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://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-norcross-renews-demands-preserve-historic-south-jersey,Congressman Norcross Renews Demands to Preserve Historic South Jersey Landmark,2016-12-30,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bellmawr, NJ-Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today demanded the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) immediately re-examine efforts to preserve an historically significant home in Bellmawr Borough. “The State of New Jersey has determined beyond doubt the historical significance of the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House. These new findings affirm the need to take urgent and meaningful action to save and preserve this great landmark,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). In a letter to the Camden County Historical Society dated December 27, 2016, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office confirms the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House meets criteria for listing in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office cites convincing evidence confirming the House’s connection to William Harrison, Jr., a militia captain who played an historically significant role during critical years of the Revolutionary War. The letter also reaffirms previous findings about the House’s historic architectural significance. “Quite frankly, this confirms what we’ve believed all along. These findings illustrate the critical historic value of this property and validates our efforts to save this significant piece of South Jersey & American history,” added Congressman Norcross. The House, located along West Browning Road adjacent to New Saint Mary Cemetery in Bellmawr, is threatened by a critical highway infrastructure project known as Direct Connection, designed to reconfigure the Route 42-Interstate 76-Interstate 295 interchange. Congressman Norcross stands in strong support for the ongoing infrastructure project, while calling for a solution to save the historic home. “We literally have thousands of people, near and far to South Jersey, who have invested time and effort to save this historic house. We are demanding that measurable action is taken now to ensure it stands as a symbol of our past for future generations,” said Chris Perks, president of the Camden County Historical Society. Based on these new findings, the Camden County Historical Society is requesting NJDOT amend its application on the Direct Connection project to the FHWA, which would create funding opportunities to preserve the House. “The Captain William Harrison House is a very important structure to the residents of Camden County.  It is the oldest structure in Bellmawr, the Borough’s only visible connection to the American Revolution, and the only home of a Revolutionary War officer known to survive in Camden County,” said historian Garry Wheeler Stone, who has studied the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House extensively. Congressman Norcross previously advocated on behalf the Hugg-Harrison-Glover House by appealing to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to explore all options to save and preserve the House. ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/video-menendez-russian-hacking-should-cause-great-concern-for-every-american,*VIDEO* Menendez: Russian Hacking ‘Should Cause Great Concern for Every American’,2016-12-30,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"*VIDEO* Menendez: Russian Hacking ‘Should Cause Great Concern for Every American’ *VIDEO* Menendez: Russian Hacking ‘Should Cause Great Concern for Every American’ Print Email Tweet Friday, December 30, 2016   NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has been personally sanctioned by Russia, appeared today on MSNBC with Craig Melvin to discuss new White House sanctions against Russia in response to Russian cyberattacks and efforts to tamper with the American election. In reaction to President-Elect Trump’s tweets praising Russia’s president, Sen. Menendez said, ““I think what the President-Elect will find, as we have found in the past, is that Putin only understands strength….When the world doesn’t respond to Putin, he continues to act aggressively.” Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/e-newsletter-21st-century-cures,E-NEWSLETTER: 21st Century Cures,2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Dear Neighbors, As technology advances, it is the responsibility of Congress to update, improve and support medical science and research. That is why I was so proud to work with President Obama, Vice President Biden and members on both sides of the aisle to pass H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act. Through smart investments, it will facilitate the advancement of cutting edge medical research and provide for the more efficient discovery, development and delivery of new treatments. As a leader in medical innovation, New Jersey and institutions such as the Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, stand to benefit from 21st Century Cures investments in medical research. Rep. Pallone at the bill signing of 21st Century Cures last week 21st Century Cures will designate over $6 billion to implement cutting-edge health initiatives. The initiatives include: $1 billion to help fight the opioid epidemic – expanding access to treatment for the over 256,000 New Jersey residents who are suffering from opioid and heroin addiction. $1.5 billion in funding for the BRAIN Initiative that finds new ways to treat, cure, and prevent brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy. $1.8 billion to support Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, which aims to accelerate research efforts and make new therapies available to more patients, while also improving our ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage. $1.5 billion for President Obama's Precision Medicine Initiative, which will help researchers, develop medicines tailored to individuals, rather than one-size-fits-all treatments. $500 million for the FDA to foster innovation and to help improve FDA’s medical product review in order to expedite patient access to important drugs and medical devices. Expanding access to critical mental health services, including adult suicide prevention, community crisis response systems, and increases access to mental health services for children through Medicaid. Rep. Pallone visited Damon House in New Brunswick, which assists those suffering with substance abuse disorder and drug dependence, this week to celebrate the more than $1 billion to combat the opioid epidemic in the 21st Century Cures Act. If you have a moment, please respond to this email or contact my office to share your thoughts on 21st Century Cures and the future of medical research in our country. It is my job to represent you and I want to make sure that your views are taken into account while I’m fighting on your behalf. Sincerely, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-announces-new-jersey%E2%80%99s-selection-certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics,Pallone Announces New Jerseys Selection for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Demonstration Project,2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) announced that New Jersey has been selected for participation in a two-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration program. This demonstration is part of a comprehensive effort to integrate behavioral health with physical health care, increase consistent use of evidence-based practices, and improve access to high quality care for people with mental and substance use disorders.  “Improving the quality and scope of healthcare is critical to ensuring that individuals and families struggling with mental illness or substance use disorders get the tools they need to meet those challenges,” said Pallone.  “I am excited about the prospects of this demonstration project, and I hope it will improve health outcomes across New Jersey.” Pallone has been a longtime advocate for improving the continuum of care for vulnerable populations.  As the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he worked to advance and enact legislation to improve access to mental health treatment and increase resources to fight the opioid epidemic earlier this year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=513,Booker Statement on UN Security Council Resolution Targeting Israel,2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 23, 2016 Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “One-sided resolutions in the UN Security Council that isolate Israel in the international community will not move us closer to a two-state solution and to peace. We need direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people, and I urge the Administration do everything in its power to stop this resolution from moving forward.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/sen-menendez-on-unsc-settlement-resolution-us-abstention-,"Sen. Menendez on UNSC Settlement Resolution, US Abstention",2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Menendez on UNSC Settlement Resolution, US Abstention Sen. Menendez on UNSC Settlement Resolution, US Abstention Print Email Tweet Friday, December 23, 2016  WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the U.N. Security Council voted to approve a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building in a manner that is not conducive to a two-state solution.  “I am deeply disturbed by today's actions at the UN Security Council. The international body once again, instead of focusing on grave humanitarian crises and political instability throughout the world chose to single out Israel and further weaken prospects for peace. This resolution was biased, ignored the role Palestinians play in undermining stability and peace, and serves only to continue to delegitimize Israel on the global stage.  ""I am disappointed but not surprised that the Administration chose to go along with this maneuver, walking away from longstanding principles and practices that advance the goal of peace and stability. The United States must use its influence and posture at the United Nations to promote our values and support our allies. It has long been a bipartisan sensible policy of the United States to support direct bilateral negotiations between the parties to find an agreement. We have long stood beside Israel in the face of these kind of politicized resolutions whose only goal is to undermine confidence in a negotiated peace process.  ""Going forward, I look forward to continuing to work towards strong bipartisan support for a peace deal negotiated directly between the parties.”  ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-announces-sandy-hook-will-not-increase-fees-2017,Pallone Announces Sandy Hook will Not Increase Fees for 2017,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that Sandy Hook will not be raising its camping and parking fees in 2017. In August, Congressman Pallone sent a letter to National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis urging the NPS to withdraw its proposal to increase Sandy Hook’s fees. At Pallone’s request NPS held a public hearing on the fee increases, where New Jersey residents expressed their opposition. “I am pleased that NPS listened to the voices of New Jerseyans and withdrew its proposal to increase fees,” said Pallone. “The proposed increase would have been an additional financial burden to the individuals and families who enjoy visiting Sandy Hook, and could potentially damage the local economy, which relies in part on tourism. We should be looking at ways to encourage more visitors to the parks, in turn helping the surrounding economies. I am confident that NPS’ decision will help keep Sandy Hook affordable for working families. .” In his letter to Director Jarvis, Congressman Pallone also requested a meeting with NPS to learn how the revenues from the increased fees will be used, and if these new revenues would be used exclusively to maintain and improve facilities at Sandy Hook. For most vehicles, beach parking is currently $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), the charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. The new proposal would have placed fees at $20 per day and $100 per season, with $50 per day and $200 a season for oversized cars. This would have marked the second fee increase at the park in five years. In 2012, Pallone successfully fought efforts to increase parking fees per vehicle from $10 to $20, and a season pass increase from $50 to $100. NPS compromised and cut the proposed fees by half, which is what the parking fees are today.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-speaks-out-against-noaa-summer-flounder-quotas,Pallone Speaks Out Against NOAA Summer Flounder Quotas,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) voiced strong opposition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) final rule on 2017 and 2018 summer flounder quotas released today.   Under the rule, the summer flounder Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) would be reduced 29% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. Pallone will continue his fight against this reduction, and intends to request that the Secretary of Commerce overturns this decision. “I am extremely disappointed with NOAA's decision to dramatically cut summer flounder quotas. These reductions will harm many coastal communities in New Jersey that rely on the commercial and recreational fishing industries,"" said Congressman Pallone. ""The damage will go beyond the New Jersey fishing industry; the tourism and boating industries will be hurt as well."" ""NOAA has relied on inaccurate data to finalize these reductions.  Fishermen have sacrificed for years to improve summer flounder biomass, and flounder populations have rebounded.  Instead of putting onerous regulations on fishermen just trying to make a living, NOAA should be focused on rebuilding trust and ensuring that the science it uses to guide stock assessments is accurate. I am committed to continuing to work to protect New Jersey fishermen and the valuable economic impact they have on the state."" Pallone has long been a supporter of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Last week,  Pallone appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA’s quota reductions because of the harm they would cause New Jersey coastal communities. Also last week Pallone and Senator Cory Booker sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the ABC recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotas until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment.  Earlier this year, Congressman Pallone sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for fair and less restrictive policies relating to summer flounder. Last year, the Congressman decried NOAA’s final rule on 2016 summer flounder – which also reduced catch limits.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=512,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Applaud $6M Initial Investment in Cradle to Career Education and Support Services in Camden Neighborhoods",2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Camden’s Center for Family Services Wins $30M Promise Neighborhood Competition December 22, 2016 NEWARK, N.J. - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), today applauded the awarding of up to $30 million over the next five years to the Center for Family Services (CFS) in Camden through the U.S. Department of Education's Promise Neighborhood competition to implement comprehensive community-based education, health and family support initiatives throughout Camden City's most distressed neighborhoods. The first $6 million installment was made yesterday; future installments are subject to the annual budget process.""Communities where children are struggling in the classroom are most often the same communities struggling with violence, underperforming schools, rundown housing and high unemployment,"" said Sen. Menendez. ""The Center for Family Services and their local partners recognize that in order to boost student achievement, they must tackle challenges both inside and outside of the classroom-and this award will help them do just that."" ""This is yet another example of our shared commitment to helping strengthen Camden as this great city continues down a path of resurgence,"" said Sen. Booker. ""Every child deserves access to a quality, affordable education in order to help prepare them for future success both in and out of the classroom. This federal funding will help transform one of New Jersey's most distressed communities by closing the achievement gap while restoring hope of a brighter future for our children.""""This is a game changer for students in Camden. This federal grant is a significant achievement for the local partnership working together every day to make Camden's future brighter. I congratulate the Center for Family Services on this award that will give young people in Camden the tools to compete and succeed in the classroom and lay the groundwork for success,"" said Rep. Norcross.The Camden Promise Neighborhood (CPN) service delivery model will implement a cradle-to-career continuum of research-driven and evidenced-based solutions. CPN partners will use trauma-informed approaches and wraparound case management to ensure the strategy meets the multi-dimensional and complex needs of target children and families and implement intensive educational supports to ensure strong schools are at the center.CFS will target several schools including KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, Wiggins College Prep School, Whittier Family School, Camden Academy Charter High School and Camden High School. Partners in the effort include the City of Camden, Camden School District, Camden County Police Department, Camden Housing Authority, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, Rowan University, Camden County College, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, and Rutgers University.According to the Center, children growing up in these neighborhoods face myriad obstacles in achieving academic and life-long success. In addition to pervasive poverty (over 85%), children and families face alarming rates of violent crime, excessive unemployment, childhood obesity and asthma, frequent food insecurity, and academic failure.The Promise Neighborhoods program was launched in 2010 to support innovative strategies that bring together public and private partners to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Promise Neighborhoods grantees provide comprehensive education, health, safety, and family support services to children and families in high-poverty neighborhoods. To date, the Promise Neighborhoods program has awarded over $286 million, spanning nearly 700 schools and 1,000 community partners.This month, the federal lawmakers were in Camden to announce the awarding of a $13.2 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to advance the city's efforts to transform the Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood from an area with high poverty and struggling schools to a thriving, social and economic center.In September, Camden was awarded $1,469,347 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund street improvements in downtown Camden, provide connections to the region's major transportation center, revitalize the area, and support initiatives that expand the competitiveness of the existing industrial clusters.Earlier that month, Sens. Menendez and Booker, Rep. Norcross and Mayor Redd stood in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge to tour the site of a North Camden revitalization project spearheaded by a $16.2 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant awarded in July from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-banking-committee-dems-push-wells-fargo-for-more-answers-on-phony-account-scandal,"Menendez, Banking Committee Dems Push Wells Fargo for More Answers on Phony Account Scandal",2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Banking Committee Dems Push Wells Fargo for More Answers on Phony Account Scandal Menendez, Banking Committee Dems Push Wells Fargo for More Answers on Phony Account Scandal Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 22, 2016   NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez joined Democrats on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee today to call on Wells Fargo’s board of directors to respond to questions that the bank’s management has failed to answer following a scandal over its fraudulent sales practices. In the letter, the Senators asked Wells Fargo’s board for details about its ongoing investigation of the fraud, the timeline of when the board learned about the bank’s illegal practices, actions the board took to address the problem, and reasons why it didn’t investigate the misconduct sooner. The Senators also asked for responses to questions that Wells Fargo’s management has continued to dodge but the board is in a position to answer. “[C]ontinued failure to answer questions – especially basic questions – about the causes and consequences of the fraud that Wells Fargo permitted for many years does nothing to restore the trust of Wells Fargo’s customers and shareholders, many of whom are our constituents,” the Senators wrote. “In our view, waiting until spring 2017 to provide more documents and information to our questions is not diligence.”   The Senators asked Wells Fargo's board to respond by Jan. 6, 2017. Along with Sen. Menendez, the letter was signed by Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.). In September, the Banking Committee Democrats asked Wells Fargo to answer dozens of questions for the record to clarify and supplement the Sept. 20 testimony of the bank’s former chief executive, John Stumpf, before the Banking Committee. Wells Fargo's response on Nov. 15 either ignored or provided insufficient responses to a host of the Senators’ questions. In several instances, Wells Fargo declined to provide direct answers, citing the ongoing investigation that its board launched on Sept. 27. The full text of the Senators’ letter to Wells Fargo’s board follows:   December 22, 2016   Board of Directors c/o Stephen W. Sanger, Chairman Wells Fargo & Company 420 Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA  94104   Dear Board of Directors: We write to submit requests to you, as Wells Fargo’s Board of Directors, for documents and information that we requested from Wells Fargo’s then-CEO and Chairman Mr. John Stumpf, and that Wells Fargo has failed to provide to us.  As you know, continued failure to answer questions – especially basic questions – about the causes and consequences of the fraud that Wells Fargo permitted for many years does nothing to restore the trust of Wells Fargo’s customers and shareholders, many of whom are our constituents.  Mr. Stumpf and Wells Fargo management have avoided answering central questions relating to the fraud in the three months since the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Los Angeles City Attorney announced their settlement with Wells Fargo on September 8, 2016.  On September 20, Mr. Stumpf testified before the Senate Banking Committee, failing to answer many questions about Wells Fargo’s business practices and basic details as to senior management and Board awareness about the widespread opening of unauthorized accounts for Wells Fargo customers and the termination of thousands of employees.  On September 29, Mr. Stumpf testified before the House Financial Services Committee, again failing to answer many questions.  As you all may be aware, on September 28, all 10 Democratic members of the Senate Banking Committee submitted to Wells Fargo questions that were not answered by Mr. Stumpf and questions related to issues discussed at the hearing.  Wells Fargo responded on November 15, again failing to answer many questions in whole or in part, often citing the ongoing internal independent investigation that you launched on September 27.[1]  CEO Tim Sloan’s remark on CNBC on October 12 – that “[Wells Fargo] felt like there was more answers that [Wells Fargo] could have provided” during the Senate and House hearings – makes the Company’s slow and incomplete responses to our requests all the more frustrating.[2]   Since senior management is unwilling to provide us the information we requested pertaining to the unauthorized accounts and terminations of employees, we are requesting information that specifically relates to the Board’s conduct, decisions, and documents in these matters.  Below are questions about the independent investigation that you are leading, as well as the questions that Wells Fargo did not respond to that we believe you are equipped to answer.  We ask that you provide complete responses to the following questions: Please identify the members of the Special Committee of Independent Directors who are leading the independent investigation.  Please provide the criteria used to select them.    Please describe the reason(s) why the Board did not launch an independent investigation earlier into the Company’s retail banking sales practices and related matters. Please describe the investigation’s scope (including the time period, the document custodians, and matters covered) and the rationale for the scope.  Please explain how you will provide us, your customers, your shareholders, and the American public with sufficient transparency into and details of the independent investigation so that we can all be confident in the integrity and thoroughness of the process. Please describe the involvement the Board, or some of its members, had in preparing or reviewing the Wells Fargo responses dated November 15, 2016 before they were submitted to the Senate Banking Committee.  If you had no involvement, please state so.    In the response to the Democrats’ question “Are you confident that this type of fraudulent activity does not exist in other Wells business lines?”  Wells Fargo said, “We believe that the activity at issue here was limited to certain team members within the Community Banking Division.” We now know that is not accurate, and that fraudulent insurance policies were written for Wells Fargo customers.[3] When did you become aware that these activities were not limited to deposit and credit card accounts, and is the independent investigation looking into this issue across products and business lines at Wells Fargo? At the hearing, Mr. Stumpf stated that he did not learn of the systemic fraud occurring at Wells Fargo until late 2013, after interventions at lower levels of the company had failed to stem the creation of fraudulent accounts. Please provide a detailed timeline, from 2007 to present, of when the Board, or members of the Board, learned about the illegal practices occurring at Wells Fargo, what the Board or Board members discussed (and with whom), and what actions the Board, Board Committees, or Board members took to understand and address the problem.  Please also provide a list of the members in attendance at each of these meetings. Please provide the committee with all Board minutes, emails, and materials related to these activities provided to members of the Compensation, Risk, and Audit and Exam Committees, as well as the full Board, for all meetings for the period 2007 to the present.  This includes but not limited to any reports prepared by consultants related to these matters, (e.g. PwC, Accenture, and Skadden studies), and documents related to compliance, bank secrecy /anti-money laundering, audit or human resources functions. Please provide the date on which Wells Fargo disclosed the unacceptable sales practices to investors and a description of the disclosure (e.g., SEC filing).    To the extent applicable, please provide the date on which Wells Fargo’s auditors raised the unacceptable sales practices (or a related issue) with a Board member.  We believe answers to these questions are necessary for us to fully evaluate the events and practices that occurred causing millions of Wells Fargo customers to question the trustworthiness of Wells Fargo.  In our view, waiting until spring 2017 to provide more documents and information to our questions is not diligence.[4]  Please respond to our request by Friday, January 7, 2017.  We believe your cooperation is in the interest of your customers and shareholders.  Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely,     cc: John D. Baker II Elaine L. Chao Lloyd H. Dean, Elizabeth A. Duke Susan E. Engel Enrique Hernandez, Jr. Donald M. James Cynthia H. Milligan Frederico F. Peña James H. Quigley Susan G. Swenson  Suzanne M. Vautrinot   ### Press Contact  Patricia_Enright@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-join-senate-dems-and-call-on-president-elect-trump-to-protect-access-to-family-planning-centers-,"Menendez, Booker Join Senate Dems and Call On President-Elect Trump to Protect Access To Family Planning Centers",2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker Join Senate Dems and Call On President-Elect Trump to Protect Access To Family Planning Centers Menendez, Booker Join Senate Dems and Call On President-Elect Trump to Protect Access To Family Planning Centers In new letter, 34 Senate Democrats call on President-elect Trump to implement “historic rule” protecting Title X family planning program. Senators to President-elect Trump: “Despite your decision to nominate Congressman Price, you have as recently as this year claimed to support Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest family planning provider.” Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 22, 2016   NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker joined more than 30 Senate Democrats in a letter to President-elect Donald Trump urging him to oppose any efforts by Republicans to restrict federal funding from supporting Title X family planning centers. “The economic security of women and their families is directly tied to a woman’s access to reproductive health care, including birth control and counseling,” wrote the Senators in the letter. “Despite numerous Court decisions supporting and reiterating the importance of reproductive health care for women and families, Republicans in Congress have repeatedly attempted to restrict federal funding from supporting Title X family planning centers in communities nationwide.” In the letter, the Senators call on President-elect Trump to commit to implement a final rule by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which reinforces existing protections in the Title X program to ensure no qualified health care provider, like Planned Parenthood, is excluded from eligibility for federal funding. The final rule will help guarantee that women and LGBT people have access to the care entitled to them under federal law. “President-elect Trump, women across the country have reason to be deeply concerned about the impact your administration could have on their health, their access to care, and therefore their economic security. We urge you to take clear position in favor of women’s health by supporting access to birth control and family planning services at Planned Parenthood and other Title X clinics nationwide.”   Background on Title X Enacted with strong bipartisan support in 1970, the Title X family planning provider network is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services. In fact, four out of ten women who received care at health centers funded by Title X consider it to be their only source of health care. And last year alone, Title X provided basic primary and preventive health care services such as pap tests, breast exams, and HIV testing to more than 4.1 million low-income women and men at over 4,100 health centers. In December, the Obama Administration finalized a historic rule that protects the Title X program from partisan efforts to undermine women’s access to health care, by ensuring that federal funds are awarded based on a provider’s ability to serve patients—not based on any discriminatory purpose. Before the rule was finalized, Senate Republicans were already threatening to roll it back in the new Congress. Along with Sens. Menendez and Booker, the letter was signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The full text of the letter is here and below:   December 22, 2016   President-Elect Donald J. Trump Trump Tower 725 5th Ave New York, NY 10022   Dear President-Elect Trump: We write to express our great concern regarding the protection of our nation’s family planning centers in the next Congress and under your Administration. The economic security of women and their families is directly tied to a woman’s access to reproductive health care, including birth control and counseling.   Despite numerous Court decisions supporting and reiterating the importance of reproductive health care for women and families, Republicans in Congress have repeatedly attempted to restrict federal funding from supporting Title X family planning centers in communities nationwide. Quality of care, not politics, should drive a health care provider’s eligibility for federal funding. We urge you to stand with women and against Congressional Republicans by committing to implement a recently finalized rule stopping extreme Republicans from limiting communities’ health care options for purely ideological reasons. Enacted with strong bipartisan support in 1970, the Title X family planning provider network is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services. In fact, four out of ten women who received care at health centers funded by Title X consider it to be their only source of health care.[1] And last year alone, Title X provided basic primary and preventive health care services such as pap tests, breast exams, and HIV testing to more than 4.1 million low-income women and men at over 4,100 health centers. On December 14, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a historic rule which ensures that federal funds are awarded to health care providers based on their ability to serve patients and not for discriminatory or political reasons. This regulation clarifies and reinforces existing protections in the Title X program to ensure no qualified provider is excluded from eligibility for federal funding, and guarantee that women and LGBT Americans have access to the care entitled to them under federal law. However, before the ink was even dry on this rule, Senate Republicans had already threatened to undo this historic rule, jeopardizing the health of millions of women and families.[2] Regrettably, your selection of Congressman Tom Price for HHS Secretary further reinforces threats to women’s reproductive health care. To cite one example, in response to a question about what would happen to women if the birth control benefit was taken away, Congressman Price stated in 2012, “Bring me one woman who has been left behind. Bring me one. There’s not one.”[3] As the head of HHS, Congressman Price will have unprecedented authority to target women’s health and turn back decades of progress based on misinformation about women’s health care needs. Despite your decision to nominate Congressman Price, you have as recently as this year claimed to support Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest family planning provider, recognizing that the organization “has done very good work for millions of women.”[4] Family planning services, like those provided at Planned Parenthood and other family planning centers, should be available to all women, no matter where they live or how much money they make. It is critical that you take a stand against efforts to undermine women’s access to reproductive health care. President-elect Trump, women across the country have reason to be deeply concerned about the impact your administration could have on their health, their access to care, and therefore their economic security. We urge you to take clear position in favor of women’s health by supporting access to birth control and family planning services at Planned Parenthood and other Title X clinics nationwide. Sincerely, ### Press Contact Patricia_Enright@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/sen-menendez-on-unsc-settlement-resolution-postponement-,Sen. Menendez on UNSC Settlement Resolution Postponement,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Menendez on UNSC Settlement Resolution Postponement Sen. Menendez on UNSC Settlement Resolution Postponement Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 22, 2016 NEWARK, NJ - US Senator Bob Menendez, senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the U.N. Security Council announced it would delay a vote on Thursday on a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building in a manner that was not conducive to a two-state solution. ""Once again, the United Nations could vote on a resolution without a clear purpose other than to continue to disproportionately target Israel. This resolution does nothing to further the prospects for peace in the region or for Israelis and Palestinians, it merely unfairly singles out Israel’s actions, ignoring any wrongdoing on the part of Palestinians. I have repeatedly reiterated my support for diplomatic efforts and policies that support a two-state solution negotiated directly by the two parties. While this resolution does not deserve a vote as it does nothing to support direct negotiations, it is my sincere hope the United States will use its veto power if necessary to avoid further exacerbating tensions."" ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pascrell-warns-christie-about-aca-medicaid-expansion-repeal,Pascrell Warns Christie about ACA & Medicaid Expansion Repeal,2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, wrote to Governor Chris Christie to highlight the serious adverse consequences that repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its Medicaid expansion will have on New Jersey’s residents and state budget. Rep. Pascrell called on Gov. Christie to relay to House Republican Leadership the disastrous impact these policies will have on New Jersey. ""I believe you made the right decision in choosing to expand Medicaid in New Jersey under the ACA. This decision has helped facilitate the enrollment of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans in the program and contributed to the unprecedented decline in our state’s uninsurance rate,"" Rep. Pascrell wrote to Gov. Christie in the letter. ""Repealing the Medicaid expansion would result in 528,000 New Jerseyans losing their health coverage and an $11.2 billion loss in federal funds from 2018 to 2021… Simply stated, repeal of the Medicaid expansion would only compound New Jersey’s already serious state budget challenges."" Earlier this month House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and the current and incoming chairmen of the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce sent a letter to governors and state insurance commissioners seeking their feedback on various changes to the ACA and the health insurance system as a whole. One of the prominent Republican health care reform ideas that will have the most significant impact on states is repealing the Medicaid expansion. Gov. Christie has expanded New Jersey’s Medicaid program under the ACA, increasing health insurance coverage throughout the state, but that infusion of federal Medicaid dollars and coverage for the New Jerseyans who enrolled would be in serious jeopardy if Republicans go through with their plan to repeal it. Text of the letter is below. Click here for a PDF version that includes footnotes. (https://pascrell.house.gov/sites/pascrell.house.gov/files/LETTER%20Christie%20on%20McCarthy%20ACA.pdf) December 20, 2016 Governor Chris Christie Office of the Governor PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625 Dear Governor Christie, As you know, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, in conjunction with the current and incoming chairmen of the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce, sent a letter on December 2 to governors and state insurance commissioners seeking input and feedback on various changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the health insurance system as a whole. I write to encourage you and your staff to make it clear to Leader McCarthy and the Committee Chairmen that repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its Medicaid expansion would have a disastrous impact on our state. The House Republican health care reform blueprint A Better Way, the ACA repeal budget reconciliation bill vetoed by President Obama last year, and past House Republican budgets have all proposed repealing the expansion of the Medicaid program included in the ACA. I am extremely concerned about the impact this would have on New Jersey and strongly urge you convey the negative impact this policy would have on our state’s residents, budget, health care provider infrastructure, and economy. Additionally, I am requesting copies of the letters that your office and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance send in response to this inquiry. I believe you made the right decision in choosing to expand Medicaid in New Jersey under the ACA. This decision has helped facilitate the enrollment of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans in the program  and contributed to the unprecedented decline in our state’s uninsurance rate. The Medicaid expansion has also resulted in a significant and much-needed infusion of federal dollars to New Jersey, which has produced $1 billion in savings to the state budget over the last three years. Repealing the Medicaid expansion would result in 528,000 New Jerseyans losing their health coverage  and an $11.2 billion loss in federal funds from 2018 to 2021, according to a recent report from New Jersey Policy Perspectives.  This would be the greatest loss in federal funding that New Jersey has ever experienced. I know that you share our frustration with New Jersey’s status as a “payer state” that receives less in federal spending than it pays out in federal taxes. The repeal of the Medicaid expansion would only exacerbate this issue and pose additional challenges for New Jersey’s state budget. Although the state does pay a portion of the costs associated with the expansion, the vast majority of these costs – 95 percent in 2017 – are and will continue to be covered by the federal government under the ACA. Even with the state’s share of costs, the Medicaid expansion will continue to save our state budget $474.4 million annually through reductions in charity care payments and higher federal matching rates on general medical education payments, community health center wrap-around services, and other programs.  Simply stated, repeal of the Medicaid expansion would only compound New Jersey’s already serious state budget challenges. I know that you have expressed a desire to see more state flexibility in the Medicaid program, but I want to make it clear that when Republican Medicaid reform plans tout “state flexibility” what they amount to in reality is a crippling cut in federal Medicaid funding to states. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the House Republican Budget proposal to transform Medicaid into a block grant would cut federal Medicaid funding by $1 trillion, or 25 percent, over ten years. That is on top of the cuts that would occur as a result of repealing the Medicaid expansion.  The idea that federal funding levels under either a Medicaid block grant or per capita cap will be adequate enough to continue to protect the expansion population, or even the basic Medicaid guarantee, is simply not realistic.  Beyond the repeal of the Medicaid expansion, we are equally concerned about the impact that repealing major provisions of the ACA through the budget reconciliation process – as Republicans have vowed to do – before having a replacement plan in place will have on New Jersey residents. The Urban Institute recently released an analysis of this legislation, which found that 799,000 New Jerseyans would lose their health insurance if it became law, resulting in a 124 percent increase in our state’s uninsurance rate.  Regardless of one’s view of the ACA, the strategies and policies being proposed by Republicans will undoubtedly hurt hundreds of thousands of people in New Jersey and millions across the country. They will also put governors and state legislators in an impossible position, leaving states to deal with the fall-out of massive increases in uninsurance rates, substantial cuts to states’ current federal funding levels, and significant disruptions in state insurance markets and the health care system more broadly. I am counting on you to stand up for New Jersey and push back on these harmful proposals. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter and I look forward to working with you to ensure that changes to the ACA or any other aspect of our health care system do no harm to New Jersey or our residents. Sincerely, Bill Pascrell, Jr. Member of Congress cc: Richard J. Badolato Commissioner New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance 20 West State Street PO Box 325 Trenton, NJ 08625",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-norcross-announces-30-million-federal-resources-south-jersey,Congressman Norcross Announces $30 Million in Federal Resources for South Jersey Students,2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Camden, NJ-Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today announced a $30 million U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Promise Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Award for Center for Family Services, Inc. (CFS) in Camden, New Jersey. CFS, Camden’s largest nonprofit service agency dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Southern New Jersey, will use the funds to build innovative learning opportunities to improve the educational outcomes for students in Camden’s most distressed communities, and will focus on 14,500 residents in four Camden neighborhoods: Cooper Lanning, Bergen Square, Centerville, and Liberty Park. “This is a game changer for students in Camden and a significant achievement for the local partnership working together every day to make Camden’s future brighter. I congratulate the Center for Family Services on this award that will give young people in Camden the tools to compete and succeed in the classroom and lay the groundwork for success,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). The grant will be administered in $6 million annual installments over five years to CFS. CFS, along with partners from the Camden Housing Authority, Camden County Police, institutions of higher education including Rutgers University-Camden, Rowan University, Camden County College, Cooper University Hospital & Medical School, as well as City health care providers and other agencies, will collaborate to use the federal funds to provide high quality, safe & stable opportunities for students to succeed in school, along with support services for their families. “The Promise Neighborhood grant is yet another example that Camden is committed to improving educational outcomes in the midst of unprecedented change.  It is great news for our children, youth, and families as we continue to work hard to ensure all Camden children are prepared to succeed, and have access to great schools and a have real pathway to college or a career.  Many thanks go to Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, and Congressman Norcross for ensuring Camden receives the funding needed to transform our community. I would also credit Camden’s success to a more coordinated and smarter collaboration between our community, our federal partners and local government,” said Camden Mayor Dana Redd. “Center For Family Services is honored to lead our strong team of partners and funders in creating a Camden community where all children have the opportunity to thrive.  The Promise Neighborhoods award will make it possible for us to strengthen early childhood services, improve opportunities for children to be successful in school, develop college and career pathways for young adults, and transform neighborhoods through services that promote family well-being and stability,” said Merilee Rutolo, Chief Operating Officer, Center For Family Services. Congressman Norcross supported CFS’s grant application to the U.S. Department of Education, along with Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker who shared their reactions to the grant award announcement: “Communities where children are struggling in the classroom are most often the same communities struggling with violence, underperforming schools, rundown housing and high unemployment,” said U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.  “The Center for Family Services and their local partners recognize that in order to boost student achievement, they must tackle challenges both inside and outside of the classroom—and this award will help them do just that.”  “This is yet another example of our shared commitment to helping strengthen Camden as this great city continues down a path of resurgence,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker.  “Every child deserves access to a quality, affordable education in order to help prepare them for future success both in and out of the classroom.  This federal funding will help transform one of New Jersey’s most distressed communities by closing the achievement gap while restoring hope of a brighter future for our children.” CFS is one of six recipients nationwide of the of Promise Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Award, which is designed to help communities launch and sustain educational supports and community-based services to meet the complex needs of children and families. “These grants will provide cradle-to-career support for at-risk children in communities across the country, offering meaningful resources that will help them achieve their potential,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. “Promise Neighborhoods draw on the best of communities, bringing together non-profits, schools, and local institutions to meet the needs of their local communities.” “Federal investments like the Promise Neighborhoods Implementation Grant allow us to drastically provide more, beyond an excellent education, for our KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy students in order to equip them for success in college and in life,” said Drew Martin, Executive Director of KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy.  “A zip code should never determine the goals people have for themselves or for their children and we value the Center for Family Services as a community partner in working towards a shared vision of building stronger, healthier communities. This grant will offer the indispensable resources that our students and families need to unlock opportunities and achieve their dreams.” ""We believe close collaboration with our community partners is key to improving our schools, and we're excited to work together in providing additional health, home, and academic supports that will improve educational opportunities in the neighborhood zone. We're grateful to Center for Family Services for leading this application and partnering with us to bring critical resources to Camden,"" said Paymon Rouhanifard, Camden City School District Superintendent. The Promise Neighborhoods program was launched in 2010 to support innovative strategies that bring together public and private partners to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Promise Neighborhoods grantees provide comprehensive education, health, safety, and family support services to children and families in high-poverty neighborhoods. To date, the Promise Neighborhoods program has awarded over $286 million, spanning nearly 700 schools and 1,000 community partners. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-norcross-applaud-6m-initial-investment-in-cradle-to-career-education-and-support-services-in-camden-neighborhoods,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Applaud $6M Initial Investment in Cradle to Career Education and Support Services in Camden Neighborhoods",2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Applaud $6M Initial Investment in Cradle to Career Education and Support Services in Camden Neighborhoods Menendez, Booker, Norcross Applaud $6M Initial Investment in Cradle to Career Education and Support Services in Camden Neighborhoods Camden’s Center for Family Services Wins $30M Promise Neighborhood Competition Print Email Tweet Wednesday, December 21, 2016   NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), today applauded the awarding of up to $30 million over the next five years to the Center for Family Services (CFS) in Camden through the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhood competition to implement comprehensive community-based education, health and family support initiatives throughout Camden City’s most distressed neighborhoods.  The first $6 million installment was made yesterday; future installments are subject to the annual budget process. “Communities where children are struggling in the classroom are most often the same communities struggling with violence, underperforming schools, rundown housing and high unemployment,” said Sen. Menendez.  “The Center for Family Services and their local partners recognize that in order to boost student achievement, they must tackle challenges both inside and outside of the classroom—and this award will help them do just that.”  “This is yet another example of our shared commitment to helping strengthen Camden as this great city continues down a path of resurgence,” said Sen. Booker.  “Every child deserves access to a quality, affordable education in order to help prepare them for future success both in and out of the classroom.  This federal funding will help transform one of New Jersey’s most distressed communities by closing the achievement gap while restoring hope of a brighter future for our children.” “This is a game changer for students in Camden. This federal grant is a significant achievement for the local partnership working together every day to make Camden’s future brighter.  I congratulate the Center for Family Services on this award that will give young people in Camden the tools to compete and succeed in the classroom and lay the groundwork for success,” said Rep. Norcross. The Camden Promise Neighborhood (CPN) service delivery model will implement a cradle-to-career continuum of research-driven and evidenced-based solutions.  CPN partners will use trauma-informed approaches and wraparound case management to ensure the strategy meets the multi-dimensional and complex needs of target children and families and implement intensive educational supports to ensure strong schools are at the center. CFS will target several schools including KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, Wiggins College Prep School, Whittier Family School, Camden Academy Charter High School and Camden High School.  Partners in the effort include the City of Camden, Camden School District, Camden County Police Department, Camden Housing Authority, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, Rowan University, Camden County College, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, and Rutgers University. According to the Center, children growing up in these neighborhoods face myriad obstacles in achieving academic and life-long success. In addition to pervasive poverty (over 85%), children and families face alarming rates of violent crime, excessive unemployment, childhood obesity and asthma, frequent food insecurity, and academic failure. The Promise Neighborhoods program was launched in 2010 to support innovative strategies that bring together public and private partners to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.  Promise Neighborhoods grantees provide comprehensive education, health, safety, and family support services to children and families in high-poverty neighborhoods.  To date, the Promise Neighborhoods program has awarded over $286 million, spanning nearly 700 schools and 1,000 community partners. This month, the federal lawmakers were in Camden to announce the awarding of a $13.2 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to advance the city’s efforts to transform the Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood from an area with high poverty and struggling schools to a thriving, social and economic center. In September, Camden was awarded $1,469,347 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund street improvements in downtown Camden, provide connections to the region’s major transportation center, revitalize the area, and support initiatives that expand the competitiveness of the existing industrial clusters. Earlier that month, Sens. Menendez and Booker, Rep. Norcross and Mayor Redd stood in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge to tour the site of a North Camden revitalization project spearheaded by a $16.2 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant awarded in July from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).  ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov (Menendez) Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov (Booker) Karl.Parker@mail.house.gov (Norcross)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/menendez-booker-pallone-applaud-major-step-protect-jersey-shore-offshore-drilling,"Menendez, Booker, Pallone Applaud Major Step to Protect Jersey Shore from Offshore Drilling",2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"President heeds call, issues partial Atlantic drilling ban NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06) today applauded President Obama for heeding their call to take steps to further protect the Jersey Shore from offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.  President Obama exercised his authority to permanently ban offshore drilling in deep water canyons from Virginia to New England, including off the New Jersey coast, and in much of the Arctic Ocean. “The families and businesses who depend on a thriving Jersey Shore and clean Atlantic Ocean took an important step forward with the President’s decision to permanently ban drilling in parts of the Atlantic. Today, we celebrate a milestone in our fight to protect the Jersey Shore, but acknowledge that our work is not yet done,” said Sen. Menendez.  “In my first month as a United States senator in 2006, I introduced legislation to permanently ban drilling in the Atlantic.  Over the last ten years, I’ve been proud to stand with New Jerseyans time and again as we stood up to Big Oil—against all political odds.  I will never stop fighting until we fully protect our shores and secure an economic and environmental legacy for generations to come.”  “New Jerseyans stood united in calling for the protection of the Atlantic Ocean and this announcement marks an important step in that fight,” said Sen. Booker.  “I applaud President Obama for answering calls to permanently protect vulnerable waters in the Atlantic and the Arctic oceans from the potential devastating effects of a catastrophic oil spill.  We must now stand ready to fight any efforts by the incoming administration to undermine these historic protections for our environment, our economy and our coastal communities.” “I applaud President Obama for taking an important step to protect the Jersey Shore and the coastal communities that rely on it by withdrawing 5,990 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean from future drilling,” said Pallone.  “Oil spills don’t respect state borders.  The fact remains that opening up the Atlantic Ocean for fossil fuel development is unnecessary, poses a serious threat to our coastal communities, and is the wrong approach.  I remain convinced that the only way to ensure that New Jersey is not the victim of a devastating oil spill is to place a permanent ban on offshore drilling anywhere in the Atlantic.  An oil spill along the Atlantic Coast would cause severe environmental damage to fisheries, beaches and wildlife. President-elect Trump’s appointments to the EPA and the Department of Energy clearly show that his administration will pursue shortsighted and reckless policies for our environment and I will fight any effort by his administration to open up drilling in the Atlantic.” Last month, Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Pallone stood on the Long Branch boardwalk with environmental advocates to call upon President Obama to exercise the authority granted to him by Congress under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to protect the Jersey Shore by permanently banning offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean before he leaves office.  Sens. Menendez and Booker joined 12 other Senate colleagues in a letter to President Obama urging him to permanently protect the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from oil and gas drilling. Sen. Menendez and Rep. Pallone are the authors of the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act, a bill cosponsored by Sen. Booker to permanently ban exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in the North, Mid-, or South Atlantic Ocean. In March, the Obama Administration removed the Atlantic Ocean from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program (Five Year Program) for 2017-2022 after Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Pallone helped lead a coalition of elected officials, shore communities, fishermen, small businesses and environmental advocates up and down the eastern seaboard in sending a clear message to the oil industry that our shores are not for sale.  The federal lawmakers led a Jersey Shore rally in January to #KillTheDrill. Following the election of Donald Trump, who ran on an anti-environment campaign and is filling his cabinet with oil executives and climate deniers, Sen. Menendez stepped up the pressure for a permanent offshore drilling ban in a Senate floor speech and op-ed in the Newark Star-Ledger, making the case for immediate action by President Obama before the sun sets on his administration.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=511,"Booker, Menendez, Pallone Applaud Major Step to Protect Jersey Shore from Offshore Drilling",2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"President heeds call, issues partial Atlantic drilling ban December 20, 2016 NEWARK, N.J. â?“ U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06) today applauded President Obama for heeding their call to take steps to further protect the Jersey Shore from offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.  President Obama exercised his authority to permanently ban offshore drilling in deep water canyons from Virginia to New England, including off the New Jersey coast, and in much of the Arctic Ocean. â??The families and businesses who depend on a thriving Jersey Shore and clean Atlantic Ocean took an important step forward with the Presidentâ??s decision to permanently ban drilling in parts of the Atlantic. Today, we celebrate a milestone in our fight to protect the Jersey Shore, but acknowledge that our work is not yet done,â?? said Sen. Menendez.  â??In my first month as a United States senator in 2006, I introduced legislation to permanently ban drilling in the Atlantic.  Over the last ten years, Iâ??ve been proud to stand with New Jerseyans time and again as we stood up to Big Oilâ?”against all political odds.  I will never stop fighting until we fully protect our shores and secure an economic and environmental legacy for generations to come.â??  â??New Jerseyans stood united in calling for the protection of the Atlantic Ocean and this announcement marks an important step in that fight,â?? said Sen. Booker.  â??I applaud President Obama for answering calls to permanently protect vulnerable waters in the Atlantic and the Arctic oceans from the potential devastating effects of a catastrophic oil spill.  We must now stand ready to fight any efforts by the incoming administration to undermine these historic protections for our environment, our economy and our coastal communities.â?? â??I applaud President Obama for taking an important step to protect the Jersey Shore and the coastal communities that rely on it by withdrawing 5,990 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean from future drilling,â?? said Pallone.  â??Oil spills donâ??t respect state borders.  The fact remains that opening up the Atlantic Ocean for fossil fuel development is unnecessary, poses a serious threat to our coastal communities, and is the wrong approach.  I remain convinced that the only way to ensure that New Jersey is not the victim of a devastating oil spill is to place a permanent ban on offshore drilling anywhere in the Atlantic.  An oil spill along the Atlantic Coast would cause severe environmental damage to fisheries, beaches and wildlife. President-elect Trumpâ??s appointments to the EPA and the Department of Energy clearly show that his administration will pursue shortsighted and reckless policies for our environment and I will fight any effort by his administration to open up drilling in the Atlantic.â?? Last month, Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Pallone stood on the Long Branch boardwalk with environmental advocates to call upon President Obama to exercise the authority granted to him by Congress under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to protect the Jersey Shore by permanently banning offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean before he leaves office.  Sens. Menendez and Booker joined 12 other Senate colleagues in a letter to President Obama urging him to permanently protect the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from oil and gas drilling.  Sen. Menendez and Rep. Pallone are the authors of the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act, a bill cosponsored by Sen. Booker to permanently ban exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in the North, Mid-, or South Atlantic Ocean.  In March, the Obama Administration removed the Atlantic Ocean from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program (Five Year Program) for 2017-2022 after Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Pallone helped lead a coalition of elected officials, shore communities, fishermen, small businesses and environmental advocates up and down the eastern seaboard in sending a clear message to the oil industry that our shores are not for sale.  The federal lawmakers led a Jersey Shore rally in January to #KillTheDrill. Following the election of Donald Trump, who ran on an anti-environment campaign and is filling his cabinet with oil executives and climate deniers, Sen. Menendez stepped up the pressure for a permanent offshore drilling ban in a Senate floor speech and op-ed in the Newark Star-Ledger, making the case for immediate action by President Obama before the sun sets on his administration.Â",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/in-the-news/obama-bans-oil-drilling-in-areas-off-nj-coast,Obama bans oil drilling in areas off N.J. coast,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Obama bans oil drilling in areas off N.J. coast Obama bans oil drilling in areas off N.J. coast Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 20, 2016 By:  Jonathan D. Salant   President Barack Obama on Tuesday permanently banned oil and gas drilling off the New Jersey coast and in other parts of the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Virginia. The action ""recognizes the unique marine environment in the Atlantic and fishing's critical role in the region's economy and culture,"" Obama said in a statement. ""Specifically, the withdrawal includes areas that support habitat important to commercial and recreational fisheries. The withdrawal does not impact ocean uses beyond mineral exploration and development,"" the president said.  ... New Jersey lawmakers, who have urged Obama to use his authority to prevent oil drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, applauded the action. ""The families and businesses who depend on a thriving Jersey Shore and clean Atlantic Ocean took an important step forward with the president's decision to permanently ban drilling in parts of the Atlantic,"" said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). Both Menendez and Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6th Dist.) said Obama didn't go far enough and should ban oil drilling everywhere in the Atlantic. Read the full story...",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-announce-455m-to-combat-nj-homelessness,"Menendez, Booker Announce $45.5M to Combat NJ Homelessness",2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker Announce $45.5M to Combat NJ Homelessness Menendez, Booker Announce $45.5M to Combat NJ Homelessness Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 20, 2016 NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced that over $45.5 million in grants have been awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program to support hundreds of permanent and transitional housing programs for homeless individuals and families, and to support homelessness prevention programs in New Jersey. “This critical federal funding will help thousands of homeless men, women, children, families and veterans across New Jersey access safe and reliable housing and obtain the services and stability they need to get back on their feet and improve their lives,” said Sen. Menendez, the ranking member on the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development.  “We must continue to honor our commitment to ending homelessness by supporting effective local programs and services.” “This federal funding will provide much needed assistance to our most vulnerable populations by supporting the organizations on the front lines in the battle against homelessness in New Jersey,” said Sen. Booker.  “As a former mayor, I know how important increasing access to safe and reliable housing is to strengthening our communities.  We have a commitment to extending a hand to our brothers and sisters who need it most by helping ensure they have every opportunity to lift themselves up.” With the goal of long-term stability, the CoC Program is designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and to provide the services needed to help such individuals move into transitional and permanent housing.  More broadly, the CoC Program is designed to promote community-wide planning and strategic use of resources to address homelessness; improve coordination and integration with mainstream resources and other programs targeted to people experiencing homelessness; improve data collection and performance measurement; and allow each community to tailor its programs to the particular strengths and challenges in assisting homeless individuals and families within that community. Homelessness in New Jersey has dropped 48.6% in the past decade, according to the 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, due to federal investment in effective local programs and strategies.  In March, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced a combined $34 million in CoC grants for New Jersey organizations combatting homelessness. The CoC Program is one of HUD’s core initiatives that works to combat homelessness and guide individuals as they obtain housing and begin a new chapter.  The following New Jersey organizations received grant awards: Atlantic City (Atlantic) Atlantic County Government / FY2016 CoC Planning Grant                                            $16,488 Belvidere (Warren) County of Warren / FY 2016 Tri-County CoC Planning Grant                                          $35,673 Warren County Housing Authority / DASACC PH for the CH                                           $10,297 Warren County Housing Authority / DASACC PH for the Homeless                                 $15,581 Warren County Housing Authority / Family Promise Phase 2                                          $15,544 Warren County Housing Authority / Future Promise                                                        $54,516 Warren County Housing Authority / Shelter Care for the CH                                           $10,298 Warren County Housing Authority / TASS PH for the Homeless                                      $58,059 Warren County Housing Authority / Warren PHA/DASACC 2010                                     $59,778 Camden (Camden) Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity, Inc. / A. Wright/Liberty Place            $163,450 Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity, Inc. / OMAR                                    $119,721 Center For Family Services,Inc. / CFS Permanent Rapid Re-Housing, Domestic Violence & Aging Out Youth                                                                           $177,261 Center For Family Services,Inc. / CFS Victims of Domestic Violence                              $32,160 Center For Family Services,Inc. / CFS Victims of Domestic Violence Cumberland SHP            $38,297 Center For Family Services,Inc. / Mother Child Permanent Housing                                $93,585 Center For Family Services,Inc. / Tanyard Oaks 1 & 2                                                   $61,608   Cape May Court House (Cape May) Cape Counseling Services / 2009 Cape May County Shelter + Care Project                    $45,982 Cape Counseling Services / Cape Leasing 2010                                                            $87,848 Cape Counseling Services / Cape Leasing 2011                                                            $103,545 Cape Counseling Services / Cape Leasing Samaritan 2010                                            $10,133 Cape Counseling Services / Cape Promise 2011                                                            $15,754 Cape May County / 2008 Shelter + Care Project                                                             $37,833 Cape May County / Shelter + Care FY 2013                                                                   $10,883   Collingswood (Camden) Volunteers of America Delaware Valley Inc. / Camden County Supportive Housing            $87,197 Volunteers of America Delaware Valley Inc. / Moving Forward - Southern N.J.                $180,129 Volunteers Of America Delaware Valley Inc / Chance II Supportive Housing                   $121,166 Volunteers Of America Delaware Valley Inc / Moving Forward - Somerset County            $46,769   Cranford (Union) Ending Homelessness Group / 2016 CoC Planning Grant                                               $37,478 Ending Homelessness Group / Ocean HPAC Coordinated Exit                                       $59,105   Dumont (Bergen) Vantage Health System, Inc. / Knickerbocker Residence 2016                                       $217,217 Vantage Health System, Inc. / LINKS                                                                            $43,638 Vantage Health System, Inc. / OPENING DOORS 1                                                       $1,135,240   East Brunswick (Middlesex) Easter Seals New Jersey / ESNJ Essex HUD 1 2016                                                     $47,339 Easter Seals New Jersey / ESNJ Essex HUD 2 2016                                                     $154,407 Easter Seals New Jersey / ESNJ Warren HUD 2016                                                      $8,456   East Orange (Essex) City of East Orange / My Own Place                                                                             $395,640 City of East Orange / TRA for Disabled Single Adults                                                     $203,963 County of Essex / Almost Home III                                                                                $280,678 County of Essex / CoC Planning Project 2016                                                                $244,000 Isaiah House, Inc. / Next Step                                                                                       $245,600 Isaiah House, Inc. / SHP for Disabled Single Women                                                     $45,295   Edison (Middlesex) Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / Catholic Charities State Street Project            $98,876 Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / S+C for the Chronically Homeless            $368,183 Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / Triple C Housing First                             $89,777 Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / Triple C Housing First Leasing 2010            $33,404 Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / Triple C Housing First phase 2                $28,771 Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / Triple C Housing First S+C 2010             $429,947 Housing Authority of the Township of Edison / Women Aware S+C 2010                         $26,001   Elizabeth (Union) Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Bridgeway Supportive Housing 2016                                $27,235 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Bridgeway/Elizabeth Housing Authority 20U 2016             $280,678 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Bridgeway/Elizabeth Housing Authority 45U 2016             $696,369 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Bridgeway/Plainfield Housing Authority 11U CH 2016            $153,985 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Bridgeway/Plainfield Housing Authority 15U 2016             $213,372 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Bridgeway/Plainfield Housing Authority 25U 2016             $371,791 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Community Access Institute Colonial/Morse 2016             $26,906 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Community Access Unlimited 96 & 116 West Grand 2016            $106,246 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Community Access Unlimited-Jacques 2016                    $171,237 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Covenant House New Jersey- New UC 2016                    $102,001 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Gateway YMCA 14U-CH Fam 2016                                  $405,380 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Gateway YMCA I-PH 2016                                               $301,569 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Gateway YMCA Madison 2016                                         $90,397 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Homefirst 5U 2016                                                           $84,382 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Homefirst/Plainfield Housing Authority 35U 2016              $517,857 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth 2016                 $670,907 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / Union County Planning Project 2016                                 $142,280 Elizabeth/Union County CoC / YWCA of Eastern Union County 2016                               $236,133   Egg Harbor (Atlantic) Career Opportunity Development / Supportive Housing                                                  $39,771   Farmingdale (Monmouth) United Way of Monmouth County / Coordinated Entry                                                     $142,595   Freehold (Monmouth) Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Atlantic CTY Jewish Family Services              $52,977 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Camden CSPNJ 2013 Permanent Housing            $89,714 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Camden Housing First                                    $61,777 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Camden Housing First                                    $93,979 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Camden Housing First Bonus                          $61,940 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Camden Samaritan S+C                                  $61,789 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Cumberland County Shelter Plus Care             $56,121 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Essex COL Permanent Supportive Housing            $154,853 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Essex County Mental Health Association            $168,930 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Essex County MHA Permanent Housing 2014            $197,308 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Essex County MHA RA 2013                           $229,744 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Essex County St Clare's                                 $42,100 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / MHA of Essex Phase 2                                   $141,112 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Newark YMCA Permanent Housing 2014            $188,959 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Newark YMCA PSH                                        $101,439 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Newark YMCA Shelter Plus Care                     $214,283 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Project Live Newark                                        $169,334 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Project Live Newark Phase 2                           $98,277 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Hudson SHC Permanent Housing Bonus 2014            $562,827 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Ryan White S+C Program Middlesex               $75,692 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Monmouth CTY Tenant Rental Assistance            $100,136 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Ocean County Jay St. S+C                             $42,836 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Ocean County OMHS PH S+C                        $14,417 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Ocean County OMHS S+C                              $57,591 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Ocean County OMHS S+C 2009                      $61,408 Collaborative Support Programs of N.J. / Ocean Leasing                                               $13,949 County of Monmouth / Center House Renewal 2016                                                       $261,880 County of Monmouth / CoC Planning Grant 2016                                                            $101,253 County of Monmouth / HABcore Leasing AP11                                                               $418,817 County of Monmouth / Homeward Bound 2 Renewal 2016                                               $596,555 County of Monmouth / Housing with Dignity Renewal 2016                                             $320,149 County of Monmouth / New Ray of Light 1 Renewal 2016                                               $40,468 County of Monmouth / Ray of Light 2 Renewal 2016                                                       $46,537 County of Monmouth / Safe and Sound Renewal 2016                                                    $169,130   Hackensack (Bergen) County of Bergen / Alfred J. Thomas Home for Veterans                                                $88,415 County of Bergen / Bergen CoC Planning Grant 2016                                                     $177,861 County of Bergen / Bergen County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)            $82,893 Greater Bergen Community Action, Inc. / Ladder            241                                           $88,110 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Family Guidance 2016-17 Renewal                       $103,562 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Housing Works 1 2016-17 Renewal                      $321,864 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Housing Works 2 2016-17 Renewal                      $125,831 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Housing Works 4 2016-17 Renewal                      $447,606 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Housing Works 5 2016-17 Renewal                      $125,656 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Housing Works 6 2016-17 Renewal                      $119,399 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Housing Works 7 2016-17 Renewal                      $196,503 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Links 2 2016-17 Renewal                                     $62,916 Housing Authority of Bergen County / Vantage Van Sciver 2016-17 Renewal                  $108,189   Hainesport (Burlington) Legacy Treatment Services / Consolidation 2015 final                                                    $294,922   Hazlet (Monmouth) 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. / Families in Transition Expansion                                  $99,296 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. / Families in Transition Original                                      $69,445   Jersey City (Hudson) Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corp. / All Saints Supportive Housing            $229,166 Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corp. / CASA Single Point of Entry            $391,657 Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corp. / GSECDC Finally Home            $126,615 Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corp. / GSECDC Finally Home II            $79,116 Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corp. / Hudson CASA Entry Program            $275,859 Housing Authority of the City of Jersey City / Home At Last                                           $164,352 Housing Authority of the City of Jersey City / Live United Housing Program                    $157,516 Housing Authority of the City of Jersey City / The Hoboken Shelter S+C Program            $283,528 Hudson County Division of Housing and Community Development / HCAEH Planning            $203,269 The House of Faith, Inc. / The House of Faith, Inc.                                                         $233,268 United Way of Hudson County / Collaborative Solutions                                                 $417,700 United Way of Hudson County / Life Starts                                                                    $776,344 United Way of Hudson County / Live United                                                                   $36,295 WomenRising / Village of Families                                                                                $500,590 York Street Project / York Street Project Phase 1 FY 2016                                             $93,152 York Street Project / York Street Project Phase 2 FY 2016                                             $54,235 York Street Project / York Street Project Phase 3 FY 2016                                             $507,280   Margate City (Atlantic) Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County / Coordinated Entry & Assessment                  $54,388   Monmouth Junction (Middlesex) Triple C Housing Inc. / H2O Yr 10 ending 6/30/18                                                          $55,942   Mount Holly (Burlington) Oaks Integrated Care Housing for Chronically Homeless Individuals and Veterans            $91,436   Morristown (Morris) County of Morris / 2016 Morris CoC Planning Grant                                                       $51,114 Homeless Solutions, Inc. / Safe Haven                                                                          $322,823 Homeless Solutions, Inc. / Transitional Housing Program                                               $148,684 Jersey Battered Women's Service, Inc. / Transitional Living Program                             $179,035 New Jersey AIDS Services / New Jersey AIDS Services SPH 2016                               $85,191 New Jersey AIDS Services / New Jersey AIDS Services SPH Renewal 2016                  $86,388   Morris Plains (Morris) Family Promise of Morris County / Community Supportive Housing Prog. Phase 1 2016            $125,401 Family Promise of Morris County / Keys to Housing 2016 Renewal                                 $174,310 Family Promise of Morris County / Morris Leasing 2016 Renewal                                   $49,432   Mountain Lakes (Morris) Mental Health Association of Morris County, Inc / Step Off the Street Outreach               $48,842   Newark (Essex) Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Newark / St. Jude's Oasis Renewal Application 2016            $98,974 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / AC Mothers and Babies                                           $19,553 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Atlantic City Rights of Passage                                $117,629 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Atlantic City Youth Housing Project                          $23,112 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / RAP                                                                        $73,530 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Newark HOME/Nancy's Place                                  $180,735 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Supportive Apartment Living Program                      $102,780 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Hudson Youth Housing Project                                 $338,782 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Youth Housing Project                                             $55,341 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Monmouth Youth Housing Project                             $94,571 Covenant House New Jersey, Inc / Monmouth Youth Housing Project 2                          $28,864 Integrity Inc / Mary's House I Rental Assistance                                                            $169,464 Integrity Inc / Mary's House II Rental Assistance                                                           $87,696 Newark, N.J. City Of, (INC) / Second Chance Housing Program                                     $131,880 Positive Health Care, Incorporated / PHCI Permanent Housing                                       $187,956 Project Live, Inc / 2010 PLI-Firebird – 3                                                                         $330,060 Project Live, Inc / Project Live Supportive Housing Program 2012-2015/Renewal            $285,955   Newton (Sussex) Family Promise of Sussex County / 2012 HUD Continuum of Care Program                    $324,236   New Brunswick (Middlesex) Coming Home of Middlesex County, Inc. / Coordinated Assessment II                            $37,070 Coming Home of Middlesex County, Inc. / Middlesex County Coordinated Assessment            $40,000 Middlesex County / Middlesex 2016 CoC Planning Grant                                                $84,121 Middlesex County / Middlesex County HMIS                                                                  $94,681 Middlesex County / Middlesex County Leasing 1 2011                                                    $185,604 Middlesex County / Middlesex County Leasing 2 2011                                                    $424,877 Middlesex County / Middlesex County Leasing 3                                                            $79,255   Paramus (Bergen) Care Plus NJ, Inc. / Rapid Re-Housing for Familes                                                        $271,477 Care Plus NJ, Inc. / Rapid Re-Housing for Individuals                                                    $246,798   Paterson (Passaic) City of Paterson / Straight and Narrow SRO                                                                   $524,082 CUMAC/ECHO, Inc. / Place of Promise                                                                         $70,563 Heart of Hannah Women's Center Inc. / Heart of Hannah Last Step Rapid ReHousing            $175,772 Housing Authority of The City of Paterson / Marion St. Apartments                                 $110,167 Housing Authority of The City of Paterson / New Destiny Family Success Center            $86,739 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Eva's Village Apartments                             $118,815 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Housing First Pilot Project                           $329,213 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic CoC Planning Grant 2016                $119,137 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First 2008              $267,391 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First 2009              $81,260 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First 2010              $94,592 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First 2011              $404,509 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First 2011 Bonus            $78,729 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First Collaborative II 2009                                                                                             $362,951 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Passaic County Housing First Collaborative III 2010                                                                                            $75,679 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / Paterson Park Apartments                           $147,917 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / St. Joe's CDC                                              $47,187 Passaic County Dept. of Human Services / St. Paul's CDC                                            $47,187   Pennsauken (Camden) Community Planning and Advocacy Council / Camden Housing First 2011                      $525,186 Community Planning and Advocacy Council / Camden Housing First 2012                      $386,038 Community Planning and Advocacy Council / Camden Housing First Bonus 2011            $132,284 Community Planning and Advocacy Council / CoC Planning Project Application FY2016            $129,875 Community Planning and Advocacy Council / HNPC Housing Outreach                          $9,992   Perth Amboy (Middlesex) Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen / CoC Rapid Re-housing III for Families             $61,830 Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen / CoCRapid Re-housing II for Families               $304,324 Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen / Naomi's Way Perm. Housing Proj. for Families$193,117   Phillipsburg (Warren) Northwest NJ Community Action Program / Tri-County Leasing 2011                             $250,657 Northwest NJ Community Action Program / Tri-County Leasing 2011 PH                        $67,865 Northwest NJ Community Action Program / Warren County Leasing 2010                       $14,792   Raritan (Somerset) Alternatives, Inc. / Permanent Supportive Housing I Renewal Application FY2016            $99,815 Alternatives, Inc. / Permanent Supportive Housing II Renewal Application FY2016            $99,295 Alternatives, Inc. / Permanent Supportive Housing IV Renewal Application FY2016            $18,336 Alternatives, Inc. / Somerset County Rapid Re-Housing New Application FY 2016            $19,269 Alternatives, Inc. / Warren County Lease Based 600 First Avenue                                   $64,900   Red Bank (Monmouth) HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Beachway I AP16a                                                                 $183,000 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Beachway II AP16b                                                                $217,000 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Monmouth Leasing AP17                                                        $39,295 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Monmouth Leasing AP17b                                                      $123,814 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Rt 66 Apts AP02 – 2016                                                          $264,837 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Ocean Leasing AP14 OC – 2016                                             $26,689 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Ocean Leasing AP17 OC                                                        $62,463 HABcore, Inc. / HABcore Ocean RRH 17                                                                       $81,016   Rochelle Park (Bergen) Center for Hope and Safety (fmr. Shelter Our Sisters) / B2-T Renewal Exhibit 2 FY16            $23,020 Center for Hope and Safety (fmr. Shelter Our Sisters) / E1 Exhibit 2 Renewal FY16            $15,801   Salem (Salem) Salem County Inter Agency Council of Human Services / Salem County COC Planning Grant FY2016                                                                                                 $5,549 Salem County Inter Agency Council of Human Services  / Salem County Inter Agency Council Leased Apartments/HOME Program                                                                  $134,069   Somerville (Somerset) Somerset County, N.J.  / 2016 Somerset CoC Planning Grant                                        $11,561   Teterboro (Bergen) Advance Housing, Inc. / Advance Supportive Living Program (a.k.a. HoST)                    $365,113 Advance Housing, Inc. / Fairview McKinney                                                                   $168,829 Advance Housing, Inc. / Demarest Farms Operating PH Bonus Program                        $11,161 Advance Housing, Inc. / Demarest Farms Service and Operating Program                     $27,440 Advance Housing, Inc. / Sussex Supportive Living Program                                           $84,983   Toms River (Ocean) Ocean Community Economic Action Now, Inc. / OCEAN, Inc. Stonehurst Rental Assist.            $74,184 Ocean Community Economic Action Now, Inc. / OCEAN, Inc. Berkeley & Lakewood            $109,548   Trenton (Mercer) City of Trenton / 2016 CoC Planning Project                                                                  $106,607 City of Trenton / 501-507 Perry Street Shelter + Care                                                     $167,083 City of Trenton / Catholic Charities Rapid Re-Housing for Families                                 $83,734 City of Trenton / Coordinated Assessment Project                                                         $102,519 City of Trenton / GTBHC Housing First Phase II Bonus                                                  $155,638 City of Trenton / Housing First - Mercer/Trenton 09                                                       $75,184 City of Trenton / Housing First - Samaritan Trenton/Mercer 09                                       $41,768 City of Trenton / Housing First - Samaritan Trenton/Mercer 10                                       $44,859 City of Trenton / Housing First - Trenton/Mercer                                                            $263,271 City of Trenton / Housing First-Trenton/Mercer 10                                                         $13,674 City of Trenton / Housing Now                                                                                       $151,319 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 1 - CC On My Own                                                           $240,981 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 17 - Mercer County Leasing 2011                                     $803,461 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 18 - Mercer County Leasing 2011 Bonus                           $78,768 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 19 - GTBHC Housing First Phase III                                 $69,424 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 3 - GTBHC & CC Greenwood Ave                                     $308,790 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 4 - GTBHC S+C                                                               $343,418 City of Trenton / Mercer PSH 8 - Housing First Phase 1 - Housing First Demonstration Initiative                                                                                                 $360,585 City of Trenton / Mercer RRH 2 - CoC GA                                                                     $115,382 City of Trenton / Permanent Supportive Housing for Chronically Homeless Women            $29,324 City of Trenton / Rapid Re-Housing for Families II                                                          $177,679 City of Trenton / Rapid Re-Housing for Homeless Youth                                                 $84,421 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AA CoC Renewal 2016                                    $105,068 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AC CoC Renewal 2016                                    $80,203 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AD & 3AJ CoC Renewal 2016                          $99,420 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AQ CoC Renewal 2016                                    $32,649 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AY CoC Renewal 2016                                    $102,678 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AE CoC Renewal 2016                                    $298,968 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AF CoC Renewal 2016                                    $295,652 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AG CoC Renewal 2016                                    $270,420 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3APLI - CoC Application 2016                           $211,667 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AR CoC Renewal 2016            101                   $42,102 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AT CoC Renewal 2016                                    $280,678 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AX CoC Renewal 2016                                    $169,334 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AL CoC Renewal 2016                                    $188,088 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AK, 3AN & 3AP CoC Renewal 2016                 $398,647 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / MNJ COC Renewal 2016                                  $800,816 N.J. Department of Community Affairs / 3AS & 3AW CoC Renewal 2016                         $103,092 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Atlantic HMIS FY2016                             $17,000 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Camden Shelter Plus Care program            $298,332 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Cape May HMIS FY2016                         $2,667 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Southern New Jersey HMIS FY 2016            $47,525 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Essex HMIS FY 2016                              $235,666 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Hudson HMIS FY 2016                            $69,000 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Mercer HMIS FY 2016                             $19,970 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Monmouth HMIS FY 2016                        $81,727 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Passaic HMIS FY 2016                            $47,667 N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency / Tri County HMIS FY 2016                        $7,457   Union City (Hudson) North Hudson Community Action Corporation / NHCAC Rapid Rehousing                       $601,216   Washington Twp. (Bergen) AAH of Bergen County, Inc. / AAH Bergen County Supportive Housing                           $251,916   Westampton (Burlington) Transitional Housing Services, Inc./Alden Ave./Federal St. Perm. Supportive Housing            $102,958   West New York (Husdon) West New York Housing Authority / Homes for Heroes                                                  $301,915   Whippany (Morris) NJ 211 Partnership / Single Point of Entry                                                                     $50,411 NJ 211 Partnership / No Wrong Door                                                                             $51,020 NJ 211 Partnership / No Wrong Door 2                                                                          $59,616 NJ 211 Partnership / A Place to Call Home                                                                    $100,000 ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-pallone-applaud-major-step-to-protect-jersey-shore-from-offshore-drilling,"Menendez, Booker, Pallone Applaud Major Step to Protect Jersey Shore from Offshore Drilling",2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker, Pallone Applaud Major Step to Protect Jersey Shore from Offshore Drilling Menendez, Booker, Pallone Applaud Major Step to Protect Jersey Shore from Offshore Drilling President heeds call, issues partial Atlantic drilling ban Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 20, 2016   NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06) today applauded President Obama for heeding their call to take steps to further protect the Jersey Shore from offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.  President Obama exercised his authority to permanently ban offshore drilling in deep water canyons from Virginia to New England, including off the New Jersey coast, and in much of the Arctic Ocean. “The families and businesses who depend on a thriving Jersey Shore and clean Atlantic Ocean took an important step forward with the President’s decision to permanently ban drilling in parts of the Atlantic. Today, we celebrate a milestone in our fight to protect the Jersey Shore, but acknowledge that our work is not yet done,” said Sen. Menendez.  “In my first month as a United States senator in 2006, I introduced legislation to permanently ban drilling in the Atlantic.  Over the last ten years, I’ve been proud to stand with New Jerseyans time and again as we stood up to Big Oil—against all political odds.  I will never stop fighting until we fully protect our shores and secure an economic and environmental legacy for generations to come.”  “New Jerseyans stood united in calling for the protection of the Atlantic Ocean and this announcement marks an important step in that fight,” said Sen. Booker.  “I applaud President Obama for answering calls to permanently protect vulnerable waters in the Atlantic and the Arctic oceans from the potential devastating effects of a catastrophic oil spill.  We must now stand ready to fight any efforts by the incoming administration to undermine these historic protections for our environment, our economy and our coastal communities.” “I applaud President Obama for taking an important step to protect the Jersey Shore and the coastal communities that rely on it by withdrawing 5,990 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean from future drilling,” said Pallone.  “Oil spills don’t respect state borders.  The fact remains that opening up the Atlantic Ocean for fossil fuel development is unnecessary, poses a serious threat to our coastal communities, and is the wrong approach.  I remain convinced that the only way to ensure that New Jersey is not the victim of a devastating oil spill is to place a permanent ban on offshore drilling anywhere in the Atlantic.  An oil spill along the Atlantic Coast would cause severe environmental damage to fisheries, beaches and wildlife. President-elect Trump’s appointments to the EPA and the Department of Energy clearly show that his administration will pursue shortsighted and reckless policies for our environment and I will fight any effort by his administration to open up drilling in the Atlantic.” Last month, Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Pallone stood on the Long Branch boardwalk with environmental advocates to call upon President Obama to exercise the authority granted to him by Congress under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to protect the Jersey Shore by permanently banning offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean before he leaves office.  Sens. Menendez and Booker joined 12 other Senate colleagues in a letter to President Obama urging him to permanently protect the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from oil and gas drilling. Sen. Menendez and Rep. Pallone are the authors of the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act, a bill cosponsored by Sen. Booker to permanently ban exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in the North, Mid-, or South Atlantic Ocean. In March, the Obama Administration removed the Atlantic Ocean from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program (Five Year Program) for 2017-2022 after Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Pallone helped lead a coalition of elected officials, shore communities, fishermen, small businesses and environmental advocates up and down the eastern seaboard in sending a clear message to the oil industry that our shores are not for sale.  The federal lawmakers led a Jersey Shore rally in January to #KillTheDrill. Following the election of Donald Trump, who ran on an anti-environment campaign and is filling his cabinet with oil executives and climate deniers, Sen. Menendez stepped up the pressure for a permanent offshore drilling ban in a Senate floor speech and op-ed in the Newark Star-Ledger, making the case for immediate action by President Obama before the sun sets on his administration.  ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov (Menendez) Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov (Booker) Anton.Becker@mail.house.gov (Pallone)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/video/view/2016-holiday-message-from-senator-menendez,2016 Holiday Message from Senator Menendez,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"After such a divisive year, I believe this Holiday Season is a time for all Americans to come together and remember our common concerns and shared values. Like you, I want the best for my family and my country. Please take a moment to watch my holiday message and let us pledge to do all we can to ensure every American has a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-celebrates-passage-legislation-combat-opioid-epidemic,Pallone Celebrates Passage of Legislation to Combat the Opioid Epidemic,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today at the Damon House in New Brunswick, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) celebrated the passage of provision in the 21st Century Cures Act, which provides $1 billion over two years to combat the opioid epidemic. Last Week, Pallone joined President Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House for the signing of the legislation. “Opioid abuse affects everyone – people of every faith, every ethnicity, every sexual orientation, and every background,” said Pallone. “They are our friends, family, and neighbors. This legislation allows our communities to strengthen our defenses against the opioid epidemic that has impacted so many of us.” Earlier this year, Congressman Pallone led successful Democratic efforts to pass and secure enactment of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a law that improves the tools available to prescribers to prevent opioid abuse. CARA expands access to lifesaving naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and expands access to evidence-based treatments that help individuals with opioid use disorders enter recovery. In New Jersey, more than 184,000 individuals have been admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities for heroin or opioid abuse since 2010 and more than 5,000 have died from heroin-related deaths since 2004.  The CDC recently published a report indicating that heroin deaths increased by 20.6 percent between 2014 and 2015. Deaths from synthetic opioids are increasing at a rapid rate, rising 72.2 percent during the same time period. In January, Pallone held a press conference at Damon House to stress the urgency of Congress acting on these important issues. Damon House Inc. was formed to establish, operate and maintain a residential and outpatient program for those suffering with substance abuse disorder and drug dependence and to rehabilitate those persons.  In addition it was formed to encourage people with substance abuse disorder to seek treatment and to aid them in independent living. Last week, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law – his last public bill signing in office.  Under the legislation, $1 billion will be allocated to fighting the opioid epidemic by providing grants to states to supplement opioid abuse prevention and treatment activities like improving prescription drug monitoring programs, implementing prevention activities, training for health providers and expanding access to opioid treatment and recovery programs.  This fills a funding gap that Democrats tried unsuccessfully to include in CARA.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-statement-obama-administration-rule-safeguard-communities-impacts-mountaintop,Pallone Statement on Obama Administration Rule to Safeguard Communities from Impacts of Mountaintop Removal,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, made the following statement on the Obama Administration’s announcement of its final rule to minimize impacts to surface water and groundwater from coal mining, especially because of mountaintop removal. The rule establishes clear requirements for responsible surface coal mining that will protect 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forest over the next two decades.   “This rule will help prevent mining practices that pollute streams, destroy drinking water sources, increase flood risk, and threaten forests. The higher standard for water quality is a victory for the health and wellbeing of communities in coal country, who for too long have had to endure the pollution of their water because of mountaintop removal and other harmful mining practices.  I have been working for years in Congress to ensure mining companies safely dispose of harmful waste material.  I applaud this crucial step to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of mining.” Pallone has long been a leader in protecting our water supply from mining waste and has recently reintroduced H.R. 6411, the Clean Water Protection Act, to prevent industrial mining waste from entering the water supply and harming human and environmental health.    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-says-congress-must-increase-russia-sanctions,Rep. Pascrell Says Congress Must Increase Russia Sanctions,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, wrote Congressional leaders calling for legislative action to confront Russia's geopolitical aggression by codifying economic sanctions and renewing support for international allies. ""These sanctions serve as an important tool to ensure Russia abandons its oppression at home and aggression abroad, which is why I am so concerned that they could be easily undone with the stroke of a pen by a future administration,"" Rep. Pascrell wrote in the letter. ""The United States must send a clear message that we will not stand idly by as President Putin bullies his neighbors, tests the commitment of NATO, and works to fracture Western democracies."" The letter asks leaders to prioritize the passage of the STAND for Ukraine Act (H.R. 5094), which would codify increased economic sanctions on Russia that are currently authorized through executive order. The letter was sent to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Minority Leader-Elect Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and copies were sent to President Barack Obama and President-Elect Donald Trump. Letter available here. Text of the letter is below. The Honorable Paul Ryan Speaker of the House H-232, U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Democratic Leader H-204, U.S. Capitol Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Charles E. Schumer Minority Leader-Elect Senate Office Building United States Senate Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, Leader Pelosi and Minority Leader-Elect Schumer: In light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued meddling and aggression around the globe, I encourage you to prioritize our national security in the 115th Congress. One of the first items of business the Congress must consider next year is legislation to further tighten economic sanctions against Russia. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the STAND for Ukraine Act to contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine; support the sovereignty of Crimea against Russia’s illegal annexation; and ultimately assist Ukraine’s democratic transition. Advancing this bill would be an important show of American strength. President Putin’s attempts to undermine global stability are boundless. Russia has cultivated networks of patronage across Central and Eastern Europe in order to influence and direct decision-making to serve the Kremlin's interests. Russia has continued to violate Ukrainian sovereignty by providing aid to separatists who attack Ukrainian military positions in Donetsk and Donbass, resulting in civilian casualties. In a similar vein, Russia continues to support the Syrian Government through its supply of ammunition and weapons, as well as its efforts to destroy opposition-controlled population zones and civilian infrastructure. The clear intent of these actions is to preserve Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. Finally, U.S. intelligence clearly demonstrates that the Russian Government directed an extensive breach of e-mails from U.S. citizens and institutions, including U.S. political organizations, during our election. These actions threaten our democratic institutions, national security, and sovereignty – and warrant a swift, strong response. As you know, the current sanctions on Russia were implemented in 2014 through executive orders relating to its actions in Ukraine. These sanctions serve as an important tool to ensure Russia abandons its oppression at home and aggression abroad, which is why I am so concerned that they could be easily undone with the stroke of a pen by a future administration. The United States must send a clear message that we will not stand idly by as President Putin bullies his neighbors, tests the commitment of NATO, and works to fracture Western democracies. That is why it is critical for the Congress to pass the STAND for Ukraine Act. The STAND for Ukraine Act would codify the 2014 sanctions levied against Russia through executive orders into U.S. law, making it more difficult for future administrations to unravel our efforts to deter President Putin’s aggression and disrespect for global order. This legislation builds on existing sanctions and sends a clear signal to Russia about the U.S.’s commitment to this policy, just as we did during the Soviet Union’s decades-long occupation of the Baltic States. Maintaining strict sanctions on Russia until it abandons its oppression at home and aggression abroad has always been a source of bipartisan support, evidenced by the strong bipartisan passage of every piece of legislation ramping up Russian sanctions. Now, more than ever, it is critical the United States stand up to President Putin by sending a clear message that Russia’s aggression will not be tolerated. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Bill Pascrell, Jr. Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-statement-situation-syria,Pallone Statement on Situation in Syria,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement on the situation in Syria. “The reports coming out of Aleppo on the indiscriminate killings and summary executions of innocent civilians by Bashar al-Assad's forces are tragic and horrifying. Aleppo, once one of the world’s most historic cities has been reduced to rubble. Its’ people have suffered inexplicable horror and death at the hands of their government and its partners. “I echo U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power’s recent remarks at the UN Security Council Emergency Briefing on Syria when she said, ‘The regime of Bashar Al-Assad, Russia, Iran, and their affiliated militia are the ones responsible for what the UN called ‘a complete meltdown of humanity.’ The crisis in Syria amplifies the importance of keeping the United States open to refugees fleeing death and destruction. I urge the incoming Trump Administration to maintain this long-standing humanitarian policy.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=510,Booker Announces Committee Assignments for 115th Congress,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Booker will serve on Senate Committees on Foreign Relations; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship December 15, 2016 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) will serve on four Senate committees when the 115th Congress convenes in January 2017.  Booker will serve on the Senate committees on Foreign Relations; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “I’m excited about these committee assignments because they will enable me to keep fighting to strengthen America's national security, ensure equal justice, and expand economic opportunity for all,” Sen. Booker said. “I’m looking forward to continuing the work to build bipartisan bridges and deliver for New Jerseyans, while standing by my values and serving as a check and balance on the new Administration.” Booker’s committee assignments are subject to Democratic conference and Senate ratification.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-lobiondo-lead-nj-congressional-delegation-response-to-air-force-on-future-basing-of-f-35s-at-177th-fighter-wing,"Menendez, Booker, LoBiondo Lead NJ Congressional Delegation Response to Air Force on Future Basing of F-35s at 177th Fighter Wing",2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker, LoBiondo Lead NJ Congressional Delegation Response to Air Force on Future Basing of F-35s at 177th Fighter Wing Menendez, Booker, LoBiondo Lead NJ Congressional Delegation Response to Air Force on Future Basing of F-35s at 177th Fighter Wing Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 15, 2016   NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker joined Congressman Frank LoBiondo (N.J.-02) and the full New Jersey Congressional delegation in a letter yesterday to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James urging consideration of the Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing for future basing decisions of the F-35 fighter jets. Last week the U.S. Air Force announced it had narrowed to five (5) the possible locations for initial F-35 basing.  The 177th Fighter Wing was among the eighteen (18) locations considered, though excluded from the final list. “We believe these qualities demonstrate strategic military value for the Air Force, and that the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base would be an ideal location for the F-35A looking forward.  We also look forward to any comments regarding changes the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base can make to improve its candidacy for future F-35A basing decisions,” the letter stated. The letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06), Bill Pascrell (N.J.-09), Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Rodney Frelinghuysen (N.J.-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12), Leonard Lance (N.J.-07), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Tom MacArthur (N.J.-03), Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), and Scott Garrett (N.J.-05). The text of the letter is as follows: December 14, 2016   The Honorable Deborah Lee James Secretary United States Air Force Secretary James: In light of the decision for the Operations 5 and 6 beddown of the F-35A Lightning II to be based at five candidate military installations around the country, we are writing to express our disappointment in the Air Force’s exclusion of the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, home to the 177th Fighter Wing (FW).   In future basing decisions for next generation aircraft, including upcoming F-35A basing decisions, we hope the following qualities are considered for selecting the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base: Low Cost/Ready Now/Sustainable: Base infrastructure and facilities postured Newer facilities at the installation have already been designed to meet the needs of the F-35, and its older facilities require only limited modifications to become 5th generation capable. For example, there is covered parking for the entire fleet of F-35s, a state of the art maintenance facility integrated with 5th generation capability, and space readily available for simulator upgrades. The base also has a recently constructed air support operations squadron building ready for F-35 air-to-ground integration. Strategic Location: Centrally positioned Located in Egg Harbor Township, the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base is strategically situated halfway between Washington D.C. and New York City. The area surrounding the base is predominantly agricultural, low-density residential with more than 50 percent of Atlantic County located within the New Jersey Pineland National Reserve. The base is also a primary launching point for missions to Europe, located near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for active duty support functions, and has optimum weather conditions year round. Combat Ready Track Record: Recent combat mission execution The 177th FW has the distinction of having an operations group that is comprised of a fighter squadron, an air support operations squadron, and a bombing range all under a single command. The unit has more than 14 years of homeland defense experience; including three combat deployments: Operation Iraqi Freedom (2006, 2010) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2012). The 177th FW also plays a critical role in both the Air Combat Command’s Aerospace Expeditionary Force structure and NORAD’s Air Force Aerospace Control Alert mission. We believe these qualities demonstrate strategic military value for the Air Force, and that the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base would be an ideal location for the F-35A looking forward. We also look forward to any comments regarding changes the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base can make to improve its candidacy for future F-35A basing decisions. Thank you. Sincerely,   ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov (Menendez) Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov (Booker) Jason.Galanes@mail.house.gov (LoBiondo)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-calls-noaa-fisheries-reconsider-summer-flounder-quotas-mid-atlantic-fishery,Pallone Calls for NOAA Fisheries to Reconsider Summer Flounder Quotas at Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) spoke at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (MAFMC) December Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland about his efforts to convince NOAA Fisheries to postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotes until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment. Pallone argued that  proposed reductions would harm many coastal communities including those along the Jersey Shore who rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries. “Many fishermen are frustrated and lack confidence in the data that guides stock assessments,” said Pallone. “In the recreational sector, many believe that they have sacrificed for years to increase stocks, and have yet to see any benefits, despite the increase in biomass from the ‘90s. There continues to be legitimate concerns that the random sampling heavily relied upon by the NOAA and the estimates produced are inaccurate.” This week Congressman Pallone and Senator Cory Booker sent a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotes until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment. Pallone has long been a supporters of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Earlier this year, Congressman Pallone sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for fair and less restrictive policies relating to summer flounder. Last year, the Congressman decried NOAA’s final rule on 2016 summer flounder catch limits. Under the rule, the summer flounder acceptable catch limit was reduced 30 percent, from 23 million pounds to 16 million pounds. His statement before the council can be found below:   Statement of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council December MeetingDecember 14, 2016 I want to thank Chairman Luisi, Vice Chairman Elliot, and all the members and staff of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council for giving me this opportunity to make a statement about the summer flounder quotas for 2017 and 2018, and for the work you do to serve fishermen and coastal communities. I also want to acknowledge the New Jersey members of the Council, Thomas Baum, Peter Hughes, and Adam Nowalsky for their work. As you all know, last month, NOAA Fisheries released a proposal to dramatically cut the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. Summer flounder is one of the most important recreational fish to resident and non-resident anglers in New Jersey. As you also know, the scale of these reductions is extremely serious; the summer flounder ABC would be reduced 29% in 2017 and a 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. I know that implementing this proposed rule would have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of recreational and commercial fishermen and the economies of coastal communities that depend on the industry. I represent the New Jersey 6th Congressional District, and there are many coastal communities in my district which will be harmed if these regulations go into effect. Many of these Jersey Shore communities rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries, and are already struggling. According to the Jersey Coast Anglers Alliance, from 2007 to 2014 there was a loss of 2 million fishing trips in New Jersey, and 40% of fishing trips in New Jersey are in pursuit of summer flounder. Burdensome regulations on recreational fishermen have played a large role in this decrease. Fishermen and their families will not be the only ones who suffer if these dramatic cuts are finalized. The tourism and boating industries along the Shore will be impacted as well. I have heard from constituents about this issue, and earlier this week, Senator Booker and I sent a letter to NOAA, requesting that it reconsider this proposal, and maintain existing quota levels until it conducts a new summer flounder benchmark assessment. Many fishermen are frustrated and lack confidence in the data that guides stock assessments. In the recreational sector, many believe that they have sacrificed for years to increase stocks, and have yet to see any benefits, despite the increase in biomass from the ‘90s. There continues to be legitimate concerns that the random sampling heavily relied upon by the NOAA and the estimates produced are inaccurate. Before it makes cuts of this severity, NOAA should work to ensure that it has the most recent and accurate data possible, and that fishermen are confident that this data will lead to accurate stock assessments. Until it conducts a new benchmark assessment, NOAA should maintain existing quotas.  The problem is exacerbated by the heavy handed approach that NOAA sometimes takes. For example, NOAA recently announced it was instituting accountability measures in a broad swath of ocean off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey to protect windowpane flounder. These measures, which place specifications on the types of trawl gear allowed to be used, would have a devastating economic impact on commercial fishermen, especially on the Belford Seafood Co-op in my district, since the impacted area is prime territory for summer flounder, which they depend on. The Co-op fishermen do not fish for windowpane, but they are going to be forced to adhere to these regulations anyway. I understand that the Council is working to resolve this problem with the New England Fishery Management Council. I encourage both Councils to work together to prevent these accountability measures from hurting fishermen just trying to do their jobs. Throughout my career in Congress, I have always worked to protect the thousands of fishermen in my Congressional District, and to enable their continued valuable economic impact on New Jersey. I will keep working to press NOAA to use the best data possible when making stock assessments, and to protect fishermen from burdensome regulations of dubious impact. In closing, while I recognize that the Council’s ability to push back against these quotas is limited, I strongly encourage the Council to take any and all steps that it can to protect recreational and commercial fishermen. The Council should work to minimize the potential negative impacts of quota cuts on the commercial and recreational fishing industry. Thank you. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-cummings-seek-answers-trump-transition%E2%80%99s-doe-questionnaire,Pallone & Cummings Seek Answers on Trump Transitions DOE Questionnaire,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"“These efforts may be an attempt to apply an ideological ‘litmus test’ to career civil servants” Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank (NJ-06), ), the Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member, sent a letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the head of the Trump transition team, seeking answers after the transition team sought to identify Department of Energy (DOE) employees and contractors who worked on or participated in international climate talks.  “We are concerned that these efforts may be an attempt to apply an ideological ‘litmus test’ to career civil servants, which runs counter to the principles of a merit-based civil service and the prohibition against discrimination against civil servants on the basis of political affiliation,” Pallone and Cummings wrote. The members continued, “We are concerned that these efforts to single out particular Department employees involved in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may be an attempt to target DOE employees whose scientific views on climate change differ from those of the incoming Trump Administration.  While the new Administration is entitled to select political appointees who share the President-Elect’s views on climate change, any effort to retaliate against, undermine, demote, or marginalize civil servants on the basis of their scientific analysis would be an abuse of authority.” The two Democratic committee leaders asked the transition team to provide the memorandum and questionnaire sent to DOE, as well as any similar requests that were sent to other federal agencies seeking the identification of civil service personnel in order to obtain the political policy opinions of individual civil servants. A copy of the letter is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-opposes-jcpls-new-transmission-rate-proposal,Pallone Opposes JCP&L's New Transmission Rate Proposal,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ06) sent a letter to Chairman Norman C. Bay of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opposing a new transmission formula rate proposed by Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L). It is likely that this new formula will result in higher costs to New Jersey ratepayers. In the letter, Pallone supports the protest filed by the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Public Power Association of New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other federal agencies.  He also urged the Commission to suspend the effective date of any potential JCP&L rate increase until all of the relevant issues had been considered. The transmission rate formula rate is not related to the distribution rate that was finalized by JCP&L earlier this week.Earlier this month, Pallone requested a public hearing on the proposal which would increase rates by 150% and argued that “any increase of this magnitude should be carefully scrutinized.” Pallone has voiced concerns with other JCP&L proposals which could have negative impacts on New Jersey communities. In October, Pallone sent a letter to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) voicing his concerns over Jersey Central Power and Light’s (JCP&L) proposal for the Monmouth County Reliability Project (MCRP). The plan for JCP&L’s new transmission line would impact Aberdeen, Hazlet and Middletown in Pallone’s district and run along New Jersey Transit’s North Jersey Coast line. Many residents have argued that the project is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the public health, environment, and economy of their communities. In August, he shared his concerns with BPU regarding JCP&L’s proposal to transfer all of its transmission assets to Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission. JCP&L withdrew its transfer proposal in September, a week after Pallone’s statement.   December 14, 2016 The Honorable Norman C. Bay Chairman Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 Re: Docket No. ER17-217-000 Dear Chairman Bay: I write in support of the intervention by the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Public Power Association of New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Defense and all other Federal Executive Agencies opposing the transmission formula rate proposed by Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) in its October 28, 2016 filing. The protest filed by these parties identifies a number of components of JCP&L’s proposed rate formula that will result in substantially higher transmission charges for current and future projects undertaken by JCP&L.  These higher wholesale transmission rates will undoubtedly result in higher retail electricity rates for New Jersey ratepayers.  As I indicated in my earlier correspondence to the Commission, I am greatly concerned about the impact of increased rates on customers served by this utility.  In addition, the abbreviated timeline proposed by JCP&L between the publication of the annual update of its projected formula rate and the time the rate would take effect leaves insufficient time for parties to evaluate and respond to a filing.  The public is not well-served if the state agencies charged with protecting its interests are given insufficient time to act on its behalf.  Once the formula rate and the protocols for annual reporting and review are established, they will govern the rate-setting process for the foreseeable future.  Therefore, I urge the Commission to review carefully the specific issues raised by the intervening parties in their protest.  While proposals for rate increases are never popular with ratepayers, the public’s confidence in JCP&L is particularly low.  As I indicated in my earlier correspondence, the  recently abandoned plan by JCP&L’s parent company, First Energy, to transfer JCP&L’s transmission assets to Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission and JCP&L’s proposal to build an additional transmission line in Monmouth County have been very controversial and unpopular with residents in the area.  I recognize these specific decisions are not within the Commission’s purview, but the formula rates approved by the Commission are a significant factor in decisions about the construction of additional grid infrastructure.  I recognize the value of providing sufficient financial incentive to utilities to ensure that investments will be made in the grid to modernize it and improve its reliability.  However, it is equally important to ensure that we incent only the most cost-effective and appropriate investments, and that proposed infrastructure projects will deliver benefits to all grid customers at rates that are just and reasonable and not unduly preferential or discriminatory.    Until the issues in this case have been fully aired, I urge the Commission to suspend the effective date of JCP&L’s proposed formula rate and direct the parties to enter into settlement negotiations before a Commission Administrative Law Judge.  Thank you for your consideration and attention to this important matter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-testifies-joint-legislative-task-force-drinking-water-infrastructure,Pallone Testifies Before Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06),  the Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, testified before the  Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure, a six-member panel directed to draft a report on the state of water resources in New Jersey. Pallone discussed his recent efforts in Congress on the bill which the President signed yesterday to provide funds to improve our nation’s water infrastructure. This year, Pallone worked to secure $750 million in funding for new drinking water programs to monitor for lead in schools, replace lead service lines, support disadvantaged communities, and support research into innovating drinking water technology. “The Safe Drinking Water Act has not been updated for 20 years, which has put our drinking water at risk,” said Pallone. “The crisis in Flint has highlighted the need for action, but water systems nationwide are in dire need of dramatic improvements, including many in New Jersey. We need to empower communities to protect themselves and make sure that all of our children have safe drinking water.” Congressman Pallone partnered with other safe drinking water advocates in Congress to introduce the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2016.  The bill would make comprehensive changes to ensure safer drinking water for communities nationwide including, empowering EPA to set much needed drinking water standards; requiring water systems to address risks to their source water from climate change, industrial activity, and terrorism; authorizing new investments in lead line replacement, climate resiliency, monitoring technology, and overall drinking water infrastructure and improving compliance and community right to know. The legislation also reauthorizes the Drinking Water SRF for five years at higher levels in order to meet the growing needs gap. The first year of funding is aggressive, and is based on levels provided with passage of the Recovery Act in 2009, corrected for inflation ($3.13 billion). The authorization then increases by 15 percent annually going forward.   Authorization Levels in the bill: FY 2017 -- $3.13 billion FY 2018 -- $3.6 billion FY 2019 -- $4.14 billion FY 2020 -- $4.8 billion FY 2021 -- $5.5 billion In February, Pallone testified before the New Jersey Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens on the alarming rates of children affected by lead poisoning throughout the state.  Pallone also discussed his efforts to get answers about federal funding New Jersey receives for lead poisoning prevention programs. The text of his remarks can be found below. Statement of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) New Jersey State Legislature Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure I want to start by thanking the Drinking Water Task Force for inviting me to testify here today.  Access to safe drinking water is essential to our health and prosperity as a state and as a nation, but it is far from guaranteed.  The Safe Drinking Water Act has not been updated for 20 years, which has put our drinking water at risk.  The crisis in Flint has highlighted the need for action, but water systems nationwide are in dire need of dramatic improvements, including many in New Jersey.  I have managed, with my Democratic colleagues in Congress and President Obama, to find some small successes on drinking water this Congress.  Last year, I helped to pass a law to require EPA to develop a strategic plan to address the impacts of harmful algal blooms on drinking water.  This year, I helped to pass a law to authorize EPA to provide technical assistance to small and rural communities struggling to provide safe water. And last week, Congress passed a law I worked on to provide money to the community of Flint to repair and replace their drinking water infrastructure.  It took far too long to get that aid for Flint, but in the end we were able to do it before Congress adjourned. Working with Democrats in the Senate, I was able to get a few drinking water improvements in that bill - including $750 million in funding for new drinking water programs to monitor for lead in schools, replace lead service lines, support disadvantaged communities, and support research into innovating drinking water technology; increased access to assistance for Indian Tribes; and stronger notification requirements following drinking standard violations and exceedances. But that bill fell far short of what is needed, and in the end, was weighed down with dangerous unrelated provisions.  I am sorry to report that Republicans refused to authorize needed drinking water funding.  According to the most recent EPA estimates, we are looking at $384 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs nationwide, with almost $8 billion in need in New Jersey.  Republicans also opposed a requirement that federally funded drinking water projects use American iron and steel and pay good wages.  Those requirements should not be controversial – they have been enacted through the appropriations process for years and have clear benefits for American workers and the American economy. Replacing drinking water infrastructure is good for public health and, if done right, means high paying construction jobs and high paying jobs in the steel industry.  So I will keep fighting, but it is an uphill battle. Earlier this year, I introduced comprehensive legislation to revise the Safe Drinking Water Act and pay for our needed infrastructure improvements.    That bill, the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2016, would empower EPA to set needed drinking water standards, including a revised standard for lead and a standard for perfluorinated compounds including PFOA (pronounced p-foe-a).  The DEP recently put out a new standard for PFOA in New Jersey, but having a federal standard is important to ensure that we are protecting public health.  The bill would also reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, including in schools.  The bill provides grants for replacement of lead service lines in schools and communities, grants for replacement of school drinking fountains containing lead, and grants for lead monitoring programs in schools.  The bill also requires EPA to prepare new guidance for schools planning lead infrastructure replacement and update guidance for schools and child care centers on monitoring, mitigating, and communicating issues with lead contamination. The bill would also require water systems to assess their vulnerabilities to climate change, terrorism, and source water contamination and provide funding to address those vulnerabilities.   The bill would remove the dangerous and unwarranted exemption for hydraulic fracturing, so that EPA and states would be required to ensure that fracking does not contaminate drinking water supplies.  Just yesterday, EPA released their final report on fracking, finding risks to drinking water and dangerous data gaps.  So it is clearer than ever before that the exemption must be repealed. The bill would also provide more and better information to communities concerned about the quality of their drinking water.  After the crisis in Flint and findings of lead in school drinking water across New Jersey and the Country, we need to empower communities to protect themselves.  I will reintroduce this comprehensive bill early next year, and work to advance these issues however I can at the federal level.  But I expect Republicans in Congress will continue to ignore these issues, and the next president is likely to join them.  It will be even more important moving forward for state governments, cities and towns, and community groups to do everything they can.  So, what can this task force do?  I think the most important thing to do is to understand the threats to our drinking water resources in this state.  The risks from climate change and extreme weather, lead in our pipes, contaminated Superfund and Brownfield sites along our rivers, and current industrial activity should all be assessed. I mentioned that my bill would require water systems to identify their vulnerabilities and plan to address them.  This is something that could be done at the state level, and in fact New Jersey has long been a leader in assessing and addressing vulnerabilities in our infrastructure.  We have seen numerous instances in recent years of cities losing their water supply for days or weeks - the crisis in Flint, the chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia, the algal bloom in Toledo, Ohio, the coal ash spill in North Carolina that took out drinking water supplies in Virginia.  Each of those events offer lessons. So I think that this task force is very timely, and has an important role to play.  I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today and I look forward to working with you in the coming months. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://payne.house.gov/press-release/payne-jr-announces-23m-federal-grant-east-orange-child-development-corporation,"Payne, Jr. Announces $2.3M Federal Grant to East Orange Child Development Corporation",2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Payne,P000604,payne.house.gov,,,legacy,"NEWARK, N.J. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $2,262,719 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs at the East Orange Child Development Corporation. “We all know how important it is to have Early Head Start and Head Start programs to give disadvantaged children the extra boost they need to have a fair shot at success,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “This funding will help ensure the East Orange Child Development Corporation has the resources to continue providing services essential to making a profound difference in the lives of children in our community.” The East Orange Child Development Corporation provides comprehensive child care services, including education and counseling, to children, families, and the community of East Orange, New Jersey.  Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for low-income children and their families. Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start and Early Head Start programs in their communities through HHS. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sires.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sires-and-ros-lehtinen-lead-letter-to-secretary-kerry-urging,Sires and Ros-Lehtinen Lead Letter to Secretary Kerry Urging Condemnation of Coptic Christian Persecution in Egypt,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Albio Sires,S001165,sires.house.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) sent a letter to Secretary Kerry, along with several other Members, urging the Administration to condemn the continued persecution of Coptic Christians and work with the Egyptian government to protect religious minorities in Egypt. “The Coptic Christian community in Egypt has faced continuous and targeted persecution despite its entrenched roots in Egyptian history and society. The bombing of St. Peter’s Church in Cairo on December 11 is a stark reminder of the ongoing discrimination and intolerance confronting nearly ten percent of Egypt’s population. The Egyptian government and President el-Sisi must do more to ensure that the rights of all Egypt’s citizens are protected, and that all Egypt’s communities can live free from fear of violence,” stated Congressman Sires. Coptic Christians in Egypt comprise as much as forty percent of the population in some areas, and can trace their roots back to Egypt for over two thousand years. However, the Christian community in Egypt has suffered from escalated rates of vigilante violence targeting their community. The recent bombing of St. Peter’s Church that killed dozens and injured hundreds is a poignant reminder of the dangers facing Coptic Christians on a daily basis. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen stated, “I strongly condemn the vicious terrorist attack at Cairo’s St. Mark’s Cathedral targeting Coptic Christians. The increasing frequency of persecution against Egypt’s Christians is deeply alarming and I urge our administration to work with the Egyptian government to help protect vulnerable religious minorities and ensure that the perpetrators of all attacks against Copts are brought to justice as soon as possible. The safety and human rights of Copts, other religious minorities, and indeed, all Egyptian citizens, must be protected.” Full text of the letter to Secretary Kerry can be found here. Members of Congress joining Sires and Ros-Lehtinen on the letter were: Rep. Theodore Deutch (D-FL), Rep. David Trott (R-MI), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), and Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/in-the-news/camden-wins-132-million-for-new-housing,Camden Wins $13.2 Million for New Housing,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Camden Wins $13.2 Million for New Housing Camden Wins $13.2 Million for New Housing Print Email Tweet Wednesday, December 14, 2016 By:  Steele Addison   Camden will receive more than $13 million in federal funding to replace the 1940s-era buildings in the Clement T. Branch Village public housing complex with mixed-income town houses and apartments, developments that Mayor Dana L. Redd and other officials said would transform the struggling neighborhood. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program. ... ""It's about people's lives that we are changing today,"" said U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who was joined by fellow Democrats Sen. Cory A. Booker and U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, local officials, and several dozen Branch Village residents. Losing the grant last year, Menendez said, ""didn't stop our dream, and we went at it again, and here we are celebrating our dream."" Read full story...",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/sen-menendez-on-the-worsening-crisis-in-aleppo,Sen. Menendez on the Worsening Crisis in Aleppo,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Menendez on the Worsening Crisis in Aleppo Sen. Menendez on the Worsening Crisis in Aleppo Print Email Tweet Wednesday, December 14, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the worsening situation in Aleppo, where the Assad regime continues a Russian-backed brutal offensive against Syrian opposition and civilians. “The horrific scenes from Aleppo offer a devastating reminder that the international community has failed the people of Syria. With the support of Russian and Iranian allies, the Assad regime has led a targeted campaign against innocent children and families, bombing hospitals, and attacking humanitarian aid workers and convoys. The regime has shown no restraint in attacking its own civilians with conventional and chemical weapons and through starvation. More than 500,000 people have already died in this conflict, millions have been displaced throughout the world, entire families are trapped and reports emerged today about women committing suicide to avoid being raped. “This is a disheartening failure of the international community to take a stand in the face of mass violence and gross human rights violations. When faced with options to provide relief and support for innocent children and those suffering in the crosshairs of this conflict, the world failed to hear their cries for help and unify behind them. Those nations who see their own national security bolstered by the brutal Assad regime undermined core principles of security, human right and dignity at the expense of an untold number of lives. The United States and our European allies who value stability and security based on the rule of law and respect of human rights failed to lead. “So, too, did the Congress. Three years ago, as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee I helped pass a bipartisan use of military force authorization to provide the Administration with authorities to engage in limited operations against ISIS. The House of Representatives failed to act. We watched with horror as more civilians continued to die, as Assad regained power with Russian and Iranian support. The price of Congressional inaction was compounded by the Assad regime’s brazen and continuous rejection of international norms. As we idly stand by, let this tragedy remind us that we have all sworn to ‘never again’ let these horrific carnages occur. Looking forward, we must strengthen our resolve as an international community to confront this horror, ensure accountability for crimes against humanity, and commit to taking decisive actions in support of peace and humanity.” ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-applauds-president-obama-he-signs-major-health-legislation-law,Pallone Applauds President Obama as he Signs Major Health Legislation into Law,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"21st Century Cures provides Billions for Cancer Research and to Combat the Opioid Epidemic Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded President Obama for signing the 21st Century Cures Act into law. Pallone led Democratic efforts to pass the legislation through the House. The 21st Century Cures Act will advance medical research, fund the fight to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic and further efforts towards mental health reform. As a leader in medical innovation, New Jersey and institutions such as the Cancer Center in New Brunswick, stand to benefit from 21st century cures investments in medical research. “Today’s signing of the 21st Century Cures Act marks an important step toward new treatments and cures for some of the most debilitating and life-threatening diseases that afflict millions of Americans,” said Pallone. “I’m particularly proud of the billions of dollars in funding for Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative, research to increase our understanding and treatment of brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury, and grants for states and communities hard-hit by the opioid abuse crisis. These investments will provide hope for millions of people battling cancer, seeing a loved one in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, or a parent trying desperately to help a child battling opioid addiction. “The investments included in the final bill were essential to producing bipartisan support in Congress, which would not have been possible without the leadership of President Obama and Vice President Biden. I’m also pleased that we were able to include important reforms to our broken mental health system and improved access for kids to inpatient psychiatric treatment through Medicaid. “Now that Cures is law, we must ensure that the funding promises included in this law are fulfilled in the coming years.” The 21st Century Cures Act will designate over $6 billion to implement cutting-edge health initiatives. · $1 billion will be allocated to fighting the opioid epidemic, which will expand access to treatment for the over 256,000 New Jersey residents who are suffering from opioid and heroin addiction. · $1.8 billion to support the Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot. The Moonshot aims to accelerate research efforts and make new therapies available to more patients, while also improving our ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage. · $1.5 billion is designated for the BRAIN Initiative that finds new ways to treat, cure, and prevent brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy. · $1.5 billion over 10 years for the Precision Medicine Initiative, which was launched by President Barack Obama in 2015, which will help researchers develop medicines tailored to individuals, rather than one-size-fits-all treatments. · $500 million to the FDA over 10 years to foster innovation and to help implement numerous provisions in the bill intended to improve FDA’s medical product review in order to expedite patient access to important drugs and medical devices. The legislation also includes bipartisan mental health reforms. These include expanding access to mental health services for children through Medicaid, renewed emphasis on evidence-based strategies for treating serious mental illness, improved coordination between primary care and behavioral health services, reauthorization of important programs focused on suicide prevention and other prevention services. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-booker-call-noaa-fisheries-reconsider-dramatically-reduced-summer-flounder,"Pallone, Booker Call on NOAA Fisheries to Reconsider Dramatically Reduced Summer Flounder Quotas",2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Senator Cory A. Booker have sent a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries about its proposal to reduce the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. The New Jersey lawmakers requested that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on reducing summer flounder quotes until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment. These proposed reductions would harm many coastal communities along the Jersey Shore, especially those that rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries. “It is crucial that NOAA reconsider the quotas based on the most accurate information,” said Congressman Pallone. “Without a sufficient summer flounder quota, New Jersey’s economy faces a threat that jeopardizes the livelihoods of so many. I will continue to work with my New Jersey colleagues and press NOAA for more favorable catch limits in the future.” “Jobs and businesses down the Jersey Shore are powered by the strength of our commercial and recreational fishing industries,” said Sen. Booker. “ Another reduction in the summer flounder quota could have damaging effects on our state and coastal economies. We will continue to urge NOAA implement quotas that are good for New Jerseyans and reflect the most up to date, accurate assessments.” Pallone and Booker have long been strong supporters of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Earlier this year, Congressman Pallone sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for fair and less restrictive policies relating to summer flounder. Last year, the Congressman decried NOAA’s final rule on 2016 summer flounder catch limits. Under the rule, the summer flounder acceptable catch limit was reduced 30 percent, from 23 million pounds to 16 million pounds. The text of the letter can be found below: December 12, 2016 Eileen Sobeck Assistant Administrator for Fisheries NOAA Fisheries 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Dear Assistant Administrator Sobeck: We write in regards to a proposal by NOAA Fisheries to reduce the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), recreational and commercial quotas for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018. Implementing this proposed rule will have a dramatic impact on the livelihoods of recreational and commercial fishermen, damaging the economies of coastal communities that depend on this important fishery. NOAA Fisheries should reconsider this proposal, specifically by maintaining existing quota levels until it conducts a new summer flounder benchmark assessment. As you know, the last summer flounder benchmark assessment took place in 2013, and the agency has scheduled a new assessment to take place in 2017. The scale of these reductions is serious, for example, the summer flounder ABC would be reduced 29% in 2017 and a 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018 respectively. NOAA Fisheries should make use of the best science available to ensure that it has updated numbers before making any decision of this level. These proposed reductions would harm many coastal communities along the Jersey Shore, especially those that rely on the recreational and commercial fishing industries. These communities are already struggling. From 2007 to 2014 there was a loss of 2 million fishing trips in New Jersey, and 40% of fishing trips in New Jersey are in pursuit of summer flounder. The damage would not be limited to just fishermen, the tourism and boating industries along the Shore would be impacted as well. That is why we are respectfully requesting that NOAA Fisheries postpone any decision on summer flounder quotas until it conducts a new benchmark summer flounder assessment. The agency should also maintain the current quotas until that assessment is conducted. NOAA Fisheries should use the best science and updated data before it makes any decision to implement these dramatic quota cuts. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-nomination-perry-lead-department-energy,Pallone on Nomination of Perry to lead Department of Energy,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement today upon news of former Governor of Texas Rick Perry’s expected nomination to head the Department of Energy (DOE): “This nomination defies all logic. Governor Perry is on the record both forgetting about the Energy Department and then later remembering that he wanted to eliminate it. Governor Perry clearly does not recognize the importance the Energy Department plays in ensuring the safety and security of America’s nuclear arsenal and nuclear power plants. “It is also deeply unsettling that our current Secretary of Energy, a renowned nuclear physicist, could be succeeded by a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. Governor Perry is simply not qualified for this position and should be rejected.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-nomination-tillerson-secretary-state,Pallone on Nomination of Tillerson for Secretary of State,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement upon news of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson’s expected nomination as Secretary of State. ""The issues handled by the Secretary of State are of the highest stakes, and they require someone with a deep understanding of international diplomacy and without any conflicts of interest. Rex Tillerson is not that person. The President-elect will argue that Mr. Tillerson’s business experience makes him a viable candidate for this position – but it’s the wrong experience. “As Chief Executive of ExxonMobil, Mr. Tillerson has been a vocal opponent of sanctions placed on Russia in response to its unwarranted incursion into the Ukraine. He was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship by Mr. Putin himself. In an era in which Russia is increasingly aggressive toward the United States and the west, I wholeheartedly agree with Senator McCain’s assessment that Tillerson’s close relationship with Putin is a matter of concern. “Beyond the relationship with Putin, Tillerson has deep financial interests in oil fields all over the world through shares in ExxonMobil, many of which aren’t scheduled to vest for almost a decade, according to the Wall Street Journal. There is a legitimate question, based on the example of his relationship Putin, as to whether Mr. Tillerson will pursue the best interests of the United States without regard to his financial best interests. “I do not believe Mr. Tillerson is up to the task of being our nation’s top diplomat, and I urge the Senate to deny his confirmation.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pascrell-reacts-to-report-that-trumps-business-ties-may-be-jeopardizing,Pascrell Reacts to Report that Trump's Business Ties May Be Jeopardizing U.S. Interests,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"PATERSON, N.J. – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement on how President-elect Trump’s potential conflicts of interest have compromised American interests abroad. Recent reports from Newsweek about the next president of the United States describes how he can be vulnerable to undue influence by foreign governments, including through bribery and even blackmail. ""With another phone call President-elect Trump may have put people at risk and American foreign policy into question,"" said Rep. Pascrell. ""The Newsweek story today on Mr. Trump's conflicts is beyond troubling. By discussing private business while talking with foreign leaders, like the Turkish president, he is acting with extreme recklessness at worst or simple carelessness at best."" ""Alexander Hamilton could never imagine how prescient he was over two centuries ago when he warned of 'desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils' in Federalist No. 68,"" said Rep. Pascrell. ""President-elect Trump must completely separate his personal financial interests from his official capacity as the president, especially after recent reports that a foreign power may already be abusing this connection to twist the arm of the United States. Since he refuses to release his tax returns, which would provide a complete picture of his income and debts, or divorce himself from the Trump Organization, we have no idea if the president-elect is acting in the best interests of America or his bottom line, which is why he must take action to prove that he is putting American interests first."" Newsweek’s report details how the actions of President-elect Trump and the financial interests of the Trump Organization abroad may run counter to U.S. foreign policy goals in the Philippians, China, and Turkey. The complete report can be found here: http://www.newsweek.com/2016/12/23/donald-trump-foreign-business-deals-jeopardize-us-531140.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-statement-on-aleppo-attacks,Rep. Pascrell Statement on Aleppo Attacks,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"PATERSON, N.J. – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement on the devastating attacks on Aleppo in the ongoing Syrian Civil War. ""The reports of death, destruction, and devastation in Aleppo breaks my heart. These atrocities need to stop. The remaining 150,000 civilians trapped in Aleppo must be safely evacuated. While it is reassuring to hear that a ceasefire and evacuation agreement has been reached, more must be done,"" Rep. Pascrell said. ""To that end, I am calling on President Obama, President-elect Trump, and our nation’s top diplomats to condemn the continued brutal advancement of government forces that have led to gruesome reports of executions and disappearances in Aleppo. From children to the elderly, the people of Syria are crying out for help. Now, more than ever, the United States must stand up to provide humanitarian relief for those in need,"" Rep. Pascrell said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-norcross-announces-multi-million-dollar-federal-housing,Congressman Norcross Announces Multi-Million Dollar Federal Housing Grant Award for South Jersey,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Camden, NJ- Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today announced a $13.2 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant awarded to the Housing Authority of the City of Camden for the City’s Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood. “Today’s announcement highlights our collective commitment to ensuring residents of Camden have affordable, safe places to call home. These funds will go a long way changing lives and generating the transformation of this Camden neighborhood for generations to come,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). “I’m proud to have supported this federal grant initiative and look forward to Camden’s best days, which are still ahead.” Congressman Norcross was joined by United States Senators Bob Menendez & Cory Booker, as well as Camden Mayor Dana Redd for the grant announcement at Branch Village, a distressed housing site that will be replaced with 176 new townhomes and a 50-unit senior facility in two separate phases.  “This is such a tremendous achievement for the City of Camden, its partners and of course our residents.  Camden has invested an incredible amount of effort to ensure our application was competitive and received favorably by federal officials.  I applaud HUD for working with the City and our partners throughout the application process and for deciding to awarding Camden with the Choice designation,” said Camden Mayor Dana Redd. “I also commend Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, and Congressman Norcross for their unwavering support and advocacy for Camden at the federal level.  The Choice designation will be transformative, leveraging funding and support services for  the targeted community while impacting development efforts citywide.” The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant will be supported by nearly $280 million in addition private and public resources to enhance the neighborhood’s high poverty housing and struggling schools. The Camden City School District will spend up to $50 million to build two new state-of-the-art Renaissance schools in the Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood. “These funds will revitalize a part of Camden that will soon enjoy a much better quality of life, giving people improved access to the downtown area and better connect neighbors with the City’s mass transit & transportation hubs, which will take them to school, their jobs, employment training, and all that Camden has to offer,” added Congressman Donald Norcross. ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=509,Booker Statement on Rex Tillerson Nomination,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 13, 2016 Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “I have serious concerns regarding the President-Elect’s choice of Rex Tillerson to lead the Department of State. Mr. Tillerson's lifelong career at Exxon does not offer the full range of experience necessary to lead our nation’s efforts to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, ranging from suppression of free speech and media to human rights violations, global climate change, and violent insurgencies. “Furthermore, Mr. Tillerson’s close ties to Russia, and Mr. Putin specifically, are deeply disconcerting in their own right and particularly when taken in the broader context of the incoming Administration’s cozy ties to the Kremlin. In fact, while the United States and its allies were increasing sanctions of Russia over their actions in Ukraine, Mr. Tillerson was busy pursuing closer ties to the Russian government. That gives me great pause when I think about the key characteristics needed to be America’s top diplomat, among them an unwavering commitment to pursuing America’s best interests, values, and national security. “His relationships and the resulting conflicts of interest demand great scrutiny, which is especially appropriate in light of Russia's efforts to influence the outcome of November's election. I look forward to Mr. Tillerson’s hearing and a thorough vetting by the Senate.”‎",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/in-the-news/video-rex-tillersons-secretary-of-state-confirmation-expected-to-be-rocky,VIDEO: Rex Tillerson’s Secretary Of State Confirmation Expected To Be Rocky,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"VIDEO: Rex Tillerson’s Secretary Of State Confirmation Expected To Be Rocky VIDEO: Rex Tillerson’s Secretary Of State Confirmation Expected To Be Rocky Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 13, 2016 By:  Joe Holden   President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state is facing some backlash for his lack of political experience. Trump announced Tuesday that he has nominated ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to head the State Department. ... “I have serious concerns about Mr. Tillerson’s nomination,” Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., told CBS 3’s Joe Holden. Menendez added, “The question is did a foreign government try to affect the election of the United States for president and maybe even for Congress.” Read full story...",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/photo-gallery/menendez-booker-norcross-announce-132m-federal-grant-to-revitalize-camdens-mt-ephraim-neighborhood-spur-economic-growth-,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Announce $13.2M Federal Grant to Revitalize Camden’s Mt. Ephraim Neighborhood, Spur Economic Growth",2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Announce $13.2M Federal Grant to Revitalize Camden’s Mt. Ephraim Neighborhood, Spur Economic Growth U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), today announced that the City of Camden and its Housing Authority have been awarded a $13.2 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to advance the city’s efforts to transform the Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood from an area with high poverty and struggling schools to a thriving, social and economic center.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-norcross-announce-132m-federal-grant-to-revitalize-camdens-mt-ephraim-neighborhood-spur-economic-growth-,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Announce $13.2M Federal Grant to Revitalize Camden’s Mt. Ephraim Neighborhood, Spur Economic Growth",2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker, Norcross Announce $13.2M Federal Grant to Revitalize Camden’s Mt. Ephraim Neighborhood, Spur Economic Growth Menendez, Booker, Norcross Announce $13.2M Federal Grant to Revitalize Camden’s Mt. Ephraim Neighborhood, Spur Economic Growth Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 13, 2016   CAMDEN, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), today announced that the City of Camden and its Housing Authority have been awarded a $13.2 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to advance the city’s efforts to transform the Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood from an area with high poverty and struggling schools to a thriving, social and economic center. “When all is said and done, this plan is about empowerment, investment and opportunity.  It’s about Camden’s families and their futures.  It’s about safety, quality housing and education, and access to good jobs,” said Sen. Menendez, the ranking member on the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development.  “As a former mayor, I recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to revitalizing our neighborhoods.  It takes a comprehensive approach, a locally-driven plan, and collaborative partnerships between the public and private sectors, local organizations and institutions to ensure the investments necessary to make that vision a reality.  I applaud Mayor Dana Redd’s tenacity, leadership and vision to move Camden forward and improve the lives of her residents.” “I was proud to have worked closely with Mayor Redd and my colleagues in helping secure this vital federal funding and applaud the continued pursuit and securing of federal grants and commitment to Camden families,” said Sen. Booker.  “Helping lift up our most vulnerable families and creating opportunities through federal investments like this is the key to strengthening our neighborhoods.  By increasing access to safe, affordable housing, quality education and creating jobs, this federal funding will help maintain Camden on a path toward continued resurgence.” “Today’s announcement highlights our collective commitment to ensuring residents of Camden have affordable, safe places to call home.  These funds will go a long way changing lives and generating the transformation of this Camden neighborhood for generations to come,” said Rep. Norcross.  “I’m proud to have supported this federal grant initiative and look forward to Camden’s best days, which are still ahead.” The federal investment announced today will leverage and be supported by nearly $280 million in additional private and public resources, and will serve as a catalyst for housing market renewal, new private and public investment, and economic development.  With this investment, Camden’s families will be linked to jobs in the neighborhood and region, have enhanced access to critically needed preventive health and mental health services, and greater opportunities to build their credit and savings. “This is such a tremendous achievement for the City of Camden, its partners and of course our residents,” said Mayor Redd.  “Camden has invested an incredible amount of effort to ensure our application was competitive and received favorably by federal officials.  I applaud HUD for working with the City and our partners throughout the application process and for deciding to award Camden with the Choice designation.  I also commend Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, and Congressman Norcross for their unwavering support and advocacy for Camden at the federal level.  The Choice designation will be transformative, leveraging funding and support services for the targeted community while impacting development efforts citywide.” The boundaries of the Mt. Ephraim Corridor South Choice Neighborhood. View photos from the event here. The neighborhood plan incorporates redevelopment, rehabilitation, and infill housing strategies as the basis for overall neighborhood transformation with a focus on creating new connections along key corridors that link residential areas with schools, open space, transit, and retail amenities.  At the heart of the Choice Neighborhoods revitalization will be the redevelopment of Branch Village, a severely distressed site that will be replaced with 176 new townhomes and a 50-unit senior facility in two separate phases.  Business façade improvements are also planned for the Mt. Ephraim Avenue corridor. The Camden City School District will spend up to $50 million to build two new state-of-the-art Renaissance schools—a K-8 and high school—in Mt. Ephraim South with extensive early childhood education and other educational improvement efforts. Sen. Menendez is the lead sponsor of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act, legislation to make the initiative permanent and to ensure that it is adequately funded.  Last week, Sen. Menendez reintroduced the bill. Camden received a $300,000 Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grant in 2012 to design the plan, and is the first New Jersey applicant to receive an Implementation Grant.  Asbury Park, Newark and Jersey City have also previously received Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants.  In September, Camden was awarded $1,469,347 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to fund street improvements in downtown Camden, provide connections to the region’s major transportation center, revitalize the area, and support initiatives that expand the competitiveness of the existing industrial clusters. Earlier that month, Sens. Menendez and Booker, Rep. Norcross and Mayor Redd stood in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge to tour the site of a North Camden revitalization project spearheaded by a $16.2 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant awarded in July from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).  ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov (Menendez) Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov (Booker) Karl.Parker@mail.house.gov (Norcross)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-on-tillerson-nomination-for-secretary-of-state,Menendez on Tillerson Nomination for Secretary of State,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez on Tillerson Nomination for Secretary of State Menendez on Tillerson Nomination for Secretary of State Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 13, 2016   NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his Secretary of State. “Since I and many others expressed grave concerns over Rex Tillerson's qualifications for the position of Secretary of State, and his clear conflict of interests with Vladimir Putin and Russian oil companies, I have seen nothing to ease our concerns. “The fact is, the art of diplomacy entails much more than the ability to strike a good deal. Striking a business deal where profits are the only end goal is fundamentally different than being tasked with forging lasting peace accords across the world, protecting America’s national security and interests, and defining our response and role to an international crisis. The United States is at a critical juncture with nations around the world, and our interests need to be represented and articulated by a qualified leader with proven knowledge and regard for the norms and necessities that so much of our modern diplomatic and security efforts depend upon. “As we just witnessed with the intelligence community’s confirmation of Russia’s malicious intervention in our electoral process, the stakes could not be higher and I am deeply troubled with the idea of a Secretary of State Tillerson guaranteeing Dictator Vladimir Putin has a willing accomplice in the Presidential Cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy. “I look forward to a thorough confirmation process where Mr. Tillerson can explain his qualifications to effectively lead our nation on the global stage and clarify his entanglements with Russian oligarchs to the American public. With this latest concerning nomination, I hope President-elect Trump recognizes the critical role Congress will play in confirming his cabinet and acting as a check on the executive branch.” In light of the growing aggressions by Russia, and with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump refusing to commit keeping sanctions against Russia in place, Senator Menendez was joined by a group of Democratic senators last week in introducing the Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act (STAND) for Ukraine Act, legislation that reinforces the United States’ commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine by ensuring no federal agency is able to take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea and authorizes sanctions against individuals who are violating human rights, contributing to instability, and threatening the territorial integrity of Ukraine.  “The United States Congress must stand united in our support of our democratic allies around the world, and I look forward to working together to ensure we maintain those alliances and promote our interests through the adoption of commonsense legislation like the STAND for Ukraine Act,” concluded Senator Menendez. ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/video/view/menendez-announces-132m-for-camdens-mt-ephraim-neighborhood-spur-economic-growth,"Menendez Announces $13.2M for Camden’s Mt. Ephraim Neighborhood, Spur Economic Growth",2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), today announced that the City of Camden and its Housing Authority have been awarded a $13.2 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to advance the city’s efforts to transform the Mt. Ephraim South neighborhood from an area with high poverty and struggling schools to a thriving, social and economic center.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-leaders-public-and-private-sectors-unveil-partnership-bring-%E2%80%9Cresilient-city%E2%80%9D,"Pallone, Leaders from Public and Private Sectors Unveil Partnership to Bring Resilient City to Sea Bright",2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), and partners from both the public and private sectors unveiled the outline of a plan to ensure citizens of Sea Bright will be able to communicate and have access to energy and safe drinking water sources during an emergency. The “Resilient City” plan for Sea Bright will serve as a model for other municipalities planning for future storms. Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long, Councilman Marc A. Leckstein, Sam Delgado, Vice President of External Affairs for Verizon, Mariellen Dugan, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for NJNG and Anthony Hurley, Vice President, Operations for JCP&L joined Pallone at the event.During and after Sandy there was a major breakdown of communications networks, including cellular and home telephones, television, and internet services.  There was also great stress on New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure, making it difficult for utilities to provide basic services.  This created a dangerous barrier to emergency response and recovery for residents and towns. To address this problem, Congressman Pallone’s staff has been working with Sea Bright’s government and industry over the past two years to learn from the past and make the city a model of strength. New Jersey Natural Gas has already installed a new distribution pipeline in Sea Bright, JCP&L has raised an electrical substation to avoid storm damage and Verizon announced that it will be deploying new infrastructure including a new form of network architecture involving smaller nodes, rather than the traditional large towers.  These nodes bring more redundancy and should better withstand major events.  The partners plan to take one of New Jersey’s most vulnerable towns and turn it into the country’s first resilient city. “I am very excited to stand with Mayor Long and representatives from Verizon, New Jersey Natural Gas, and JCP&L to announce an exciting new initiative to make sure we are better prepared next time disaster strikes,” said Pallone. “From my first moments on the ground touring the damage Sandy wrought in New Jersey, I have remained committed to helping our communities rebuild and better prepare for future storms like Sandy. We learned that no silver bullet can prepare us for any emergency.  But, with the public and private sectors working together, we can strive to make sure the citizens of Sea Bright and all of New Jersey are safer next time disaster strikes.” ""On behalf of the Borough, I wish to thank Congressman Pallone, his staff, Verizon, NJNG and JCP&L, all of whom have made a strong commitment toward ensuring Sea Bright becomes a truly ‘Resilient City’,” said Sea Bright Councilman Marc A. Leckstein.  “We look forward to working with all parties, and anyone else who wishes to join this effort, in making sure that Sea Bright, as well as every other municipality, will be better prepared to tackle future storm events."" “Superstorm Sandy reminded us all of the critical need for resiliency,” said Mariellen Dugan, chief operating officer of New Jersey Natural Gas said. “Through our consistent infrastructure investment, we are committed to strengthening our system and delivering safe and reliable service to our customers, every day.” ""Resiliency, redundancy, reliability and proper planning are the key elements of emergency management,” said Verizon Vice President Sam Delgado. “Verizon is here today to discuss our plans for ensuring that our landline and wireless services in Sea Bright are sustainable and resilient in the face of any future storms."" ""JCP&L invests significantly each year to enhance reliability, resiliency and customer service,”  said Anthony Hurley, JCP&L vice president of Operations  “Our work has included raising equipment, installing flood barriers and monitoring equipment at Sea Bright and 18 other substations.   The work has helped JCP&L achieve its best service reliability in more than a decade.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-statement-on-alleged-russian-cyberattacks-on-the-2016,Rep. Pascrell Statement on Alleged Russian Cyberattacks on the 2016 Election,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today on the Obama Administration’s decision to review the cyberattacks on the 2016 election: ""Irrespective of the intent, Russian government interference in our election targets the heart of our free society, undermines our democratic institutions, and should alarm all Americans. With every ounce of scrutiny we can muster, these incidents need to be thoroughly investigated on a bipartisan basis,"" Rep. Pascrell said. ""It is critical this investigation fully informs the public about the extent of Russian interference in our elections so a comprehensive set of solutions can be developed to deter and defend ourselves in the future."" ""A full review of Russian interference is necessary to ensure the integrity of our elections is upheld,"" Rep. Pascrell said. ""Simply put, efforts by President-elect Trump and his transition team to dismiss or minimize intelligence assessments become propaganda for the Kremlin and impugn the hard work of the experts in the U.S. intelligence community.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sires.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-sires-statement-on-cairo-bombing-of-coptic-complex,Congressman Sires Statement on Cairo Bombing of Coptic Complex,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Albio Sires,S001165,sires.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sires issued the following statement on the bombing in Cairo, Egypt that targeted Coptic Christians. ""Attacking innocent civilians is a deplorable and cowardly act. Families and communities should never live in fear of violence taking place at their houses of worship. These institutions have served as sanctuaries for thousands of years and I am appalled by the deliberate targeting of innocent men, women, and children during their Sunday services. Reports of 25 confirmed dead, dozens more injured, and with the death toll expected to rise, this bombing is a brutal reminder of the prejudices facing Egypt’s Coptic Christians, a long persecuted minority who make up roughly 10 percent of the population.     I offer my condolences to the families of victims who perished in the bombing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those still awaiting news regarding the safety of their loved ones in Cairo. I hope the Egyptian government honors its promises on the swift and thorough investigation of these vicious crimes.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=507,Booker Statement on Cairo Bombing,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 12, 2016 Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “The bombing of a Coptic church in Cairo, Egypt, in which the lives of more than two dozen innocent worshippers were brutally taken should shock us all. Instead of coming together to celebrate this special and holy time of the year, the victims’ families will be grappling with a senseless tragedy. The Coptic tradition has been an integral part of Egyptian society for generations, contributing to the rich culture and history of the region. An attack against the Coptic community is an attack against all Egyptians. “I hope that President Sisi will bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice and will take the necessary steps to protect groups that face threats and ensure security for all Egyptians. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire Coptic community. The United States stands with them in the face of this heartbreaking tragedy.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=508,Booker Statement on Reports of Russian Interference in US Election,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 12, 2016 Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “Any Russian efforts to influence the results of our election should be of grave concern to every American, and must be fully investigated. Attacks on America’s democratic institutions by a foreign nation simply cannot be tolerated. “A bipartisan group of Senators led by John McCain, Lindsay Graham, Chuck Schumer, and Jack Reed are seeking a Congressional probe into Russia’s efforts to influence last month’s election. “I join the call for Congress to form a bipartisan select committee to investigate Russian interference in our election and will do everything I can to support to it. “This isn’t about who won or lost in November – it’s about preserving the integrity of our democratic system and faith in our governing institutions. The President-elect should not dismiss the CIA's work in 140 characters; he should heed warnings from our intelligence professionals and support efforts to get to the bottom of this serious threat. Nothing less than our national security and democratic institutions are at stake. “Protecting American democracy is a calling far higher than party, politics, or the President-elect's personal preferences. Congress must act swiftly and decisively to investigate Russia’s actions. I will continue to push for this and for other efforts that defend our nation against any type of attack.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-macarthur-announce-nearly-62m-to-build-new-school-on-joint-base-mcguire-dix-lakehurst,"Menendez, Booker, MacArthur Announce Nearly $62M to Build New School on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst",2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker, MacArthur Announce Nearly $62M to Build New School on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Menendez, Booker, MacArthur Announce Nearly $62M to Build New School on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Hundreds of children will learn in new facility Print Email Tweet Monday, December 12, 2016  NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Tom MacArthur today announced that North Hanover Township School District in Wrightstown, New Jersey has been awarded nearly $62 million in federal funding from the Department of Defense to demolish two schools on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and replace them with a new, modern school that will educate hundreds of children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. “This is terrific news for our military families whose children are growing up on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,” said Sen. Menendez.  “These men and women, who are proudly protecting our country, should not have to worry that their kids are trying to learn in schools that are over-crowded and crumbling.  And as a premiere installation with over 80 mission partners and our Nation’s only tri-service joint base, new construction of school facilities increases the quality of life for our military families. That’s why I’m so pleased that with this funding, a brand new facility is on the way.”    Specifically, a $61,958,022 federal grant from the Department of Defense Public Schools on Military Installations Program has been awarded to North Hanover Township School District for the demolition of the Discovery and Atlantis Elementary Schools and construction of a new school on Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. The new school will serve 850 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fourth.  According to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Discovery and Atlantis Elementary School were the fifteenth and eighteenth schools respectively on the Pentagon’s list of schools most in need of repair. ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov Jeff.Brabant@mail.house.gov (MacArthur)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/sen-menendez-on-russian-hacking-of-elections,Sen. Menendez on Russian Hacking of Elections,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Menendez on Russian Hacking of Elections Sen. Menendez on Russian Hacking of Elections Print Email Tweet Monday, December 12, 2016 Newark, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the CIA concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election.  “As our intelligence agencies have now confirmed, Russia engaged in a malicious effort to tamper with the American Presidential electoral process – to create chaos in our elections and, at the end of the day, to undermine the integrity of the results to serve its own nefarious purposes.  There is broad, bi-partisan agreement that Putin’s operatives hacked targeted email accounts and political institutions and then leaked sensitive information to influence voters and to sow distrust and misinformation. Chillingly, he aims to attack the democratic foundations of our great Republic -- to weaken our own institutions and the faith Americans put in the governance principles that have guided us since the beginning. We must thoroughly investigate these disturbing findings and wholly identify and expose the extent of Russian interference in our democratic process.  “This is a complex world and we rely on the hard work, unbiased, and non-partisan analysis of our intelligence officials. At a time when we need unified, determined leadership, it is imperative that all of our elected leaders accept their expertise and act accordingly to respond to Russia's nefarious and calculated involvement in our elections.  Now more than ever, the Congress, joined by the American people, must demand a complete investigation into this grave matter. Encouraging, justifying or tacitly accepting hacking and government surveillance reeks of an authoritarianism that has no place in our democratic society – and threatens each and every one of us.”  Earlier this year in September, Menendez spoke on the Senate floor to draw attention to the growing concerns of Russia’s interventionism in our electoral process and called on every Senator to condemn any attempt by Putin to influence the American election system as well as his continued aggressions around the world. Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-statement-on-cairo-bombing-,Menendez Statement on Cairo Bombing,2016-12-11,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez Statement on Cairo Bombing Menendez Statement on Cairo Bombing Print Email Tweet Sunday, December 11, 2016 NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to the bombing in Cairo, Egypt that targeted Coptic Christians, killing dozens and wounding dozens more:  “The targeted killing of women and children during morning Mass at Cairo’s main St. Mark’s Cathedral represents one of the deadliest attacks on Egypt’s Christian minority and is beyond barbaric.  The nations of the world must stand united in condemnation of this heartless and cowardly attack. These innocent victims of hate were murdered because of their Christian faith, but this attack was targeted at all people—Coptic, Egyptian, American, and all who reject extreme ideologies that have no basis in religious doctrine, but rather are rooted in hatred and ignorance.  “New Jersey is home to a vibrant and thriving Coptic community who are mourning this unspeakable tragedy and anxiously awaiting news from Egypt that loved ones are safe.  During this time of sadness, my thoughts and prayers are with the Coptic community who deserve peace and tranquility, but will endure as they have throughout their noble history.” Press Contact Tricia_Enright@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=505,Sen. Booker Statement on Passage of Short-Term Government Funding Resolution,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 10, 2016 ""The temporary funding bill that the Senate passed today is not a sustainable or responsible way to fund the federal government. I could not support a bill that was undermined by the inclusion of unnecessary and harmful provisions and failed to live up to our obligations to American miners.""Miners and their families were let down today. This bill also contains a provision that rolls back critical rest rules for truck drivers. At a time when 4,000 people lose their lives annually and 100,000 are injured due to large truck crashes, it is imperative that Congress do more, not less, to improve safety on the roads. And finally, the continued inclusion of a provision to decrease transparency in corporate political spending is hardly draining the swamp.""The antithesis of fiscal responsibility is continually funding the government with months-long stopgap measures that undermine the well-being of American workers and their families every step of the way.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=506,"Booker, Menendez Applaud Passage of Water Resources Development Act",2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 10, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today praised Senate passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA) which includes provisions they have fought for to authorize and expedite Army Corps of Engineers projects, improve the nation's drinking water infrastructure, enhance ecosystem protection, and make investments in the nation's ports and inland waterways. ""I was proud to fight for these critical investments in New Jersey's water infrastructure and ecosystems,"" said Sen. Booker, a member of Senate committee with jurisdiction over WRDA. ""This legislation will help protect New Jersey communities from flooding and extreme weather while creating jobs, rebuilding our aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and protecting our children from the threat of lead-contaminated drinking water in schools. Furthermore, this bill finally provides much needed funding to help address the Flint water crisis. While I helped shape this bill through committee and supported it through Senate-House negotiations, and I'm proud of most of its provisions, I am disappointed that an unrelated measure included at the 11th hour will roll back certain Endangered Species Act protections that will put certain salmon fisheries at serious risk.""""This is good news for New Jersey,"" said Sen. Menendez. ""This bill includes smart investments I've fought for to protect New Jerseyans from the threats of river flooding and coastal storms, improve our aging water infrastructure, limit our children's exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water, and restore the environmental health of our waterways and estuaries - all while creating good jobs.""WRDA includes several priorities of both Sens. Booker and Menendez to directly benefit the Garden State: Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management. Requires the Army Corps to expedite the completion of the Chiefs Report, and upon completion of the report, to proceed immediately to preconstruction, engineering, and project design to mitigate the flood threat along the entire 82-square-mile Rahway River Basin, affecting 24 communities in Union, Essex and Middlesex Counties. Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet. Authorizes this project to provide enhanced storm protection through the creation of a new dune for the communities of North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Lower Township. Hudson Raritan Estuary. A Booker-Menendez amendment requiring the Army Corps to expedite completion of the Chiefs Report, and upon completion of the report, to proceed immediately to preconstruction, engineering, and project design to address ecosystem restoration throughout the Hudson Raritan Estuary. Delaware River Basin Conservation Act. Based on legislation cosponsored by Sens. Menendez and Booker, this provision establishes a Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, under which the Fish and Wildlife Service would create a strategy to coordinate restoration and protection activities across the basin, in consultation with federal and state agencies and basin stakeholders. Regional Intergovernmental Collaboration on Coastal Resilience. A bipartisan Booker amendment authorizing assessments of coastal vulnerabilities and opportunities for intergovernmental actions to increase resilience. WRDA also incorporates many of the proposals included in The True LEADership Act of 2016, originally cosponsored by Sens. Booker and Menendez. Among these are a new grant program to reduce lead in drinking water, mandatory reporting of elevated lead levels, funding for lead testing in school and child care facilities' drinking water, and a requirement to use American iron and steel in drinking water infrastructure projects. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Includes $100 million to provide the assistance to states with emergency drinking water situations through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program. Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Includes $20 million for credit subsidies to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make secured loans for water infrastructure investments under the WIFIA program. It is projected that these funds could leverage up to $4.2 billion in loans.  Reducing Lead in Drinking Water. Authorizes $60 million for a new grant program to replace lead service lines, a common source of lead in drinking water. Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water. Authorizes $20 million a year for fiscal years 2017 through 2021, totaling $100 million, for grants to carry out a voluntary school and child care lead testing program. Public Health Investments. Invests $50 million in public health and childhood lead poisoning prevention programs to address issues related to lead contamination in water. The bill also includes provisions to clarify targets for spending from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which supports Army Corps dredging and maintenance projects at ports; creates a new grant program to support repairs of locally-owned high hazard dams; and provides technical assistance and support for research and development to improve water conservation and better handle droughts.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-applaud-passage-of-water-resources-development-act-,"Menendez, Booker Applaud Passage of Water Resources Development Act",2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez, Booker Applaud Passage of Water Resources Development Act Menendez, Booker Applaud Passage of Water Resources Development Act Bill fast-tracks Army Corps projects for flood mitigation along Rahway River, ecosystem restoration in Hudson Raritan Estuary; Approves storm protection from Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Print Email Tweet Saturday, December 10, 2016   WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today praised Senate passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA) which includes provisions they have fought for to authorize and expedite Army Corps of Engineers projects, improve the nation’s drinking water infrastructure, enhance ecosystem protection, and make investments in the nation’s ports and inland waterways.  “This is good news for New Jersey,” said Sen. Menendez.  “This bill includes smart investments I’ve fought for to protect New Jerseyans from the threats of river flooding and coastal storms, improve our aging water infrastructure, limit our children’s exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water, and restore the environmental health of our waterways and estuaries – all while creating good jobs.” “I was proud to fight for these critical investments in New Jersey’s water infrastructure and ecosystems,” said Sen. Booker. “This legislation will help protect New Jersey communities from flooding and extreme weather while creating jobs, rebuilding our aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and protecting our children from the threat of lead-contaminated drinking water in schools. Furthermore, this bill finally provides much needed funding to help address the Flint water crisis. While I helped shape this bill through committee and supported it through Senate-House negotiations, and I’m proud of most of its provisions, I am disappointed that an unrelated measure included at the 11th hour will roll back certain Endangered Species Act protections that will put certain salmon fisheries at serious risk."" WRDA includes several priorities of both Sens. Booker and Menendez to directly benefit the Garden State: Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management.  Requires the Army Corps to expedite the completion of the Chiefs Report, and upon completion of the report, to proceed immediately to preconstruction, engineering, and project design to mitigate the flood threat along the entire 82-square-mile Rahway River Basin, affecting 24 communities in Union, Essex and Middlesex Counties. Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet.  Authorizes this project to provide enhanced storm protection through the creation of a new dune for the communities of North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Lower Township. Hudson Raritan Estuary.  A Booker-Menendez amendment requiring the Army Corps to expedite completion of the Chiefs Report, and upon completion of the report, to proceed immediately to preconstruction, engineering, and project design to address ecosystem restoration throughout the Hudson Raritan Estuary. Delaware River Basin Conservation Act.  Based on legislation cosponsored by Sens. Menendez and Booker, this provision establishes a Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, under which the Fish and Wildlife Service would create a strategy to coordinate restoration and protection activities across the basin, in consultation with federal and state agencies and basin stakeholders.  Regional Intergovernmental Collaboration on Coastal Resilience.  A bipartisan Booker amendment authorizing assessments of coastal vulnerabilities and opportunities for intergovernmental actions to increase resilience. WRDA also incorporates many of the proposals included in The True LEADership Act of 2016, originally cosponsored by Sens. Booker and Menendez.  Among these are a new grant program to reduce lead in drinking water, mandatory reporting of elevated lead levels, funding for lead testing in school and child care facilities’ drinking water, and a requirement to use American iron and steel in drinking water infrastructure projects. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).  Includes $100 million to provide the assistance to states with emergency drinking water situations through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program. Reducing Lead in Drinking Water.  Authorizes $60 million for a new grant program to replace lead service lines, a common source of lead in drinking water. Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water.  Authorizes $20 million a year for fiscal years 2017 through 2021, totaling $100 million, for grants to carry out a voluntary school and child care lead testing program. Public Health Investments.  Invests $50 million in public health and childhood lead poisoning prevention programs to address issues related to lead contamination in water. The bill also includes provisions to clarify targets for spending from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which supports Army Corps dredging and maintenance projects at ports; creates a new grant program to support repairs of locally-owned high hazard dams; and provides technical assistance and support for research and development to improve water conservation and better handle droughts. ### Press Contact Tricia Enright (Menendez): Tricia_Enright@menendez.senate.gov Jeff Giertz (Booker): Jeff_Giertz@booker.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-statement-on-reports-of-rex-tillerson-nomination,Menendez Statement on Reports of Rex Tillerson Nomination,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez Statement on Reports of Rex Tillerson Nomination Menendez Statement on Reports of Rex Tillerson Nomination Print Email Tweet Saturday, December 10, 2016 NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to reports of President-elect Trump's possible nomination of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson to serve as his Secretary of State: ""Today's reports that Rex Tillerson could be nominated to be our nation's top diplomat is alarming and absurd. With Rex Tillerson as our Secretary of State, the Trump administration would be guaranteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the President's Cabinet guiding our nation's foreign policy. ""The term conflict of interest doesn't even begin to describe the web of dubious business interests and bank accounts that Tillerson and his company Exxon shares with Vladimir Putin and Russian oil companies. Having no practical experience in diplomacy, Mr. Tillerson has no proven knowledge or regard for the norms and necessities that so much of our modern diplomatic and security efforts depend upon. ""The role of Secretary of State should not be bestowed upon someone whose only notable experience with foreign governments involve multimillion dollar deals with Russia and whose experience with the federal government seems to be limited to campaigns against the effects of climate change. ""As a member of the Senate committee tasked with vetting our next Secretary of State, I will do everything at my disposal to ensure our nation's next diplomat-in-chief is someone who has the experience, insights and capabilities to truly protect America’s best interests and preserve our essential alliances across the globe. ""Now, more than ever, the United States needs the presence of a strong and experienced diplomat to be our nation's voice and conscience across the world."" ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://payne.house.gov/press-release/payne-jr-congratulates-winner-2016-congressional-app-challenge,"Payne, Jr. Congratulates Winner of 2016 Congressional App Challenge",2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Payne,P000604,payne.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) announced the winner of the 2016 Congressional App Challenge for high school students in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. Ayobami Adewale of Bard High School Early College Newark was named the winner for his language-learning app Learning Chinese. “The Congressional App Challenge showcases the innovation and technical skills of New Jersey students, and I congratulate Ayobami on winning this year’s competition,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “His success is a reminder that we must continue to invest in STEM education to ensure that young people can learn, create, build, and pursue innovative careers that are essential to the economic future of our nation.” The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM education by encouraging U.S. high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. Entries to the competition in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District were judged by a panel of local experts on several criteria, including quality of the idea, implementation of the idea, and demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills. As a winning app in the contest, Learning Chinese will be displayed on the Congressional App Challenge website and on a digital display in the U.S. Capitol Building for the next year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sires.house.gov/media-center/washington-reviews/washington-review-december-9-2016,"Washington Review, December 9, 2016",2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Albio Sires,S001165,sires.house.gov,,,legacy,"As the 114th Congress drew to a close this week, I participated in a number of meetings and voted on important legislation. Meetings On Tuesday, I met with Vitaly Vanshelboim, the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).  UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations and is used to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world.   Mr. Vanshelboim provided me with an update on his efforts to make UNOPS more efficient by improving business practices as well as identifying and eliminating wasteful spending and corruption within the UN system. This week, I taped a segment for Meet the Leaders in which I discussed the future of U.S.-Cuba policy and the importance of investing in our nation’s transportation and infrastructure.  I also discussed my opposition to privatizing Medicare and Social Security.  Since its inception the Medicare program has assisted Americans, including seniors and the disabled, with the costs of health care and long term care needs. It is our responsibility to honor our commitments to older Americans by preserving these crucial benefits and fighting attempts to destroy the Medicare guarantee. On Thursday, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and I met with the former President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe to discuss the ongoing peace process between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  The FARC is a violent insurgent group in Colombia that has been in an armed conflict with the government since 1964.  In June of 2016, the Colombian government and the FARC reached a peace accord for a cessation of hostilities.  However, on October 2nd, 2016 the Colombian people narrowly defeated a vote to approve the peace accord, which lead to President Santos reopening negotiations with FARC.  An updated agreement was approved by the Colombian Congress last week. Featured Legislation On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass S.2971, the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016, by a vote of 405-7.  The Urban Search and Rescue Response System (USAR) involves the domestic and international location, rescue, and initial medical stabilization of disaster victims, including those who are trapped in confined spaces in the aftermath.  There are currently 28 USAR teams located around the United States.  This bill codifies the current USAR Response System in statute and clarifies liabilities and compensation issues.  It also requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit a report to Congress about plans to finance, maintain, and replace system equipment.  This legislation is currently awaiting President Obama’s signature. Earlier this year, I joined various colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Ryan urging him to act on legislation that would address the ongoing health crisis in Flint, Michigan.  On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, by a vote of 360-61.  This legislation authorizes funding to address the contaminated public water system in Flint and provide necessary resources so that the city can recover.  Specifically, it includes $100 million in additional funding for the Safe Water Drinking Act state revolving loan fund which provides low-interest financing to communities for compliance with federal water standards. It also provides $20 million for a lead exposure registry, $15 million for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and $15 million for the Healthy Start Program.  Thank you for reading the Washington Review. For regular updates, you may stay in touch by leaving comments on my Facebook, Twitter, and website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-norcross-announces-funding-grant-camden-housing-development,Congressman Norcross Announces Funding Grant for Camden Housing Development,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Camden, NJ-Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today announced a $432,484 Federal Home Loan Bank of New York 2016 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant for the construction of the new, low-income Branch Village Midrise residences in the City of Camden. “This grant award is literally opening new doors and creating life-changing opportunities for constituents in Camden, who will soon have the opportunity to be part of an exciting development that symbolizes a new chapter for the City I call home, and will be home for Camden residents,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). The Branch Village Midrise project will be comprised of 50 units for very low and low-income households. The project will contain 44 one-bedroom units and 6 two-bedroom units. All units will be subsidized under Section 8 and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Rental Assistance Demonstration Project Based Vouchers. “I’m elated to receive this incredible news and am happy for our Camden residents.  I commend the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for the award of the AHP grant and am thankful to Congressman Norcross for his advocacy for this critical funding,” said Camden Mayor Dana Redd. “ The development of the Brach Village Midrise is a significant milestone for Camden and a transformational moment in the lives of our residents.  It’s the start or a very bright future for so many and the fulfillment of years of a collaborative community planning effort.” The Branch Village project will include a multi-purpose room, social workers office, manager’s office, nurse’s office, and exam rooms. The sponsor will provide primary health care services, medical screening programs and vaccination services to the residents. Financing for the project will include the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Tax Exempt Bond Program, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, New Jersey State Tax Credits, the Housing Authority of the City of Camden Replacement Housing Factor Funds and Capital Funds. The AHP subsidy will be used towards the construction costs. The AHP is a program created by Congress in 1989 through which the Home Loan Bank devotes 10 percent of its annual income to affordable housing projects. ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/sens-menendez-durbin-coons-shaheen-introduce-stability-and-democracy-for-ukraine-act,"Sens. Menendez, Durbin, Coons, Shaheen Introduce Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act",2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sens. Menendez, Durbin, Coons, Shaheen Introduce Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act Sens. Menendez, Durbin, Coons, Shaheen Introduce Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act Print Email Tweet Friday, December 9, 2016   WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was joined today by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in introducing the Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act (STAND) for Ukraine Act, legislation that reinforces the United States’ commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine by ensuring no federal agency is able to take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters and authorizes sanctions against individuals who are violating human rights, contributing to instability, and threatening the territorial integrity of Ukraine. “We are introducing this legislation to ensure that we continue to do everything at our disposal to counter Russian aggression and stand with our Democratic allies in Europe. This bill passed through the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the coming Congress to swiftly send it to the President’s desk for his signature,” said the senators.  A copy of the legation can be found here. Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act (STAND) for Ukraine Act   Provides that no federal agency should take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. Requires the Government Publishing Office not print any document indicating Crimea as part of the Russian Federation (Russia). Requires U.S. sanctions provided for in Executive Orders 13660, 13661, 13662, (blocking property of persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine) and 13685 (blocking property of persons contributing to the situation in the Crimea region of Ukraine) remain in effect until the President certifies to Congress that: Ukraine's sovereignty over Crimea has been restored, or The status of Crimea has been resolved to the satisfaction of a democratically elected government of Ukraine. Amends the Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 to authorize the President to block and prohibit a foreign person's transactions of property or property interests that are U.S.-sited or controlled by a U.S. person if the foreign person has knowingly: (1) violated such executive orders, or (2) facilitated deceptive or structured transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to U.S. sanctions against Russia. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for a person subject to sanctions. Requires the President to: Use U.S. influence to seek North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) adoption of a policy that opposes the transfer of defense articles and services to Russia while Russia occupies the territory of Ukraine or of a NATO member, and Direct appropriate U.S. agencies to monitor and identify transfers by NATO members of defense articles and services to Russia. Requires that a license application or other authorization for the transfer of any defense article or service to or on behalf of a NATO member so identified be subject to a presumption of denial. ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov Ben_Marter@durbin.senate.gov Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Ryan_Nickel@shaheen.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-nomination-andy-puzder-labor-secretary,Pallone on Nomination of Andy Puzder for Labor Secretary,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. released a statement on reports that Andy Puzder will be nominated to serve as Labor Secretary: “It is the responsibility of the Labor Department to fight for working families and do its part to protect wages and enforce fair labor standards. Unfortunately, Andy Puzder has repeatedly taken positions against President Obama’s policies to improve the working conditions for millions of Americans. He opposes raising the minimum wage, paid sick leave, increasing overtime pay, and would work to undermine the ability of unions to negotiate fair compensation for American workers. “This nomination is yet another sign that President-elect Trump’s administration will stand up for special interests and big business, while ignoring the issued faced by working families in America.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://payne.house.gov/press-release/payne-jr-statement-passage-water-resources-infrastructure-legislation,"Payne, Jr. Statement on Passage of Water Resources Infrastructure Legislation",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Payne,P000604,payne.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) released the following statement on House passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act: “We are about to make much-needed improvements to our nation’s water resources infrastructure that will strengthen our economy and protect public health in distressed communities. With this bill, we are helping communities, like Newark and Flint, address lead contamination and provide safe drinking water, including in schools, and we are investing in America’s economic competitiveness by ensuring that our infrastructure is made more attractive to job creators. I am also pleased that this bill expedites completion of the Rahway River Basin feasibility study, which is critical to reducing the economic impact and flood damage of future weather events in New Jersey.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-norcross-statement-continuing-resolution-fund-federal-government,Rep. Norcross Statement on Continuing Resolution to Fund the Federal Government,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC- Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today released the following statement in response to Congress passing another continuing resolution to fund the federal government: “The House of Representatives did the right thing today to keep the federal government funded and running, avoiding a shutdown. But passing another continuing resolution is simply the wrong approach. Congress has a responsibility and owes it to the people of the United States to adopt a responsible budget and pass Appropriations bills to achieve full-year funding for the vital programs on which so many Americans rely. I am grateful this continuing resolution provides funding for the U.S. Air Force’s KC–46A, the next generation of midair refueling tankers. The Air Force previously announced Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is among five candidate bases under consideration for the next round of active duty-led KC-46A fleet. That’s strategically critical to U.S. national security and tens of thousands of military and civilian jobs in New Jersey,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-norcross-statement-passage-delaware-river-basin-conservation-act,Rep. Norcross Statement Passage of Delaware River Basin Conservation Act,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC- Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today released the following statement after the passage of the bipartisan Delaware River Basin Conservation Act, which is part of a larger water resources bill known as the Water Resources Development Act: “This is a major win for the environment. Water is one of our most precious resources. This legislation will make the Delaware River Basin cleaner and stronger, ensuring the best quality drinking water supply while supporting & sustaining wetlands, and protecting and improving what has long been a habitat for so many species of fish and wildlife,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01). Despite its multi-billion dollar annual impact on our region, Delaware River Basin restoration efforts receive limited federal resources compared to similar watersheds across the country. This legislation creates a Delaware River Restoration Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and authorizes a $5 million annual competitive grant program and technical assistance to leverage federal resources available to the Basin. Rep. Norcross is an original sponsor of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act. The measure now heads to the United States Senate. ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=504,Sen. Booker and Rep. Rush Introduce Concurrent Resolution to Address Prison Reform and Changes to Exorbitant Prison Phone Rates,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 8, 2016 WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) introduced a Concurrent Resolution to address exorbitant prison phone rates between the imprisoned and their loved ones. “Implementing fair and reasonable prison phone rates is the right thing to do and plain common sense. This resolution supports recent efforts by the FCC to protect those serving their time and their families from exorbitant and unfounded calling fees imposed on some of America’s most financially fragile households. These excessive fees are not only baseless attempts to profit off of vulnerable families, they undermine the financial security of those trying to stay in touch with a partner, parent, or child behind bars. In addition, excessive fees on inmate calls can pose a substantial barrier to successful reentry once individuals have paid their debt to society. That debt should not include paying excessive fees per minute to speak with your child, ” Sen. Booker said.“For last decade, I have sought to end the ‘family divide,’ a term analogous to the ‘digital divide’ that exists with regard to unequal access to communication services between incarcerated members of our society and their loved ones,” said Rep. Rush. “I firmly believe that communication, along with the ability to express love toward family, is a fundamental need, and one’s humanity does not perish when they enter the prison system.”Although this is an issue that affects families from all backgrounds (over 2.7 million children in the United States have at least one parent in prison), more than 60 percent of incarcerated prisoners are African- or Latino-American. In addition, many prison offenders come from economically vulnerable communities where unreasonable prison phone rates severely harm and exploit prison populations.Research proves that there is a significant decline in recidivism rates for inmates who communicate with family members while incarcerated compared to those who do not. Expensive phone call rates deter such communication and result in costly re-incarceration. Scores of states receive hundreds of millions of dollars in commissions from companies to land exclusive contracts to provide prison phone services without facing competition from other lower-cost providers; a possible reason for why prison phone call rates have skyrocketed. Bloomberg reports the lucrative market for prison phone services, which totals approximately $1.2 billion dollars in annual revenues, is currently dominated by two companies, Global Tel Link and Securus Technologies.Ensuring that prison phone rates are adjusted to reasonable levels will not only increase affordability of service for families, but will also help keep families intact as much as possible while reducing recidivism.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/in-the-news/bob-menendez-trump-has-sown-panic-among-immigrants,Bob Menendez: Trump has sown 'panic' among immigrants,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bob Menendez: Trump has sown 'panic' among immigrants Bob Menendez: Trump has sown 'panic' among immigrants Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 8, 2016 By:  Jonathan Tamari   Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.), one of Congress' most senior Hispanic voices, urged president-elect Donald Trump to revisit his promises on immigration Thursday, stepping into a debate Thursday that has consumed much of his career, and fueled much of Trump's appeal. ""I am deeply troubled by the fear and panic I hear from our immigrant community,"" Menendez said in his first Senate speech since Trump won the presidency. ""Their panic is justified and palpable because of the inflammatory remarks made by the president-elect on the campaign trail about immigrants. His campaign promises made it seem as if no immigrant was safe from deportation, even otherwise law-abiding decent people."" Read full story...",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-calls-on-president-elect-trump-to-stand-against-russian-aggression-support-nato-ukrainian-sovereignty-with-bipartisan-group-of-senators,"Menendez Calls on President-elect Trump to Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty With Bipartisan Group of Senators",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez Calls on President-elect Trump to Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty With Bipartisan Group of Senators Menendez Calls on President-elect Trump to Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty With Bipartisan Group of Senators Call for increased political, economic, and military support for Ukraine Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 8, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Bob Menendez joined a bipartisan group of 27 senators calling on President-elect Donald Trump to continue America’s tradition of support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.  “In light of Russia’s continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic, and military support for Ukraine,” the senators wrote. “This includes defensive lethal assistance as part of a broader effort to help Ukrainians better defend themselves, deter future aggression, and implement key structural reforms.  Similarly, we believe that Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea should never be accepted, nor should we lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its behavior in eastern Ukraine until key provisions of the Minsk Agreement are met.  Accordingly, U.S. leadership on maintaining such transatlantic sanctions should remain a priority.” Full text of the senators’ letter: December 8, 2016 President-elect Donald J. Trump Trump-Pence Transition Team 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006 Dear President-elect Trump, As Members and friends of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, advocates for a strong US-Ukrainian relationship, and backers of NATO, we write to convey strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States Senate.  We look forward to working with you and your new administration to support our ally Ukraine and help it secure a peaceful and democratic future. Almost three years after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and military aggression in eastern Ukraine, daily ceasefire violations along the line of contact make a mockery of the Minsk Agreement and demonstrate that this conflict in the heart of Europe is far from over.  Russia has yet to withdraw its heavy weapons and continues its sabotage and subversion efforts.  It has not halted its disinformation war against Ukraine and the West, nor stopped its economic and political pressure aimed at undermining the Ukrainian government.  According to conservative estimates from the United Nations, approximately 10,000 people have been killed, over 20,000 wounded, and more than two million internally displaced since the conflict began.  And, unfortunately, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observers still do not have full, unimpeded access to the Ukrainian-Russian border while Russia continues to supply weapons, equipment, and personnel to the separatists. Quite simply, Russia has launched a military land-grab in Ukraine that is unprecedented in modern European history.  These actions in Crimea and other areas of eastern Ukraine dangerously upend well-established diplomatic, legal, and security norms that the United States and its NATO allies painstakingly built over decades – a historically bipartisan global security framework that has greatly served US security and economic interests.  We believe it is in our vital national security interest to uphold these norms and values, and prevent America’s commitment to its allies and ideals from being called into question. In light of Russia’s continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic, and military support for Ukraine.  This includes defensive lethal assistance as part of a broader effort to help Ukrainians better defend themselves, deter future aggression, and implement key structural reforms.  Similarly, we believe that Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea should never be accepted, nor should we lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its behavior in eastern Ukraine until key provisions of the Minsk Agreement are met.  Accordingly, US leadership on maintaining such transatlantic sanctions should remain a priority. We look forward to continuing the tradition of bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress, which has authorized meaningful assistance programs through the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and other pieces of legislation.  We stand ready to work with you and your new administration on strengthening the US-Ukrainian relationship and look forward to learning more about your plans to engage on this important issue. Sincerely, Press Contact Tricia_Enright@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-speaks-out-on-behalf-of-dreamers-and-their-families,Menendez Speaks Out on Behalf of Dreamers and their Families,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez Speaks Out on Behalf of Dreamers and their Families Menendez Speaks Out on Behalf of Dreamers and their Families Says we must not lose sight of real solution: a permanent legislative fix that does not pick winners and losers Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 8, 2016   WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez  delivered remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon regarding the fear and panic being felt across the entire immigrant community post-election, and the urgent need to protect immigrant families from being separated by any future administrations.   CLICK TO WATCH His remarks as prepared for delivery: “I rise today as I have many times before to discuss the urgent need for the United States to have an immigration system that reflects our values as a nation of immigrants. Today, in my first floor speech on the subject since Donald Trump won the election, I am deeply troubled by the fear and panic I hear from our immigrant community.  From our young immigrants known as DREAMers and their families, to the workers on the field, in our kitchens and our homes, their panic is justified and palpable because of the inflammatory remarks made by President-elect Trump on the campaign trail about immigrants. “His campaign promises made it seem as if no immigrant was safe from deportation – even law abiding decent people who came into this country searching for the American dream for themselves and their children. The threat of deportation was heard loud and clear by over 744,000 young law-abiding immigrants who are American in every way except for a piece a paper.   “These DREAMers were brought to the United States, many as infants or toddlers for reasons beyond their control or knowledge. They grew up in America going to school, pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag and singing our national anthem.  The effects of deporting them or their families would be incomprehensible and destructive. “The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program – or DACA – has been a tremendously successful program.  It is something I fought for to allow young men and women to come out of the shadows and step forward to register themselves with our government.  DACA has allowed over 744,000 undocumented youth who came to the U.S. as children to obtain temporary protection from deportation and a two-year work permit that is renewable, if they first registered with the government by handing over their personal information and the information of their immediate families, passing a criminal background check, and paying $465 in fees. So their fears of deportation are justified.  “The DACA program now has the potential of becoming a registry of millions of undocumented immigrants, who are now exposed for seeking a better life for themselves and their kids.  Let’s think about this for a second.  We asked kids, who came into this country without any notion that they were doing anything wrong, to come out of the shadows, voluntarily turn over their information and the information of their immediate families in exchange for protection from deportation, a work permit and a chance for a better life. “And as early as next year, once again through no fault of their own, these young immigrants and their families are at risk of losing it all.  The human cost is too high to pay – a cost measured in the thousands of parents separated from their children who are deported, husbands and wives separated from their spouses, and millions of families who are torn apart because of our broken immigration system. “Among his many campaign promises, President-elect Trump pledged to end the DACA program.  This means DACA-recipients – a group of individuals the U.S. government has deemed as model citizens that pose absolutely no threat to our national security – would be at risk for deportation and could no longer continue working legally.  We are talking here about children who have grown up in the U.S. – children who attend our schools, children who serve our communities, children who were given a chance to be fully integrated into the only country many of them have ever known. “If the DACA program is dismantled, young immigrants will be stripped of their jobs, education, and forced back into the shadows of our society.  In fact, the Center for American Progress finds that ending DACA would cost the United States $433.4 billion in gross domestic product over the next ten years. “On election night, President-elect Trump said ‘now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division.’  He later said in an interview that millions of undocumented immigrants are ‘terrific people.’ “I hope the next Administration thinks long and hard about ‘binding the wounds of division.’  A good start would be a clear and unequivocal message that there will be no mass deportation taskforce and that the DACA program will continue – something that the President-elect already alluded to this week in an interview with TIME magazine, saying:  ‘We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud…[DREAMers] got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what's going to happen.’ “It appears to me that we are getting to a place where there is universal respect and admiration for DREAMers. This acknowledgement offers a glimmer of hope for a productive way forward. “But I do not intend to sacrifice one set of immigrants for another.  Let me be clear about our nation’s immigrants – it is not enough to just say DREAMers are terrific people. Protecting a temporary program is not enough, although the panic and sense of urgency to protect these young immigrants is justified.  It is not enough because the reality is DREAMers do not exist in a vacuum; they have parents and loved ones who have instilled values, work ethic, and supported them to pursue an education and reach their full potential to benefit our country. “Their parents are also terrific people and so are many other hard-working immigrants who have lived in this country for years, are not criminals, and have integrated themselves into the tapestry of American society.  We know them.  They go to church with us, they attend parent-teacher conferences and are our neighbors. They pick our crops, watch our kids, open businesses and perform back-breaking work to keep the gears of this economy turning.  “Immigration is not an easy problem to fix, but we came close in 2013 when the Senate came together to pass comprehensive immigration reform.  I was part of the bipartisan Gang of 8 that produced a bill, S. 744, which passed with the strong bipartisan support of three-fourths of this chamber.  This bill is a strong model for reforming our immigration system as we look ahead to the new Congress. “S.744 addressed the key pillars necessary for a functioning legal immigration system.  It addressed the 11 million undocumented, so we can know who is here to pursue the American dream and who is here to do it harm.  It reformed the legal immigration system for high and low skilled workers, had strong family reunification provisions, put DREAMers on a path to citizenship, and included tough border security measures. S.744 wasn’t perfect but was a significant milestone in our nation’s efforts to truly reform our immigration system. “We must remember what our economy and America needs.   Our nation will be stronger when there is an accountable path to citizenship for the undocumented living in the U.S., our borders are secure, employers are held accountable for who they hire, jobs are filled with qualified and documented workers who contribute to the economy, and families are kept together.  “Since then, with an immigration system as flawed as ours, and with so many things to still fix, DACA has been a beacon of hope – one shining light leading the way toward fairness, justice, and a better life for so many young immigrants looking for a chance to succeed in America as Americans. Yes, abolishing it would be a tragic mistake for an Administration seeking to unite what they helped divide. “But let me be clear, I have said all along: We cannot lose sight of our ultimate objective, the ONLY real solution is a permanent legislative solution that doesn’t pick winners and losers among the most vulnerable in our society. “That is why I am pleased to once again see a bipartisan coalition of voices resurfacing so we can work towards a bipartisan moment to fix our immigration system once again. Because beyond stopping those who wish to turn the clock back on any progress we have made, we still need to implement a functioning legal immigration system for all. “We need to make sure we don’t take a giant step back, and focus our nation’s resources against the most vulnerable, talented and hard working.  I have always been and remain committed to solving this problem in a fair, comprehensive manner that reforms our immigration system.  And I will continue to work with a bipartisan coalition of voices towards this goal.  Our DREAMers, their parents, immigrant families and our nation deserve nothing less. “Irrelevant of who occupies the White house, I will never stop fighting for those who - like my mother - came to this country in the last century to give their families a chance to contribute to America’s exceptionalism – and for all those who still await for us to give them a chance to contribute to America’s exceptionalism in this century.” ### Press Contact Juan_Pachon@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/sen-menendez-rubio-introduce-the-trafficking-in-persons-report-integrity-act,"Sen. Menendez, Rubio Introduce the Trafficking in Persons Report Integrity Act",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Menendez, Rubio Introduce the Trafficking in Persons Report Integrity Act Sen. Menendez, Rubio Introduce the Trafficking in Persons Report Integrity Act Legislation Would Overhaul Annual Human Trafficking Report to Prevent Manipulation of Ranking Process for Political Expediency Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 8, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today introduced The Trafficking in Persons Report Integrity Act (TIPRIA), legislation designed to comprehensively reform the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP). The TIP process came under large international scrutiny after the 2015 report rankings were proven to have been blatantly and intentionally watered-down due to political pressures that gave favorable status to certain countries despite failures to meet minimum legal standards prescribed by Congress. As the U.S. government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking, the TIP report has been the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue. Today’s bill introduction comes on the heels of a study published earlier this week by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealing serious flaws in the tier-ranking system for the TIP Report. “After the past two reports’ fiascos of unwarranted, politically-driven upgrades of countries with deplorable human trafficking records like Cuba and Malaysia, the United States’ commitment and credibility in fighting the scourge of modern day slavery remains on the line,” said Senator Menendez. “Informed by both leading human rights advocates and the GAO’s investigative findings, this legislation charts a clear path to restore credibility and improve the TIP report ranking process through a series of bold reforms that inject transparency and make clear that it will never be subject to political manipulation again. I will work forcefully so that this important legislation is adopted and we can fully reestablish our ability to objectively evaluate countries’ actions to combat human trafficking, revitalize our support for the victims of modern day slavery, and recommit to putting the fight against human trafficking above politics.” “In recent years, we’ve seen political agendas at the State Department interfere with America’s efforts to shine a light on human trafficking around the world,” said Senator Rubio. “The Trafficking in Persons Report should be above politics and should reflect the full extent to which modern slavery exists and what governments are doing – or failing to do – about it. Passing this bill will bring greater transparency to this process of preparing the report and in doing so, it will help us hold human traffickers around the world accountable.” “The Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST) has been dismayed by the State Department’s unwarranted tier ranking upgrades for certain countries in recent years, including Malaysia in the 2015 report and Thailand in 2016. By our assessment, neither country’s government had demonstrated significant or effective effort to combat human trafficking, particularly forced labor and sexual exploitation. The unjustifiable tier ranking upgrades for Malaysia and Thailand greatly tarnished the integrity of the TIP report, and we applaud Senators Menendez and Rubio for their efforts to ensure the report’s credibility moving forward,"" added Melysa Sperber, Director of The Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST). The Trafficking in Persons Report Integrity Act seeks to restore credibility to the TIP report by making sweeping reforms that strengthen the minimum standards countries must meet, clarify actions that countries must take to earn higher rankings, enhance transparency and Congressional oversight of the ranking process, and restrict certain U.S. assistance to governments that fail to combat human trafficking. Senator Menendez has led the fight in Congress to avoid trade with human traffickers and the politicization of the TIP report, calling for hearings on the undue political pressure in 2015, and authoring an amendment to the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation that for the first time prohibited expedited “fast track” congressional consideration for any trade deal including a country ranked Tier 3 in a TIP report. The Menendez amendment was signed into law by President Obama on June 29th, 2015. The Trafficking in Persons Report Integrity Act (TIPRIA) Strengthens Minimum Standards and Clarifies the Ranking Process: Requires any country whose government sponsors forced labor to be ranked Tier 3. Makes TIP rankings contingent on concrete actions taken by a country in the defined reporting period. Requires the State Department to specify of how the concrete actions (or lack thereof) undertaken by the country contributed to the change in ranking, including a clear linkage with the minimum standards. A recent GAO study highlighted this as a major gap in the existing TIP Report process. Strikes existing language that implies a country can be placed on Tier 2 Watch List based on promises of future action. Requires that countries must investigate and prosecute acts of trafficking without bias, instead of simply focusing on low-level prosecutions or neglecting involvement by government officials. Current law states that a country that has been included on Tier 2 Watch List for two consecutive years must be automatically downgraded to Tier 3 if it does not achieve enough progress to earn an upgrade to Tier 2 in the third year. However, this requirement can be waived by the President for two additional years. The bill shortens the waiver to one year, adds a requirement that a country must take concrete actions to implement the principal recommendations of the annual report in order to be eligible for the waiver, and requires the Secretary of State to publish online a justification for the waiver along with detailed evidence demonstrating the country’s actions to combat trafficking. Requires that any country that is automatically downgraded to Tier 3 must subsequently meet the requirements to be ranked Tier 2 and cannot simply be upgraded back to Tier 2 Watch List. Increases Transparency & Congressional Oversight: Current law states that a country that does not provide data on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences shall be automatically deemed to be Tier 3. However, the Secretary of State may disregard that provision if the country has provided “some data” to the State Department and the Secretary has determined that the country is “making a good faith effort” to collect missing data. The bill adds a new requirement that before the Secretary makes such a determination, the Secretary must submit to Congress copies of the foreign government data and a description of the good faith efforts made by the country. Current law requires the President to make, within 90 days after the publication of the annual or interim TIP report, one of several determinations on whether to withhold non-humanitarian, nontrade-related aid for Tier 3 countries. However, there is also blanket waiver authority for the President to waive, at any time, aid restrictions that had been previously imposed. The bill modifies this waiver to require the President to report to Congress before lifting previously imposed restrictions against a Tier 3 country. Restricts Certain U.S. Assistance to Governments Failing to Meet Minimum Standards: Current law states “it is the policy of the United States not to provide non-humanitarian, nontrade-related foreign assistance to any government” ranked Tier 3. The bill replaces “nontrade-related” with “non-anti-human trafficking related” in that policy statement, and in subsequent provisions that exempt trade-related aid from penalties applied to Tier 3 countries. Current law directs the President to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any loan to a Tier 3 country by a multilateral development bank (MDB), but provides a frequently exercised waiver. The bill strengthens this provision by directing the President to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any loan to a Tier 2 Watch List or Tier 3 country, if that loan does not include a significant anti-trafficking component and removes the waiver. Requires Treasury to report annually how the U.S. voted on each proposed MDB loan to Tier 3 and Tier 2 Watch List countries and how each MDB is implementing anti-human trafficking policies in its project safeguards and procurement policies. ### Press Contact Juan Pachon (Menendez), 202-224-4130 Alex Burgos/Matt Wolking (Rubio), 202-224-3041",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/video/view/menendez-speaks-out-for-dreamers-and-their-families,Menendez Speaks Out for DREAMers & their Families,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Bob Menendez delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding the fear and panic being felt across the entire immigrant community post-election, and the urgent need to protect immigrant families from being separated by any future administrations.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-nomination-pruitt-epa-administrator,Pallone on Nomination of Pruitt for EPA Administrator,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement upon news of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt's expected nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): “President-Elect Trump’s choice of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to be EPA Administrator confirms his critics’ greatest fears about the direction of our national environmental policy.  Pruitt’s record of close partnership with the fossil fuel industry to undermine commonsense clean air and clean water protections shows a willingness to ignore EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment.  His outspoken and aggressive opposition to the Clean Power Plan and close ties to the fossil fuel industry signal the Trump administration’s intention to undermine progress in addressing climate change just as the rest of the world has come together to respond to this threat.   The nation cannot afford to reverse course on climate action.  It’s unfortunate that Pruitt views environmental protection as the enemy of economic prosperity.  It is not.  A clean, healthy environment remains essential to social and economic prosperity.  “Pruitt is not the right choice for this position.  We need to find common ground on environmental issues in order to protect Americans’ fundamental right to clean air, clean water and a safe environment to raise their families.  I did not anticipate that President-elect Trump would nominate a life-long environmentalist to lead the EPA, but I was hoping he would not offer this important job to a known science denier and dedicated opponent to environmental protection.  I’m deeply disappointed and concerned about this nomination.”  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-praises-senate-passage-major-health-legislation,Pallone Praises Senate Passage of Major Health Legislation,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement praising the Senate for passing H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act by a vote of 94 to 5.  Last week, Pallone led Democratic efforts to pass the legislation through the House and President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law later this month. The 21st Century Cures Act will advance medical research, fund the fight to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic and further efforts towards mental health reform. “With Senate passage today of the 21st Century Cures Act, we are one step closer to new treatments and cures for some of the most debilitating and life-threatening diseases that afflict millions of Americans.  This legislation provides billions of dollars in funding for Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative, research to increase our understanding and treatment of brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury, and grants for states and communities hard-hit by the opioid abuse crisis.  It also includes important reforms to our broken mental health system and provides more kids inpatient psychiatric treatment through Medicaid.  “Over the last six months, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft this final bill that has now passed the House and Senate.  I commend Senators Alexander and Murray for their steadfast commitment to getting this bill to the Senate floor, and for today’s strong, bipartisan result.” The 21st Century Cures Act will designate over $6 billion to implement cutting-edge health initiatives. $1 billion will be allocated to fighting the opioid epidemic, which will expand access to treatment for the over 256,000 New Jersey residents who are suffering from opioid and heroin addiction. $1.8 billion to support the Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot.  The Moonshot aims to accelerate research efforts and make new therapies available to more patients, while also improving our ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage. $1.5 billion is designated for the BRAIN Initiative that finds new ways to treat, cure, and prevent brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy. $1.5 billion over 10 years for the Precision Medicine Initiative, which was launched by President Barack Obama in 2015, which will help researchers develop medicines tailored to individuals, rather than one-size-fits-all treatments.  $500 million to the FDA over 10 years to foster innovation and to help implement numerous provisions in the bill intended to improve FDA’s medical product review in order to expedite patient access to important drugs and medical devices. The legislation also includes bipartisan mental health reforms.  These include expanding access to mental health services for children through Medicaid, renewed emphasis on evidence-based strategies for treating serious mental illness, improved coordination between primary care and behavioral health services, reauthorization of important programs focused on suicide prevention and other prevention services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=502,Sen. Booker Statement on Passage of 21st Century Cures Act,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 7, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded Senate passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation that sets up a comprehensive medical research framework in areas ranging from helping states fight the opioid epidemic facing our nation to landmark investments in cancer research.“Heroin addiction and opioid abuse have reached epidemic levels in the United States, and Congressional action on a plan to attack this crisis is long overdue. This legislation is a significant step towards giving states like New Jersey the resources they need to prevent and treat addiction and to save lives,” said Sen. Booker. “The 21st Century Cures Act will also strengthen medical research and help some of our most at-risk populations. It takes additional important steps in answering the Vice President’s call for a moonshot in cancer research, makes critical investments in biomedical research to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, increases access to mental health care, and strengthens National Institutes of Health programming.  “I had strong concerns about provisions regarding drug approvals and transparency that I’m glad were modified, and I would prefer greater assurances that the funds for future years will be used for vital opioid services and cancer research, but proponents will need to remain vigilant to ensure the funds are spent as intended. I’m glad the House and Senate are finally advancing vital legislation that will help American families and look forward to President Obama signing it into law,” concluded Sen. Booker.Sen. Booker has been long committed to supporting the fight against our nation’s opioid epidemic.  In March Sen. Booker was joined by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) in convening a statewide summit to explore solutions to the heroin and opioid addiction epidemic gripping New Jersey and the nation.In August, Sens. Booker and Menendez hosted a panel discussion with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Health David Shulkin at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey on the heroin and opioid addiction crisis in New Jersey. Sen. Booker also successfully advocated for the expansion of the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to include Monmouth County in New Jersey, which has experienced a sharp rise in both heroin and opioid use and trafficking.  The designation, which Sens. Booker and Menendez announced in October, will allow Monmouth County to receive Federal resources to further the coordination and development of drug control efforts among federal, state, local law enforcement officials. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font: 10.0px Helvetica; font-kerning: none} span.s3 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; color: #0433ff}",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-introduces-legislation-protect-student-loan-borrowers,Pallone Introduces Legislation to Protect Student Loan Borrowers,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) introduced the Student Borrower Higher Education Lending Protection (“HELP”) Act, new legislation to protect student borrowers and co-signers from egregious debt collection practices. The legislation comes in response to troubling lending practices by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) and other private lenders – including pursuing student loan repayments from disabled borrowers and from the families of borrowers who have passed away. Representatives Donald M. Payne, Jr., Steve Cohen, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Gwen Moore are original cosponsors. In October, Congressman Pallone announced the bill at Middlesex County College in Edison, NJ with Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Senator Sandra Cunningham and students. Sweeney and Cunningham, along with Senate and Assembly colleagues, were the chief architects of legislation signed into law on Monday that protects New Jersey students from HESAA’s harmful lending practices and make college more affordable and accessible. The Student Borrower HELP Act amends the Truth in Lending Act with three main provisions for private lenders, including HESSA. The provisions include: • Requiring total loan forgiveness for any student borrower who is subsequently determined to have a permanent disability or any family member who is a cosigner of a loan taken out by a student borrower who dies. • Deferment of loan payments (without any financial penalty) for borrowers with a temporary disability. • Requiring private lenders to disclose the default rates in their student loan portfolio on loan documents so borrowers are aware before signing any documents of the financial risk of entering into a contract with that lender. The need for federal legislation is clear because the problems with aggressive debt collection practices go far beyond HESAA. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, despite the fact that many private student lenders advertise loan forgiveness programs for loan co-signers in the event the student borrower is unable to repay the loan, 90 percent of applications for co-signer forgiveness are denied. Borrowers in New Jersey and around the country deserve strong consumer protections around their student loans. “Earning a college degree is a major milestone that helps put Americans on the road to success,” said Pallone. “The last thing borrowers and their families should have to face is aggressive debt collection practices if the unthinkable happens. The Student Borrower HELP Act would take necessary steps to guarantee safeguards for borrowers and their families.” The Student Borrower HELP Act is the latest congressional effort to make college more affordable, more accessible, and less burdensome. Congressman Pallone is already the cosponsor of HR 1434, the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would allow undergraduate borrowers repaying private or public student loans to refinance those loans at an interest rate of 3.86 percent. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pascrell-se-une-con-sus-colegas-para-proteger-a-los-so-adores,Pascrell se une con sus colegas para proteger a los 'soadores',2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Miembro de la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Representando el Noveno Distrito de Nueva Jersey, se unió con 106 miembros del Congreso para enviar una carta al Presidente Obama pidiéndole que tomara medidas para proteger los nombres y la información privada de quienes se inscribieron en la Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) y Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). ""Cuando ofreces a la gente un sueño, sería injusto convertirlo en una pesadilla y permitir el uso indebido de la información personal de DACA para arrancar a los hombres y mujeres jóvenes del único hogar que conocen. Muchos inmigrantes salieron de las sombras porque recibieron garantías de que su información personal sería protegida,"" dijo el Representante Pascrell. ""En los días restantes de esta Administración, espero que estos soñadores reciban las protecciones legales que necesitan para asegurar que la próxima administración sólo pueda usar información personal para las intenciones originales de DAPA y DACA."" La carta, dirigida por los representantes Judy Chu (CA-27), Zoe Lofgren (CA-29), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03) y Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04) recomienda específicamente una orden ejecutiva que prohíba el uso de la información personal de los que se inscribieron con DACA y DAPA para propósitos fuera de los que las leyes originalmente proponía, incluso prohibir el use de la información para deportación. La carta fue endosada por el National Immigration Law Center  (NILC),  Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) y el Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC). La carta esta por debajo en Ingles: The Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama: We write to express our concerns about the potential misuse of the personal information of enrollees in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  We urge you to consider taking executive action to prevent DACA enrollees’ personal information from being used for purposes other than originally intended, including for the purposes of removal. When your Administration first introduced the DACA program in 2012, it gave hope to many children of immigrants—commonly referred to as “Dreamers”—who were brought to this country at very young ages.  Since the implementation of DACA, we have been able to see firsthand the profound effect that the program has had on the lives of the children and young adults it protects. Over 740,000 young Dreamers have been issued Social Security numbers and work permits, and many have used the benefits provided under DACA to seek job opportunities openly for the very first time. The DACA program allowed these individuals to enjoy many of the essential benefits, privileges, and responsibilities of American society that they had been denied for so long. Dreamers granted deferred action under DACA were freed from the constant fear of deportation to countries that many of them do not even know and do not call home; they responded by enriching their communities and becoming civically engaged in American life. As a condition of receiving the guarantees of DACA, these children and young adults submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) numerous sources of information to verify identity, including fingerprints and other biometric data.  They also underwent background checks and provided their home addresses, where family members may also reside.  Other sensitive information, such as documentation of an arrest or charge of a misdemeanor in the United States or any other country, was also requested of applicants for DACA.  In asking these undocumented youth for extensive personally identifying information, the Administration effectively asked them to place their trust in the government.  Now many of those same Dreamers are wondering whether their trust was misplaced, fearing for their future in the United States, and questioning whether they can or should seek protection under DACA. Countless community advocates, organizers, and public servants have promoted the DACA program to Dreamers on the premise that the information they supply to DHS would not be used to deport them in the future.  We cannot stand by and allow the Trump Administration to exploit the trust these young Americans placed in us and the government. We believe that when government makes promises it should keep them.  We urge you to do everything within your power to safeguard the personal identifying information of DACA enrollees, including issuing an Executive Order prohibiting the use of DACA enrollee information for purposes other than originally intended.  While this program is a significant part of the Administration’s legacy, it is more importantly a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of young Dreamers looking to lead productive and peaceful lives as members of American society. Quienes firmaron la carta son: Reps. Judy Chu (CA-27), Luis Gutierrez (IL-04), Lucille Roybal – Allard (CA-40), Mike Honda (CA-17), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Jerold Nadler (NY-10), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Mike Doyle (PA-14), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Susan Davis (CA-53), Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joseph Crowley (NY-14), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Beto O’Rourke (TX-16), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Tammy Duckworth (IL-08), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Bill Keating (MA-09), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ruben Kihuen (NV-04) (Elect), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Jim Costa (CA-16), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Karen Bass (CA-37), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Bill Foster (IL-11), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Jared Polis (CO-02), Mark Takano (CA-41), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), David Price (NC-04), John Conyers (MI-13), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Al Green (TX-09), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Donna Edwards (MD-04), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Alma Adams (NC-12), Joseph Kennedy Jr. (MA-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), John Garamendi (CA-03), Elliot Engel (NY-16), Gene Green (TX-29), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ted Deutch (FL-21), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Peter Welch (VT-AL), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), John Lewis (GA-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gregorio Sablan (N. Mariana-DD), Filemon Vela (TX-34), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), Cedric Richmond (LA-02), William Lacy Clay (MO-01), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Jose Serrano (NY-15), Adam Smith (WA-09), John Yarmuth (KY-03), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Norma Torres (CA-35), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Sam Farr (CA-20), David Cicilline (RI-01), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Bobby Rush (IL-01).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-norcross-statement-new-rutgers-report-fair-share-south,Congressman Norcross Statement on New Rutgers Report on Fair Share for South Jersey,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC- Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today released the following statement in response to Rutgers University-Camden Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs report:  Is South Jersey Getting Its “Fair Share” of Public Goods? which concluded:    “...counties in the South of Jersey are far less likely than those in the North or Central regions to receive public goods, either as state aid, state assumption of project costs within the county, or general public benefits like transportation infrastructure, education, and good public health.” “The findings of this report confirm what we in South Jersey have known for a long time – there are clear public funding disparities between Southern New Jersey and the rest of the state. That is why I championed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) that continues to bring good paying jobs and businesses to our communities. It is why I authored the Higher Education Restructuring Act, which provided more capacity and opportunities for local students, resulted in Rowan University becoming a fully recognized research university with a thriving medical school, and granted Rutgers University-Camden more autonomy and funding from Rutgers’ main campus. It is also why I have advocated both at a state and national level for funding to improve our infrastructure, including expanding light-rail in our region. South Jersey has only ever asked for its fair share, I can assure you I will always fight for our region’s hard working families. There is still much work to be done, and we must continue to level the playing field to invest in good jobs for our families, quality affordable educational opportunities, and safe reliable infrastructure. Now I’m continuing the fight for New Jersey’s fair share of Federal funding as a member of Congress, and recently helped secure tens of millions of dollars through grants that will enhance our roads, expand access to educational opportunities for children and keep our communities safer,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/railroads-adopt-norcross-menendez-hazardous-materials-safety,Railroads Adopt Norcross-Menendez Hazardous Materials Safety Recommendation in Wake of Paulsboro Crash,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) & U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today applauded a decision by our nation’s railroads to voluntarily implement an important hazmat safety measure included in legislation introduced by Norcross & Menendez in response to the 2012 Conrail derailment and vinyl chloride spill in Paulsboro, N.J. As first proposed by the Toxics by Rail Accountability and Community Knowledge (TRACK) Act, railroads will now rely on federal emergency response guidelines in the case of an accident, and will remove materials that contradict those guidelines and could put the health of local communities and first responders at additional risk. “When a train accident happens and every second counts, it makes no sense to have two sets of emergency response information on board—especially if that information is contradictory,” said Sen. Menendez.  “At best, it’s confusing for first responders.  At worst, less protective information could result in serious consequences for public health and human life.  That’s why I included this important measure in our rail safety bill and why I’m pleased the railroads have chosen to voluntarily adopt these standards, putting the safety of our emergency responders and the public first.” “As the amount of toxic substances traveling by rail through New Jersey continues to rise, we must do everything possible to support our first responders who will be on the frontlines during an emergency,” said Sen. Booker, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee charged with overseeing America's rail infrastructure.  “The toxic chemical spill and train derailment in Paulsboro in 2012 underscores the need to make rail safety a primary concern, which is why I joined my colleagues in fighting to make needed improvements that will help with disaster response and preparedness.  I applaud this voluntary commitment from our railroads which represents a major step towards better ensuring the safety of our first responders and our communities.” “There are many lessons learned from the 2012 Paulsboro train derailment.  Adoption of this safety measure provides uniformity for first responders on scene when rail emergencies happen.  It’s critical that all our front-line emergency personnel have the tools they need to protect themselves and our neighbors from potential danger. Public safety is and must always be our top priority, and that’s why I advocated for this vital component of the rail safety bill,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01). The decision by the railroads follows a Government Accountability Office report, which Menendez, Booker and Norcross requested, that reviewed emergency response information in trains carrying dangerous materials.  That report reinforced findings made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its Paulsboro investigation.   The NTSB found that Conrail had carried supplemental emergency response information that was less protective than the federal Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)—considered the gold standard for hazmat safety in emergency situations.  Conrail’s supplementary emergency information did not specify an initial evacuation radius for a vinyl chloride release without fire—precisely what occurred in Paulsboro.  And although the vinyl chloride in the Paulsboro incident did not result in a fire, Conrail’s supplementary information for that situation included an evacuation distance only half the distance of what is federally recommended. Menendez and Norcross authored the TRACK Act to correct the failures identified by the NTSB and improve safety for our rail communities and first responders.  A key provision in TRACK mandated that railroads carry supplemental emergency response info only if it’s at least as protective as the ERG. A separate provision stemming from the TRACK Act—a requirement that certain railroads that transport hazardous materials have real-time, electronic train information that specifies the identity, quantity, and location of all hazardous materials on a given train—was passed into law as part of the 2015 transportation bill, known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=501,Sen. Booker Statement on Passing of New Jersey State Trooper Frankie Williams,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 6, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Cory Booker today issued the following statement on the passing of New Jersey State Trooper Frankie Williams: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of New Jersey State Trooper Frankie Williams. New Jersey has lost a true hero and public servant. Trooper Williams dedicated his life to protecting our communities and served our great state with valor and integrity.  Let us honor his bravery by reflecting on his commitment to helping others, his unwavering professionalism and the profound debt of gratitude we owe him and his family for their sacrifice.  This tragedy is a reminder of the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women in law enforcement and that of their families. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of Trooper Williams as we mourn his tragic loss.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-statement-on-the-death-of-nj-state-trooper-frankie-williams-,Menendez Statement on the Death of NJ State Trooper Frankie Williams,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Menendez Statement on the Death of NJ State Trooper Frankie Williams Menendez Statement on the Death of NJ State Trooper Frankie Williams Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 6, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today released the following statement on the passing of New Jersey State Trooper Frankie Williams, who was fatally injured last night in a head-on collision on State Hwy. 55 in Millville while responding to a call: “My heart goes out to the family of State Trooper Frankie Williams and New Jersey’s entire law enforcement community in mourning during this difficult time.  Although Trooper Williams only recently joined the force, his loss is being felt statewide, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.  His bravery and selfless actions undoubtedly saved the lives of those he swore to protect.  Sadly, this tragedy reminds us all of the risks our men and women in blue face each and every day to protect us.  They go to work not knowing what dangers they may encounter and face the reality that they may not return to their families at night.  They deserve our appreciation and gratitude all of the time.” ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/railroads-adopt-menendez-norcross-hazmat-safety-recommendation-in-wake-of-paulsboro-crash,Railroads Adopt Menendez-Norcross Hazmat Safety Recommendation in Wake of Paulsboro Crash,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Railroads Adopt Menendez-Norcross Hazmat Safety Recommendation in Wake of Paulsboro Crash Railroads Adopt Menendez-Norcross Hazmat Safety Recommendation in Wake of Paulsboro Crash Conrail derailment, toxic spill in Paulsboro prompted calls for better safety measures Print Email Tweet Tuesday, December 6, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), today applauded a decision by our nation’s railroads to voluntarily implement an important hazmat safety measure included in legislation introduced by Menendez and Norcross in response to the 2012 Conrail derailment and vinyl chloride spill in Paulsboro, N.J. As first proposed by the Toxics by Rail Accountability and Community Knowledge (TRACK) Act, railroads will now rely on federal emergency response guidelines in the case of an accident, and will remove materials that contradict those guidelines and could put the health of local communities and first responders at additional risk. “When a train accident happens and every second counts, it makes no sense to have two sets of emergency response information on board—especially if that information is contradictory,” said Sen. Menendez.  “At best, it’s confusing for first responders.  At worst, less protective information could result in serious consequences for public health and human life.  That’s why I included this important measure in our rail safety bill and why I’m pleased the railroads have chosen to voluntarily adopt these standards, putting the safety of our emergency responders and the public first.” “As the amount of toxic substances traveling by rail through New Jersey continues to rise, we must do everything possible to support our first responders who will be on the frontlines during an emergency,” said Sen. Booker, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee charged with overseeing America's rail infrastructure.  “The toxic chemical spill and train derailment in Paulsboro in 2012 underscores the need to make rail safety a primary concern, which is why I joined my colleagues in fighting to make needed improvements that will help with disaster response and preparedness.  I applaud this voluntary commitment from our railroads which represents a major step towards better ensuring the safety of our first responders and our communities.” “There are many lessons learned from the 2012 Paulsboro train derailment.  Adoption of this safety measure provides uniformity for first responders on scene when rail emergencies happen.  It’s critical that all our front-line emergency personnel have the tools they need to protect themselves and our neighbors from potential danger. Public safety is and must always be our top priority, and that’s why I advocated for this vital component of the rail safety bill,” said Rep. Norcross. The decision by the railroads follows a Government Accountability Office report, which Menendez, Booker and Norcross requested, that reviewed emergency response information in trains carrying dangerous materials.  That report reinforced findings made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its Paulsboro investigation.   The NTSB found that Conrail had carried supplemental emergency response information that was less protective than the federal Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)—considered the gold standard for hazmat safety in emergency situations.  Conrail’s supplementary emergency information did not specify an initial evacuation radius for a vinyl chloride release without fire—precisely what occurred in Paulsboro.  And although the vinyl chloride in the Paulsboro incident did not result in a fire, Conrail’s supplementary information for that situation included an evacuation distance only half the distance of what is federally recommended. Menendez and Norcross authored the TRACK Act to correct the failures identified by the NTSB and improve safety for our rail communities and first responders.  A key provision in TRACK mandated that railroads carry supplemental emergency response info only if it’s at least as protective as the ERG. A separate provision stemming from the TRACK Act—a requirement that certain railroads that transport hazardous materials have real-time, electronic train information that specifies the identity, quantity, and location of all hazardous materials on a given train—was passed into law as part of the 2015 transportation bill, known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. ### Press Contact Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov (Menendez) Thomas_Pietrykoski@booker.senate.gov (Booker) Karl.Parker@mail.house.gov (Norcross)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-introduces-legislation-cap-flood-insurance-profits-hold-fema-accountable,Pallone Introduces Legislation to Cap Flood Insurance Profits & Hold FEMA Accountable,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Long Branch, NJ – Today Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) introduced the Flood Insurance Reimbursement Standards Transparency (FIRST) Cap Profits Act, which would require increased oversight and transparency of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and cap the profits of private companies providing flood insurance at 10%. Congressmen Bill Pascrell (NJ-09) and Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) joined as original cosponsors of the legislation. Congressman Pallone began drafting the legislation after hearing from New Jersey residents that were treated unfairly by FEMA, private insurance companies or both in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. After discussing the proposed legislation with constituents at an event in Highlands in October, the Congressman added a provision to require that private flood insurance companies cover the legal fees of plaintiffs if the company is found to have committed fraud. A 2009 GAO report found that profits for flood insurers averaged 16.5%, while a more recent study found profits closer to 30%. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and other recent disasters, FEMA and NFIP have faced accusations of incompetence and fraud, which has led to thousands of New Jersey families being overcharged or without the payments they rightly deserve. “It is shameful that private insurance companies have profited from Sandy while failing to meet their basic obligations under the NFIP. It is inexcusable that FEMA has failed to provide proper oversight of those entities - especially when Congress has already empowered and required the agency to do so,” said Pallone. “FEMA has a responsibility to ensure that policyholders are treated fairly and charged a fair market price for the service they purchase, and my bill will take an important step in that direction. I will also be using the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program next year as an opportunity to push for more accountability from FEMA and insurance companies.” Earlier this year, the Frontline documentary “The Business of Disaster,” examined issues with flood insurance after Superstorm Sandy. During the documentary, Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, was asked if he knew how much profit private insurance companies servicing NFIP were making. He responded, “I’ve never looked at the book of business to understand their profits.” Frontline did its own analysis and concluded that private insurers made more than $400 million in profits from FEMA in the year that Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic coast – its highest profit in the 4-year period from 2011 to 2014. Between 2011 and 2014, industry-wide profits averaged $325 million a year –nearly 30% of the revenues the companies receive from FEMA. At the same time, many of those insurers were underpaying or outright denying legitimate flood insurance claims. The FIRST Cap Profits Act would rectify this problem by forcing FEMA to review the finances of these companies, something it was required to do by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012. Additionally, by capping profits at 10%, the legislation would ensure that taxpayer dollars are going towards policyholders, while leaving room for these companies to make a profit for administering the program. Congressman Pallone has been a leader in demanding transparency and swift action on behalf of those who have suffered from inefficiencies and documented, widespread fraud perpetrated by private insurance companies in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. In May, Pallone led another bipartisan letter from members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation requesting that FEMA take swift action on behalf of those who have suffered from fraud and for an explanation of why it is taking FEMA so long to process insurance claims from Sandy. Later that month, Pallone met with FEMA officials and stressed that the slow pace of the claims review process was unacceptable, and that FEMA needs to act to ensure that New Jersey policy holders are treated fairly and receive just compensation. In July, Pallone led a bipartisan letter asking that FEMA fulfill its legal obligation to provide oversight of the private insurance companies that participate in the NFIP. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-sends-letter-requesting-hearing-jcpl%E2%80%99s-proposal-increase-transmission-rates,Pallone Sends Letter Requesting Hearing on JCP&Ls Proposal to Increase Transmission Rates,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Long Branch, NJ - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voicing his concerns over Jersey Central Power and Light’s (JCP&L) proposal to increase electric transmission rates in 2017. Pallone requested a public hearing on the proposal which would increase rates by 150% and argues that “any increase of this magnitude should be carefully scrutinized.” Pallone has voiced concerns with other JCP&L proposals which could have negative impacts on New Jersey communities. In October, Pallone sent a letter to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) voicing his concerns over Jersey Central Power and Light’s (JCP&L) proposal for the Monmouth County Reliability Project (MCRP). The plan for JCP&L’s new transmission line would impact Aberdeen, Hazlet and Middletown in Pallone’s district and run along New Jersey Transit’s North Jersey Coast line. Many residents have argued that the project is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the public health, environment, and economy of their communities. In August, he shared his concerns with BPU regarding JCP&L’s proposal to transfer all of its transmission assets to Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission. JCP&L withdrew its transfer proposal in September, a week after Pallone’s statement. The text of the letter can be found below: December 5, 2016 The Honorable Norman Bay Chairman Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 Dear Chairman Bay: I write regarding Jersey Central Power & Light’s (JCP&L) proposal to increase electric transmission rates in 2017. I respectfully request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hold a hearing on this proposal to determine whether it is necessary, just and reasonable, particularly in regard to the impact the increase would have on ratepayers. The public should also be allowed an opportunity to comment on this proposal. As you know, FERC’s approval is necessary for any rate increase by JCP&L to take effect. In making its decision, FERC should take into account concerns raised by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the state Division of Rate Counsel, and other stakeholder groups. This rate increase could be a significant burden on ratepayers; according to the Rate Counsel, JCP&L’s proposal would increase rates by 150%. FERC should hold a hearing to investigate a rate increase of this magnitude. This is not the only JCP&L proposal my constituents have concerns about. Over the past year, JCP&L, and its parent company FirstEnergy, attempted to transfer all of JCP&L’s transmission assets to a separate company, Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission, and to build a new 10-mile transmission line in my district, known as the Monmouth County Reliability Project. While the benefits of these proposals for ratepayers are dubious, JCP&L would certainly reap financial benefits if either of these proposals were approved. That is why I am respectfully urging FERC to provide a serious and sincere opportunity for the public to comment on JCP&L’s proposed rate increase. New Jersey ratepayers should not be subjected to onerous energy costs, and any increase of this magnitude should be carefully scrutinized. Thank you in advance for your most serious consideration of this request. Sincerely, FRANK PALLONE, JR Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=500,Booker Applauds Army Corps Decision on Dakota Access Pipeline,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 5, 2016 Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would not grant an easement for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under Lake Oahe in North Dakota and would instead explore alternative routes for the pipeline crossing: “I’m grateful that the Army Corps of Engineers has listened to the growing chorus of concern echoing across the country about the Dakota Access Pipeline. Exploring alternative routes for this project that are sensitive to both the environment and the voices of Native Americans whose sacred lands were being threatened is absolutely the right path forward. Moving forward I will continue monitoring the Army Corps’ handling of this project.” Sen. Booker, a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, whose jurisdiction includes oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers, has sought information over the past week related to the feasibility of alternative routes to the pipeline. Also, last month, in response to conflicting reports by law enforcement, protestors, and the media regarding the response to protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline, Sen. Booker urged the Department of Justice to investigate credible reports of inappropriate police tactics there and to deploy federal monitors in an effort to ensure that the protestors could peacefully assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights. On Friday, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced that she was dispatching federal mediators to ensure the ongoing standoff between protesters and police over the pipeline did not erupt into further violence.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-re-elected-ec-ranking-member,Pallone Re-Elected E&C Ranking Member,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., (NJ-06) was re-elected unanimously by House Democrats to serve as Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for the 115th Congress. “I’m honored that my Democratic colleagues have once again elected me to serve as the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee,” Pallone said.  “As we prepare for a new Congress and the new Trump administration, I’m committed to working with all of my House colleagues to develop and push policies that will help build a stronger economy, create more good-paying jobs and protect consumers. The Energy and Commerce Committee will be at the forefront in the vigorous debates over ensuring all Americans have access to affordable health care, safe drinking water, lower energy costs, and a cleaner environment.  Committee Democrats are ready to aggressively fight any Republican attempts to reverse critical health care and environmental advancements that we successfully put in place over the last eight years.” The Energy and Commerce Committee has one of the broadest jurisdictions of any Congressional committee. The Committee has jurisdiction over energy, environment, health care, commerce, telecommunications and the internet. Pallone has held a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee since 1992.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-statement-on-november-jobs-report,Rep. Pascrell Statement on November Jobs Report,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the House Budget Committee and Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that November’s job growth was strong with 178,000 jobs created and unemployment falling to just 4.6 percent. This followed news that GDP growth was also higher than expected at 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2016. ""While these are hopeful signs, too many are still struggling to get ahead. I stand ready to work with the new Administration on higher minimum wage, stronger worker protections, and getting manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.,"" Rep. Pascrell said. ""A good place to start is the higher income threshold at which employers must pay overtime. The next Administration should appeal the injunction on the overtime rule. No secretary or maintenance worker making $30,000 a year should be working long hours without compensation. Especially in New Jersey, workers face high housing costs, property taxes, and food costs, and every dollar earned goes a long way."" The unemployment rate for men declined to 4.3 percent. Jobs in health care, business services, and construction industries grew across the board. Residential construction in particular is growing steadily, a positive sign for the health of our economy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://payne.house.gov/press-release/payne-jr-bill-included-2017-national-defense-authorization-act,"Payne, Jr. Bill Included in 2017 National Defense Authorization Act",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Payne,P000604,payne.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.’s (NJ-10) State and High-Risk Urban Area Working Group Act (H.R. 4509) was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 that won House passage today. The Congressman’s legislation requires decision-makers involved in disaster response planning to work together to gain a complete understanding of a community’s vulnerabilities so that homeland security grant investments can be prioritized appropriately. “In my capacity as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, I have seen benefits realized, across the nation, from DHS’ homeland security grant programs,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “Communities throughout my district—from Newark to Jersey City—have built robust capabilities to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters with State Homeland Security Grant and Urban Area Security Initiative grant funding. As successful as DHS’ homeland security grant programs have been, however, more needs to be done to ensure those who are responsible for various aspects of disaster response plan, train, and exercise together before a disaster strikes.” The State and High-Risk Urban Area Working Group Act would: Require any State or high-risk urban area receiving funding under the State Homeland Security Grant Program or the Urban Area Security Initiative to establish a State planning committee or urban area working group to assist the State in preparation and revision of threat and hazard identification and risk assessments and determining effective funding priorities for grant funds; Require State planning committees and high-risk urban area working groups to include representatives from each of the following stakeholder communities: (1) local and tribal government officials; (2) emergency response providers (fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services and emergency managers); (3) public health officials and appropriate medical practitioners; (4) individuals representing educational institutions, including elementary schools, community colleges, and other institutions of higher learning; (5) State and regional interoperable communications coordinators, as appropriate; and (6) State and major urban area fusion centers, as appropriate; Require members of the State planning committee or urban area working group to be from the counties, cities, towns, and Indian tribes within the State or high-risk urban area, including rural, high-population, and high-threat jurisdictions; and Clarify that States or high-risk urban areas that already use a multi-jurisdictional planning committee or commission that meets the requirements of this act are not required to create a new State Planning Committee or urban area working group. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-norcross-casts-vote-critical-us-national-security-legislation,Rep. Norcross Casts Vote on Critical U.S. National Security Legislation,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today voted in the U.S. House of Representatives for the successful passage of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), critical legislation that funds U.S. national security. Among the provisions of the NDAA are additional resources for American service members on the front lines of danger, more than $1 billion to combat ISIL/ISIS, funding for counterterrorism initiatives, 21st century investments in military technology including cybersecurity and cyberspace systems, and safeguards to protect New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from closure. “In today’s changing and uncertain world, this legislation gives our military the resources they need to keep America safe,” said Rep. Donald Norcross. “Our brave service members need to have the best equipment and technology to protect themselves as they shield us and our allies from threats. This legislation also includes important provisions that align with my ongoing advocacy for New Jersey’s Joint Base, which is strategically critical to U.S. national security and vital to New Jersey’s economy as the State’s second largest employer.” In his role on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Norcross previously fought for provisions in a Committee markup of the (NDAA) calling for pay increases for enlisted U.S. military personnel, including a correction involving a pay disparity at New Jersey’s Joint Base, that will result in pay raises for hundreds of civilian workers at the Base effective January 2017. Additionally, Rep. Norcross successfully advocated to bolster directed energy research to protect the U.S. and Israel against ballistic missile threats, called for investments in state-of-the art manufacturing research being conducted at our local universities, and demanded the U.S. Department of Defense enter into contracts with high skilled labor by educating federal agencies on the importance of using project labor agreements (PLAs) that prioritize hiring our returning veterans. The NDAA passed today includes Rep. Norcross’ provisions, as well as authorized leave for service members who are primary and secondary caregivers relating to the birth or adoption of a child. “Our heroes in uniform deserve the best treatment we can provide. That includes peace of mind when they’re home and when they’re deployed. We have an obligation to ensure their quality of life is as good as possible, as they risk their lives in service to our nation every day,” said Rep. Norcross. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the NDAA next week. ### Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114th Congress.  http://norcross.house.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-introduces-legislation-hold-big-oil-accountable-dangerous-spills,Pallone Introduces Legislation to Hold Big Oil Accountable for Dangerous Spills,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) introduced two pieces of legislation to eliminate liability caps for the oil and gas industry and increase accountability for big oil companies responsible for disastrous spills. Federal law currently protects oil companies by capping their oil spill liability for economic damages at $134 million—an amount that pales in comparison to the more than $90 billion in profits the five largest oil companies enjoyed in 2014, and is easily surpassed by an oil spill as shown by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The legislation includes: • Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2016, which eliminates the $134 million liability cap for economic damages caused by an offshore oil spill • Big Oil Bailout Prevention Trust Fund Act of 2016 – eliminates the $1 billion per-incident cap on claims against the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF), along with the $500 million cap on OSLTF monies used for natural resource damages “Spills by oil companies do irreparable harm to our environment, the health of wildlife and the livelihood of thousands,” said Pallone. “American taxpayers and local communities should not have to pay for the mistakes of large oil companies and left to rebuild on their own. Big Oil must take responsibility for their actions and my legislation will help ensure that they are held accountable.” In July 2016, U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker introduced companion versions of the bills in the Senate. “Under this legislation: If you drill and you spill, then you must pay the bill. If you hurt small businesses or communities, you fix them. If you hurt someone, you make it right,” said Sen. Robert Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Banking and Finance Committees, and who introduced the Senate version of the legislation. “It is fundamentally wrong for American taxpayers and local communities to pay for the mistakes of large oil companies, who take advantage of government bailouts to avoid accountability, and bear the burden of cleaning up the environmental disasters they’ve caused. By removing the arbitrary cap on big oil companies’ liabilities, we can ensure those companies do the right thing by the American people when accidents happen.” That current cap means an oil company responsible for a spill does not have to pay more than $134 million for economic damages, such as lost business revenues from fishing or tourism or lost tax revenues of state and local governments, unless, as in the case of BP and the Deepwater Horizon spill, the oil company was found to be grossly negligent or to violate federal law. Current law requires an oil company responsible for a spill to pay for all costs—without limit—related to mitigating or cleaning up the spill including the use of booms, cleaning up spills, rehabilitating wildlife, and skimming for oil, but arbitrarily imposes the $134 million cap on economic damages. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-statement-world-aids-day-2016,Pallone Statement on World AIDS Day 2016,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., (NJ-06), Ranking Member on the Energy & Commerce Committee, released the following statement on World AIDS Day: ""Today, I join people around the world in recognizing World AIDS Day. We have achieved remarkable progress treating and preventing HIV/AIDS in the now 28 years since World AIDS day was established. Still, there is much more to do. More than thirty-six million people worldwide live with HIV today, including an estimated 37,000 in New Jersey. “As difficult economic choices arise, let us remember that investing in medical research to find innovative ways to fight AIDS is an investment in our country’s future. We must also continue to provide the resources needed to expand access to treatments, as well as educate our communities on prevention and testing. On this day, we remember all those who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS and recommit ourselves to taking the necessary steps to make an AIDS free generation a reality.” In October of this year, Congressman Pallone was pleased to announce $75 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to New Jersey and the 6th Congressional District for medical care and support to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS through the Ryan White Program. Congressman Pallone has been a strong supporter and lead House sponsor of past reauthorizations of the Ryan White program, which is the single largest federal program designed specifically to support medical care and services for people living with HIV.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-selected-for-leadership-role-in-the-115th-congress,Rep. Pascrell Selected for Leadership Role in the 115th Congress,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bill Pascrell,P000096,pascrell.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) was elected to the Democratic Party Steering and Policy Committee as the Region IX (Mideast) representative. Rep. Pascrell was elected to serve on the steering committee by his Democratic colleagues in Region IX, which includes New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. ""I am honored that my colleagues have asked me to serve in this leadership position and I am ready to fight for the middle-class values of the Democratic Party,"" Rep. Pascrell said. ""For all of our members in the region, I promise to stand up for the needs of each and every one of our constituents. Our Caucus must stay focused on meaningful policy initiatives which can create jobs, grow wages, and support all American families."" The Steering and Policy Committee, which is designed to formulate and promote strategies for success in the 115th Congress, is composed of two Co-Chairs, two Vice Chairs, 12 regional representatives and 24 regional whips. Rep. Pascrell, as a regional representative, will be in a leadership position to advocate for healthcare, infrastructure, and growing the economy for all Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://sires.house.gov/media-center/did-you-know/rosa-parks-is-arrested,Rosa Parks is Arrested,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Albio Sires,S001165,sires.house.gov,,,legacy,"On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks was riding an Alabama bus home from her job as a seamstress at a department store when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. Her arrest triggered a boycott of the Montgomery bus system for the next 381 days, eventually leading to the 1956 Supreme Court decision banning segregation on public transportation. Rosa Parks and her significant contribution to American history are permanently honored with a statue at the U.S. Capitol, in National Statuary Hall.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://norcross.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-norcross-honors-filipino-filipino-american-soldiers-who-fought-us,Rep. Norcross Honors Filipino & Filipino-American Soldiers Who Fought for the U.S. During World War II,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today voted to support legislation honoring the contributions of 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who fought for the United States in World War II. The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act awards the United States Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers for their wartime service. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award that Congress can award. Rep. Norcross is a proud sponsor of the legislation, and previously urged his colleagues to bring this important bill to a vote. “These soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s fighting forces during the Second World War. Their service and sacrifice cannot be understated and must never be forgotten,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01). “That’s why I proudly stand for this bipartisan legislation, providing well-deserved recognition that’s not only long overdue—but also symbolizes America’s gratitude for the efforts of these heroes during some of America’s darkest days, ensuring our country would enjoy a brighter future.” The legislation is part of a larger movement to recognize Filipino and Filipino-American World War II soldiers throughout the United States and the Philippines for their crucial wartime service to the United States and Allied victory over the Empire of Japan. “Filipinos & Filipino-Americans have made and continue to make significant contributions to America and its rich history. This honor is another well-deserved opportunity to celebrate the patriotism of the Filipino community,” added Rep. Norcross. The legislation, which previously passed the U.S. Senate, now heads to President Obama’s desk where it’s expected to be signed into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=499,"Sens. Booker and Gillibrand, Reps. Kennedy and Love Introduce Bill to Address Discriminatory Legal Practices",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Cory Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 1, 2016 WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA-4) and Mia Love (R-UT-4), introduced the Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2016 to address the widespread practice of using discriminatory tactics when calculating future earnings potential in personal injury cases and claims. Sen. Booker said, “Our country was founded on the principle that all are created equal. Yet the way that damages are awarded in courts value certain lives more than others, often due to someone’s race or gender. That’s wrong, and it must change. This bill will serve as a needed step in righting some of the systemic inequalities that pervade too many facets of our justice system.” Sen. Gillibrand said, “Under our current legal system, civil courts can award less money based on the fact alone that a victim is a woman or a minority. This is wrong. In this day and age the courts should not be allowed to say one life is worth more than another. This is one of the most damaging and offensive consequences of America’s pay inequality problem, and it should not be legal in this country. All lives should be valued equally, and it is outrageous that courts in the year 2016 are allowed to suggest otherwise. I will work with my colleagues from both parties to pass this bill and bring our civil courts into the 21st century.” Rep. Kennedy said, “Measuring a person’s potential by their color, creed, gender or sexual orientation is the definition of institutional bias. Systemic inequities that limit opportunity, create pay gaps and impact everything from health care to education should not extend into our justice system. This bipartisan bill will work to end that practice, and I am proud to introduce it today with Senator Booker, Senator Gillibrand and Congresswoman Love."" Rep. Love said, “As a conservative, I believe the value of a life should not be either elevated or downgraded based on a person’s inherent characteristics, like race or gender. The courts should be above using race or gender in any way in determining awards in civil cases.  The Declaration of Independence reads: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.’  In introducing this bill, I am doing what I swore to do, supporting and defending the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”          Recent media reports and surveys have demonstrated the prevalence of lawyers and economists calculating damages awards and settlements based on the injured party’s race, ethnicity, or gender.  A Washington Post piece from October of 2016 reported on the case of a four-year-old boy whose family had sought $3.4 million in lost future earnings from their landlord after the boy had developed a mental disability from exposure to lead paint. During the case, the landlord’s lawyer alleged that because the boy was Hispanic, his earnings potential would be lower and argued for an award of $1.5 million instead. The presiding Judge, Judge Jack B. Weinstein ruled that it was unconstitutional to rely on ethnicity-based statistics to determine future income. Judge Weinstein emphasized that ""propelling race and ethnicity to the forefront of predictions about an individual's future achievement ignores the myriad factors affecting an individual's capacity to fulfill his or her potential."" However, civil court decisions, forensic economists, and lawyers across the country often rely on statistics that correlate earnings with factors such as gender and race in order to generate what they deem as a reasonable value for an injured individual’s lost future earnings. According to a 2009 survey by the National Association of Forensic Economics, 44 percent of those responding reported they considered race and a whopping 92 percent considered gender when calculating potential lost earnings for injured children. The Fair Calculations Act would begin to address these troubling trends by: Precluding a court from awarding damages based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation; Requiring the Department of Labor to issue guidance to forensic economists on how to create inclusive future earnings tables that do not rely on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation; Requiring the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor to develop guidance to states on how calculations of future earnings for a violation of state tort law could violate federal equal protection laws; and Directing the Judicial Conference of the United States to conduct a study and report to Congress on the use of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, or actual or perceived sexual orientation in the calculation of future earnings in civil court cases.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/senator-menendez-joins-senator-brown-rep-sherman-on-bill-to-help-wells-fargo-victims-get-their-day-in-court,"Senator Menendez Joins Senator Brown, Rep. Sherman on Bill to Help Wells Fargo Victims Get their Day in Court",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Menendez Joins Senator Brown, Rep. Sherman on Bill to Help Wells Fargo Victims Get their Day in Court Senator Menendez Joins Senator Brown, Rep. Sherman on Bill to Help Wells Fargo Victims Get their Day in Court Bill Would Prevent Wells Fargo from Using Forced Arbitration Clauses in Real Accounts to Block Customers from Suing over Fraudulent Ones Print Email Tweet Thursday, December 1, 2016  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and U.S. Representative Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) to introduce legislation that will give victims of Wells Fargo fraudulent account scheme their day in court. Wells Fargo is using the forced arbitration clauses in the fine print of contracts customers signed when they opened legitimate accounts to block them from suing over the fraudulent accounts. “Wells Fargo is once again trying to avoid being held accountable for their fraudulent actions,” said Menendez. “If customers signed one form for a real account, that signature should carry no weight for a fake account they never knew was opened.” “Forced arbitration is shielding Wells Fargo from being held accountable for tanking customers’ credit scores and charging them fraudulent fines,” said Brown. “Wells Fargo’s customers never intended to sign away their right to fight back against fraud and deceit. We need to give customers back their ability to seek justice in court so they can be made whole again.” “I want to thank Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown for working with me to introduce the Justice for Victims of Fraud Act of 2016. This bill will give defrauded Wells Fargo customers the opportunity for their day in court,” said Sherman. “If customers never authorized the opening of a phony credit card or checking account, there is no reason they should be bound by the arbitration agreement they were forced to sign when they set up their legitimate account.” The Justice for Victims of Fraud Act of 2016 will work hand-in-hand with a new oversight rule that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) put out in May to strengthen protections for consumers. Whereas the CFPB proposal would apply only to contracts signed after the rule is final – this bill would allow victims of Wells Fargo’s fraud to seek their day in court even if they signed contracts that included arbitration for their legitimate accounts in the past. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Robert Casey (D-Penn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.). The bill has been endorsed by The American Association for Justice, Consumers Union, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients), Americans for Financial Reform, the Center for Responsible Lending, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Media Voices for Children, Allied Progress, the Woodstock Institute, the Franciscan Action Network, the Economic Policy Institute Center, California Reinvestment Coalition, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, National Consumers League, and Public Justice. Senator Menendez has repeatedly raised concerns about Wells Fargo’s treatment of their customers, as well as employees. He joined Senators Bob Casey, Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown on a letter to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) requesting an expedited review for Wells Fargo whistleblowers and other unfairly terminated employees in order to clear termination notices which may have contained negative comments in retaliation for their attempts to report or resist fraud. Senator Menendez also led a letter with Senator Elizabeth Warren questioning how much Wells Fargo’s new CEO, Tim Sloan, knew about the fraudulent sales tactics that occurred while he was COO. ### Press Contact Patricia_Enright@menendez.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/video/view/menendez-urges-senate-to-renew-iran-sanctions-act-2016-12-01,Menendez Urges Senate to Renew Iran Sanctions Act,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M000639,www.menendez.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke on the Senate floor to voice his support of the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) of 1996. As part of the United States’ continued efforts to counter Iran’s destabilizing and nefarious actions throughout the world, the renewal of the ISA will ensure that Congress retains leverage to snap back sanctions if Iran cheats on any nuclear agreement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pallone.house.gov/press-release/pallone-leads-democratic-efforts-pass-21st-century-cures-through-house,Pallone Leads Democratic Efforts to Pass 21st Century Cures through House,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,NJ,Frank Pallone,P000034,pallone.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) led Democratic efforts to pass H.R. 34,  the 21st Century Cures Act in the United States House of Representatives, which passed by a vote of 392-26. As the Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees health, Pallone worked to advance this legislation that will advance medical research, fund the fight to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic and further efforts towards mental health reform. The 21st Century Cures Act will designate over $6 billion to implement cutting-edge health initiatives. $1 billion will be allocated to fighting the opioid epidemic, which will expand access to treatment for the over 256,000 New Jersey residents who are suffering from opioid and heroin addiction. $1.5 billion is designated for the BRAIN Initiative that finds new ways to treat, cure, and prevent brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy. $1.8 billion to support the Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot.  The Moonshot aims to accelerate research efforts and make new therapies available to more patients, while also improving our ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage. $1.5 billion over 10 years for the Precision Medicine Initiative, which was launched by President Barack Obama in 2015, which will help researchers develop medicines tailored to individuals, rather than one-size-fits-all treatments. $500 million to the FDA over 10 years to foster innovation and to help implement numerous provisions in the bill intended to improve FDA’s medical product review in order to expedite patient access to important drugs and medical devices. The legislation also includes bipartisan mental health reforms.  These include expanding access to mental health services for children through Medicaid, renewed emphasis on evidence-based strategies for treating serious mental illness, improved coordination between primary care and behavioral health services, reauthorization of important programs focused on suicide prevention and other prevention services. Congressman Pallone spoke in favor of the legislation of the House floor today. His remarks can be found below. Over the past two years my colleagues and I on the Energy and Commerce Committee have worked to craft the 21st Century Cures Act with the goal of getting new treatments and cures to the people who need them the most.  It’s been a long journey and I want to begin by thanking my colleagues Chairman Upton, and Reps. DeGette and Green for their commitment to this important legislation.  This is not a perfect bill, but after much consideration I believe the benefits outweigh my concerns and I support its passage.  This final bill includes many provisions that my Democratic colleagues and I, as well as the administration, fought hard to have included.  The bill provides new funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the President’s Precision Medicine Initiative, and the Vice President’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative.  It also provides new resources for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and grants for states currently battling the opioid abuse crisis.   This final legislation also includes important policy changes that break down the research silos that have existed for years.  The bill ensures data sharing among NIH-supported scientists and increases the number of racial and ethnic minorities and women that are included in NIH-funded clinical trials.  These important changes will allow the entire scientific community to learn lessons from this critical NIH-funded research, and will strengthen research for diverse populations.     I’m also pleased that the bill includes a new FDA grant program to study the process of continuous drug manufacturing.  This innovative process will allow for more effective drug production without sacrificing quality.  The bill also includes important hiring provisions to help FDA recruit and retain the best and the brightest.  And policies to move us closer to ensuring we have interoperable electronic health records, which are critical to reducing costs and improving care.     As I said, this is not a perfect bill, and I have some concerns with this final product.  I’m disappointed that this final bill does not contain guaranteed funding.  Instead, we must ensure each year that the Appropriations Committee, and the Republican Majority, lives up to the promises being made today.  We will hold them to these promises. The lack of immediate funding for the FDA is of particular concern given the fact that this bill asks FDA to take on significantly more responsibilities that we know are extremely resource intensive.   I’m also concerned the bill removes certain categories of medical software from FDA oversight.  This makes it very difficult for FDA in the future to bring software that is used to support or sustain human life back under FDA’s jurisdiction.  I’m also troubled by a new priority review voucher (PRV) program, which will likely require FDA to issue significantly more PRVs. This could pose a major burden on FDA drug reviewers when redeemed and could prevent FDA from being able to prioritize its review of drugs based on public health priorities.  The bill includes new language added without full consideration by the House or Senate regarding FDA oversight of regenerative medicine products.  Though most of the harmful language was taken out, I remain troubled that this bill creates a new designation process under FDA’s accelerated approval pathway.  Now I’m pleased this package includes the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.  This is a helpful step towards the more substantial reforms our broken mental health system needs.  I’m specifically proud that the bill expands an important set of Medicaid benefits to kids receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment.  However, let’s be clear, the benefits of the mental health bill will be far outweighed by the catastrophic harm caused to individuals with mental illness if the Republicans move forward with their radical plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, block grant Medicaid, and cut benefits for low income individuals.  I want to again thank all of my Committee colleagues and the staff for their hard work on this legislation. Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z