, André; Carter, Troy; Casar, Greg; Castro, Joaquin; Chu, Judy; Clarke, Yvette; Conaway, Herbert; Costa, Jim; Courtney, Joe; Crockett, Jasmine; Crow, Jason; Davis, Danny; Dean, Madeleine; DeGette, Diana; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Dingell, Debbie; Escobar, Veronica; Espaillat, Adriano; Foster, Bill; Frost, Maxwell; Garamendi, John; García, Jesús; Garcia, Robert; Garcia, Sylvia; Goldman, Daniel; Gomez, Jimmy; Green, Al; Grijalva, Adelita; Hayes, Jahana; Hernández, Pablo; Hoyle, Val; Huffman, Jared; Ivey, Glenn; Jacobs, Sara; Johnson, Henry; Kamlager-Dove, Sydney; Khanna, Ro; Krishnamoorthi, Raja; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Lynch, Stephen; McIver, LaMonica; Mejia, Analilia; Menefee, Christian; Menendez, Robert; Meng, Grace; Morrison, Kelly; Moulton, Seth; Nadler, Jerrold; Neguse, Joe; Norcross, Donald; Norton, Eleanor; Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria; Omar, Ilhan; Pallone, Frank; Pelosi, Nancy; Pettersen, Brittany; Pou, Nellie; Quigley, Mike; Ramirez, Delia; Randall, Emily; Rivas, Luz; Ruiz, Raul; Salinas, Andrea; Scanlon, Mary Gay; Schakowsky, Janice; Scott, Robert; Simon, Lateefah; Stansbury, Melanie; Thanedar, Shri; Titus, Dina; Tlaib, Rashida; Tonko, Paul; Torres, Norma; Torres, Ritchie; Tran, Derek; Underwood, Lauren; Vargas, Juan; Vasquez, Gabe; Walkinshaw, James; Waters, Maxine; Watson Coleman, Bonnie; Williams, Nikema; Wilson, Frederica.

###",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-96-million-carteret-ferry-service-expansion,Pallone Announces $9.6 Million for Carteret Ferry Service Expansion,2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"CARTERET, NJ — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is officially awarding $9.6 million to NJ TRANSIT for the Carteret Ferry Service Expansion Project to purchase a new ferry vessel, the latest federal investment Pallone has helped deliver to establish passenger ferry service between Central New Jersey and New York City.

“People in Central Jersey should not have to spend hours of their lives sitting in traffic just to get to and from work. We need to give commuters more reliable ways to get where they need to go, and that means actually investing in public transportation,” said Pallone. “For years, I’ve fought for federal funding to make the Carteret ferry a reality because projects like this make a real difference in people’s lives. This $9.6 million investment helps to put another vessel on the water and takes cars off our overcrowded roads. That is exactly what federal infrastructure dollars should be doing.”

The funding builds on years of federal investment Pallone has helped secure for the project, including $6 million in Fiscal Year 2023 federal funding for the Carteret Ferry Terminal, a $5.6 million RAISE grant for construction of the multimodal terminal, and a previous $6 million FTA Passenger Ferry Grant to purchase a ferry vessel.

“Grant funding of this magnitude would not be possible without strong congressional support for public transportation. We gratefully acknowledge New Jersey’s congressional delegation, led by New Jersey’s senior U.S. Senator, Cory Booker, and U.S. Senator Andy Kim, as well as Congressman Frank Pallone, one of the delegation’s most senior members. Senator Booker has been a leading voice in advocating for public transportation, renewable energy and the revitalization of urban communities throughout New Jersey. This award will help us establish a modern, reliable and environmentally responsible ferry service that expands access to employment opportunities, reduces roadway congestion and strengthens connections between Central New Jersey and New York City,” said Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman.

The Carteret Ferry Service is planned to connect Central New Jersey with Manhattan and provide commuters with an alternative to driving and existing rail service. The broader waterfront project includes a multimodal terminal connecting ferry passengers with NJ TRANSIT buses, vehicles, and nearby pedestrian and bicycle routes.

###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-josh-on-the-job-gottheimer-visits-white-manna-to-meet-with-jersey-families,PHOTO RELEASE: “Josh on the Job” — Gottheimer Visits White Manna to Meet with Jersey Families,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer with staff at White Manna.

HACKENSACK, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited White Manna Hamburgers in Hackensack to meet with local owners and employees, working with their team and hearing first-hand from Jersey customers as part of his “Josh on the Job” series highlighting small, locally owned businesses across Northern Jersey.

Owned by Ronny Cohen and his brother, Ofer, since 1986, White Manna has been serving its famous sliders, crinkle-cut fries, and shakes in North Jersey for 80 years, making it a local institution and a popular destination for those passing through!

During his visit, Gottheimer joined staff behind the counter, swapping stories with employees and customers from across the community over burgers and shakes.

“Places like White Manna are what put Jersey on the map. Food is incredible! Special thanks to the hard-working folks who show up day-in and day-out to keep this small business running,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Getting out into the community and onto the job is one of my favorite parts of this job — there’s nothing like sitting down with neighbors over a good meal. White Manna has been bringing folks together for 80 years, and I’m grateful to Ronny, Ofer, and their whole team for keeping this North Jersey institution cooking.”

Gottheimer regularly visits small businesses across New Jersey’s Fifth District as part of his “Josh on the Job” series to hear directly from workers, owners, and customers about the issues impacting their jobs and their communities.

Below: Gottheimer at White Manna in Hackensack.

###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-congressional-republicans-must-probe-trumps-denial-nj-disaster-aid,Pallone: Congressional Republicans Must Probe Trump’s Denial of NJ Disaster Aid,2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,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. (NJ-06) is demanding a congressional investigation into President Trump’s denial of $84.4 million in disaster aid to New Jersey after federal officials reportedly determined the state met the government’s threshold for assistance.

In a letter to the Republican chairs overseeing FEMA, Pallone called on Congress to investigate whether politics played a role in Trump’s decision to deny aid to New Jersey and three other states led by Democratic governors.

“As the top Congressional leaders with oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), itis within your jurisdiction to ensure our nation’s disaster relief efforts are “fast, fair, and free from political bias,” wrote Pallone.

New Jersey sought federal assistance after February’s devastating blizzard brought record snowfall, hurricane-force wind gusts and statewide travel bans. At least 12 people died across nine New Jersey counties.

Despite FEMA and NOAA regional officials reportedly finding that the states met federal thresholds for aid, the White House rejected New Jersey’s request on July 2.

“Not only is the denial in and of itself concerning, in response to this denial a FEMA spokesperson stated the following: “If the federal government is paying for regular operations like snow removal, what next? Garbage removal? The federal government’s role is not to fund routine functions.” This winter storm was anything but routine. The blizzard that hit New Jersey during this period brought record-breaking snowfall, statewide travel bans, and hurricane force wind gusts. This storm resulted in at least 12 confirmed weather-related fatalities across nine New Jersey counties, the most out of any impacted state.[i] It is an egregious misstatement to attempt to qualify this event as routine,” Pallone continued.

Pallone is supporting Governor Mikie Sherrill’s appeal of the denial and is calling on Republican committee leaders to investigate why the Trump Administration rejected the aid despite the findings of federal officials.

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Chairmen Graves, Garbarino, Perry and Brecheen,

As the top Congressional leaders with oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it is within your jurisdiction to ensure our nation’s disaster relief efforts are “fast, fair, and free from political bias,” as Chairman Graves described.[ii] That is why I call on you to launch an immediate investigation into President Trump’s denial of a disaster declaration for four states that federal officials determined had met government thresholds for receiving aid.

During the period of February 22 to 23, 2026 the State of New Jersey, along with other states in the region, experience a devastating winter storm. Given the magnitude and severity of this event, Governor Sherrill requested a Major Disaster Declaration in April of 2026. On July 2, 2026, the White House denied the $84.4 million Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation request. While Governor Sherrill is appealing this denial with my strong support, I am gravely concerned by the way in which this matter is being handled.

Recent reporting found that President Trump’s rejections came after regional offices of FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined that the states met government thresholds for receiving aid.[iii] Not only is the denial in and of itself concerning, in response to this denial a FEMA spokesperson stated the following: “If the federal government is paying for regular operations like snow removal, what next? Garbage removal? The federal government’s role is not to fund routine functions.” This winter storm was anything but routine. The blizzard that hit New Jersey during this period brought record-breaking snowfall, statewide travel bans, and hurricane force wind gusts. This storm resulted in at least 12 confirmed weather-related fatalities across nine New Jersey counties, the most out of any impacted state.[iv] It is an egregious misstatement to attempt to qualify this event as routine.

Severe snowstorms – just like hurricanes, flooding and other natural disasters – are a danger to public health and safety. The public relies on the state and federal government to work in tandem to ensure the necessary resources are activated and available, yet once again, this Administration has made a reckless and partisan decision that puts the American people in danger. Flippantly denying the State of New Jersey’s legitimate need for assistance and downplaying the severity of this event diminishes the public’s faith in our ability to govern.

Denying disaster assistance to American citizens just because they live in states that elected Democratic governors is a betrayal of the oath President Trump swore to uphold. That is why I am formally requesting you to begin an immediate investigation into the politicalization that resulted in President Trump’s denial of this disaster funding.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.

Member of Congress

###",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E4B6DD53-7B47-4924-956C-ED9BF0BFB0BA,"Norcross, Sen. Warren press Secretary Hegseth on cuts to Pentagon weapons safety office",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, and Representative Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on his decision to cut the Pentagon’s independent weapons testing office budget by nearly 80% and staff by 74%, and urged him to reverse the cuts to ensure the military’s weapons systems are effective for combat use and safe for troops. The new letter follows a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report finding that Secretary Hegseth’s cuts to DOT&E have increased the risk of weapons being delivered to troops with “undocumented shortfalls related to effectiveness, suitability, survivability, or lethality.”

“The decision to purge the office of DOT&E has created significant and unnecessary risk that jeopardizes readiness, service member safety, acquisition reform, and taxpayer dollars,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge you to reverse the cuts made to this office to restore trust that DoD weapon systems are effective for combat use and safe for our warfighters at a justifiable cost to the American taxpayer.”

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Office of Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) was created in response to concerns that the military services were failing to adequately test weapons, and that Congress was not receiving the information necessary to conduct oversight over weapons programs. In May 2025, Secretary Hegseth eliminated any “non-statutory” functions of the office, reducing the office’s staff by 74 percent and slashing its budget by almost 80 percent. Hegseth also restricted DOT&E staff’s access to classified areas and reduced the amount of programs the office was able to conduct oversight on.

The GAO’s investigation found that these staffing changes “reduced DOT&E’s ability to oversee operational and live fire testing and evaluation” and that DoD’s remaining test and evaluation processes do not “reflect leading practices.”

“DoD must ensure that weapon systems are safe and are effective for the battlefield. We have serious concerns that as of May 2026, DoD has not provided any justification to support the DOT&E reorganization effort or provided the congressionally mandated analysis on the impacts of these cuts,” wrote the lawmakers.

The members also raised concerns about the recent removal of all of DOT&E’s annual reports from the office’s official website. The removed reports, which were all unclassified, provide transparency about the effectiveness of major weapon systems and help identify malfunctions to ensure those weapons do not kill or harm troops. During her confirmation hearing, Dr. Amy Henninger, head of DOT&E, promised Senator Warren “maximum” transparency from her office.

“Removing these reports appears to be an attempt to avoid disclosure of information the public needs to evaluate if major, high-dollar weapon systems are effective and safe,” said the lawmakers.

The members urged Secretary Hegseth to reverse the cuts he made to funding and staffing levels for DOT&E and explain his plan to reduce the risk of faulty or dangerous weapons being delivered to troops in the meantime. They also pushed him to ensure the annual weapons testing reports are restored to the DOT&E website and provide an explanation for their initial removal by August 26, 2026.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-after-attacks-in-jersey-gottheimer-announces-bipartisan-federal-actions-to-protect-water-electric-systems-and-families-from-cyber-attacks,"RELEASE: After Attacks in Jersey, Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan Federal Actions to Protect Water, Electric Systems, and Families from Cyber Attacks",2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer announces federal action to defend critical infrastructure.

PARK RIDGE, NJ — Today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced his bipartisan Critical Infrastructure Security Plan, a package of federal actions to bolster American critical infrastructure following a wave of attacks that targeted New Jersey municipal water systems and others in at least a dozen states across the country.

Watch Gottheimer’s full remarks here.

“Every morning, folks in this town wake up, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. You flip a switch and your lights come on. Nobody thinks twice about it. Nobody should have to,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m standing here because in towns just like this one, all over the country, that deal we have with our utility companies has been put in real jeopardy, and if we don’t get out ahead of it, it could mean a disaster.”

Over the past two weeks, hackers have targeted water systems in New Jersey and at least a dozen other states. In Cape May County, two municipal systems were hit, forcing operators to manually turn valves and run pumps after the digital controls they rely on every day were wrenched away from them. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating incidents in at least seven states, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the FBI issued a joint advisory urging the entire water sector to immediately lock down its systems. Investigators have pointed to Iranian-affiliated actors, while examining whether other adversaries are copying the same playbook.

There are roughly 150,000 public water systems in the country, and 97 percent of them serve small communities such as Park Ridge, often with just a handful of employees and no full-time cybersecurity team. Many were built decades ago for reliability, not for cybersecurity, leaving older controllers and outdated software exposed to anyone who knows where to look.

Gottheimer announced three federal actions to close that gap:

The bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act, which he is introducing with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-3), Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-3), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-1) would give America’s critical infrastructure operators free access to the most powerful, cyber-capable AI models. Today those tools are mostly used by the people trying to break in, not the people trying to keep them out. The bill would let a small water utility in New Jersey use the same caliber of AI a foreign intelligence agency might deploy against it, and turn it around to find the open door before an adversary does and patch the vulnerability before it becomes a headline.

The bipartisan Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act, which he is introducing with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-3), Rep. Hilary Scholten (MI-3), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-1) would create a dedicated rapid-response and threat notification service at CISA, built specifically for small and medium water and electric utilities. It would establish one clear point of contact to notify utilities the moment there is an active threat and give real support for the most resource-constrained systems.

Gottheimer is also sending a letter to CISA, the EPA, and the FBI demanding they immediately surge incident response teams and technical assistance to every water and wastewater utility hit by this campaign, especially the small and rural systems that can least afford to go dark. The letter also calls on the agencies to build lasting protection for the water sector, including guidance specific to water systems and a standing rapid-response framework, before the next campaign hits.

Gottheimer was joined by New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Director Michael Geraghty, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Bergen County Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer, Senator Holly Schepisi (R-District 39), Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna, Park Ridge Councilman Will Fenwick, and Park Ridge Councilman Bruce Goldsmith.

Below: Gottheimer announces federal action to defend critical infrastructure.

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you to everyone here with us. I’m grateful for all of your work on the ground to protect our essential services.

Thank you all for being here in Park Ridge, right in front of the tanks that serve drinking water to Park Ridge and nearby Woodcliff Lake.

I’ve stood right here before when we announced steps the Park Ridge Water Department was taking to get lead and PFAS out of their drinking water. Today, we are here to discuss a different, looming, and potent threat to this critical infrastructure system, and ones like it across our state and country — cyber terrorism. I’m talking about cyber attacks like the ones in South Jersey two weeks ago and those who attempt to infiltrate our water, electric, and other essential systems — what we call our critical infrastructure — every day in America.

With the explosion and advancement of AI, those threats have become even more common and deadly, and, unfortunately, far too easy to access for those who seek to do us harm. Enemies like Iran, Russia, and China.

I’m not here to scare you. As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security Agency and Cyber, I want us all to be aware of, and prepared for, this reality that we are facing here at home.

Today, I am proud to announce my Critical Infrastructure Security Plan — to give towns, counties, and states the tools they need to protect our families and the water, electric, and other critical infrastructure systems that they rely on from cyber attacks.

Every morning, folks in this town wake up, turn on the faucet, and clean water comes out. You flip a switch and your lights come on. Nobody thinks twice about it. Nobody should have to. That’s the deal. You pay your water bill, the water shows up. You pay your electric bill, your power works.

Unfortunately, those bills are too expensive these days, but that’s a separate issue. I’m standing here because in towns just like this one, all over the country, that deal we have with our utility companies has been put in real jeopardy, and if we don’t get out ahead of it, it could mean a disaster.

Picture this: you wake up tomorrow, you go to make the coffee or take a shower before work, and nothing comes out of the tap. Or, you flip on the lights, and the power just isn’t there. Imagine that across a major city. No power to hospitals, businesses, schools, or our homes.

That’s not some doomsday scenario I’m cooking up. That is what almost happened to Jersey families just two weeks ago.

Here’s what’s actually going on. For the past two weeks, water systems across this country have been under attack. Not “could happen someday.” It’s happening right now, as we’re standing here.

It started in Minnesota in late July, when hackers hit roughly thirty water systems in a single 48-hour window. Then it spread to Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota, Georgia, South Dakota, and five other states.

The FBI is investigating these incidents right now, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, the FBI, and the EPA had to put out a joint advisory telling the entire water sector to immediately lock down its systems.

In the same campaign, two municipal water systems in Cape May County, the City of Cape May and the Borough of Woodbine, got hit. The attack limited their operators’ ability to monitor and manage their own equipment. Real people, Jersey families, could have lost water service — which could mean no clean drinking water or fire hydrants running dry in an emergency.

Staff had to run out into the field and turn valves and run pumps manually because the digital controls they rely on every single day had been hacked — their control had been wrenched away from them. Although our power systems weren’t impacted in this attack, many of our energy and power grid sectors utilize the same hardware and remote management protocols that were compromised.

Thankfully, both Jersey towns got things hardened and back under control fast, working with the state’s cyber team and our federal partners, and service was not interrupted this time.

But let’s not kid ourselves and call that luck. That was a warning for us all, and we can’t just sit here and wait for the next attack. Because, by the way, Minnesota wasn’t so lucky — the city of Braham [BRAM] had to shut down its well and water treatment plant for several hours.

In 2023, a Chinese state-sponsored actor named Volt Typhoon hacked into a small municipal utility in Massachusetts that serves 15,000 people and infiltrated its systems for nine months, waiting for the right time to sabotage it. In 2015, Russia hit an electric utility in Ukraine, cutting power to 225,000 consumers.

A 2023 cyberattack in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania targeted the same systemsthat were attacked this summer and resulted in the operators needing to temporarily halt pumping. And a 2024 Muleshoe, Texas attack saw the pumps turned on — out of the operators control — and caused the tank water level to overflow.

Let’s be straight about who led this latest twelve state attack on our country. Reporting and government advisories have linked the cyber attacks to Iranian-affiliated actors, though officials are also looking into whether our other enemies are involved. This isn’t some kid in a basement messing around.

According to public reporting, this is potentially an enemy of our country, using state-backed hackers, testing whether they can reach out and shut off the water and power to American families, hospitals, farmers, and emergency services.

This also isn’t an isolated incident. Over the last few years, attackers have targeted — albeit unsuccessfully — water systems and other critical infrastructure in California, Florida, Maine, Nevada, Kansas, and right here in New Jersey, where an undisclosed water system detected ransomware in its systems in 2020.

And, they’ll keep trying, especially with the latest AI frontier models — they make it even easier to launch cyber attacks.

Foreign governments now have access to powerful AI tools that can scan the internet, find potentially weaker utility systems, hand adversaries a target list, and help them exploit the vulnerabilities in our systems. The same technology that can help a small town’s IT guy find and patch a gap in security can help a hostile government find a hundred more it hasn’t even discovered yet. AI didn’t create this threat, but it is accelerating it, and our defenses have to keep up. And it’s only getting easier for them.

In these latest attacks in our state and across the country, the hackers found pumps and treatment equipment plugged directly into the internet; they logged in, and locked the real operators out. It worked because a lot of our water systems, especially the smaller ones, were built decades ago and not exactly with the most sophisticated systems to protect against cybersecurity. Many of these controllers have little to no built-in protections and run on outdated software. In other words, they’re sitting wide open, vulnerable to anybody who knows where to look.

Now, systems like Park Ridge aren’t sitting on the internet – they operate offline, on their own closed system, making them less vulnerable to these types of cyber attacks. But, many of our smaller systems are sitting right in the bullseye. And, we have a lot of critical infrastructure systems out there.

There are roughly 150,000 public water systems in this country, and 97 percent of them serve small and mid-sized communities, just like here in Park Ridge. New Jersey itself has more than 600 community water systems that provide drinking water to approximately 87 percent of the state’s population.

Nationwide, there are more than 900 rural electric cooperatives and 2,000 publicly owned utilities that deliver electricity to almost 100 million Americans. These are systems with a handful of employees, limited cybersecurity resources, and vulnerable systems.

Believe it or not, CISA found that more than 1 in 10 water systems have a critical cybersecurity vulnerability, and more than 80 percent of those vulnerabilities included software flaws discovered before 2017.

CISA’s work is absolutely critical to identifying and combating these threats, but the Trump administration has been slashing it to the bone. Since Trump took office, it’s lost almost a third of its workforce, had their budget cut by $134 million, and the Administration has announced plans to cut another $700 million in the coming year and an additional 860 staff.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has identified similar weaknesses — the number of vulnerabilities hackers could exploit is rising by roughly 60 per day. If this isn’t a screeching red alarm, I don’t know what is.

I should add, when I say critical infrastructure, I’m not just talking about water or energy systems. In 2023, a ransomware attack forced two New Jersey hospitals — Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center — to temporarily divert ambulances and reschedule elective procedures.

The systems took weeks to restore and affected thousands of patients.

Here’s the part that should worry you the most: this isn’t just a big-city problem with big-city budgets and full-time cybersecurity teams standing guard. Right now, federal funding for critical infrastructure cybersecurity has an uncertain future, and it has to compete for scraps against other infrastructure priorities. That’s not fair to the people running these systems on a shoestring budget, and it’s definitely not safe for the families here in Jersey depending on them.

That’s why today, as part of my Critical Infrastructure Security Plan, I’m announcing three bipartisan federal actions with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa, and Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio.

First, I’m introducing the bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act. This new bipartisan legislation will give America’s critical infrastructure operators free access to their most powerful, cyber-capable AI models to secure their systems. Right now, those tools exist. They’re being used, but they’re often way too expensive for these small towns and facilities to afford what they really need.

This bill will provide that funding, allowing a small water utility or power station, like ones right here in Bergen County, to use the same caliber of AI a foreign intelligence agency might use against them. With those resources, the facilities can take this cutting-edge technology and turn it around to secure their own systems first. They’ll find the open door and lock it before someone tries to break in. They’ll patch the vulnerability before it ever becomes a headline. This is about getting our defense to catch up to their offense, and making it free for the towns that need it most.

A resource-constrained public works department in rural New Jersey should never have to outbid a nation-state just to protect itself. This bill will support the efforts of companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google to get these powerful tools in the hands of those who need it most.

Second, I’m introducing the bipartisan Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act. This new bipartisan bill will create a dedicated rapid response and threat notification service at CISA, specifically for small and medium-sized water and electric utilities.

Right now, if you’re a small town utility and something looks wrong on your network, you might not have anyone to call, or you might not even know who to call in the first place. This commonsense legislation creates one clear point of contact within the federal government that will notify these utilities the moment there’s an active threat or a sign that someone’s already inside their systems, with extra support built in for the utilities that are stretched the thinnest. It will also give them a clear point of contact, so they’re not running around trying to figure out who to call.

Third and finally, I’m sending a letter to CISA, the EPA, and the FBI demanding they immediately surge incident response teams and technical assistance to every water and wastewater utility hit by this campaign, including here in Jersey, especially the small and rural systems that can least afford to go dark. But, I’m not just asking for a band-aid. I am also urging these agencies to build real, lasting protection for the water and energy sectors, including guidance specific to water and electric systems and a standing rapid-response framework, so that before the next campaign hits — because there will be a next one — our utilities are prepared.

My cybersecurity package works together to protect our towns and families. The legislation gives our utilities the tools to find their own weaknesses before an adversary does. The rapid response service makes sure small towns aren’t fighting this alone. And, the federal surge makes sure the agencies whose job this is actually show up when it matters. There is nothing partisan about it. It’s about as red, white, and blue as it gets.

We also need to make sure our states have the resources to support our local systems. That’s why I’m calling on the Senate to pass the PILLAR Act, which I was proud to have helped pass through the House. This critical piece of legislation will reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through 2033. These are dollars that towns can request and receive to build out and strengthen their existing cybersecurity systems. Unfortunately, this critical program has not received new funding in more than a year, and it’s putting our local utilities at risk.

I’m also supporting efforts in the Senate to pass legislation to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity program, which I also helped pass through the House, which directly helps rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. I’m also proud to have helped move the SECURE Grid Act through the House, which would ensure states are fully prepared to prevent and respond to the risks posed to the electric grid by cyberattacks, extreme weather, natural disasters, and other threats.

We can’t afford to leave our state and local governments out to dry — we must instead empower our local leaders, like the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, to help operators harden their systems.

Finally, the cyber attacks over the last weeks must be a wake up call to every utility – water, power, or otherwise — that’s part of our critical infrastructure. Park Ridge’s systems weren’t hit in this attack. But, in a rare move, the town hasn’t waited around to get lucky. Over the past year, on their own initiative, they’ve been upgrading their systems to put in place stronger protections and give better oversight.

Water and power systems across the country need to follow suit and implement tamper-resistant controls, update and patch systems as soon as they are able, build end-to-end encryption, use secure networks, create authentication and access control procedures, test their systems regularly, and train their employees. But, I recognize that it’s not easy — it’s expensive — and they need our help. That’s what the actions I’m taking today are all about. They need the federal support behind them to actually make it happen.

Again, keeping the water running and the lights on isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It’s the most basic American obligation we have to the people we serve, and it should never, ever be partisan. When a parent in Park Ridge turns on their kitchen faucet, she doesn’t care which party controls Congress. They just want clean water to come out.

We caught this attack. And, I know that if we take the right action, we can get ahead of this. But, if we sit on our hands, we might not be so lucky next time. But, I’m confident that when we invest in the people protecting our infrastructure, and give them modern tools instead of asking them to fight modern threats with yesterday’s equipment, we will win.

If we keep working together to protect our friends and neighbors, in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always be ahead of us. Thank you, God bless you, and may God continue to watch over and bless the United States of America.",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://pou.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-pou-announces-125000-federal-award-kearny-drug-prevention,"Congresswoman Pou Announces $125,000 Federal Award for Kearny Drug Prevention",2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,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) today announced that the Town of Kearny has been awarded $125,000 to support the Kearny Prevention Coalition and its work to prevent substance use.

The federal award comes through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program. The funding will support the Kearny Prevention Coalition Drug-Free Communities Support Project over the coming year. The grant is a continuation of federal support for the program, whose current project period runs through September 2027.

“Preventing substance use starts with strong communities and making sure our young people have the support they need,” said Congresswoman Pou. “This $125,000 federal award will help the Kearny Prevention Coalition continue its vital work with young people and families. I am proud to have helped secure this funding and will keep fighting to bring federal dollars home to Kearny and communities across our district.”

“Fighting drug dependence and abuse is one of the most important responsibilities of government and a team effort. Federal support like this is critical. I thank Congresswoman Pou for helping secure this money for Kearny,” said Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle.

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program provides federal funding to community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among young Americans. This award is administered by the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Since taking office, Congresswoman Pou has worked to bring federal resources back to the 35 cities and towns within New Jersey’s Ninth District. Her office collaborates directly with mayors, municipalities, local agencies and community organizations to identify federal funding opportunities and aggressively support grant applications.

Pou has secured over $24 million in federal Community Project Funding for infrastructure, public safety, flood mitigation and other local priorities across Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties.

###",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-presses-us-airlines-answers-surveillance-pricing,Pallone Presses U.S. Airlines for Answers on Surveillance Pricing,2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,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) requested details from the eight major U.S. airline companies as part of the Committee’s ongoing inquiry into corporate surveillance pricing practices.

“I am very concerned about companies potentially using Americans’ personal data to determine what prices they see and pay, and I am continuing an inquiry into just how widespread this practice is,” Pallone wrote. “Consumers deserve to know if businesses are using their personal information to manipulate the prices they pay or experiment with algorithms to set the prices they see.”

In May, Pallone launched a Committee inquiry into surveillance pricing with an initial round of letters to 25 major corporations, including information on whether they’re using surveillance pricing based on consumers’ personal data to charge customers different prices for the same goods, particularly for online shopping.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines surveillance pricing as a form of personalized dynamic pricing where companies use a consumer’s online data—location, demographics, browsing history, shopping habits, or device type—to set individualized prices, often charging higher amounts based on an inferred willingness to pay.

“The airline industry specifically has faced several public allegations of surveillance pricing,” Pallone continued. “One study found that an airline boosted its own revenue by as much as six percent by leveraging AI pricing based on consumer information, an increase that comes at the expense of consumers. Lawsuits have been filed against airlines alleging the use of consumers’ information to set prices and in 2025, an airline came under scrutiny after appearing to announce that they were implementing artificial intelligence to assist with pricing.”

Ranking Member Pallone wrote to the following companies and requested answers by August 25, 2026:

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

Delta Air Lines

Frontier Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines

JetBlue Airways

Southwest Airlines

United Airlines

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

###",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-alzheimers-disease-roundtable-with-patients-advocates-and-medical-professionals,"RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Alzheimer’s Disease Roundtable with Patients, Advocates, and Medical Professionals",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer hosts Alzheimer’s roundtable.

WALDWICK, NJ — Today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at the Waldwick Public Library, bringing together medical experts, patients, caregivers, advocates, and local leaders to discuss the ongoing challenges facing New Jersey families affected by Alzheimer’s, the latest research and treatments, and the fight in Washington to combat the disease.

The roundtable discussion focused on the everyday realities facing Jersey families affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and is a progressive disease of the brain. Today, an estimated 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, or about one in nine seniors, and nearly two-thirds of them are women.

“This isn’t an abstract issue for me. Like so many of you, I’ve had close friends and family members who’ve struggled with this disease, and once you’ve watched it up close, it changes something in you,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “For decades, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis felt like a hopeless one. That is finally starting to change, but only if we keep the research funded, keep training our doctors, and keep fighting to make sure new breakthroughs actually reach the people who need them. I want to thank our medical experts, advocates, patients, caregivers, and local leaders who joined me this morning.”

“Alzheimer’s touches every part of a family’s life, and no one should have to navigate its challenges alone. I thank Congressman Gottheimer for bringing people together for this important conversation and for his continued leadership on issues affecting family caregivers. These conversations give us an opportunity to listen to families, learn from their experiences, and work together on solutions that make a real difference. At New Jersey Human Services, we are committed to helping those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias remain as independent and connected to their communities as possible, while helping caregivers get the support and resources they need,” said Kaylee McGuire, Human Services Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services.

“It was an honor to join Congressman Gottheimer and fellow experts to discuss the current landscape of Alzheimer’s disease. Meaningful progress, from improving early diagnostics and supporting caregivers to driving medical innovation, requires steadfast collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and dedicated policymakers as we work together to finally put an end to this devastating disease,” said Dr. Manisha Parulekar, Chief, Division of Geriatrics, and Co-Director, Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Alzheimer’s was the sixth-leading cause of death in New Jersey in 2024, and roughly 2,320 New Jersey residents died from the disease in 2025. Statewide, 185,300 residents age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, including about 12.3 percent—or nearly 22,800 residents—who live in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties.

The burden falls heaviest on families. Across New Jersey, 283,000 residents serve as unpaid dementia caregivers, providing an estimated $13.6 billion in unpaid care. Nationwide, some 12.7 million family members and friends provide unpaid care, and the health and long-term-care costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to reach $409 billion in 2026.

Roundtable participants underscored the need to improve early detection and diagnosis, expand access to treatment and care, and protect critical federal research funding. Participants also highlighted the need for greater resources for family caregivers and better training for medical providers to recognize and care for patients with dementia.

Congressman Gottheimer has been a long-time champion in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, working to advance efforts across research, early detection, prevention, provider education, and support for patients and caregivers. He is a member of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and recently helped advance the bipartisan Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act through the House, legislation that would equip primary care providers with the training and tools needed to better recognize, diagnose, and care for patients living with dementia.

Gottheimer has also championed efforts to strengthen the nation’s public-health infrastructure for Alzheimer’s disease. He cosponsored and helped pass the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act, which is now law and builds on federal, state, and local efforts to improve Alzheimer’s detection and prevention while strengthening support for caregivers. He has also championed the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, the CHANGE Act, the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act, and the NAPA Reauthorization Act, which help improve care and outcomes for patients and their families.

Beyond legislation, Gottheimer has consistently fought to make sure Alzheimer’s research receives the federal resources necessary to advance new treatments and, ultimately, find a cure. He has signed onto annual Congressional Appropriations letters calling for increased Alzheimer’s research funding at the National Institutes of Health, including support for a $318 million increase. Taken together, these efforts demonstrate Gottheimer’s sustained commitment to confronting Alzheimer’s from every angle — investing in groundbreaking research, improving early diagnosis and treatment, strengthening the health-care workforce, and ensuring patients, families, and caregivers in Jersey have the support they need.

Gottheimer was joined by Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner at NJ Human Services; Waldwick Councilwoman Courtney Wingate; Dr. Marisa Parulekar, Director of the Division of Geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center and Co-Director of the Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center; Omna Syed, Manager of Government Relations at Hackensack University Medical Center; Ilham Atir, Laboratory Director of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center; Dr. Ayelet Spitzer, Director of Palliative Care at Valley Hospital; Margaret Farrell Daingerfield EdD, RN, CNE, President of New Jersey State Nurses Association; Dr. Galina Shenfeld, CEO and Founder of The Brain Health Center; Reina Macalindong, Certified Dementia Practitioner & Cognitive Operations Lead at The Brain Health Center; Kerri Sherer, Deputy Director of Bergen County Division of Senior Services; Lori Baker, Social Worker of Sussex County Division of Senior Services; Paul Irwin-Dudek, Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Association New Jersey Chapter; Larry Nayman, New Jersey Chapter Board Vice President of Alzheimer’s Association; David Stamberg, Owner/Operator of Senior Care Authority; Sharon Krinsky-McHale, Ph.D, Alzheimer’s Researcher; Kathy O’Leary, Director of Admissions of the Actors Fund; Jim Prussak, Chief Executive Officer of Applause Home Care; Antoinette Abbate, CMDCP, Founder of The Dementia Advocate; Cindy Rader, Chief Growth Officer of Embrace Prevention Care, a Medicare GUIDE partner organization; Denise Braithwaite, Alzheimer’s Advocate; Temitope Kayode, MPH – End Alzheimer’s Advocate; Lurleen Monteleone – Co-Chair of Community Engagement for the Dutchess Ulster Walk to End Alzheimer’s; La-Tricia Gordon, RN and Caregiver; Linda Casucci Horisk, Family & Caregiver of Alzheimer’s Patient; Caroline Spano, Family & Caregiver of Alzheimer’s Patient; David A. Hendler, Family & Caregiver of Alzheimer’s Patient; Susan Fein, Family & Caregiver of Alzheimer’s Patient; Mary Galea, Family & Caregiver of Alzheimer’s Patient; Joanne B. Siegel, Consultant of Healthcare Consultant, LLC.; Jennifer Mazzatta, Family Member of an Alzheimer’s Patient; Bobbie Zuckerman, Family & Caregiver of Alzheimer’s Patient; & Marlene Sweeney, Caregiver of an Alzheimer’s Patient.

Below: Gottheimer hosts Alzheimer’s roundtable.

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning, everybody. Thank you all so much for being here today at the Waldwick Public Library, and thank you for taking the time to sit down with me to talk through a disease that touches so many families right here in North Jersey: Alzheimer’s and dementia.

I also want to thank our medical experts, advocates, patients, caregivers, and local leaders who are joining us at the table this morning. The work you do and the experience you bring are exactly why we’re here today.

Everyone in this room knows a parent, a spouse, a grandparent, a neighbor who has been affected by Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The same is true for so many families across Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties. This isn’t an abstract issue for me, either. Like so many of you, I’ve had close friends and family members who’ve struggled with this disease, including my stepfather, who is suffering right now. And, once you’ve watched it up close, you understand it in a way that most don’t. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for a loved one with the disease, I know you’re in the trenches every day.

Before we get into today’s discussion, I want to lay out what we’re up against — because the numbers here are staggering.

Right now, more than 7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. That’s roughly one in nine seniors in this country. And, the older you get, the greater the share of people living with Alzheimer’s. It’s staggering — more than 5 percent of adults 65 to 74, nearly 14 percent of adults 75 to 84, and roughly 36 percent of adults 85 and older.

To make matters worse, Alzheimer’s doesn’t affect everyone equally. Nearly two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women. About 19 percent of Black seniors and 14 percent of Hispanic seniors are living with Alzheimer’s, compared to 10 percent of white seniors. And, despite the perception, this isn’t only a disease of old age — roughly 200,000 Americans under 65 are living with younger-onset dementia right now.

Here in New Jersey, Alzheimer’s was the sixth leading cause of death in 2024. As of last year, more than 185,000 New Jersey seniors — that’s more than 12 percent of our state’s older population — are living with Alzheimer’s.

On average, more than 2,000 New Jersey residents die from this disease every single year. And right here in our backyard — in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties — Alzheimer’s was the underlying cause of death for more than 1,300 Jersey residents between 2022 and 2024.

We can’t talk about Alzheimer’s without recognizing the incredible family members and friends, many of them here in this room today, who care for and support their loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia, day in and day out. They provide most of the long-term care for their loved ones, helping with everything from meals and medications to appointments and everyday tasks.

Nationally, nearly 13 million Americans provide this care without pay — nearly 20 billion hours of care every year, averaging almost 30 hours a week per caregiver. In Jersey alone, more than 280,000 residents care for a loved one with dementia without pay, valued at nearly $14 billion in unpaid care. I know how much time, energy, and sacrifice that kind of care requires — and to all of you who do it every single day, thank you.

The costs don’t stop there. This year alone, health and long-term care costs for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to reach more than $400 billion nationwide.

Here in New Jersey, Alzheimer’s and dementia cost our Medicaid program roughly $3 billion annually. Those are billions of dollars going toward doctor visits, medications and treatment, long-term care, and other health needs. As more Americans live longer, these costs will only grow. Today, people 85 and older make up about 11 percent of older Americans. By 2060, that share is expected to nearly double.

It’s not just the direct health care costs. It’s also the costs on families who have given up their own incomes to support their loved ones.

It’s a husband learning to be a full-time caregiver for his spouse. It’s a daughter driving two hours every weekend to visit her mom and make sure she has the help and support she needs because she can no longer live alone. It’s a family watching someone they love slip away a little more every day, and trying to figure out how to provide or pay for care nobody warned them they’d need.

That’s exactly why we’re here this morning. I want to hear directly from you — the researchers, physicians, caregivers, and advocates in this room — about what’s actually happening on the ground.

I want to hear about the barriers to early diagnosis, because we know earlier diagnosis means more time to plan, more access to services, and a real shot at qualifying for treatments that can slow this disease down. I want to hear about the gaps in caregiver support, the challenges getting doctors trained to recognize the early signs, and what more Washington should be doing to help. Lastly, I want to hear what’s standing between families in Northern Jersey and the new treatments and diagnostic tools that are finally coming onto the market.

As a proud member of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, I’ve been on the front lines of this fight on Capitol Hill since coming to Congress in 2017 — working across the aisle with colleagues who care about this as much as I do, because this disease doesn’t check party registration.

That’s why I led our New Jersey delegation in wearing purple on Capitol Hill for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It may be a small gesture, but it sends a message: we see you, and we’re fighting for you.

Here’s what I’m focused on right now in Congress to fight back.

First, I’m fighting to protect the research funding that makes all of this progress possible. Thankfully, Congress rejected the Administration’s massive proposed 40.5 percent cut to the National Institute on Aging for this year, and instead secured $3.9 billion for Alzheimer’s and related dementia research — plus an additional $100 million on top of that. But, the fight isn’t over — the Administration’s FY2027 budget proposed another cut, nearly $312 million, to the National Institute on Aging, or NIA.

The good news is that House appropriators have rejected those cuts and are proposing an additional $25 million for Alzheimer’s research. But, we’re not across the finish line yet. We still have to make sure that the funding makes it into the final bill. We saw what happens when this funding gets disrupted. Last year, funding delays nearly forced 14 of the nation’s 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers to shut their doors, threatening staffing, clinical trials, and patients already enrolled in long-term studies. I’ve signed onto appropriations letters requesting increased NIH funding, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure research dollars keep flowing.

Second, I’m pushing a full slate of bipartisan bills to tackle Alzheimer’s and help patients and families. Let me start with the one that’s actually law, and that’s made the biggest difference so far: the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, which I backed in 2018 and helped get signed into law.

In fact, I remember speaking with Aaron from the Alzheimer’s Association, who many of you know, right before casting my vote on the floor for its passage.

Before that bill, there was no real national public health strategy for this disease — no coordinated way to fund state and local health departments working on early detection and dementia-risk reduction, no dedicated infrastructure for caregiver support programs, and no consistent data collection to track what was happening state by state. BOLD fixed that. It set up Public Health Centers of Excellence to identify what actually works and spread those best practices to communities like ours.

It’s the law that a lot of what New Jersey does today on early detection and caregiver support runs through. In 2024, I helped lead the fight to reauthorize it, so those programs keep running through 2029.

Now, to bipartisan bills that we are working to get to the President’s desk. The AADAPT Act, which I helped champion and recently passed the House, will fund virtual training programs, so that primary care providers can actually recognize the early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The ASAP Act, when signed into law, will provide Medicare coverage for the new FDA-approved blood tests that can detect signs of Alzheimer’s sooner — because a good test doesn’t help anybody if families can’t afford it. I’ve also supported the CHANGE Act, to strengthen cognitive screening at Medicare wellness visits; the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act, to build a real dementia care coordination model for families; and the NAPA Reauthorization Act, to keep the federal government’s national dementia strategy on track.

Third, we must do everything we can to ensure that science actually reaches families, and isn’t just a headline in a medical journal. We’re at a genuinely hopeful moment — newer treatments like donanemab [doh-NAN-eh-mab] and lecanemab [leh-KAN-eh-mab] are the first to show they can slow Alzheimer’s progression in early stages of the disease, not just manage symptoms. The FDA cleared the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s just last year, and this summer approved the first at-home starting dose for lecanemab [leh-KAN-eh-mab], so patients can start treatments at home instead of having to travel to an infusion center just to get started.

That’s real progress. But, it only matters if families in Waldwick, in Ringwood, in Vernon can actually access it — which is exactly why I’m pushing to get Medicare coverage caught up with the science.

Finally, I’m also in touch with our partners in the counties I represent and in Trenton, because this fight isn’t just happening in Washington. I’ve reached out to state leaders to push for stronger Alzheimer’s awareness and training for first responders and social workers, and better coordination of the services and resources available to families across New Jersey.

I think one thing is clear: there is nothing partisan about Alzheimer’s disease. This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue — this is a Jersey families’ issue. For decades, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis felt like a hopeless one. That is finally starting to change, but only if we keep the research funded, keep training our doctors, and keep fighting to make sure new breakthroughs actually reach the people who need them.

So, thank you again for being here, and thank you for the work all of you do every day for patients and families across our state.

I’m confident that, if we work together, here in the greatest country in the world, our best days are ahead of us. I’m looking forward to hearing from all of you this morning — let’s get into it.

Thank you, and God bless you and your families.

###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-mejia-leader-jeffries-hold-roundtable-on-inhumane-ice-detention-at-delaney-hall,"Congresswoman Mejia, Leader Jeffries Hold Roundtable on Inhumane ICE Detention at Delaney Hall",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: August 11, 2026

Contact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov

MORRISTOWN, NJ – Today, Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) was joined by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) at Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown for a private roundtable with families affected by the Trump administration's immigration detention policies. Participants included former detainees and family members of current detainees at Delaney Hall and Elizabeth Detention Center; the families of Jean Wilson Brutus and Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, both of whom died in ICE custody; Reverend Samaria Tillman and Reverend Jerry Carter Jr. of Calvary Baptist Church; Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty; and Morris Township Mayor Donna Guariglia.

Families described conditions inside Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center, focusing on the treatment of medically vulnerable people in ICE custody. Participants described facility staff withholding medication or administering it at incorrect doses, ignoring requests for medical attention, and inflicting a toll on their households and families that has lasted long after detention ended. Several described ICE agents taking them into custody without warning during routine activities, ignoring their legal status, and holding them for weeks before release. Leader Jeffries, Congresswoman Mejia, and Congressman Menendez discussed congressional efforts to strengthen oversight of ICE detention facilities and hold the agency accountable for conditions inside them.

""Today, I sat with families who have lived through something no family should ever have to endure. Their grief is real, and so is their bravery in choosing to share it with us today,"" said Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11). ""It matters when our government treats people with this kind of callousness, strips them of due process, and hands them a death sentence through its refusal to provide basic dignity and care. If it can do this to any person in this country, it can do it to every one of us. I'm grateful to Leader Jeffries, Congressman Menendez, and everyone who stood with these families today, and I will not stop fighting until Delaney Hall is closed for good.""

""Dramatic change is necessary. Immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. Instead, taxpayer dollars are being used by ICE and Donald Trump's violent mass deportation machine to brutalize and kill American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families. ICE detention centers are engaging in un-American behavior that includes the lack of adequate medical treatment to people who are oftentimes experiencing severe illness. Delaney Hall needs to be shut down, and that will remain a high priority for us until it takes place,"" said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). ""I want to thank Congresswoman Mejia and Congressman Menendez for your tremendous leadership and advocacy during this fraught moment and the families who we heard from for your courage, bravery and resilience.""

""Today, I heard heartbreaking stories from families who have been forever impacted by ICE’s cruel and inhumane policies and actions,” said Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08). “Their stories - and the stories of so many members of our community - are what drive our work every single day. I am thankful to stand alongside Leader Jeffries, Rep. Mejia, and our Democratic colleagues as we continue to hold ICE accountable, demand answers and work to end this national nightmare.""

Among the participants was Margarita Cielo Balbuena of Dover, who was held at Elizabeth Detention Center earlier this year. Congresswoman Mejia visited Ms. Balbuena and her husband at the facility and learned firsthand that she was not receiving the correct dose of her medication, an experience Mejia later raised directly with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. It is one of many cases that have driven Congresswoman Mejia's repeated oversight visits to Delaney Hall and Elizabeth Detention Center, and her pressure on DHS over the quality of medical care provided to detainees. Last week, she led a letter demanding that the Department of Homeland Security address poor conditions and inadequate medical care at Delaney Hall, signed by every Democratic member of the New Jersey congressional delegation.

View the full press conference here.

###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-roundtable-claws-back-more-than-1-million-in-federal-resources-to-help-stop-domestic-community-violence-in-north-jersey,"RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Roundtable, Claws Back More Than $1 Million in Federal Resources to Help Stop Domestic & Community Violence in North Jersey",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer announces funding to help stop violence in North Jersey.

HACKENSACK, NJ — Today, August 10, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable at Bergen’s Promise in Hackensack with leaders from Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), law enforcement, local elected officials, and community stakeholders to discuss domestic violence, shootings, stabbings, and other forms of community violence, and the expansion of hospital-based violence intervention services in Bergen County. Gottheimer clawed back more than $1 million in federal resources to expand HUMC’s Community Health Worker Violence Intervention Program (HVIP). The roundtable discussion focused on the expansion of the program, how the federal funding will expand services for victims and their families, and how it will help reduce community violence in North Jersey.

Watch Gottheimer’s announcement here.

“Keeping Jersey families safe is about as common sense and bipartisan as it gets — and it starts with making sure our hospitals and communities have the tools they need to break the cycle of violence,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “This is exactly the kind of partnership between the federal government, our hospitals, and our community organizations that actually gets things done for people. I’m proud to have fought for this funding. I’m proud it’s coming back to Bergen County where it belongs, and I’m ready to work with all of you to make sure this program succeeds.”

“Community violence isn’t just a public safety issue – it is a public health crisis. At Hackensack Meridian Health, we see the real-world impact of this every day, which is why we are building out our community health worker violence intervention program. By reaching people where they are and providing trauma-informed support, our goal is to break the cycle of violence before it repeats. I want to thank Congressman Gottheimer for pulling this group together. Real, lasting safety happens when healthcare systems, law enforcement, and local advocates sit at the same table and tackle this together,” said Dr. Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, SVP, Social Impact and Population Health at Hackensack Meridian Health.

Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are multidisciplinary programs that identify patients at risk of repeat violent injury and connect them with hospital and community-based services to support recovery, address underlying risk factors, and work to reduce future victimization. HVIPs begin working with patients while they are still in the emergency department or hospital, then provide intensive community-based case management and support in the months following an injury.

From 2021 through 2026, Hackensack University Medical Center in Bergen County treated almost 3,000 victims of shootings, stabbings, beatings, and domestic violence — accounting for roughly 25 percent of the more than 11,400 violence victims treated across the entire Hackensack Meridian Health network in New Jersey. And these violence intervention programs work: just 5 percent of victims who participate are rehospitalized for another violent injury, compared with 36 percent of those who do not.

The federal funding clawed back by Gottheimer will support trained professionals, technology and supplies, and transportation costs needed to serve victims and families across North Jersey.

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton; Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella; Bergen County Commissioner Steven A. Tanelli; Dr. Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, SVP Social Impact and Population Health, HMH; Ms. Sarah Lechner, SVP Chief of External Affairs, HMH; Ms. Leslie Eaddy, Manager, Social Impact and Population Health, HMH; Ms. Angelica Santomauro, Community Health Worker, Social Impact and Population Health, HMH; Ms. Katelyn Segilia, Supervisor, Social Impact and Population Health, HMH; Ms. Omna Syed, Manager, Government Relations, HMH; Dr. Abby Lowe, Assistant Director of Quality, Department of Emergency Medicine, HMH; Dr. Aakash Shah, Program Director, Violence Intervention Programs, HMH; Melissa DeBartolo, Director, Bergen County Department of Human Services; Mr. Dean Paskas, CEO, Bergen’s Promise; Shelisa Foster, Chief Operating Officer, Bergen’s Promise; Ms. Kathryn Werheim, Director of Community Resources, Bergen’s Promise; Ms. Shekinah Williams, Youth Justice Operations Manager, Bergen’s Promise; Ms. Jacqueline Yeboah, Behavioral Health Home Nurse Manager, Bergen’s Promise; Ms. Kelly Kopec, Health Promotion Manager, Bergen’s Promise; Mr. Jacques Hryshko, CEO, Family Connections; Dr. Amanda Santana, COO, Family Connections; Ms. Latisha Miller, Program Coordinator, Family Connections; Ms. Lil Corcoran, CEO, Women’s Rights Information Center; Ms. Lisa Maurer, Associate Executive Director, Women’s Rights Information Center; Ms. Dania Hochberg, Licensed Associate Counselor, Women’s Rights Information Center; Mr. William Salcedo, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey; Ms. Shannon Orefice, Director of Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey; Ms. Helen Archontou, CEO, YWCA Northern New Jersey; Ms. Monique Joseph, Health Equity Specialist, YWCA Northern New Jersey; Ms. Simaza Sadek, Program Director of healingSPACE, YWCA Northern New Jersey; Ms. Kristine Pendy, CEO, Center for Hope and Safety; Beth Ostuni, Deputy Director of the Division of Alternatives to Domestic Violence; and Kate Gerathy, Advocacy Coordinator, Division of Alternatives to Domestic Violence.

Below: Gottheimer hosts roundtable to help stop violence in North Jersey.

Gottheimer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you so much, everybody, for being here today. And a special thank you to the whole team at Hackensack Meridian Health for helping organize today’s discussion, and to Bergen’s Promise for opening up your doors and hosting us. For those of you who don’t know, Bergen’s Promise is a nonprofit that connects children and families with critical mental health, behavioral health, and other support services. We are all very grateful for them.

I want to start by saying how thankful I am to sit down with the people doing this work every single day. The best ideas often don’t come from Washington — they come from the people on the front lines. The doctors, the community health workers, the folks who see community violence up close. You understand these challenges better than most around the country because you’re helping patients and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Let’s talk about why we’re here.

Hackensack University Medical Center is one of the busiest and best hospitals in the state of New Jersey and the country.

In fact, it was just recognized once again by U.S. News & World Report as the number one hospital in New Jersey — a testament to the outstanding care and leadership right here in Bergen County. You provide that top-notch care at your facilities across our great state.

But even one of the nation’s top hospitals, in the ninth safest county in the country, sees the devastating impact of community violence every day. Between 2021 and 2024, Hackensack in Bergen County alone treated more than 2,100 victims of violence — people who came through your doors after shootings, stabbings, and beatings.

In other words, nearly one-quarter of all violence victims treated at HUMC hospitals statewide were treated right here in Bergen County. The bottom line: we are not immune from violence.

Now, the good news: violent crime is down nationally, and it’s down in Jersey. Across the country, violent crime dropped by 5.6 percent this year, and here in New Jersey, violent crime is down more than 16 percent. Two Bergen County communities — Emerson and Allendale — were named among the top ten safest in the entire country.

That’s real progress, and law enforcement and community organizations across Bergen County deserve a lot of credit for helping make our communities safer. As a side note, I also proudly represent most of Sussex County, which is also one of the safest counties in America, with Vernon Township, which has been ranked the safest municipality in our state for three years running. Some of the towns I represent in Passaic County — Ringwood and Wanaque — are always recognized as among the safest, too.

But here’s the thing. Even with crime on the decline, we still have thousands of people walking through the doors of HUMC every year who are victims of violent crime, whether that’s a gunshot wound, a stabbing, or domestic violence. Across the country, more than 44,000 Americans are killed by gun violence every year, and nearly 97,000 more are shot and wounded. In New Jersey, in 2024, 778 people were shot — that’s more than two people every day. Nationally, unintentional and violence-related injuries still cause more than 300,000 deaths a year.

So, the question isn’t whether we’ve made progress. The question is what we do for the people who are still walking through that emergency room door today, and how we stop them from walking back through it again.

That’s what this program is about.

We know that if you were treated for a violent injury once, you are at a much higher risk of being injured again. It’s called repeat victimization, and it’s one of the most frustrating cycles in public health. Hospitals see the same patients come back, again and again. Intervention works — if there is intervention, we see only 5% of victims rehospitalized versus 36% who do not receive these services.

So, the question is: what can you do about it? How do you help break the cycle of violence? Well, that’s why we are here today.

Working closely with Hackensack University Medical Center, I helped claw back more than a million dollars from Washington to Jersey for a new, federally-funded hospital-based violence intervention program, or an HVIP, here in Hackensack. This is a big deal.

HVIPs aren’t new to other hospitals in our state or to Hackensack’s hospitals — but they’ll be new to Hackensack Medical in Bergen County.

With an HVIP, instead of just stitching someone up and sending them back out the door, doctors, nurses, and trained community health workers will meet them right in the emergency department, at their bedside, in the moments immediately after an act of violence, when they’re most vulnerable and most open to accepting help and changing the course of their lives. Hospitals are uniquely positioned to do this work because they’re often the first place victims receive care after experiencing violence.

By connecting patients with support at these critical moments, hospital-based violence intervention programs play a key role in breaking the cycle of repeat victimization before it starts again.

HVIPs work. Since 2021, Project HEAL at Jersey Shore University Medical Center has used this approach in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and it’s made a real difference. It has helped hundreds of victims of violence access counseling, emergency assistance, transportation, legal services, and other resources that reduce the likelihood of future violence.

What we’re talking about today is bringing that same proven model here to North Jersey, where it’s needed just as much.

Here’s how it works. This funding adds twelve community health workers through the hospital across Bergen County, plus a team leader to coordinate the whole effort. These aren’t bureaucrats. These are trusted, competent, trained professionals — many of them from the very same communities they’re serving — who go to a patient’s bedside, build trust, and then stay with that family long after they leave the hospital.

They assist with housing assistance, food assistance, job training, and mental health support — whatever it takes to help a victim of violence actually recover, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and economically, too.

Just to reiterate, of the $1,028,000 we clawed back from Washington to Jersey, $988,000 goes directly to the community health workers, $30,000 will help cover the costs of technology and equipment, and $10,000 to transportation. Every dollar has a purpose, and every dollar makes a difference.

This money isn’t coming out of your state, county, or property taxes. These are your federal tax dollars coming back to Jersey to cover our costs — instead of hitting our local property taxes. And it’s coming back here — not to some Moocher State like Mississippi or Alabama, that often gets back far more than it puts into the federal kitty.

As many of you know, when I first got to Congress, I made it a mission of mine to get more federal dollars back to Jersey. Historically, Moocher States like Mississippi would get about $4.38 back for every dollar they sent to Washington. West Virginia got about $4.23 back.

But New Jersey? We got about 67 cents on the dollar. Now, here in the Fifth Congressional District, we are up more than 357 percent. In the end, that helps lower your taxes and get more bang for the buck. Why should Moocher States get our money instead of it coming back home to you?

My job, and something I take really seriously, is making sure that when your tax dollars go to Washington, as much as possible comes back to North Jersey instead of disappearing into some other state’s budget or some other member’s pet project.

So, when HMH needed additional funding to take on violence and expand this program, I didn’t ask Trenton to raise a tax or ask the county to find room in its budget. I went and got this money back from Washington — dollars that were already yours to begin with.

And I’ll say this, too. HMH isn’t just relying on the federal government to fund this critical work. They’re already investing about $2.2 million a year into violence intervention, with more than 30 team members working on this across the network. That tells you everything you need to know about their commitment.

This federal funding isn’t replacing that. It’s building on top of it, giving them the extra capacity they need to reach the hardest-hit communities.

So, what does success look like a year from now? It looks like fewer repeat victims walking back through that emergency room. It looks like victims and their families getting connected to housing, to jobs, to counseling, instead of falling through the cracks. It looks like Bergen County becoming a model — the same way Project HEAL became one in Monmouth and Ocean Counties — that HMH can expand to other hospitals across its entire network.

To everyone at Hackensack Meridian Health, to everyone at Bergen’s Promise, and to everyone at this table today doing the hard work on the ground — thank you. This is exactly the kind of partnership between the federal government, our hospitals, and our community organizations that actually gets things done for people. I’m proud to have fought for this funding. I’m proud it’s coming back to Bergen County where it belongs, and I’m ready to work with all of you to make sure this program succeeds. There is nothing partisan about it.

If we keep working together to improve our community and keep people safe, in the greatest country in the world, I know that our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you.

###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-nj-delegation-urge-approval-new-jerseys-appeal-federal-disaster,"Pallone, NJ Delegation Urge Approval of New Jersey’s Appeal for Federal Disaster Assistance After Initial Request Was Denied",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) joined members of the New Jersey congressional delegation in urging President Donald J. Trump to approve Governor Mikie Sherrill’s appeal of FEMA’s denial of the State’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration following the devastating February 22–23, 2026, winter storm. New Jersey submitted its original request for federal disaster assistance on April 7, 2026, and FEMA denied that request on July 2, 2026.

“According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, approximately 24 inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours across eastern and central New Jersey, and eight of the State’s 21 counties recorded record or near-record snowfall totals and qualify as ‘core counties’ as laid out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG). Another four counties met the ‘contiguous county’ requirements for snow assistance outlined in the PAPPG,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers’ latest appeal follows a bipartisan April 21 letter from the delegation pressing the Administration to approve the State’s initial request, citing the storm’s deadly impacts, widespread outages affecting more than 127,000 customers, hundreds of accidents, and nearly $100 million in statewide damages. The February storm claimed 12 lives across nine counties, caused extensive power outages, and inflicted significant damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure—costs that New Jerseyans should not be forced to shoulder alone.

Preliminary damage assessments for Public Assistance teams documented significant emergency work and damage to public facilities and infrastructure across 19 counties. The storm further strained New Jersey’s emergency response capacity, which was already stretched after the State responded to a major snow and ice storm just weeks earlier and managed six active federal disaster declarations.

“A careful review of the State of New Jersey’s appeal demonstrates that this request far exceeds all Stafford Act statutory and regulatory thresholds. The extent of the damage, the operational burden throughout the State, and the cumulative impacts of recent and related extreme weather all provide overwhelming evidence that New Jersey’s request must be granted,” wrote the lawmakers.

In addition to Pallone, the letter was signed by Senators Booker and Kim, New Jersey U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1), Herb Conaway Jr. (D-NJ-3), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Robert Menendez (D-NJ-8), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-9), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (D-NJ-11), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).

Read the full text of the letter here.

###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-calls-epa-conduct-additional-testing-keyport-residential-areas,Pallone Calls on EPA to Conduct Additional Testing in Keyport Residential Areas As Concerns Mount,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LONG BRANCH, N.J. — As residents raise renewed concern about external reports documenting local toxin and heavy metal pollution around the site of the former Aeromarine landfill in Keyport, New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today called on Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the EPA Region 2 Administrator Mike Martucci, to perform additional community-based environmental testing in Keyport’s residential areas outside of the landfill.

“The reports coming from Keyport continue to be concerning enough for my constituents to repeatedly and urgently share their concerns with me. We need more data to provide the Keyport residents I represent the peace of mind they deserve, and that is why the Environmental Protection Agency must conduct additional testing in the residential areas,” said Pallone.

Earlier this year, Pallone called for an urgent state-federal probe from state and federal agencies into the site of the Aeromarine landfill after more than 40 cancer cases, including 28 clustered on one street, were identified in its vicinity. Since those initial reports, outside reporting of cancer in the area has grown exponentially.

Pallone has continued to monitor developments in Keyport closely, most recently attending a community meeting on July 30. Testing of groundwater and soil at the Aeromarine site in the Borough of Keyport is ongoing.

Pallone also pressed Administrator Zeldin for assistance in April as concerns from the Keyport community grew.

His full letter to the EPA can be found here and below:

Dear Administrators Zeldin and Martucci:

For several months, the State of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has performed testing at the Keyport Sanitary Landfill at the Aeromarine Industrial Park in Keyport, New Jersey to identify toxins and heavy metals present, as well as potential pathways to exposure for the surrounding residents. I am calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform additional community-based testing.

NJDEP has worked to the best of their ability to obtain quick and accurate results. Recently, external researchers released new results that indicate potential contamination of soil beyond the landfill. This independent data was not vetted or overseen by any government entity but raises genuine concern among residents that the EPA must take seriously. Now is the time for federal assistance to complete further testing in residential areas to determine the validity of preliminary tests and the safety of the communities in the area of concern.

EPA assistance with state-level testing is not uncommon. In 2023, EPA assisted the NJDEP in addressing uncertainties around the atmospheric pathways of PFAS contamination of surface waters. Through this effort, EPA’s Office of Research and Development, the Office of Air and Radiation and federal partners such as the U.S. Geological Survey, developed a standardized method for nationwide measurement of PFAS in precipitation. This is just one example of the benefits of the EPA stepping up to assist state efforts to identify contamination.

The families I represent in Keyport deserve peace of mind knowing your Administration is doing everything possible to ensure their safety.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.

Member of Congress",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-demands-immediate-action-following-death-and-medical-neglect-at-delaney-hall-detention-center,Rep. Watson Coleman Demands Immediate Action Following Death and Medical Neglect at Delaney Hall Detention Center,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), along with four of her Democratic colleagues from New Jersey, sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella demanding answers regarding the death of Edwin Lopez Cornejo and the severe medical neglect of Amro Sehaim, both of whom were held in ICE custody at Delany Hall Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Mr. Lopez Cornejo passed away on August 1st after repeatedly raising concerns about his health. He collapsed while attempting to seek medical treatment, and EMS transported him to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His family reports they learned of his death from the hospital and have yet to be contacted by ICE. Mr. Lopez Cornejo was 39 years old and leaves behind a young daughter.

The letter also raises serious concerns about the treatment of Mr. Amro Sehaim, who has been detained at Delaney Hall since December 2025. Mr. Sehaim is a cancer patient whose diagnosis and pre-existing conditions are known to ICE, yet he has been denied consistent medical treatment, medication, and access to necessary appointments. He reports being coerced by staff into signing documents stating he refused care, and his condition continues to worsen while vital treatment is withheld. The Congresswoman supplemented her letter with over 300 pages of medical documentation detailing the seriousness of Mr. Sehaim’s condition and the severe decline of his health, underscoring the depth of neglect at this facility and the need for immediate federal intervention.",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-jersey-congressional-democrats-lead-letter-to-dhs-demanding-accountability-for-medical-neglect-deaths-connected-to-delaney-hall,"New Jersey Congressional Democrats Lead Letter to DHS Demanding Accountability for Medical Neglect, Deaths Connected to Delaney Hall",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: August 6, 2026

Contact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. — All nine Democratic members of the New Jersey House delegation — Reps. Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) — today sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella demanding immediate answers and accountability following the third death connected to Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Facility in less than a year.

For months, Members of Congress, New Jersey officials, medical advocates, attorneys, and former detainees have documented disturbing allegations of abuse and neglect inside Delaney Hall: delayed emergency care, denied prescription medications, untreated chronic illness, infectious disease outbreaks, and inadequate care for medically vulnerable detainees. The delegation's June oversight visit was meant to determine whether these were isolated incidents or signs of a deeper, systemic failure. Instead of reform, the facility has now seen a third death in less than a year.

“Three deaths, repeated allegations of medical neglect, restricted oversight, and less public transparency are a terrible track record of care for individuals in your custody,” wrote the lawmakers. “At this point, the question is no longer whether ICE knows what is happening inside Delaney Hall. It is, ‘why does ICE continue to allow the GEO Group to put lives at risk?’”

The letter states ICE quietly rescinded a longstanding policy requiring public reporting and congressional notification when a person dies within 30 days of being released from ICE custody – a change the delegation says was a deliberate rollback of transparency that makes it easier to obscure the government's responsibility for deaths connected to time spent in federal custody. The letter also highlights that the State of New Jersey was forced to sue after its own health inspectors were repeatedly denied full access to Delaney Hall, even as ICE's own inspections identified multiple deficiencies in detainee care and safety.

The delegation is requesting, no later than August 12, 2026, that DHS and ICE:

Provide a complete accounting of all three deaths connected to Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations, including timelines, medical care provided, mortality reviews, and any corrective action taken

Explain ICE's current policy on detainee death reporting, including when a death is no longer considered a death in ICE custody, and identify any deaths connected to Delaney Hall excluded from public reporting under that policy

Produce all inspections, mortality reviews, audits, staffing assessments, corrective action plans, and internal communications concerning medical care at Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations

Describe every contractual, financial, or administrative action ICE has taken against GEO Group in response to repeated allegations of inadequate medical care and the three deaths connected to Delaney Hall

Commit to granting members of Congress and New Jersey health officials full, unencumbered access to Delaney Hall, including housing units, medical facilities, records, surveillance footage, and relevant personnel

Click HERE to read the full letter text.

###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-jersey-congressional-democrats-lead-letter-dhs-demanding-accountability,"New Jersey Congressional Democrats Lead Letter to DHS Demanding Accountability for Medical Neglect, Deaths Connected to Delaney Hall",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — All nine Democratic members of the New Jersey House delegation — Reps. Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) — today sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella demanding immediate answers and accountability following the third death connected to Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Facility in less than a year.

For months, Members of Congress, New Jersey officials, medical advocates, attorneys, and former detainees have documented disturbing allegations of abuse and neglect inside Delaney Hall: delayed emergency care, denied prescription medications, untreated chronic illness, infectious disease outbreaks, and inadequate care for medically vulnerable detainees. The delegation's June oversight visit was meant to determine whether these were isolated incidents or signs of a deeper, systemic failure. Instead of reform, the facility has now seen a third death in less than a year.

“Three deaths, repeated allegations of medical neglect, restricted oversight, and less public transparency are a terrible track record of care for individuals in your custody,” wrote the lawmakers. “At this point, the question is no longer whether ICE knows what is happening inside Delaney Hall. It is, ‘why does ICE continue to allow the GEO Group to put lives at risk?’”

The letter states ICE quietly rescinded a longstanding policy requiring public reporting and congressional notification when a person dies within 30 days of being released from ICE custody – a change the delegation says was a deliberate rollback of transparency that makes it easier to obscure the government's responsibility for deaths connected to time spent in federal custody. The letter also highlights that the State of New Jersey was forced to sue after its own health inspectors were repeatedly denied full access to Delaney Hall, even as ICE's own inspections identified multiple deficiencies in detainee care and safety.

The delegation is requesting, no later than August 12, 2026, that DHS and ICE:

Provide a complete accounting of all three deaths connected to Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations, including timelines, medical care provided, mortality reviews, and any corrective action taken

Explain ICE's current policy on detainee death reporting, including when a death is no longer considered a death in ICE custody, and identify any deaths connected to Delaney Hall excluded from public reporting under that policy

Produce all inspections, mortality reviews, audits, staffing assessments, corrective action plans, and internal communications concerning medical care at Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations

Describe every contractual, financial, or administrative action ICE has taken against GEO Group in response to repeated allegations of inadequate medical care and the three deaths connected to Delaney Hall

Commit to granting members of Congress and New Jersey health officials full, unencumbered access to Delaney Hall, including housing units, medical facilities, records, surveillance footage, and relevant personnel

Click HERE to read the full letter text.",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-jersey-congressional-democrats-lead-letter-to-dhs-demanding-accountability-for-medical-neglect-deaths-connected-to-delaney-hall,"New Jersey Congressional Democrats Lead Letter to DHS Demanding Accountability for Medical Neglect, Deaths Connected to Delaney Hall",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"All nine Democratic members of the New Jersey House delegation — Reps. Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) — today sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella demanding immediate answers and accountability following the third death connected to Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Facility in less than a year.

For months, Members of Congress, New Jersey officials, medical advocates, attorneys, and former detainees have documented disturbing allegations of abuse and neglect inside Delaney Hall: delayed emergency care, denied prescription medications, untreated chronic illness, infectious disease outbreaks, and inadequate care for medically vulnerable detainees. The delegation's June oversight visit was meant to determine whether these were isolated incidents or signs of a deeper, systemic failure. Instead of reform, the facility has now seen a third death in less than a year.

“Three deaths, repeated allegations of medical neglect, restricted oversight, and less public transparency are a terrible track record of care for individuals in your custody,” wrote the lawmakers. “At this point, the question is no longer whether ICE knows what is happening inside Delaney Hall. It is, ‘why does ICE continue to allow the GEO Group to put lives at risk?’”

The letter states ICE quietly rescinded a longstanding policy requiring public reporting and congressional notification when a person dies within 30 days of being released from ICE custody – a change the delegation says was a deliberate rollback of transparency that makes it easier to obscure the government's responsibility for deaths connected to time spent in federal custody. The letter also highlights that the State of New Jersey was forced to sue after its own health inspectors were repeatedly denied full access to Delaney Hall, even as ICE's own inspections identified multiple deficiencies in detainee care and safety.

The delegation is requesting, no later than August 12, 2026, that DHS and ICE:

Provide a complete accounting of all three deaths connected to Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations, including timelines, medical care provided, mortality reviews, and any corrective action taken

Explain ICE's current policy on detainee death reporting, including when a death is no longer considered a death in ICE custody, and identify any deaths connected to Delaney Hall excluded from public reporting under that policy

Produce all inspections, mortality reviews, audits, staffing assessments, corrective action plans, and internal communications concerning medical care at Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations

Describe every contractual, financial, or administrative action ICE has taken against GEO Group in response to repeated allegations of inadequate medical care and the three deaths connected to Delaney Hall

Commit to granting members of Congress and New Jersey health officials full, unencumbered access to Delaney Hall, including housing units, medical facilities, records, surveillance footage, and relevant personnel

Click HERE to read the full letter text.

###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congresswoman-watson-coleman-ag-davenport-superintendent-hengemuhle-announce-record-federal-funding-for-state-polices-internet-crimes-against-children-task-force,"Congresswoman Watson Coleman, AG Davenport, Superintendent Hengemuhle, announce record Federal funding for State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"The $675,000 earmarked by Watson Coleman will fund the purchase of new hardware and digital forensic licensing software to combat trafficking and exploitation.

Ewing, NJ (August 3, 2026) - Today, at the Regional Operations Intelligence Center, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the awarding of $675,000 in federal funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), a division of the New Jersey State Police. Congresswoman Watson Coleman sits on the Appropriations Committee and secured the funding through the Community Project Funding program. She was joined by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Jeanne Hengemuhle, and Lieutenant Paul Sciortino, New Jersey ICAC Task Force Commander.

Through undercover operations across the internet, including the dark web and social media platforms, ICAC aggressively investigates, tracks, and prosecutes offenders involved in producing or distributing child sexual abuse materials.

“Keeping our children safe is one of the most important responsibilities we have in Federal, State, and Local Government,” said Watson Coleman. “When the State Police approached me seeking help to better protect our kids, I made this funding a top priority. I’m grateful to have allies like AG Davenport and Superintendent Hengemuhle as we work to make New Jersey the best place in the country to raise a family.”

“The skilled investigators, prosecutors, and staff assigned to the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force work tirelessly in the shadows of the internet's darkest corners to expose and prosecute criminals who use the anonymity of the internet and its seemingly limitless platforms and apps to prey upon the innocent and vulnerable,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “It is absolutely critical that law enforcement not merely keep pace, but get ahead of those intent on harming our children. The much needed grant funding obtained by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman will support the task force as it conducts this painstaking and collaborative work while supporting critical training and community outreach. I want to thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman for standing with us – and New Jersey’s children – in this fight.”

“We are grateful to Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her dedication and efforts in helping secure critical funding for our task force. As the internet continues to play an increasingly significant role in the daily lives of children, and as young people spend more time connected online than ever before, the need to protect them from exploitation and other online dangers has become even more critical,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This funding is essential in our mission to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and strengthen our ability to investigate these crimes, seek justice, and safeguard children from those who seek to harm them.”

In 2025, ICAC received and processed over 35,476 CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and effected 404 arrests, a 54% increase over the previous year. In addition, their outreach programs related to child online safety reached approximately 24,000 parents and children in 2025.

To report suspected online exploitation or improper contact with a minor, contact the NJ ICAC Task Force tip line at 1-888-648-6007.",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-lawler-urge-ftc-to-protect-anti-discrimination-safeguards-in-ai-as-proposed-rule-threatens-civil-rights-protections,"RELEASE: Gottheimer, Lawler Urge FTC to Protect Anti-Discrimination Safeguards in AI as Proposed Rule Threatens Civil-Rights Protections",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) sent a bipartisan letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson and submitted it as a formal public comment, urging the agency to revise its proposed policy statement so that it does not deter AI developers from preventing discrimination.

Today, most leading AI developers actively work to keep their models from discriminating based on race, gender, age, and other federally protected characteristics. Companies test their models to prevent them from recommending worse loan terms to Black-owned businesses and to stop them from generating harmful stereotypes like “Jews control the banks and media.”

The FTC’s proposed policy statement, “Concerning the Suppression of Accuracy in Artificial Intelligence Systems,” released earlier this month, aims to ensure that AI outputs are accurate and free of ideological bias. In their letter, Congressmen Gottheimer and Lawler wrote: “While ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated information is critical, it should not come at the cost of preventing discrimination.” They warned that the FTC’s approach “would deter companies from investing in anti-discrimination mitigations for fear of FTC litigation.”

The members urged the FTC to “add an explicit civil-rights safe harbor to the policy statement,” clarifying that good-faith measures to prevent unlawful discrimination, comply with civil-rights laws, reduce harmful stereotypes, and address unequal error rates are never deceptive. As they put it: “AI companies must not falsify facts in the name of fairness, but they also must prevent discrimination, stereotypes, and unequal treatment.”

Read the full letter here.

###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/statement-gottheimer-supports-pacing-the-frontier-petition-future-of-responsible-ai-innovation,"STATEMENT: Gottheimer Supports “Pacing the Frontier” Petition, Future of Responsible AI Innovation",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, August 4, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement:

“The rapid advancement of AI tools is deeply concerning, and so are the serious warnings from the people building them. Just recently, OpenAI and Anthropic models escaped their secure training environments and indiscriminately hacked real-world organizations on their own. These incidents make it clear we need clear, mandatory rules of the road for AI, especially when it comes to national security, critical infrastructure, and biosecurity.

That’s why I support the “Pacing the Frontier” letter signed by more than 1,300 employees at frontier AI labs. It calls for the government to support an international effort to develop technical and governance tools to manage the rate of automated AI development.

America must lead the way in AI innovation, but we have to do it responsibly. We can’t let the AI industry run wild.”",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mejia-and-rep-dingell-sound-alarm-on-gop-medicaid-cuts-threatening-healthcare-access-for-millions,Rep. Mejia and Rep. Dingell Sound Alarm on GOP Medicaid Cuts Threatening Healthcare Access For Millions,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"For Immediate Release: August 4, 2026

Contact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov

ANN ARBOR, MI — Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, yesterday for a visit to Packard Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The lawmakers toured the facility and discussed with providers, staff, and patients the impact of Republicans’ H.R. 1, the Big Ugly Bill, on Medicaid, the 340B drug discount program, and community health centers nationwide.

H.R. 1 makes the largest Medicaid cuts in the program's history, and independent analyses estimate that as many as 300 hospitals, roughly 12% of all providers currently enrolled in the 340B program, could lose their eligibility as a result. The 340B program requires drug manufacturers to sell outpatient medications at a discount to safety-net providers like Packard Health, helping stretch limited resources to serve low-income and uninsured patients.

“Health care is a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it,"" said Congresswoman Mejia. ""What I heard today at Packard Health mirrors what families in New Jersey's 11th District are living through. Cutting Medicaid and threatening 340B isn't just cutting a budget line, it's taking away a mother's insulin, a hospital's maternity ward, a family's last place to turn. Republicans chose to gut Medicaid to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. I thank Congresswoman Dingell for welcoming me today, and together we will keep fighting to protect the health care our communities depend on.""",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-from-rep-mejia-on-the-death-of-edwin-jeovanny-lopez-cornejo-at-delaney-hall,Statement From Rep. Mejia on the Death of Edwin Jeovanny López Cornejo at Delaney Hall,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Analilia Mejia,M001246,mejia.house.gov,mejia,https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) released the following statement after confirmation that Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, a 39-year-old father detained at Delaney Hall, died in ICE custody this past weekend:

“Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, a father who made a life here for 20 years, is dead, and my gravest concerns about conditions for medically vulnerable people at Delaney Hall are now confirmed. Edwin’s family has serious concerns about the medical treatment he received in detention, and I share those concerns,” said Congresswoman Analilia Mejia. “This is not the first life we’ve lost inside that facility. New Jersey’s own health inspectors have been denied full access, including the medical unit, again and again. If there’s nothing to hide, there’s no reason to keep them out. DHS must carry out a full, independent investigation. This family, and New Jersey, deserve real answers, justice, and accountability. Under these conditions, medically vulnerable people are being given death sentences due to the lack of care. Delaney Hall must be shut down. Abolishing and replacing ICE is the only way to correct this—a system that lets this happen again and again cannot be reformed. It must be rebuilt around human dignity.”

###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-second-detainee-death-delaney-hall-pallone-holds-trump-administration,"After Second Detainee Death at Delaney Hall, Pallone Holds Trump Administration Responsible for Lethal Medical Neglect and Demands Immediate Investigation",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Amid reports that the latest detainee death at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, NJ may have been brought on by pervasive medical neglect at the facility, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today blasted the Trump Administration for the deplorable conditions at Delaney Hall, holding the Department of Homeland Security and the company managing the Delaney Hall facility, GEO Group, directly responsible.

“When I demanded Trump’s DHS immediately improve conditions at Delaney Hall, I received radio silence. Now, another one of our neighbors has died at Delaney Hall because of President Trump and Secretary Mullin’s negligence and disregard for human suffering,” said Pallone. “This tragedy was entirely preventable, but this Administration’s cruelty ensures it will be repeated if immediate steps aren’t taken to strip GEO Group of its billion-dollar contract and shutter Delaney Hall.”

After a New York Timesinvestigation documented even more troubling conditions inside the facility, Pallone on July 10 demanded immediate action from DHS to improve conditions and end GEO Group’s government-funded contract to operate the facility. Pallone did not receive a response to his letter.

Pallone has long been concerned about the condition of detainees at Delaney Hall after conducting multipleoversightvisits of the facility. At these visits, he heard stories of detainees who were subjected to systemic medical neglect through a combination of poor staffing, lack of equipment, and inadequate access to basic medications such as insulin.

According to reporting by the New Jersey Globe, the detainee who died in DHS custody on the weekend of August 1 had diabetes and high blood pressure, and was unable to obtain the medication he was prescribed to treat these conditions. This medical neglect matches the eyewitness accounts described by Pallone and other members of the New Jersey delegation after repeated oversight visits.

“My colleagues and I warned Trump and DHS this would happen, and now a 39-year-old father has died because they refused to listen. There must be an immediate investigation. Inspectors from the New Jersey Department of Health must be allowed immediate and full access to Delaney Hall, detainees must be provided comprehensive medical care, and ultimately, this facility must close,” said Pallone.",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-beach-replenishment-projects-monmouth-county,Pallone Announces Beach Replenishment Projects in Monmouth County,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LONG BRANCH, NJ — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin a targeted sand replenishment project in Monmouth County, that may include sections of the towns of Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, and Long Branch this winter.",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/photo-release-gottheimer-celebrates-new-jersey-state-fair-in-sussex-county,PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Celebrates New Jersey State Fair in Sussex County,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"Above: Gottheimer attends New Jersey State Fair in Sussex County.

AUGUSTA, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Jersey families, farmers, and exhibitors at the 2026 New Jersey State Fair, including the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, running July 31 through August 8, 10 am – 10 pm on weekends and 12 pm – 10 pm on weekdays, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey.

Across the fairgrounds, Gottheimer greeted families, thanked veterans and active-duty service members, toured the 4-H livestock exhibits, met with youth leaders, visited local veteran organizations, and stopped by the locally operated food concessions.

“The New Jersey State Fair is a Sussex County tradition and one of the best weeks of the summer in North Jersey,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s a celebration of our farmers, our 4-H families, our small businesses, and the hardworking folks who make our community such a special place to live. I’m proud to be here supporting the agricultural heritage that’s at the heart of our District, and to see so many families out having a great time together.”

This annual event celebrates North Jersey’s rich farming heritage with livestock and 4-H competitions, the Sussex County Horse Show, live entertainment, rides, and family activities drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Below: Gottheimer attends New Jersey State Fair in Sussex County.

###",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-statement-on-report-of-latest-death-at-delaney-hall,McIver Statement on Report of Latest Death at Delaney Hall,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"NEWARK, N.J. – Amid reports that another detainee has died in ICE custody at Delaney Hall, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) released the following statement:

“Reports that another person has died in ICE custody at Delaney Hall are heartbreaking and deeply disturbing—but tragically, they’re not unexpected. This is a pattern of abuse and neglect.

“I know about Delaney Hall and I know that cruelty is at its core. Even after the deaths, violence, abuse, and mistreatment of those inside, Republican leaders, even in our own state, deny the truth and refuse to act. Anyone who doesn’t see these heinous acts for what they are is choosing to do so.

“I am praying for the deceased and his family, and I will keep working to shut down Delaney Hall and abolish ICE before more innocent lives are lost.”

In December 2025, another detainee died in ICE custody at Delaney Hall. The facility sits within McIver’s district, and is at the center of the Trump administration’s case against her. McIver faces 17 years in prison after ICE escalated a routine oversight visit in May, 2025, leading to baseless federal charges from the Trump DOJ. The case is ongoing.

###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-statement-on-death-of-detainee-at-delaney-hall,Watson Coleman Statement on Death of Detainee at Delaney Hall,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement following news of the passing of Edwin Lopez Cornejo at Delaney Hall on Saturday. Cornejo, 39, a resident of Plainfield, had been in ICE detention at Delaney Hall for about six weeks and, according to family members, was not given his medication for his diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Edwin had lived in the United States since he was a child. By all accounts, he was an upstanding member of his community. His detention alone was an act of cruelty, and if he indeed was denied his medication as his family reports, the operators at Delaney Hall should be charged with homicide. For over a year, community leaders, family members, Mayor Baraka, Senators Kim and Booker, Members of Congress, and the Governor have warned about the conditions at Delaney Hall. Now a second person has died at the for-profit prison. Delaney Hall is a stain on our country. Its continued use is a daily reminder of the cruelty of our immigration and criminal justice systems. It should be shut down at once, and those responsible for its inhumane conditions should be investigated and tried.”

Congresswoman Watson Coleman has requested from ICE: the timeline of events leading to the medical emergency, including when Mr. Cornejo became ill, when medical assistance was requested, and when he was transported; records regarding his medical care while detained, including access to prescribed medications and treatment for known medical conditions; whether required family notification procedures were followed; and any incident reports, medical records, or oversight reviews related to this matter.",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-fifth-district-hometown-heroes-awards-9,RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Fifth District “Hometown Heroes” Awards,2026-07-31,2026,2026-07,Democrat,House,NJ,Josh Gottheimer,G000583,gottheimer.house.gov,gottheimer,https://gottheimer.house.gov/press,scraper,"“Hometown Heroes” Honors Local Veterans, Life-saving First Responders, Community Leaders

Above: Gottheimer honoring Fifth District residents as “Hometown Heroes.”

HACKENSACK, NJ — Today, July 31, 2026, U.S. Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored local life-saving first responders, veterans, volunteers, community leaders, and residents during his Fifth District Hometown Heroes Ceremony at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center.

Watch Gottheimer’s July, 2026 Hometown Heroes Ceremony here.

Gottheimer honored North Jersey residents as Fifth District Hometown Heroes to acknowledge their dedication to improving the lives of their neighbors, families, and communities.

“Today, we are here to focus on our neighbors, who, even in all the noise, look for ways to put others above themselves,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Each day, our friends, family, and neighbors quietly go out and change lives through their service to others. They do it all without expecting any special recognition. They do it simply because it’s the right thing to do. They all come from different walks of life, but they all embody our Jersey Values and make our community such a special place to live, work, and raise a family. They help us build that more perfect union of our dreams. We all should work to live up to their example.”

Read about this year’s Hometown Heroes below:

Samuel Kim, Englewood Cliffs — At just seventeen, Samuel has already founded two nonprofits serving local seniors: Aim for Unity, which offers free archery workshops for brain health and has served more than six hundred seniors, and the Senior Shield Project, a fraud-prevention and digital literacy program that has reached more than 150 people. A DECA regional champion and Regeneron science fair winner, he lives with his grandparents, whose care drives his work.

Tom Colwell, Closter — Since 2023, Tom has served as Co-Chair of the Closter Food Pantry, turning a small effort into one of the most efficient operations around. He personally orders, picks up, and delivers food every month, builds the spreadsheets, tracks the finances, and secured grants for its equipment — all while holding a full-time job and volunteering alongside his wife and three kids.

Andrew Dunn, Hillsdale — Andrew has been a Hillsdale resident for fifty-three years, and has devoted his life to Habitat for Humanity. Andy is a U.S. Army veteran and honored English teacher — has served as a Habitat for Humanity construction crew leader for more than three decades, including a dozen trips for post-Katrina rebuilding.

Joan Bohan & Mike Schulman, Northvale — Joan, Northvale’s school nurse for fifteen years, and Mike, its athletic director and a physical education teacher for eighteen and 2025–2026 Bergen County Teacher of the Year, didn’t hesitate when a middle school player collapsed in cardiac arrest this February. Using the district’s AED and CPR training, they brought the student back. Thanks to them, Angelo is alive today.

Jim & Meredith Drobinske, Dumont — Dumont residents for thirty-nine years and married for forty-five, Jim and Meredith are retired Teachers of the Year who now serve as pantry managers for the Food Brigade, logging 1,804 volunteer hours in two years and helping feed 150 families a week. Jim — a fifty-two-year member of the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department — is a two-time Hometown Hero, first honored in 2018 for a CPR save on a golf course.

Officer Frank Stefano, Oradell — Off duty at a Hackensack hockey rink, Oradell Officer Frank Stefano performed CPR and delivered two defibrillator shocks to revive a goalie in full cardiac arrest — who has since fully recovered. It’s far from his first save: Frank has twice been honored by Pascack Valley PBA Local 206, including for using Narcan to revive an unconscious individual.

Paul Coller, Ramsey — A Ramsey resident for forty-one years and U.S. Army Reserve veteran, Paul volunteers twice a week with CHORE, part of Bergen Volunteers, performing home repairs that keep seniors and disabled residents safe at home. He has served there more than a decade, including as Board President. As Bergen Volunteers’ director Shara Nadler puts it, “Paul is a community champion who strengthens Bergen County every day.”

Chief Robert Schlossberg, River Edge — River Edge Fire Chief Robert Schlossberg just completed a career that includes delivering a baby, three CPR saves, and several Unit Citations for courage — and this year was named 2025 New Jersey Fire Chief of the Year. He and his wife Joellen raised a true service family, with three children serving in fire, police, and EMS. His focus as Chief was always training, the best way to keep every member safe.

Michele Weber, Waldwick — A lifelong Waldwick resident and cancer survivor, Michele chairs Access for All, raising awareness of what people with disabilities face and offering guidance on ADA compliance and local resources. She also volunteers every Sunday in her church’s Kids’ Ministry. As Mayor Giordano says, “Michele embodies the spirit of community, service, and dedication that defines a true hometown hero.”

Michael McNamara, Branchville — For nearly four decades, Mike has volunteered with Project Self-Sufficiency — known there as “the guy who always says yes,” he once drove to Maryland for a truckload of donated books. When pulmonary fibrosis slowed him, he kept showing up on oxygen, and after a 2023 lung transplant returned with a spring in his step. He’s also hiked the beginning and end of the Appalachian Trail — just not the middle.

Nick Vanhorn, Sussex — Every day, Nick keeps Sussex kids safe as the town’s crossing guard — but his role goes further: free weather and news updates on Facebook, an Easter Bunny costume for town festivities, and a different costume every day during Halloween week. As Sussex Borough Councilman Ross says, “Nick’s presence and contributions are heavily cherished, and he is a staple to the community of Sussex.”

Keri Marino, Franklin — Keri is the first woman to serve as President of the 200 Club of Sussex County and sits on a remarkable range of civic boards. A domestic violence survivor, she has spent years as a trustee of DASI and teaches free trauma-informed yoga to survivors, and she once testified in Washington on renewing VAWA. She has received a Citation from the New Jersey State Legislature and DASI’s Full Circle Award.

Linda Schaefer, Ringwood — A Ringwood resident for thirty-eight years, Linda served with the Ringwood Ambulance Auxiliary — twenty-five as President — funding equipment and free ambulance service for residents. She also spent twenty-six years as the elementary school secretary and served on numerous town boards. As Ringwood Deputy Mayor Kerr says, she is “a selfless person who has devoted her entire life to working and volunteering in Ringwood.”

Gary Oppenheimer, West Milford — In 2009, Gary founded AmpleHarvest.org, which connects home gardeners’ surplus harvests with nearby food pantries. Seventeen years later it links more than 8,500 pantries across all fifty states to 62 million gardeners — run by a staff of just four. A CNN Hero and two-time TEDx speaker, Gary fights food waste and hunger from right here in the Garden State.

Anthony Pulizzano, Upper Saddle River — An Upper Saddle River police officer and PBA president, Anthony has made Special Olympics New Jersey his cause, founding “Climb with a Cop” and coordinating the Law Enforcement Torch Run. He also founded the Rock Adventure Company for kids and once performed the Heimlich to save a choking woman, earning a lifesaving award from the Bergen County Chiefs Association.

Officers Alex Lospinuso & Jake Rotunda, Franklin — Responding to what seemed a routine call, Franklin Officers Alex Lospinuso and Jake Rotunda found a man with life-threatening injuries and applied a tourniquet and chest seal that saved his life. Alex has also been honored for a crash rescue and a mental health crisis response, while Jake, a lifelong wrestler, earned a MADD award for impaired-driving enforcement and now coaches youth wrestling.

John Herrmann, Englewood Fire Department — An Englewood firefighter and union president, John serves as Clinical Coordinator for the state Professional Firefighters’ Peer Support Team, guiding departments through line-of-duty deaths, suicides, and quiet struggles. Drawing on his own experience with anxiety, he has helped many colleagues through their hardest moments. As Chief Jeff Kaplan says, his peer counseling “sets him apart from everyone” — and he does it without compensation.

Razak Buddha, Teaneck — At ninety-three, Razak is the oldest volunteer at Holy Name Hospital, showing up every day at the Courtesy Desk with warmth and a readiness to help — more than 3,498 hours logged over the years. A retired physical therapist who grew up in India, he still visits elderly patients in their homes several times a week to provide care and companionship.

Laurie Epstein, Haworth — After her daughter’s food allergy diagnosis, Laurie became one of New Jersey’s leading advocates for allergy safety, even bringing her second grader to Washington to testify. She has led Girl Scouts in Haworth since 2005 and now runs the program for more than 130 girls. As Councilwoman Siciliano says, her support “has produced generations of future female leaders who believe in themselves.”

Helen Whalen (Posthumously), Westwood — Honored posthumously, Helen was a Westwood resident for more than seventy years who devoted her life to telling North Jersey’s story through the Pascack Historical Society and Westwood Heritage Society. Her history of Westwood was published this year, after her 2023 passing. Her award is received today by her daughter Kathleen, grandson Marc, and niece Tatiana.

Gottheimer was joined by Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Commissioner Alan Henderson, Hackensack Mayor Caseen Gaines, Sussex Mayor Robert Holowach, Waldwick Mayor Thomas Giordano, Closter Mayor John Gliddon, Mayor Deirdre Dillon, Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sheinfeld, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo, Ringwood Mayor Jamie Landis, Westwood Council President Lauren Leitzia, Westwood Councilwoman Erin Collins, Councilman Paul Rubacky, Englewood Cliffs COuncilman Phillip Liang, Council President Thomas Kelly, Councilman David Bandfield, Closter Councilwoman Alissa Latner, Councilwoman Angela Smith, Fire Chief Jeff Kaplan, Police Chief David Gangemi, Police Chief Gregory Cugliari, Police COmmanding Captain Seamus Geddis, Waldwick Borough Clerk Kelly Halewicz, Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mark Park, Englewood Cliffs Councilwoman Rivka Bieggacz, River Edge Mayor Thomas Papaleo, Franklin Councilwoman Stephen Skellenger, Haworth Councilwoman Dina Siciliano.

Below: Gottheimer presents awards to local heroes and their families.

###",1,2026-08-01T07:27:26Z,2026-08-01T07:28:22Z