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/press-releases?ID=0908D50B-4CA5-4EE2-A17C-6C8D4730DA00,Rep. Norcross Announces South Jersey Winner of 2024 Congressional App Challenge,2024-12-31,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that Michael Breibart, Asher Fred, and Case Hurly from Haddonfield Memorial High School have won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District. The student’s app, Mental Plus, connects students with psychologists and psychiatrists, allowing them to communicate and schedule appointments for mental health support – all for free. “I would like to congratulate Michael, Asher, and Case for their outstanding achievement in developing an app that makes mental health support more accessible,” said Rep. Norcross. “As a mental health advocate in Congress, it’s great to see New Jersey students working to combat our nation’s mental health crisis. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, and young innovators like Michael, Asher, and Case are helping to ensure students learn to prioritize this vital healthcare.” Watch Michael, Asher, and Case’s video explaining their app here. The Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in STEM fields. This nationwide event allows high school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software applications on a platform of their choice. Winning apps from congressional districts across the country are eligible for display in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the House of Representatives website. Winners are invited to Washington, DC, to attend a summit called #HouseOfCode where they can display their apps to members of Congress and members of the technology community. Information on this year’s #HouseOfCode can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B6685196-87B6-4156-8700-C683CBDA6567,Rep. Norcross Releases Statement on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement on the passing of President Jimmy Carter. “President Carter was a true American patriot who dedicated his life to public service. He served his nation honorably as a naval officer, governor, and as the 39th President of the United States. President Carter helped negotiate the Camp David Accords, created the Department of Education, and worked to advance democracy and human rights around the globe. His selfless work inspired me to get involved in government. Today, I join the entire country in mourning the loss of one of our nation's great leaders.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-passing-of-president-jimmy-carter,Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the news of President Jimmy Carter’s passing: “Rest in peace, President Carter. Bill and I are praying for his family during this time, and join the nation in both mourning his loss and celebrating his legacy. A profound faith and compassion for humanity drove his political career, and his post-presidential life. It brings me joy to know he is reunited with his beloved Rosalynn.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/during-christmas-week-biden-signs-pallones-hearts-act-law,"During Christmas Week, Biden Signs Pallone’s HEARTS Act Into Law",2024-12-26,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) celebrated the Christmas week signing of his HEARTS Act into law, likening the moment to a scene from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. With this life-saving legislation now in place. “Just like the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes that day, this Christmas brought a moment of true heartwarming change,” Pallone said. “The HEARTS Act is about saving lives and equipping schools to act in cardiac emergencies. It’s a gift of safety and hope that will protect young people for years to come.” The HEARTS Act—formally known as the Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools Act—establishes a federal grant program to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to schools and childcare centers. Inspired by the tragic loss of student-athletes like Kittim Sherrod of Edison, New Jersey, the legislation ensures schools are prepared to respond to sudden cardiac emergencies, which claim the lives of approximately 2,000 young people annually. Key provisions of the HEARTS Act include: • Deployment of AEDs: Ensuring schools and childcare centers have access to life-saving devices. • Training Requirements: Providing CPR and AED training to staff, students, and volunteers. • Public Awareness Campaigns: Partnering with the CDC to educate the public about cardiomyopathy and SCA risks. The HEARTS Act received widespread bipartisan support and endorsements from organizations such as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose life was saved earlier this year by an AED.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413475,A Christmas miracle Smith’s $1.95 billion Autism CARES Act signed into law,2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Comprehensive legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to provide robust funding and enhanced support for Americans with autism was signed into law this week. Smith’s Autism CARES Act of 2024 will provide more than $1.95 billion over five years for programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). “At CDC, the funding will support ongoing developmental disability surveillance and research; at HRSA, the funding will cover education, early detection and intervention services; at NIH, the funding will drive research as well as the coordination of autism-related activities, including the Inter Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC),” Smith said during debate on the House Floor on December 16th. “As the prime author of the Autism Cares Act of 2024 and previous iterations of the law in 2011, 2014, and 2019, I know this legislation will help make a huge difference in the lives of the millions of Americans with autism by providing robust funding for durable remedies as well as effective early detection and intervention services to allow them the highest quality of life possible,” Smith said. “According to the CDC, 1 in 36 children in the United States—including 1 in 35 children in my home state of New Jersey—are on the autism spectrum,” said Smith. “My legislation pursues critical research goals and focuses on responsive and effective interventions for the estimated 6.8 million individuals with autism—over 1.8 million, which is 27 percent, of whom are profoundly autistic,” Smith said. Smith’s bill included Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as the Democrat lead along with 61 other bipartisan cosponsors. “This bipartisan bill will provide vital funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Through this bill, we continue important work in understanding the causes of autism, the best ways to treat autism, and incorporate the voices of those previously missed by research.” Smith’s legislation has received strong support from the nation’s leading autism advocacy groups, including Autism New Jersey, Autism Speaks, the Autism Society, the Profound Autism Alliance, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 will: · Direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research issues encountered by individuals and caregivers as they age, mental health concerns, issues related to aging, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for supports and services, such as care necessary for physical safety and the prevention of self-injurious behavior; · Increase the number of NIH Centers of Excellence to seven and ensure research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is designed to address the full range of needs faced by individuals, including to ensure the physical safety and to promote the well-being of all Americans with autism; · Include, for the first time, a professional bypass budget to provide the autism community with a comprehensive budget highlighting priority research areas and resources needed to advance quality of life improvements for all individuals with autism; and · Promote the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communications outcomes for those with communication assistance needs. Smith, who has been a steadfast champion for the autism community for decades, said “it all started in September 1997 with Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brick Township and their indomitable commitment to help their two children—Austin and Alanna—and everyone else with autism.” “We met several times and invited the CDC to Brick only to realize that federal autism programs were woefully inadequate—almost nonexistent,” said Smith, who noted he continues to plan and strategize with the couple to this day. At Smith’s invitation, federal agencies came to Ocean County for an investigation and found that autism prevalence rates were high not only in Brick, but in nearby communities as well. In response, Smith authored the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act, which was incorporated as Title I of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, authorizing grants and contracts for the collection, analysis and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-amtraks-holiday-service-failures-are-completely-unacceptable,Pallone: Amtrak’s Holiday Service Failures Are Completely Unacceptable,2024-12-23,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) today expressed outrage over severe disruptions in Amtrak’s service along the Northeast Corridor during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Pallone criticized Amtrak for canceling multiple trains and failing to provide sufficient resources for stranded commuters, many of whom are left unable to rebook online or reach live agents by phone. “Amtrak’s latest service meltdown during the holiday season is an unmitigated disaster,” said Pallone. “Commuters, and holiday travelers are being left in the lurch without basic support or answers. Cancelling trains with no viable solutions in place is completely unacceptable. Amtrak has received historic federal investments to improve service reliability, and yet these failures continue. It’s clear more accountability and urgency are needed.” The cancellations, which include trains 112, 131, 181, 114, 2152, 2169, 2154, and 2173, come alongside significant delays in and out of New York Penn Station. Customers have reported being unable to rebook tickets online, while Amtrak’s phone lines and live chat services remain overwhelmed, leaving travelers stranded without assistance. Pallone emphasized that Amtrak has a responsibility to use federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize critical infrastructure and prevent service disruptions. He has previously pressed Amtrak leadership to prioritize urgent repairs to the Northeast Corridor’s century-old overhead wire system and signal infrastructure, which are frequent sources of delays. “Commuters deserve better than this chaos—especially during the holidays. It’s unacceptable that after months of pushing for greater transparency and repairs, Amtrak has yet to address these recurring issues in a meaningful way,” Pallone added. “I’ll continue to demand answers from Amtrak and work with federal and state partners to ensure these failures don’t continue into 2025. My constituents deserve reliable public transportation they can count on, period.” Pallone is calling on Amtrak to provide immediate updates on the root cause of the current disruptions, detailed plans for compensating impacted travelers, and timelines for resolving the underlying infrastructure issues. He also urged Amtrak to bolster its customer support systems to handle the surge in traveler inquiries during peak seasons.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413471,In response to request from Monmouth and Ocean County sheriffs Smith introduces legislation to empower highly trained state law enforcement units to detect and stop drones involved in unlawful activities,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today introduced legislation that would empower highly trained state law enforcement units to detect and stop any drones involved in unlawful activities. Smith’s bill—the Law Against Nefarious Drones, Enforcement, Deconfliction (LANDED) Act—comes in response to a request from Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy for more authorities to respond to potential threats posed by illegal drone activity amid the ongoing unusual drone sightings across New Jersey. “As swarms of unidentified drones have violated our airspace over the past month, our state law enforcement leaders have been precluded by law from taking more decisive action, leaving our highly trained officers—who are on the ground and situationally aware—almost completely hamstrung,” said Smith. “My legislation is critically needed given the huge gaps that exist in our ability to counter unlawful drones which have been exposed by the unusual activity occurring across our state,” said Smith, who announced he was drafting the new bill at a news conference he held in Seaside Heights last Saturday. “We need to ensure that law enforcement has the authorities, training, and capabilities to take quick action if needed to keep local residents safe, especially as drones continue to advance technologically and have the potential to be increasingly lethal,” Smith said. Smith said the Biden Administration’s frustrating lack of response to the month-long unusual drone activity in New Jersey underscores the urgent need to empower state law enforcement to address any potential immediate threats to local communities. “Regrettably, the Biden Administration not only has refused to take decisive action but also has been denying and downplaying the situation that has caused so many New Jersey residents to be understandably concerned and alarmed,” said Smith. “New Jersey residents should not have to live in fear while unidentified drones continue to fly over our critical infrastructure, sensitive military bases, and homes and communities,” said Smith. “Enough is enough.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413472,Smith announces winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for local middle and high school students,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today announced the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for the Fourth District of New Jersey. The annual competition hosted by Smith is aimed at promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills among middle and high school students. “Congratulations to Katrina Migliore, Ahren Gaikwad, and Cameron Mock from Communications High School in Wall Township for winning this year’s competition with their app “Eco-Scan,” said Smith. The winning team was selected by a panel of judges that evaluated the app submissions from high schools across the Fourth Congressional District. “As the panel of judges noted, their innovative app combines convenience with education to help inform and encourage users to recycle,” Smith said. “By simply scanning a barcode or searching in the app, users instantly have access to a ton of information about how to properly dispose of a particular item to help them make informed decisions when discarding products.” Migliore, Gaikwad, and Mock shared that their inspiration behind developing the app stemmed from their experience with improper product disposal when trying to perform environmentally healthy tasks at home. The three Communications High School seniors pointed out that recycling contaminated products can exacerbate the problem by adding more infected recycling batches to landfills. The Congressional App Challenge—simultaneously held in multiple congressional districts across the United States—is intended for students to showcase their software app-developing skills as part of a nationwide competition administered by Members of Congress. Established in 2014, the challenge has become the largest student computer science competition in the world. Middle and high school students from the Fourth Congressional District who are interested in participating in next year’s contest should contact Congressman Smith’s Toms River Office at 732-504-0567 or Middletown Office at 732-780-3035. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-statement-vote-keep-government-open,McIver Statement on Vote to Keep the Government Open,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10) released the following statement on her vote to keep the government open: “After days of chaos and bending the knee to Elon Musk and Donald Trump, Republicans finally faced reality and did the bare minimum to help us keep the government open. We had a bipartisan solution days ago, but the GOP wanted to let Elon play president, without any concern about the millions of Americans they were dragging into disarray. They were ready to halt Social Security payments, make our troops and federal employees work without pay, drag WIC and SNAP to a screeching halt, and make Americans’ lives worse, just to impress billionaires who wouldn’t be impacted by any of it. After pressure from Democrats and the people back home, Republicans finally put a new bill on the floor. It delivers far less than our initial proposal, but it keeps our government open, keeps food assistance programs running and ensures families get paid ahead of the holidays. I voted to keep our government open for the families in my district, but—if Republicans hadn’t interfered—we could have delivered more for them. We had a good bill and Republicans tanked it. Our government remains open, but the American people deserve better than these ridiculous games.” Rep. LaMonica McIver represents New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. Rep. McIver is the first Black woman to represent NJ-10 and the youngest ever to be elected to the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey. She is a member of the House Small Business and Homeland Security Committees. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-menendez-luttrell-mciver-introduce-legislation-pilot-cbp-canine-home,"Reps. Menendez, Luttrell, McIver Introduce Legislation to Pilot CBP Canine Home Kenneling Program",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Representatives Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the bipartisan CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act, establishing a pilot program within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (“CBP”) Office of Field Operations to allow handlers to kennel their working canines at home rather than in a contracted third-party facility. Currently, canines working in CBP Field Operations at ports of entry are kenneled at contracted third-party facilities. This legislation directs the CBP to establish a pilot program to determine whether home kenneling would be beneficial to both the canines and their handlers. “CBP canines and their handlers are on the front lines of protecting our country and keeping our communities safe,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “It would seem to be common sense – and in keeping with the practices of law enforcement agencies across the country – that it is in the best interest of both the canine and its handler to remain together even after their shifts are complete. I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in moving this legislation forward.” “I’m proud to support this common-sense pilot program that prioritizes the well-being of CBP’s highly trained canines and their handlers, while enhancing operational efficiency,” said Congressman Luttrell. “With proper training, oversight, and regular progress reports to Congress, this program will give us the data needed to make informed decisions that benefit CBP’s frontline personnel and strengthen our nation’s security.” “Our bipartisan bill to establish a canine home kenneling pilot program provides a commonsense solution that will benefit both the dogs and their handlers,” said Congresswoman McIver. “The pilot program will increase efficiency and wellbeing of canines on the frontlines, like it has done for other agencies at DHS. I’m proud to join my colleagues to support and improve the livelihood of the people and canines at the forefront of our national security.” “Giving CBP Canine Enforcement Officers the choice to kennel their canine partners at home is an idea that came directly from NTEU members, and we are grateful to Reps. Menendez, Luttrell, and McIver, who heard their concerns and introduced the CBP Canine Home Kenneling Pilot Act,” said Doreen Greenwald, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union. “Canine Enforcement Officers who work at the ports have reported substandard conditions at their local kennels, endangering the dogs’ health and job performance. We think CBP Officers should have the option to home kennel, just like other agencies with the Department of Homeland Security, and we strongly urge Congress to enact this law on behalf of the law enforcement officers who work at the nation’s airports, seaports and land-based ports of entry.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-votes-to-prevent-government-shutdown,Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) cast her vote to prevent a government shutdown right before the holidays. The government funding bill also included natural disaster relief, aid for farmers, and a provision which Congresswoman Watson Coleman specifically fought for to expand nutrition assistance for people impacted by natural disasters. Rep. Watson Coleman issued the following statement regarding her vote: “Once again, House Republicans’ failure to govern and willingness to bow down to their billionaire donors put millions of American working families at financial risk. “And once again, Democrats voted to keep the government open. The government will be funded, workers and our servicemen and women won’t go without pay, and our seniors will continue to receive their Social Security checks because Democrats stepped up for working families. “I am proud of the good provisions that made it into this bill, especially $25 million in supplemental funding I fought for to expand nutrition assistance for people impacted by natural disasters. “The bill includes important extensions like providing telehealth services through medicare, so rural residents can get care even when the nearest doctor isn’t close by. “It also provides for flood insurance, so communities at risk of sudden storms or rising rivers are not left to manage the devastation themselves. “At the 11th hour, after Democrats and Republicans had come together to write a deal we could both agree on, an unelected billionaire Republican campaign donor threw a temper tantrum and House Republicans folded like a Christmas card. “I think it’s revealing how the next few years will go that Elon Musk got what he wanted out of this bill while President Trump did not. This is not a good sign for the future of the Republican Party and how they plan to work in the next Congress: billionaire donors can get whatever they want at the drop of a tweet. “No matter what, I will always fight for working families. And in the new Congress, I will continue to fight for those provisions that were cut. The last few days have been an embarrassment for Republican leadership. I hope the New Year will begin with a more normal funding process that is transparent and accountable to the American people.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-van-drew-celebrate-renaming-of-two-usps-post-offices-in-cape-may-county,"Booker, Van Drew Celebrate Renaming of Two USPS Post Offices in Cape May County",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ 2nd District) applauded the unanimous Senate passage of two bills, H.R. 7606 and H.R. 7607, renaming two United States Postal Service (USPS) post offices in Cape May County, New Jersey, in honor of Carlton H. Hand and George Henry White, respectively. The bills passed in the House of Representatives in June 2024 and now head to President Biden to be signed into law. “This is a special moment for New Jersey. By renaming these post offices, we honor two exceptional New Jerseyans—Carlton H. Hand, a decorated World War II veteran, and George Henry White, a pioneering Congressional representative—who devoted their lives to serving others. In doing so, we preserve their invaluable contributions for future generations,” said Senator Booker. ""I am proud that our bills honoring two great American heroes will soon be signed into law,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Lieutenant Hand and Dr. White embody the courage, service, and determination that define the very spirit of America. By renaming these post offices in South Jersey, we are honoring their legacies and ensuring future generations remember their incredible contributions to our country."" Located at 1087 Route 47 South in Rio Grande, New Jersey, the Rio Grande, NJ, Post Office will be renamed the ""Carlton H. Hand Post Office Building."" Located at the Northeast Corner of US Route 9 South and Main Street in Township of Middle, Cape May County, New Jersey, the Whitesboro Post Office will be renamed the ""George Henry White Post Office Building."" Carlton H. Hand U.S. Army Lieutenant Carlton H. Hand was a life-long resident of Rio Grande, New Jersey. He received a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and battlefield commission for his valor and bravery while fighting in Italy during World War II. He passed away in 1961. George Henry White George Henry White was the last Black Reconstruction-Era Congressman, representing North Carolina’s 2nd congressional district between 1897 and 1901 and having served in the state legislature throughout the 1880s. Following his political career, White and his family moved to New Jersey where he co-founded Whitesboro as a planned residential community for African Americans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-bashes-billionaire-shutdown-threat-supports-workers,"McIver Bashes Billionaire Shutdown Threat, Supports Workers",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10) released the following statement on the Republican government shutdown threat, perpetuated by Elon Musk and Donald Trump: “The richest man in the world is trying to prevent millions of workers from doing their jobs and getting paid and House Republicans are doing nothing to stop it,”?said Rep. McIver.?“A government shutdown would hurt seniors and families, and force servicemembers and first responders to work without pay over the holidays. If we shut down, New Jersey families could lose out on $439 million in disaster relief funding, and essential programs like food assistance and small business aid could be dragged to a halt. This is reckless and irresponsible governance from the GOP, who killed a bipartisan solution to play political games with the lives of the American people—they need to stop.” Background: If the government shuts down, more than 2 million military personnel and millions of federal workers will have their pay delayed, according to the Partnership for Public Service. Approximately 380,000 federal employees were furloughed during the 2018-2019 government shutdown. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown delayed approximately $18 billion in federal discretionary spending. Rep. LaMonica McIver represents New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. Rep. McIver is the first Black woman to represent NJ-10 and the youngest ever to be elected to the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey. She is a member of the House Small Business and Homeland Security Committees. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=67806047-55FE-4DE6-B48E-1F496041D0C8,Rep. Norcross Releases Statement on Suspicious Drone Activity in New Jersey,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement on the suspicious drone activity in New Jersey. “Recently, my office has received many calls regarding suspicious drone activity in New Jersey. While most of these drones have been reported in the northern part of the state, I understand that my constituents are worried and must be informed about all matters concerning public safety. “As someone who has served on the House Armed Services Committee for over a decade, I receive regular briefings on potential threats in the U.S. and abroad. Given this experience, I'm reassured to see the increase in no-fly zones and specialized drone detection equipment aiming to keep drones away from sensitive facilities. Additionally, these facilities do not appear to have been inundated with many more sightings than other areas of the state in recent weeks. “At this point in time, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI are reporting that the drone sightings are a combination of lawful hobbyist and law enforcement drones, as well as private and commercial aircraft. To protect everyone's safety, I want to discourage private citizens from independently attempting to shoot down or destroy these drones, as doing so could be extremely dangerous. “These sightings have made it clear that our laws have not caught up with modern-day technology. There are approximately one million drones registered with the FAA, and it's important that we create updated laws to respond to suspicious drone activity effectively. Finally, to all my constituents, I hear your concerns and will continue working swiftly to address them. Your safety will always be my top priority in Congress.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-blasts-house-republicans-caving-elon-musk-putting-critical-new-jersey,"Pallone Blasts House Republicans for Caving to Elon Musk, Putting Critical New Jersey Relief at Risk",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued the following statement as New Jersey faces the looming threat of a government shutdown due to House Republicans’ decision to abandon a bipartisan agreement: “At the start of this week, we had a bipartisan agreement in place to keep the government running and deliver critical relief to communities across the country—including right here in New Jersey. Now, thanks to a tweet from Elon Musk and the House Republicans’ willingness to bow to an unelected billionaire, we’re on the brink of a government shutdown. This is not a political game. For New Jersey, a shutdown means real pain. It puts $439 million in disaster relief funding at risk—funds New Jersey families need to recover from extreme weather events. It jeopardizes $8 million in community development funding, essential loans and grants to keep our small businesses afloat, and emergency funding to fix damaged roads and bridges. For Republicans to abandon bipartisanship and order a holiday shutdown is unconscionable and will only hurt everyday Americans who need disaster assistance now. As the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I worked to secure significant health care and consumer protections for New Jersey families in this agreement. These include expanded funding for Community Health Centers, strengthened Medicaid home care services, and the reauthorization of programs supporting traumatic brain injury research—renamed to honor my late friend and colleague Bill Pascrell. The bipartisan agreement also bans junk fees, enforces lithium-ion battery safety standards to prevent fires, and provides tools to protect families from dangerous chemicals and online exploitation. These are vital, life-saving measures that improve the everyday lives of New Jerseyans. Let me be clear: All of this is at risk because some in Washington decided to take their marching orders from the richest man on the planet instead of standing up for the people they were elected to serve. New Jerseyans deserve better than this reckless brinkmanship. I will continue to fight to prevent a shutdown and protect the resources we’ve worked so hard to secure.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-passage-of-the-water-resources-development-act-2024-which-will-help-fund-critical-nj-projects,"Booker Applauds Passage of the Water Resources Development Act 2024, Which Will Help Fund Critical N.J. Projects",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024) through the U.S. Senate. Reauthorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program to conduct studies, construct projects and research activities to improve the nation’s waterways, WRDA 2024 is vital to flood and coastal storm risk management, ecosystem restoration programs, and local sustainability and climate resiliency efforts. “As Senator, it is my priority to ensure federal funding reaches communities across New Jersey. With this year’s Water Resources Development Act, I’m proud to have secured additional resources for the Garden State,” said Senator Booker. “This year’s legislation includes a number of priorities for which I fought, including a $40 million authorization for the reconstruction of the Cape May Desalination Plan and the continued development of coastal storm risk management in the New York-New Jersey Harbor. These investments will yield tangible improvements to vital public infrastructure and help safeguard communities from the effects of climate change.” The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024 authorizes much-needed investments in projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) across the country. This legislation continues the recent two-year cycle for Water Resources Development Acts, ensuring timely Congressional authorization of Corps studies and projects, including projects in New Jersey. It also includes key policy reforms to bolster the Army Corps’ work and better direct federal resources to increase resiliency, mitigate flooding, restore habitats, and protect vulnerable communities. Funding highlights include: Reconstruction of the Cape May Desalination Plant Senator Booker secured a full $40,000,000 authorization under WRDA’s Environmental Infrastructure Program for the reconstruction of the Cape May Desalination Plant. The provision provides for environmental infrastructure upgrades, including water and wastewater infrastructure (including water supply, desalination, and facilities for withdrawal, treatment, and distribution) in Cape May, New Jersey. This will provide a funding opportunity for the ongoing efforts to replace the Cape May Desalination plant to provide critical safe drinking water to Cape May County residents. The 25+ year old plant is nearing the end of its life cycle. Senator Booker has been advocating for years to provide funding to this project, and has secured partial funds in the past several rounds of Congressionally Directed Spending. New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study Senator Booker secured investments to advance construction of measures to manage flood risk, protect the ecosystem, and support the resilience of the New York- New Jersey Harbor. This funding will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward on interim steps that can be taken to reduce coastal storm risks in the near future—implementing initial features as soon as possible is critical for the region; the longer we wait to build this infrastructure, the larger the risk of serious and severe storm damage. Increased Federal Share of Funding for critical Navigation and Harbor Deepening Efforts in Port of New York New Jersey Senator Booker advocated for and secured additional resources for the Port of New York New Jersey deepening project. The NY & NJ Harbor Deepening Channel Improvement Project will deepen the pathways to Elizabeth – Port Authority Marine Terminal and Port Jersey – Port Authority Marine Terminal by 5 feet to a maintained depth of 55 feet improving safety and efficiency at the port. The project is also expected to create approximately 88,000 full-time jobs. Additionally, the following feasibility studies are included in the Expedited Completion of Studies section of WRDA:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-schiff-urge-president-biden-to-permanently-protect-coastal-waters-from-offshore-drilling,"Booker, Schiff Urge President Biden to Permanently Protect Coastal Waters from Offshore Drilling",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sent a letter to President Biden urging him to take action under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to protect unleased and at-risk areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from fossil fuel development. “As you cement your legacy to be the nation’s greatest climate president, we urge you to use your authority designated under 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to permanently withdraw unleased and at-risk areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from fossil fuel development. These coastal waters are too economically and ecologically important to drill, and our coastal communities deserve protection from the known dangers posed by offshore drilling,” the Senators wrote. The lawmakers stressed that past administrations have used OCSLA authority to protect critical areas and called on President Biden to enact enduring protections that will build off these past actions in order to safeguard additional vital regions and coastal communities. The Senators wrote that “A large-scale withdrawal of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Eastern Gulf from fossil fuel development while maintaining the development of renewable energy solutions would provide durable protections for these critical areas.” The Senators listed the ongoing and significant risks posed by offshore drilling, including catastrophic oil spills, abandoned wells, and hazardous drilling infrastructure that imperil coastal waters, local economies, and public health. Moreover, expanding fossil fuel development would undermine climate commitments and expose American taxpayers to enormous environmental cleanup costs. “We have long fought for permanent protection from offshore oil and gas drilling for our communities, and for the clean energy future we need. We greatly appreciate your careful consideration of this letter and working to take action to protect our communities for generations to come,” the Senators concluded.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413469,Kirby intentionally misleading? Smith: Biden White House needs to stop changing their story and instead be honest and frank on the drone activity in New Jersey,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today issued the following statement in response to recent comments made by White House National Security spokesman John Kirby regarding the Coast Guard’s reported encounter with drones off the coast of New Jersey: “John Kirby is either profoundly uninformed or intentionally misleading when he asserts that highly trained Coast Guard personnel mistook drones following one of their 47-foot lifeboats for airplanes flying into JFK. The Biden White House needs to stop changing their story and instead be honest and frank with the American people—who deserve the truth and absolute transparency. We tolerate no coverups here. On Sunday, December 8th, I was briefed by a Coast Guard Commanding Officer in Sheriff Mastronardy’s mobile command center for monitoring drone activity on Island Beach State Park. One of my senior aides who was with me took contemporaneous notes during my meeting with the Coast Guard Commanding Officer,” Smith said. According to the officer who briefed me, several drones—between 13 and 30 of them—followed the Coast Guard boat as it travelled along the coast. He told me that the drones were an estimated 100 feet from the vessel and were keeping up with the boat at an estimated cruising speed of 20 knots (or approximately 23 mph),” Smith said. The officer reported that the boat turned to return, and the drones followed. At one point, the drones were flashing their headlights at the boat. He told me that the drones were between four and eight feet in wingspan and appeared between 9-11pm.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413470,Smith secured $30.2 million from federal infrastructure bill Beach replenishment from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet to begin in January,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Critical beach replenishment work for Jersey Shore towns in the Fourth Congressional District is scheduled to begin next month, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester). “I am pleased that after several contracting delays, this long-awaited project to restore our beaches that have suffered considerable erosion over the past years is finally moving forward,” said Smith, who secured $30.2 million in federal funding for the project. “We have never let up on securing this long-overdue, unjustly delayed project,” said Smith. “That we have at last received a schedule with real target dates on it gives us great confidence that the desperately needed beach replenishment will finally take place and better protect our beach towns. “Our shore communities will benefit greatly from the federal assistance and partnership to address significant safety concerns from beach erosion and help blunt damaging effects of major storms,” he said. The tentative schedule, which could vary slightly based on weather and sea conditions, entails the following six-to-seven-month construction estimate: · Seaside Heights with taper into Seaside Park: work is estimated to take place in January and February and include 241,000 cubic yards of sand; · Toms River (South): work is estimated to take place in February/March and include 426,000 cubic yards of sand; · Lavallette: work is estimated to take place in March and include 184,000 cubic yards of sand; · Bay Head with taper into Point Pleasant Beach: work is estimated to take place in Spring and include 495,000 cubic yards of sand; · Mantoloking: work is estimated to take place in Spring and include 392,000 cubic yards of sand; · Brick Township: work is estimated to take place in early Summer and include 227,000 cubic yards of sand; and · Toms River (North): work is estimated to take place in Summer and include 135,000 cubic yards of sand. The project, which has faced several setbacks, had been in serious jeopardy before Smith intervened in January 2022 and secured the entire federal share—or approximately half of the $73.5 million total cost—from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the contract in October to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company of Houston, TX. In total, the contract calls for dredging and placing 2.1 million cubic yards of sand onto Ocean County beaches. Sand will be dredged from three separate approved borrow areas located offshore of the project area in the Atlantic Ocean. The sand will then be pumped onto the beach and graded into an engineered template, which is designed to reduce damage from coastal storm events. Most of the base contract work involves widening the beach in eroded areas. In some areas, dunes, beach access paths/crossovers, and sand fencing will be repaired. Dune grass will be planted in areas that undergo repairs. “I am grateful for the expertise of the Army Corps of Engineers—our nation’s premier builders—for getting this project to the finish line,” said Smith, “as well as to their partners at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean County and the municipalities.” The beach fill project was initially constructed between 2017-2019 and requires periodic “renourishment” to bring it back to its originally constructed specifications. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-secures-major-health-care-wins-continuing-resolution-honors-pascrells,"Pallone Secures Major Health Care Wins in Continuing Resolution, Honors Pascrell’s TBI Advocacy",2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced today the inclusion of several critical health care provisions in the continuing resolution that the U.S. House will vote on later this week. Among the highlights is Pallone’s legislation to reauthorize federal programs supporting research and treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), now renamed to honor the late New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09). The Bill Pascrell, Jr. National Program for Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registries will continue funding for vital TBI research, treatment initiatives, and national surveillance programs. Pallone championed this effort to honor Pascrell's pioneering advocacy for TBI awareness and treatment, continuing his legacy of public service. The reauthorization reduces state match requirements to make federal funding more accessible and includes new provisions to explore designating TBI as a chronic condition—a critical step in addressing long-term impacts. “Bill Pascrell was a relentless advocate for the millions of Americans affected by traumatic brain injuries,” said Pallone. “Renaming these vital programs in his honor ensures his work lives on—helping families across the nation access better care and resources. This reauthorization not only pays tribute to Bill’s legacy but also strengthens programs that are essential for improving outcomes for individuals with brain injuries.” “This continuing resolution is a lifeline for our nation’s health care system. From expanding teaching health centers to community health care and cracking down on abusive drug pricing practices, these provisions address the urgent needs of families and patients across the country,” Pallone continued. “This is about delivering results—making health care more accessible, affordable, and innovative while improving lives in every community.” The stopgap funding measure, which funds the federal government through March 2025, will be voted on later this week in both the House and Senate before heading to President Biden’s desk for signature. In addition to the TBI reauthorization honoring Bill Pascrell, Pallone helped secure several major health care victories, including:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallones-leadership-delivers-major-consumer-wins-government-funding-bill,Pallone’s Leadership Delivers Major Consumer Wins in Government Funding Bill,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, announced today that key consumer protections he championed have been included in the newly released short-term government funding agreement. The legislation, which keeps federal operations running through March, cracks down on hotel and ticket junk fees by requiring all-in pricing disclosure and strengthens consumer safety standards—enshrining critical protections advocated by Pallone into law. “These protections will lower costs, increase transparency, and save lives in New Jersey and across the nation,” said Pallone. “With this funding bill, we’ve ensured these safeguards will continue regardless of who occupies the White House. Americans deserve upfront transparency when buying tickets or booking hotels, and they deserve to be safe from dangerous products in their homes and communities. I also want to recognize the leadership of my former colleague and friend, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., who was a longtime advocate for enacting legislation to protect ticket buyers.” Pallone led efforts to include provisions from his bipartisan TICKET Act, which passed the House earlier this year, along with enhanced safety standards for lithium-ion batteries and poison prevention measures. Key Consumer Protection Wins in the Funding Package: Junk Fees Ban: cracks down on junk fees by requiring upfront, all-in pricing for hotels, vacation rentals, and live-event tickets. Additional TICKET Act Provisions: Mandates refunds for canceled events, bans speculative ticketing, and prohibits deceptive ticketing websites. Combating Online Exploitation: Introduces protections against non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, with tools for removal and prosecution. Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Implements rigorous safety standards to prevent fires caused by unregulated batteries used in electric scooters and bikes, addressing the rising number of life-threatening incidents from faulty batteries.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-rounds-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-calling-for-un-security-council-nationwide-arms-embargo-on-sudan,"Booker, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling for UN Security Council Nationwide Arms Embargo on Sudan",2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced a bipartisan resolution urging the United Nations (UN) Security Council to increase enforcement of the existing Darfur arms embargo and extend it to cover all of Sudan. The resolution is in response to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has escalated into the largest and fastest growing humanitarian crisis in the world. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CT). Recent estimates reveal that the conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has already led to as many as 150,000 civilian deaths and displaced over 14 million Sudanese citizens. The violent campaigns by both parties include mass atrocities and war crimes, and the crimes against humanity committed by the RSF echo the horrors of the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s. The steady supply of arms, including foreign made weapons, to the RSF and SAF by outside actors have directly contributed to the length and lethality of the war. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have reported widespread atrocities, including forced recruitment of children, sexual violence, and extensive destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools. “Sudanese civilians are bearing the brunt of this catastrophic war between the SAF and RSF that has been perpetuated by external sponsors. The United States and the international community must take decisive action to put an end to the suffering,” said Senator Booker. “It is beyond time for the UN Security Council to stem the flow of weapons into Sudan, hold accountable those violating the existing Darfur arms embargo, and swiftly pass a resolution to expand the embargo nationwide. We must do more to pave a way forward to lasting peace and stability for the people of Sudan.” This resolution calls for an immediate nationwide ceasefire and urges the UN Security Council to extend the Darfur arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and implement a more stringent sanctions regime on embargo violators and perpetrators of atrocities. To date, there has been limited enforcement of the current embargo. The resolution also calls on the UN Security Council and the United States government to work with partners and allies, including the African Union, to establish better mechanisms for humanitarian aid delivery and civilian protection.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-fy-2025-national-defense-authorization-act,Booker Statement on FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “The National Defense Authorization Act passed by the Senate today includes a long list of policy improvements and important funding authorizations, including requiring the appointment of a Special Envoy to help mediate the conflict in Sudan, millions of dollars of investment in military facilities across New Jersey, increased support for military families, and a pay raise and improvements in benefits for active duty servicemembers. “But year after year, Congress rubber stamps sharp increases in the Pentagon’s budget without requiring more thorough oversight, transparency, and accountability for how effectively that money is being spent. Despite years of pressure, the Department of Defense has failed to pass seven consecutive annual audits. Though incremental improvements have been made, far more must be done to comprehensively reduce financial waste and mismanagement across the Department. “Put plainly, sweeping increases in funding for Pentagon programs without proper oversight must be checked – particularly when severe cuts are on the table for vitally important non-defense programs that help the American people here at home who are struggling, from investments in our schools to health care and housing. “Unacceptable provisions in this bill strip military families of the right to get their kids the health care they need. These provisions don’t make our country safer, and instead target our service members, who put their lives on the line every day to protect Americans. “Congress must do better in delivering a defense authorization bill that truly protects and promotes America’s interests and values before it can earn my vote.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/new-gao-reports-requested-by-booker-reveal-unfairness-of-federal-ag-programs,New GAO Reports Requested by Booker Reveal Unfairness of Federal Ag Programs,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued two reports revealing details of the financial assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to agricultural producers. The first report focused on USDA financial assistance to the largest livestock feeding operations from 2018 to 2023, and the second report focused on the financial assistance provided by USDA to all agricultural producers between 2019 and 2023. U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) requested these GAO reports in December 2021. Booker and Gillibrand are members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. “These GAO reports highlight the glaring unfairness of our federal agriculture assistance programs,” said Senator Booker. “It’s unacceptable that mega-farms are receiving the majority of this federal financial assistance, while small farmers are left with pennies. Equally troubling is the fact that less than five percent of this USDA funding is going to support farmers growing fruits and vegetables. Instead, USDA is primarily subsidizing the growth of commodity crops used to produce the ultra-processed foods that are making Americans sick. We must commit to reforming our agricultural assistance programs in the upcoming Farm Bill.” The comprehensive GAO reports include the following toplines: Out of $161 billion dollars of financial assistance provided by USDA between 2019 and 2023, only $8.1 billion went to farmers growing fruits and vegetables – just 5 percent. The 10,000 largest factory farms received $12.1 billion between 2018 and 2023, or an average of $1.2 million of financial assistance per operation. Between 2019 and 2023: The top 7% of producers each received an average of approximately $272,000 each year (the bottom 93% received just $12,000 each year). The top 7% of producers received 63% of all financial assistance More than half of all producers received no financial assistance at all. Over half of all producers who did receive funds received an average of less than $2,800 a year. The top 10 individual agricultural producers received about $18 million annually on average. The top 100 individual agricultural producers received about $6 million per year. One individual producer received $215.2 million in one year (2022). In 2018 large factory farms received less than $4 million in insurance subsidies; in 2022 and 2023 these factory farms received over $400 million per year in insurance subsidies.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-applauds-decision-protect-new-jersey-fishing-industry-striped-bass,Pallone Applauds Decision to Protect New Jersey Fishing Industry in Striped Bass Management,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Striped Bass Board decided to maintain current management measures for 2025, following his recent letter urging fair treatment for New Jersey’s fishing industry: ""I’m glad the ASFMC Striped Bass Board chose to maintain the status quo for 2025. The proposed seasonal closures would have devastated New Jersey’s fishing industry. This decision ensures a balanced approach to rebuilding striped bass stocks while protecting our state’s fishermen.” ""The new addendum process, with opportunities for public input, is the right path forward to manage the stock fairly. My letter to the Board emphasized the need for a regional approach that reflects New Jersey’s unique coastline and fishing practices—I’m pleased to see this perspective was considered.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-urge-cms-to-issue-guidance-on-expanding-fertility-treatment-coverage,"Booker, Duckworth Urge CMS to Issue Guidance on Expanding Fertility Treatment Coverage",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led colleagues in writing a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, urging the agency to provide guidance to states on expanding coverage for fertility services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), through their benchmark plans before the end of 2024. “Despite significant advances in the medical treatment of infertility, such as IVF, access to and affordability of this care is severely lacking in the U.S. Costs for a single cycle of IVF have recently been estimated to range from $15,000 to $20,000 on average and can exceed $30,000. Unfortunately, current insurance coverage for fertility treatments do not meet the growing need,” the Senators wrote. Senator Booker also emphasized the importance of making fertility treatments more accessible and affordable in response to the challenges posed by legal restrictions following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, particularly in states like Alabama, where legal challenges to IVF access have emerged. “Now, more than ever, it is crucial to protect the right to fertility treatments and increase access to these services. Therefore, we urge CMS to issue guidance to states on how to cover fertility services through their state benchmark plans and provide technical assistance to states seeking to achieve this coverage,” the Senators concluded. The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413462,U.S. Congressman Chris Smith voices concern over reports of U.S. involvement with pro-abortion bill in Sierra Leone,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Global Health and Global Human Rights Subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding reports of U.S. involvement with efforts to expand abortion in Sierra Leone: “It is deeply disturbing, but not terribly surprising, that we are hearing reports that the Biden Administration is threatening to withhold foreign assistance to Sierra Leone unless legislators there pass the deceptively named ‘Safe Motherhood Act’ legislation that would legalize abortion in Sierra Leone, a country that currently protects unborn life. Let me be clear, abortion is not health care, nor is it an internationally recognized human ‘right.’ The Biden Administration’s pro-abortion bullying tactics and raw attempt at ideological colonialism is unacceptable. Abortion always ends the life of the unborn baby and harms the mother. Pro-life countries should be celebrated and respected for protecting unborn children and their mothers—not penalized by a pro-abortion lame duck Biden Administration. I will work with the incoming Trump Administration to conduct a thorough review of actions by all U.S. agencies, from USAID to the Millennium Challenge Corporation, to determine whether U.S. laws were violated by U.S. government staff through misallocation—or threat of misallocation—of U.S. funding in order to pressure countries to change their prolife laws. Forcing a pro-abortion and woke agenda on financially vulnerable and democratic sovereign nations harms both the U.S. and our allies and is bad diplomacy. It must end.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413467,House votes overwhelming in favor Smith’s $1.95 billion Autism CARES Act heads to President’s desk to be signed into law,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Comprehensive legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to provide robust funding and enhanced support for Americans with autism is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law after winning overwhelming support in a vote (374-15) on the House Floor today. Smith’s Autism CARES Act of 2024—which was approved by the Senate in late November—will provide more than $1.95 billion over five years for programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). “At CDC, the funding will support ongoing developmental disability surveillance and research; at HRSA, the funding will cover education, early detection and intervention services; at NIH, the funding will drive research as well as the coordination of autism-related activities, including the Inter Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC),” Smith said during debate on the House Floor. “As the prime author of the Autism Cares Act of 2024 and previous iterations of the law in 2011, 2014, and 2019, I know this legislation will help make a huge difference in the lives of the millions of Americans with autism by providing robust funding for durable remedies as well as effective early detection and intervention services to allow them the highest quality of life possible,” Smith said. “According to the CDC, 1 in 36 children in the United States—including 1 in 35 children in my home state of New Jersey—are on the autism spectrum,” said Smith. “My legislation pursues critical research goals and focuses on responsive and effective interventions for the estimated 6.8 million individuals with autism—27 percent of whom, or over 1.8 million, are profoundly autistic,” Smith said. Smith’s bill—with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as the Democrat lead and 61 other bipartisan cosponsors—is expected to become law before the end of the year. “I am pleased to help pass this bipartisan legislation, a bill I championed alongside Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), and send it to the President's desk. This bipartisan bill will provide vital funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Through this bill, we continue important work in understanding the causes of autism, the best ways to treat autism, and incorporate the voices of those previously missed by research.” Smith’s legislation has received strong support from the nation’s leading autism advocacy groups, including Autism New Jersey, Autism Speaks, the Autism Society, the Profound Autism Alliance, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 will: · Direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research issues encountered by individuals and caregivers as they age, mental health concerns, issues related to aging, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for supports and services, such as care necessary for physical safety and the prevention of self-injurious behavior; · Increase the number of NIH Centers of Excellence to seven and ensure research reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and is designed to address the full range of needs faced by individuals, including to ensure the physical safety and to promote the well-being of all Americans with autism; · Include, for the first time, a professional bypass budget to provide the autism community with a comprehensive budget highlighting priority research areas and resources needed to advance quality of life improvements for all individuals with autism; and · Promote the adoption of assistive communication technologies to improve communications outcomes for those with communication assistance needs. Smith, who has been a steadfast champion for the autism community for decades, said “it all started in September 1997 with Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brick Township and their indomitable commitment to help their two children—Austin and Alanna—and everyone else with autism.” “We met several times and invited the CDC to Brick only to realize that federal autism programs were woefully inadequate—almost nonexistent,” said Smith, who noted he continues to plan and strategize with the couple to this day. At Smith’s invitation, federal agencies came to Ocean County for an investigation and found that autism prevalence rates were high not only in Brick, but in nearby communities as well. In response, Smith authored the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act, which was incorporated as Title I of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, authorizing grants and contracts for the collection, analysis and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-names-jonah-park-and-arnav-jain-winners-congressional-app-challenge,"Kean Names Jonah Park and Arnav Jain, Winners of the Congressional App Challenge",2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,"Thomas H. Kean, Jr.",K000398,kean.house.gov,kean,https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(December 16, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced the NJ-07 winners of the Congressional App Challenge. The top winner of the competition is the team of Jonah Park of Westfield and Arnav Jain of Short Hills, who both attend The Pingry School. The Congressional App Challenge, which received more 3,800 applications nationwide, has become the most prestigious prize in computer science for students and stands as the largest competition of its kind in the country. Park and Jain’s winning entry, Root, “is an educational app focused on teaching kids about the science behind the environment and how change is possible. Kids from third to eighth grade follow a proprietary curriculum through articles, videos, and quizzes. The Explore page is the heart of the Root community and allows kids to apply their knowledge to create real impact."" The team will receive the following as the NJ-07 winner: An Invitation to the #HouseOfCode celebration in DC in April 2025 Winning App eligible to be featured in the Capitol Building and put on House.gov (10 million visitors per year) Waived copyright registration application fees through the ARTS Act Samantha Billig and Vincent Panico, professionals in the technology field, served as judges for this year’s App Challenge. The judges also selected five entries for Honorable Mention recognition: Testify, submitted by Shrenik Rakshit of Annandale who attends Voorhees High School. NourishNest, submitted by Jonathan Chang of Berkeley Heights who attends the Union County Magnet High School. Sustainable Strides, submitted by a team from Warren: Clara Risso and Rebecca Lubeck, who attend Watchung Hills Regional High School and Kayla Peng who attends the Kent Place School. FastLingo, submitted by Dheirya Tyagi of Bernardsville who attends Bernards High School. Billology, submitted by Shiven Das of Bridgewater who attends Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School. “I am continually inspired by the creativity and innovation demonstrated by our students,” said Congressman Kean. “Jonah and Arnav’s winning entry, Root, is a prime example of how our future leaders are using technology to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time. Root’s focus on educating kids about the science behind the environment and empowering them to create real impact is exactly the kind of initiative we need. It is an incredible tool that will help the next generation become informed, engaged, and ready to make a difference. The Congressional App Challenge is an essential platform for encouraging this kind of innovation, and I am proud to see so many young minds leading the way."" The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as 1 million programmers by 2021. To maintain American competitiveness, it’s crucial that the United States invests in the youth now and help them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/union-county-expungement-clinic-be-held-roselle-public-library-1217,Union County Expungement Clinic to be held at Roselle Public Library on 12/17,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites you to an Expungement Clinic on Tuesday, December 17th, at the Roselle Public Library. The event will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Please click the flyer below to complete registration or visit the following link: Job Fairs – Union County Department of Human Services",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-bill-to-commemorate-americas-250th-birthday-with-time-capsule-passes-house,Rep. Watson Coleman Bill to Commemorate America’s 250th Birthday with Time Capsule Passes House,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the passage of her bill, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, through the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to create and bury a time capsule on the west lawn of the Capitol, where it will remain until America’s 500th birthday on July 4, 2276. “I am so pleased the House overwhelmingly passed my bipartisan legislation to commemorate America’s 250th Birthday with a time capsule,” said Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “This time capsule will memorialize our moment in American history, and give future generations a chance to glimpse our nation as it was. I’m grateful for the partnership of my colleagues in the House, and on the America250 Commission under the capable leadership of Rosie Rios. It’s a privilege to work with all of you as we plan a nationwide celebration of America's 250th birthday.” “As we face new challenges and a time of deep division, partisanship, and extremism, this anniversary serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold the values of liberty and equality, championed by our founding fathers,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her leadership of this memorable measure. I am grateful to all of my colleagues on the America 250 Commission, and look forward to seeing the items chosen for the time capsule by the bipartisan, bicameral group as this marks a significant moment in our shared American history.” “With today’s passing of the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, we get to tell the story of America to those who will open this capsule in the future,” said Rep. Rob Aderholt (AL-04). “There is no better way to inspire the American people 250 years from now than to remind them that America is, and has always been, worth fighting for.” ""Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, America’s shining beacon of hope and democracy has continued to guide our nation toward a better future for all,” said Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03). “While we have often fallen short of the ideals outlined in the Declaration, the upcoming commemoration of our nation’s 250th year of existence reminds us of our shared responsibility to work towards a more perfect union. I am immensely proud to co-sponsor the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act not only as a Philadelphian but also as an American."" “Since 1776, the American experiment has been a beacon of hope to the entire world,” said Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27). “As America is about to celebrate its 250th birthday, it’s fitting to create a time capsule to be opened 250 years from now – for America’s 500th birthday, with contents that will showcase American exceptionality to future Americans. I’m proud to lead this legislation with my colleagues and urge the Senate to quickly pass it.” “This time capsule will help commemorate America’s enduring spirit of democracy. It will celebrate our collective accomplishments and bridge our nation’s past, present and future,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “Congratulations to Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman for her dedicated leadership in championing this important legislation.” The contents of the time capsule will be determined by the offices of the Speaker of the House, the Office of the Minority Leader of the House, and the Offices of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate. They will include items that represent important legislation or institutional milestones of Congress, a message from this Congress to the future Congress, and other items that reflect our history at the time of its burial in 2026.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-urges-fda-to-prioritize-non-animal-testing-methods-for-sunscreen-safety,Booker Urges FDA to Prioritize Non-Animal Testing Methods for Sunscreen Safety,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) wrote a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf, expressing concern over the agency’s call for manufacturers to test sunscreen ingredients on animals despite decades of human safety data supporting these products. The letter highlights the importance of ensuring access to sunscreens and that requesting animal tests to keep these products on the market undermines and jeopardizes the availability of products to prevent skin cancer in the United States. “As you know, Congress passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 to allow the FDA to use data from non-animal test methods. The agency has an obligation to the public to reduce animal use in safety assessment and to apply the most reliable and human-relevant assessment strategies to evaluate sunscreens, including the use of existing safety data, ongoing clinical and consumer safety assessment, and non-animal test methods. The FDA’s own public materials indicate that there is no evidence that sunscreen active ingredients are unsafe,” Senator Booker wrote. Booker stated that sunscreen technology in the United States is significantly behind other countries like Japan, South Korea, and France. Additionally, the European Union bans animal testing of cosmetics, including sunscreen. Booker continued, “Animal testing should not be required when there are other pathways to demonstrate the safety of these products—pathways that have long been accepted in other countries.” Senator Booker called on the FDA to provide detailed responses to numerous questions, including: Does the FDA explicitly require manufacturers and/or ingredients suppliers to test existing and novel sunscreen ingredients on animals? What non-animal approaches would FDA recommend including in future proposals regarding the safety of existing and novel sunscreen active ingredients? Does the FDA plan to remove sunscreens from the market if they are not tested on animals? If yes, has the FDA considered the public health implication of removing sunscreens from the market, including the impact it would have on skin cancer rates? What are the potential global implications of animal testing, including possible barriers to trade? Has FDA considered the sociological implications of only retaining mineral sunscreens on the market, which leave a white cast on the skin?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413459,Smith holds news conference in Seaside Heights on unidentified drone activity in New Jersey,2024-12-14,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at his news conference today in Seaside Heights, NJ, on the ongoing unidentified drone activity across the state: ""On the large number of drones flying throughout New Jersey and elsewhere that have so far evaded identification, origin, mission or potential threat to Americans, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shockingly said this week: ‘We haven’t seen anything unusual. We know of no threat.’ What? The massive invasion of drones observed and recorded by many of our citizens including law enforcement and military personnel—many in this room—isn’t unusual? Is he kidding? How does Secretary Mayorkas who infamously told us for years that our southern border was secure and closed—when it was and is not—now insult our intelligence that ‘we haven’t seen anything unusual’? This is usual? And how can he—and others like national security spokesman Admiral John Kirby—say we know of no threat? How can anyone speculate or issue assurances to the thousands of Americans who have witnessed the drones that there is no threat? For weeks, we’ve asked for the truth and action to mitigate any and all threats to people and property. Now we are demanding it. As the sightings increase including by servicemembers at Naval Weapons Station Earle—where several have been seen or by the Coast Guard which had one of its 47-foot rescue boats followed in very close proximity off its stern by numerous drones—why can’t we bag at least one drone and get to the bottom of this? Why can’t we even track a suspect drone to its origin? Have we so little control over our airspace? Remember the feckless response to the Chinese Communist Party Spy balloon? The elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities—or worse—by violent dictatorships including Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. The Pentagon has already said the drones are not ours. I’ve written Defense Secretary Llyod Austin asking the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to down one or more of these unmanned threats to uncover the mystery of the drones. Knowing how drone warfare has radically changed warfighting in Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East and elsewhere, this is not the time to trivialize or dismiss the threat. Special thanks to both Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden for doing all within their power and authority to aggressively investigate and track drone appearances. They are doing an amazing job. As many of you know, state and local law enforcement is precluded by law from taking more decisive action—which again is why DOD must act now and Congress and the President need to move quickly to expand state and local authorities. Sheriff Golden wrote me a few days ago requesting legislation to empower the state police to seriously protect at risk persons and infrastructure, and if necessary, bring down a dangerous drone or drones. I am drafting that bill now and will introduce it soon.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413461,Fox News segment on Rep. Smith's call for answers on drones:'New Jersey lawmaker urges the Pentagon to address drone sightings',2024-12-14,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ , Dec 14, 2024 Fox News Channel Congressman Chris Smith led a press conference with local officials on growing public concerns about unidentified drones reported across his district and other New Jersey areas. Congressman Smith was joined by State, County and Municipal officials, including law enforcement, who all have heard from their own constituents regarding similar concerns. The event was held Dec. 14, 2024 just off the dunes in the Borough of Seaside Heights, in Ocean County, N.J.. The event was carried live by various media, including Fox News Channel. Click here or on image below to watch: Congressman Chris Smith led a press conference with local officials about concern over drones on Dec. 14, 2024.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413463,"MSNBC News article on Smith's, other officials' concerns:'New Jersey officials call out federal government over response to drone sightings'",2024-12-14,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"1005 Hooper Avenue Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: (732) 504-0567 *Please call for an appointment.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413455,Smith: Americans want real answers on swarm of drones in N.J. not doublespeak from top Biden officials,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s recent comments made by White House National Security spokesman John Kirby and in a DHS/FBI joint statement on the unidentified drone activity across New Jersey: “The Biden Administration continues to be dismissive of New Jersey residents who have witnessed these drones in swarms, including coming from the ocean, following a Coast Guard lifeboat, and flying over extremely sensitive military bases like Naval Weapons Station Earle in my congressional district. Some press reports—including one from the Daily Mail—cite intelligence experts who suggest Russia could be responsible. The American people and our trained local law enforcement officials have rightfully asked for real answers—not doublespeak from top Biden officials who still admit they do not know the origin or intent behind this unidentified drone activity. The Biden Administration has an obligation to the American people to figure out and tell us what is going on immediately. Their lack of decisive action and empty reassurances will only cause increased speculation and continue to escalate the valid concerns that so many people have. Tomorrow, I will be holding a press conference in Seaside Heights, New Jersey with local law enforcement officers, mayors, and state representatives to share updates with the public and lay out our next steps in Congress to demand answers and further address this issue.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413458,"Press conference in Seaside Heights on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1:30pm Smith, law enforcement officers, mayors and state officials will provide updates on the unidentified drone activity in New Jersey",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) will be holding a press conference in Seaside Heights, New Jersey on Saturday, December 14th to provide updates to the public on the unidentified drone activity in New Jersey and unveil new federal legislation he will be introducing in Congress to help address the ongoing issue. The news conference will be located at the new standup Command Center established by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office to bolster local law enforcement’s capabilities to monitor drones. Both Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden will be in attendance. WHO: · Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) · Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy · Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden · Local mayors and state representatives WHEN: Saturday, December 14th at 1:30pm WHERE: Ocean County Sheriff’s new standup Command Center to monitor drone activity 50 Hiering Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ RSVP: To attend, please RSVP to Michael Finan at Michael.Finan@mail.house.gov ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-selected-serve-energy-and-commerce-committee-119th-congress,Kean Selected to Serve on Energy and Commerce Committee for the 119th Congress,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,"Thomas H. Kean, Jr.",K000398,kean.house.gov,kean,https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(December 13, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) was appointed to serve on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce for the 119th Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. “I am honored to be selected to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the critical issues facing our nation's energy future, research and development, and economy,” said Congressman Kean. “Our work will shape the path forward for innovation, sustainability, and opportunity for New Jerseyans and people across our nation.” The committee has responsibility for matters including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce, among others. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-house-passage-2025-national-defense-authorization-act-0,Kean Statement on the House Passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,"Thomas H. Kean, Jr.",K000398,kean.house.gov,kean,https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(December 13, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) released the following statement after the passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 in the House of Representatives: “I commend the passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation's passage will significantly improve our servicemember’s quality of life while continuing to reinforce the superiority of our nation’s military. This bipartisan legislation continues to invest in our nation’s defense industrial base, support our allies and partners abroad, and, most of all, the American warfighter. The legislation contains increases to the basic allowance for housing, a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel, improvements to military housing, and support initiatives for military families. For New Jersey, the bill continues to support the critical research and development work at Picatinny Arsenal and aims to better foster workforce development in the defense space. It also supports the Submarine Industrial Base, which many New Jersey companies are a part of, supporting both the Virginia and Columbia Class Programs.” - Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-applauds-house-passage-water-resources-development,Congressman Rob Menendez Applauds House Passage of Water Resources Development Act,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congressman Rob Menendez secured key wins for New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District as the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (“WRDA”). The inclusions of these provisions build on Menendez’s months-long advocacy to increase infrastructure resiliency, reduce flood risks, and restore ecosystems throughout the region. “Building resilient water infrastructure is vital not just to our safety and wellbeing, but to the future of our economy, as well,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “I’m pleased that this legislation prioritizes four crucial projects in the Eighth Congressional District, which I proudly worked alongside my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the New Jersey Congressional Delegation to include. I’m looking forward to seeing this signed into law quickly.” The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 includes the following provisions for New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District: NY NJ HATS Provision: A provision to ensure that the New York and New Jersey Harbor Tributaries (“NY NJ HATS”) project will continue to study, model, and coordinate with key stakeholders while giving them the flexibility to advance certain priorities to protect the region from coastal storms. Bayonne Dry Dock Dredging Provision: A study to examine the deepening, widening, and extension of the navigation channel leading into the Bayonne Dry Dock to service and support critical national security operations by allowing vessels to traverse the shallow waters and access the dock. Guttenberg Flood Provision: A study to examine flood risk management along John F. Kennedy Boulevard East in Guttenberg so that residents can continue to access critical resources during storms. NY NJ Port Authority Vessel Provision: An adjustment to the federal cost share for navigational deepening projects to ensure that our nation’s ports, including the Port of New York and New Jersey, have the federal support they need to receive vessels as they continue to grow in size. The Water Resources Development Act is biennial legislation that authorizes the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (“Corps”) water resource projects and studies. The Corps is an agency that develops projects to improve navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Projects and studies must be authorized through the WRDA process before they can receive federal funding. The authorizations included in this bill are a critical first step in seeing key flooding and navigation projects to completion.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-introduces-community-parks-revitalization-act,Congressman Rob Menendez Introduces the Community Parks Revitalization Act,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) introduced the Community Parks Revitalization Act to enhance funding opportunities for local park construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance across New Jersey and the United States. The bill was previously introduced by former Representative Albio Sires (NJ-08). “Parks are the cornerstones of our communities, bringing neighborhoods together, improving public health, and protecting our environment,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “In our community, spaces like Liberty State Park are gathering points for families and individuals alike – my own family included. Unfortunately, lack of funding over the years has contributed to the deterioration of these vital spaces across the country. This bill will address that challenge head on, giving local governments the tools they need to support parks for generations to come.” Through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Community Parks Revitalization Act aids local governments in construction, rehabilitation, and innovation of parks and recreational facilities by authorizing matching grant and loan programs. The bill also requires that underserved communities with deficient access to parks, especially those with a high concentration of low-income, racial or ethnic minority, under-employed, military, or disabled persons, be prioritized for funding.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=71356B6C-1B48-4CC8-93E2-E8AC42924CDE,Rep. Norcross Applauds Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for New Arc-Flash Guidance,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-1), a union electrician and longtime advocate for worker safety, applauds the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for releasing updated guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard workers from electrical arc hazards. “Electrical workers are essential to our nation’s infrastructure and clean energy future. As someone who has worked on energized equipment, I understand the importance of ensuring workers are properly trained and equipped to handle these risks,” said Congressman Norcross. “OSHA’s updated guidelines will save lives by ensuring that proper arc-flash protective clothing is provided to those who need it most. I will continue fighting to ensure every worker comes home safely at the end of the day.” “The IBEW commends Rep. Donald Norcross for his advocacy and partnership on this and many issues,” said International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International President Kenneth W. Cooper. “As the only electrician to serve in Congress, Norcross's leadership on behalf of his fellow electrical workers has been instrumental in advancing worker safety. His longstanding commitment to workers has helped make sure their voices are heard at the highest levels of government.” This is the first major OSHA update addressing arc flash safety in nearly two decades and will ensure workers on energized equipment are equipped with proper arc-rated and flame-resistant (AR/FR) clothing. The guidance also aims to dispel myths about low-voltage risks and clarify the need for energized work permits and PPE for tasks above 50 volts. With the U.S. expanding electrification projects, these new standards will play a vital role in protecting the growing workforce from preventable injuries. Congressman Norcross commends OSHA and stakeholders, including the Partnership for Electrical Safety and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for their commitment to workplace safety. For more details on the updated OSHA guidelines, visit OSHA.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-kelly-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-increase-transparency-in-federal-spending,"Booker, Kelly Introduce Bicameral Bill to Increase Transparency in Federal Spending",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) introduced the Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act to include holistic demographic data of federal loans and grants recipients. Currently, data tracking of federal awards such as grants, loans, and contracts does not include the recipients’ ethnicity, race, or sex. Congresswoman Kelly introduced companion legislation in the House. “Federal contracting is a major economic driver for our country, and for too long veterans, women, and people of color have not benefited from procurement dollars,"" said Senator Booker. “Having access to expanded demographic data will close an important gap in Congress’s understanding of how federal dollars are being spent, and what steps we need to take to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to create opportunities for every American. This legislation will bring greater transparency over government spending, and help us build a more inclusive economy.” “When Congress and federal agencies are informed with the most holistic data, we can determine whether business owners of color, veterans, and women are able to properly compete for federal dollars,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “I will always strive for transparency when it comes to federal spending. My bill is a first step to tracking federal contracts and loans to identify whether they’re going to historically underinvested communities.” The bill amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act to include race, ethnicity, veteran status, and sex of the highest-paid executive officers and private business owners in the data collected and reported by the Office of Management and Budget. This reporting applies to any entity that receives a federal award, contract, subcontract, grant, subgrant, loan, and other forms of federal financial assistance exceeding $30,000. The Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act has been endorsed by the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), Ariel Investments, and the National Association of Securities Professionals. ""Enhancing reporting transparency in government spending is vital to ensuring accountability to the American people. Tracking federal dollars currently faces significant data gaps. As it stands, it is difficult to track whether taxpayer dollars are reaching intended communities and reinvesting back to the American public,"" said Janice Luong, Policy Associate at POGO. ""The Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act is a commonsense proposal to equip the government with data to better identify the impacts of its spending and address inequities. POGO is grateful for Senator Booker and Congresswoman Robin Kelly's committed leadership to holding the government fiscally accountable, with a deliberate emphasis on addressing the needs of underrepresented communities."" “It is impossible to measure progress without data,” said John W. Rogers Jr., Founder, Chairman and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments. “Capturing key demographic data will help lawmakers and policymakers understand the effectiveness of efforts to address economic disparities and accelerate inclusive growth through the deployment of federal dollars – and calibrate those practices when needed. What gets measured gets done. I applaud Senator Booker and Congresswoman Kelly for her efforts to ensure the federal government is upholding America’s promise of equal opportunity.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413454,"AP / ABC News article on Smith, other officials' concerns:'What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?'",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI -Associated Press- -- A large number of mysterious drones have been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking speculation and concern over who sent them and why. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said a Coast Guard commanding officer told him a dozen drones closely followed a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County over the weekend. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to be a threat to public safety, but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft. Gov. Murphy has said the aircraft do not pose a threat, but has not provided any details to support this. The FBI is among several agencies investigating, and it has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones. Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones in New Jersey starting in November. At first, the drones were spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the Round Valley Reservoir, the state's largest aquifer, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of New York City. The aircraft have also recently been spotted in coastal areas. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security, said the reported drones have been up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes travel with their lights switched off. This is much larger than those typically flown by drone hobbyists and she said they appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio. Officials and experts say some witnesses may actually be seeing planes or helicopters rather than drones, or perhaps are confused about the size of the devices they're seeing. “There are certainly big drones, such as a agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,” John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said Thursday. The organization with about 350 members, is headquartered in Pittston, Pennsylvania. “I wonder a little bit if it’s sort of a type of fish story, as in ‘I caught a fish this big!’ type of a thing,” Deusler added. “At night, it’s hard to see how big the drones are, especially because they can be either closer or further away from you. To get that perspective of how big they are is really difficult.” Authorities say they do not know who is behind the drones. The FBI, Homeland Security and state police are investigating the sightings. Authorities say they don’t know if it is one drone that has been spotted many times or if there are multiple aircraft being flown in a coordinated effort. Two Republican Jersey Shore-area congressmen, Smith and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones, citing safety concerns. The Pentagon insists the drones do not represent a threat from abroad. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday that the military’s initial assessment after consulting with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council — that the drones are not of foreign origin — remains unchanged. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that the aircraft are not U.S. military drones. Operators must be FAA certified. Sightings also have been reported in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania. Drones were also spotted last month in the U.K. The U.S. Air Force said several small unmanned aircraft were detected near four military bases in England that are used by American forces. ___ Associated Press reporters Tara Copp in Washington, D.C., and Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed. The above excerpted text was contained in an article published on Dec. 12. 2024, and from which was removed advertising graphics and links . It can be found in its original order and form at: What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey? - ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mysterious-drones-reported-flying-new-jersey-116727996",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-bonnie-watson-coleman-applauds-historic-biden-administration-commutations-following-years-of-advocacy,Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Applauds Historic Biden Administration Commutations Following Years of Advocacy,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the announcement from the Biden Administration that the President has issued commutations for 1,500 individuals serving home confinement sentences for non-violent infractions. “For years, Rep. Cori Bush and I have been pushing for the Biden Administration to commute the sentences of folks on home confinement from the CARES Act,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “These people pose no threat to society, have reunited with their families, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. It is a significant act of humanitarianism from the Biden Administration, and I am so pleased they have done the right thing for these people, and their families.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-port-authority-ny/nj-decision-to-raise-airport-service-workers-hourly-wage-to-25,Booker Applauds Port Authority NY/NJ Decision to Raise Airport Service Workers’ Hourly Wage to $25,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (Port Authority) adoption of an hourly wage increase for airport service workers at Port Authority-operated airports. “Port Authority airport service workers play an indispensable role at three of our nation’s busiest airports–from cleaning cabins and handling sensitive cargo, to escorting passengers with disabilities, assisting with security, and so much more. The Port Authority’s decision to adopt wage increases for airport service workers affirms their commitment to uplifting working people and families across New Jersey and New York, strengthening our local and state economies, and maintaining the standards we have long championed at our airports,” said Senator Booker. On behalf of airport service workers, Senator Booker penned a letter on December 11, 2024, urging the Port Authority to raise its hourly wage to $25 an hour. Senator Booker’s letter to the Port Authority stressed the vital role airport service workers play in maintaining operational success across three of the nation’s busiest airports.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-bill-to-repurpose-vacant-housing-for-unhoused-individuals,Booker Introduces Bill to Repurpose Vacant Housing for Unhoused Individuals,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would establish a new U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant program to provide community land trusts (CLTs) an incentive to convert vacant housing into readily available housing for unhoused individuals. CLTs are nonprofit, community-based organizations that acquire, own, and manage land for the common good. CLTs provide long-term affordable housing on land held by the non-profit organization–offering permanent shelter to members of the community while providing families opportunities to build wealth through homeownership. The newly proposed HUD grant program will prioritize CLTs operating in areas with high rates of homelessness and those offering critical “wrap around” services such as job training, health care, and education. The program will also favor CLTs with strong representation from unhoused individuals and community members. Grant funds will support the acquisition and maintenance of affordable housing, including the conversion of vacant residential properties and funding for property upgrades and long-term upkeep. This legislation aims to leverage CLTs as a vital tool in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity across the country. “CLTs have proven to be powerful tools for creating affordable housing for many communities across the country,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation would create a grant program to incentivize CLTs to transform vacant properties into safe, affordable housing while also ensuring that these organizations have the resources they need to connect residents to services like job training, health care, and education. We must approach our nation’s housing crisis with innovative solutions that leverage the tools in front of us to ensure everyone has access to a long term, stable place they call home.” “Community land trusts are a powerful and proven tool for creating the permanently affordable housing our country urgently needs. The Vacant Property for the Unhoused Act is an important step in addressing homelessness, empowering communities to repurpose vacant properties into long-term, stable homes,” said Rasheedah Phillips, Director of Housing at PolicyLink. “This legislation not only prioritizes the needs of unhoused and low-income communities, but also provides critical funding for the conversion of vacant residential properties and the upgrades and maintenance needed to ensure their long-term habitability. We look forward to advancing this effort to create sustainable, community-led housing solutions for those most in need.” ""Grounded Solutions Network congratulates Sen. Booker for his legislation to fund a grant program to help develop and expand community land trusts. Through the bill’s focus on CLTs that are committed to stable housing for unhoused community members, the proposed program would strengthen local housing organizations in their missions to advance lasting and affordable homeownership for low- and moderate-income families. We look forward to working with the Senator to move this important bill forward,"" said Doug Ryan, Vice President, Housing Policy, Grounded Solutions Network. HUD estimates that over 650,000 people experienced homelessness in 2023. This total number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in 2023 has reached the highest count observed since reporting began in 2007. Additionally, about 3.7 million people reported experiencing a form of housing insecurity in 2021. At the same time, the US currently has over 15 million vacant housing units, many of which could be repurposed to provide much-needed housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. In some regions of the country this presents an opportunity to empower community members to restore and repurpose currently vacant properties as affordable housing for those most in need. This legislation is also endorsed by the National Housing Law Project.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-merkley-baldwin-40-senators-no-new-anti-lgbtq-anti-abortion-provisions-in-must-pass-government-funding-bills,"Booker Merkley, Baldwin, 40+ Senators: No New Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Abortion Provisions in Must-Pass Government Funding Bills",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Tammy Baldwin (D-MI) led a group of over 40 Senators to urge Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) to keep any new dangerous, hyper-partisan policy provisions that would curtail the freedoms of women and LGBTQ+ individuals out of must-pass government funding legislation. House Republicans inserted ‘poison pill’ provisions, which would otherwise fail the scrutiny of congressional debate, into critical government funding bills that require broad, bipartisan consensus to pass. Last year, Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker successfully led the effort to defeat over 50 extreme anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions from being included in government funding legislation for fiscal year 2024. Booker, Merkley, Baldwin, and 42 Senators wrote, “Dangerous poison pill provisions like those included in the FY25 House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass legislation and keep the government open and working for the American people. As such, we urge you to reject these extremist riders from the final FY25 appropriations bills.” In addition to Merkley, Baldwin, and Booker, the letter was also signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The Senators’ letter is endorsed by Human Rights Campaign, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, ACLU, Guttmacher Institute, Whitman-Walker Institute, National Council of Jewish Women, National Women’s Law Center, Reproductive Freedom for All, Power to Decide, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Advocates for Trans Equality, and Physicians for Reproductive Health.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-paul-introduce-bipartisan-fair-act-to-reform-civil-forfeiture-laws-protect-americans-rights,"Booker, Paul Introduce Bipartisan FAIR Act to Reform Civil Forfeiture Laws, Protect Americans’ Rights",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act to reform civil forfeiture laws and protect Americans’ rights from government abuse. “Civil asset forfeiture allows federal law enforcement to seize the property of Americans who haven’t even been charged with or convicted of a crime,” said Senator Booker. “Under this system, police can keep cash, cars, and even homes based on mere suspicion of a crime. These losses often become law enforcement’s profit because the burden is on the property owner to prove they should get their property back. Reforming federal civil asset forfeiture is long overdue and the FAIR Act will ensure due process and protect the public from unfair deprivations and forfeiture abuses.” “The government should never have the power to seize a person’s property without due process. Yet, under current civil asset forfeiture laws, Americans are being stripped of their property without ever being charged or convicted of a crime. The FAIR Act directly addresses these injustices and is a critical step toward restoring fairness and accountability, protecting property owners’ rights, and curbing the weaponization of civil forfeiture laws once and for all,” said Dr. Paul. Civil forfeiture laws present a threat to the rights of all property owners in the United States. These laws authorize the government to seize property based on the mere suspicion that it may be connected to criminal activity. No charges or conviction are required and, once property is seized, owners must navigate the confusing and expensive legal system to win it back. Worst of all, unlike criminal cases where the accused is afforded certain rights, such as the right to counsel, civil forfeiture cases are brought against the property itself and the government usually faces a lower evidentiary threshold, meaning the deck is stacked against the property owner. By passing the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act, Congress can decisively remedy this unjust system by providing strong due process protections to property owners. The latest version of the FAIR Act closely mirrors previous versions of the bill, with updates to reflect changes made by the House Judiciary Committee during a markup on June 14, 2023. The bill was favorably reported out of committee by a unanimous 26-0 vote, signaling broad bipartisan support and increasing the likelihood of legislative progress. In the Senate, the FAIR Act is currently cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Lee (R-UT), Angus King (I-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). The FAIR Act would: Eliminate “Equitable” Sharing: The “equitable” sharing program allows state law enforcement officers to turn seized property over to federal officials for forfeiture — and get up to 80% of the proceeds of the forfeited property. The FAIR Act ends “equitable” sharing and ensures that law enforcement cannot ignore state law. Remove the Profit Incentive: Law enforcement should be motivated by public safety, not financial rewards. The FAIR Act would restore the rule in which the proceeds of forfeiture go to the Treasury’s General Fund, where Congress can appropriate the money for any purpose. Restore Principle of “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”: Under current law, federal law enforcement agencies may take property suspected of involvement in crime without charging the property owner with a crime. The FAIR Act places on the government the burden to show that a property owner consented or was willfully blind to his property being used in a crime by a third party. Require Clear and Convincing Evidence: The FAIR Act would require that the government prove its case by the higher standard of clear and convincing evidence, instead of the current preponderance of the evidence standard that the property was used for an illegal purpose. Protect the Right to Counsel: Under current law, defendants receive appointed counsel due to indigency only if (1) they request it, and (2) their home has been seized. The FAIR Act would ensure that indigent owners can receive, at the discretion of the court, representation in civil forfeiture proceedings. Reform IRS Seizures: The FAIR Act requires that the IRS prove that the defendant knowingly deposited funds with criminal intent before they can seize the property. It also requires that a probable cause hearing be held no later than 14 days after the IRS seizes funds under the pretense of a structuring violation. Enact Strong Reporting Requirements: Requires the Attorney General to report on deposits made to the Treasury Fund, and that such report shall indicate the state, type of forfeiture, and provide details to specifically identify which funds were obtained from civil forfeiture and which funds were acquired from criminal forfeiture. Abolish Administrative Forfeitures: Administrative forfeitures happen automatically when property owners fail to challenge a seizure in court for any reason, including the inability to afford a lawyer or a missed deadline to file a claim. The seized property is simply presumed “guilty” without a neutral arbiter such as a judge determining whether it should be permanently taken from its owner. According to the Institute for Justice, administrative forfeitures account for 88 percent of all forfeitures. This provision would effectively force the government to go to court to keep property it has seized. The FAIR Act is also supported by: “Civil forfeiture is an abomination and reform is long overdue,” said Dan Alban, Senior Attorney for Institute for Justice. “The FAIR Act makes important strides by removing the profit incentive that drives so many of these abuses, preventing evasion of state law protections for property owners by ending the federal ‘equitable sharing’ program, and by ensuring that every property owner gets their day in court before a neutral judge by eliminating administrative forfeitures. It is urgent that Congress pass the FAIR Act.” “At present, the government may seize, and ultimately keep, a person’s belongings based on allegations of a connection to criminal activity without ever taking the next logical step of pursuing a criminal charge, much less securing a criminal conviction,” said Brett Tolman, Executive Director of Right On Crime and former U.S. Attorney. “As a result, innocent citizens have lost their homes, cars, and life savings over a mistake or, worse yet, through the malice or indifference of a government official without requiring the government to justify the taking.” ""My family has experienced firsthand the devastating consequences of government overreach through the IRS’s abuse of power,"" said Savannah Chrisley, CPAC Senior Fellow for Criminal Justice Reform. ""The FAIR Act is a critical step toward restoring accountability and protecting innocent citizens from unjust seizures. By eliminating profit incentives and ensuring due process, this legislation addresses a fundamental violation of our rights and provides much-needed safeguards against these egregious abuses. I urge Congress to pass the FAIR Act to prevent other families from enduring the same injustices."" ""Republicans and Democrats alike have, for years, recognized civil asset forfeiture as one of the most egregious forms of government overreach. Nearly 30 years ago, then-Congressman Henry Hyde authored a book about the abuse of civil asset forfeiture. He wrote, ‘Increased government and police powers, rising criminal activity and violence, popular anxiety about drug use — all have become justifications for curtailing the application of the Bill of Rights and the individual security it once guaranteed.’ Many states have passed civil asset forfeiture reform laws to protect individuals from abuse of this tool, but Congress hasn’t yet acted. Senator Paul’s FAIR Act provides that opportunity. We urge all senators to cosponsor the FAIR Act and restore the Constitutional guarantees of the Fifth Amendment,”said Jason Pye, Vice President of Due Process Institute. “NFIB thanks Senator Paul for reintroducing this important legislation to protect small business owners from unjust asset seizures. The federal government should not be allowed to seize business owners' property without evidence of wrongdoing. Small business owners are constantly navigating numerous burdensome federal rules and regulations - spending time proving their own innocence without ever being charged for a crime should not be another burden on their plate,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at National Federation of Independent Business. “The Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act (FAIR Act) is vital legislation that seeks to restore fundamental constitutional protections by reforming the federal civil asset forfeiture process, a system that too often undermines trust in law enforcement and the rule of law. Civil asset forfeiture, in its current form, allows government agencies to seize property based on mere suspicion of its involvement in criminal activity—without charging or convicting the owner of a crime. This practice erodes public confidence in our justice system. By raising the evidentiary standard for seizures and providing better transparency and accountability, the Act helps ensure that the practice of asset forfeiture aligns with the Constitution and public expectations of justice. For these reasons, we are happy to support this legislative effort, and we applaud Sen. Rand Paul for his leadership. Restoring legitimacy and trust in law enforcement is not a partisan issue rather it is a shared priority for all who believe in the foundational principles of fairness and accountability,” said Jillian Snider, Policy Director for Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties at the R Street Institute. “Through civil forfeiture, the federal government seizes billions of dollars in money and property each year without ever seeking a criminal conviction. Victims of forfeiture don’t have to be found guilty of a criminal offense in court, and most of them never see the inside of a courtroom. Civil forfeiture, in its current form, is without due process and basic fairness. Senator Paul’s Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act would do much to fix the broken system of civil forfeiture. The bill would help restore the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” by shifting the burden rightly back onto the government to prove one’s money or property was used in criminal activity. It would also protect the right to counsel, improve transparency, remove government’s incentives for civil forfeiture, and eliminate the pernicious “equitable sharing program” by which federal law enforcement is able to ignore and circumvent state laws that limit or prevent civil forfeiture. Those who need the protections of the law when government agents threaten to forfeit their property are not always the most popular, influential, or politically powerful members of their community. Senator Paul’s leadership in this space to help protect the property rights of all is commendable and greatly appreciated,” said Dan Greenberg, General Counsel for Competitive Enterprise Institute. “No American should have to worry about the government unjustly seizing their property, but current law allows law enforcement to “arrest” property now and ask questions later. The FAIR Act strengthens due process protections for innocent property owners and removes the financial incentives policymakers have created for law enforcement to unjustly seize cash, cars, and even houses from individuals who haven’t been charged with a crime. Civil asset forfeiture denies Americans their constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence, leaving them with few options to recover their property, while encouraging law enforcement agencies to use the proceeds to fund their activities. 30 states and the District of Columbia have acted to rein in civil asset forfeiture abuse, and we applaud Sen. Paul for working to solve the problem at the federal level,” said Greg Glod, Senior Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-schumer-gillibrand-kim-send-letter-to-fbi-dhs-and-faa-requesting-briefing-on-drone-activity-in-new-jersey-and-new-york,"Booker, Schumer, Gillibrand, Kim Send Letter To FBI, DHS and FAA Requesting Briefing on Drone Activity In New Jersey and New York",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting a briefing on how the agencies are working with federal and local law enforcement to identify and address the source of recent unmanned aerial system activity in New Jersey and New York. In their letter, the Senators noted that “since late November, communities in the New York City area and northern New Jersey have reported several incidents of unattributable drone sightings at night, alarming both residents and local law enforcement” and highlighted that “the potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year.” The letter requests a briefing from the agencies and that it “include any authorities, tools, or staff your agencies may require to address these ongoing incidents and the broader security challenge posed by UAS.” On December 10, Senator Booker sent a similar letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting the agencies provide New Jersey municipal and county officials with a comprehensive briefing regarding the unauthorized drone activity over New Jersey communities and make any available information accessible to the public. To read the full text of Senator Booker’s December 10 letter, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413456,"NJ.com news article:'More than a dozen drones spotted off Jersey Shore following Coast Guard boat, lawmaker says'",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"OCEAN COUNTY, NJ , Dec 11, 2024 NJ. com Everything New Jersey - Powered by Star Ledger By Tina Kelley | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com - Published: Dec. 11, 2024, 12:59 p.m. Between 12 and 30 drones were spotted following a Coast Guard lifeboat off the Jersey Shore Sunday night, a Republican lawmaker said during a Congressional hearing Tuesday on mysterious drone sightings over the last month. A Coast Guard commander in Barnegat Light said during a briefing earlier this week that the drones were spotted following the 47-foot vessel, according to U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who spoke during a joint U.S. House of Representatives committee on possible security threats posed by drones. Smith also said an Ocean County Sheriff’s officer saw 50 drones moving over land from the ocean at Island Beach State Park over the weekend. “Maybe it’s China,” Smith told the committee. “Xi Jinping is a monster. Look at what Putin is doing. They’re all capable of doing horrible things to our people.” The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. The FBI also did not immediately respond to a request to comment. The FBI is continuing to investigate thousands of nighttime drone sightings reported in New Jersey in recent weeks, though it is unclear how many of the reports were really unexplained drones and not airplanes or other objects in the night sky. The agency has asked for the public’s help in collecting video and photo evidence of sightings. Gov. Phil Murphy and some local law enforcement officials have said the drones pose no known threat to the public. Other county and local officials have said the sightings, including some over the state’s largest reservoir, are “concerning.” Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy told NJ Advance Media Wednesday he is “concerned” about the drone sightings. Asked if he considered them a public safety issue he said, “of course.” “I’d like to identify who the people are, or have somebody identify them,” he said. “Ironically, no one has seen them land or take off yet.” During the hearing, Smith asked for the military to use its authority to intercept a drone to investigate its origins. “Just send that capability out to the ocean or to the beach, because they’re coming in every day. Figure out which one it is and bring it down and retrieve it and find out what is going on,” Smith said. In a Tuesday letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Smith referred to “numerous instances of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flying over New Jersey, including in close proximity to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure, to include military installations.” Smith said Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey is able “to identify and take down unauthorized unmanned aerial systems and have utilized this capability to address overflights of the installation.” The U.S. Secretary of Defense had not replied to Smith’s letter as of Wednesday, a spokesman for the congressman said. Officials at the Department of Defense and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst did not immediately respond to requests to comment. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the drone reports, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday. “We are closely tracking the activity and coordinating closely with relevant agencies,” she said, referring to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. When asked about frustrations expressed by New Jersey officials and the public about the lack of answers about the sightings Jean-Pierre said: “Obviously we hear them, and we understand that we are closely tracking this.” Stories by Tina Kelley FBI, Homeland Security cast doubt on N.J. drone reports, echoing White House statements What are the mystery drones hovering above N.J.? Here’s what 3 experts say. Ban drone flights and declare state of emergency, N.J. lawmaker says This article was published on Dec. 11, 20124 and can be found at: More than a dozen drones spotted off Jersey Shore following Coast Guard boat, lawmaker says - nj.com https://www.nj.com/ocean/2024/12/more-than-a-dozen-drones-spotted-off-jersey-shore-following-coast-guard-boat-lawmaker-says.html",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-urges-ai-companies-tackle-security-risks-amid-rising-threats,Kean Urges AI Companies to Tackle Security Risks Amid Rising Threats,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,"Thomas H. Kean, Jr.",K000398,kean.house.gov,kean,https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(December 11, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) sent several letters to the CEOs of major U.S. artificial intelligence companies to follow up on the voluntary commitments they’ve made, expressing deep concerns over a series of significant security lapses that threaten the safety and security of advanced AI technology. Congressman Kean’s letter calls for immediate Congressional oversight and urges the AI companies to provide a detailed overview of their efforts to prevent security breaches and safeguard AI technologies. Additionally, Congressman Kean seeks clarity on how these companies are fulfilling their commitments to the White House and fostering a culture of security within the industry as a whole. The letter addresses troubling incidents, including allegations of a Google employee leaking sensitive trade secrets to Chinese companies, a hacker gaining unauthorized access to OpenAI’s systems, and Meta’s open-source AI models being used by Chinese firms to advance their own AI capabilities. Congressman Kean emphasized that these breaches could potentially expose U.S. technological breakthroughs to theft by foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), amid growing concerns over Chinese espionage efforts on an “unprecedented scale.” Congressman Kean requested a response from each of the companies, detailing the steps they plan to take to increase the security of their products and prioritize transparency. Text of each of the letters can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BD17E83F-5DB6-407C-9DD7-55842EB838DF,National Defense Authorization Act Passes House of Representatives,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the House of Representatives. The legislation included several key national defense priorities for South Jersey that Congressman Donald Norcross fought for. Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA Priorities Secured by Rep. Norcross: $105 million to purchase CH-47F Block II Program aircraft, which will be manufactured by South Jersey workers. $2.5 million to Rowan University for research, development, and engineering to enable rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic and other cold regions being conducted. $16.2 million to support Project Pele’s development of micro nuclear reactors for sustainable and clean energy solutions. $2 million for research and development of doppler radars that can be carried by individual soldiers for Army Network Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence (C3I) Technology. Increased pay for junior enlisted service members by 14.5% and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members. $30 million to support U.S.-Israel anti-tunneling cooperation. $8 million to support the research and development of an autonomous system that detects landmines, which will be developed by workers in South Jersey. $50 million to improve Humvee rollover mitigation to avoid preventable deaths. $6 million for the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile program. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-joins-storm-and-fire-survivors-dc-demand-disaster-relief-funding,"Pallone Joins Storm and Fire Survivors in D.C. to Demand Disaster Relief Funding, Permanent Recovery Solutions",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) joined storm and fire survivors at the U.S. Capitol to push for comprehensive and equitable disaster recovery solutions. Pallone joined advocates, organized by the New Jersey Organizing Project, in calling for the permanent authorization and full funding of the U.S. Department of House and Urban Developments (HUD)’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program and swift passage of the $98.6 billion disaster supplemental request submitted to Congress by the Biden Administration in November. “Our recovery system is broken and families are waiting far too long for help,” said Congressman Pallone. “The White House’s disaster supplemental outlines the urgent resources needed to address recent and past disasters, from Hurricanes Helene and Milton to the Maui wildfires. Passing this funding package, alongside permanent authorization of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, will ensure survivors can rebuild faster and more equitably. Think of FEMA as the first responder who puts out the fire, and Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program as the team that rebuilds the house.” The White House’s $98.6 billion request includes funding for recent disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Maui County wildfires, and Midwest tornadoes, as well as addressing unmet needs from prior disasters. The funds would also support infrastructure, housing recovery, and other critical needs to help impacted communities rebuild stronger. The Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program bridges gaps in federal disaster aid, helping communities recover homes, infrastructure, and local economies. Currently, Congress must authorize funding after each disaster, creating delays that leave survivors in limbo. Permanent authorization would eliminate these delays, ensuring resources are immediately available after disasters strike. In September, Pallone and bipartisan lawmakers sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell urging the Biden-Harris Administration to apply the agency’s updated disaster aid rules retroactively to cover all disasters declared since January 2021, ensuring survivors of recent catastrophes receive equitable support. At today’s event, survivors from New Jersey and across the country, including Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana, shared stories of delayed recovery and bureaucratic hurdles. ""Disaster survivors need immediate resources after a disaster. As a Hurricane Ida survivor, I’ve endured three years without heat, with no lifeline to recover. If recent FEMA assistance changes had been in place, I could have secured temporary housing while repairing my home. Congress must act now to make these FEMA changes retroactive and help survivors of disasters since 2021, like my family and me, finally rebuild and recover,” Julia Morales Abbud, Hawthorne NJ, Hurricane Ida Survivor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallones-hearts-act-passes-senate-heads-president-bidens-desk,"Pallone’s HEARTS Act Passes Senate, Heads to President Biden’s Desk",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced today that his H.R. 6829, the HEARTS Act, has passed the U.S. Senate, marking a significant victory for public health. The bill, which overwhelmingly passed the House in September, now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature into law. The HEARTS Act—formally known as the Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools Act—aims to prevent sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young people by equipping schools with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and providing CPR training for staff and students. This legislation will establish a federal grant program to ensure schools and childcare centers have the resources they need to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies. ""This is a major step forward in protecting young lives,"" Pallone said. ""My HEARTS Act will help schools be better prepared to act quickly in a cardiac emergency, saving lives that would otherwise be lost. Tragic losses like that of Edison’s Kittim Sherrod underscore the urgency of this effort, and I’m proud to see the Senate join us in passing this life-saving legislation. Now, I urge the President to sign it into law."" Pallone’s bill, inspired by the untimely deaths of student-athletes such as 17-year-old Kittim Sherrod of Edison, New Jersey, was crafted in collaboration with patient advocacy groups, educators, and health professionals. Sudden cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death among young people, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that approximately 2,000 individuals under the age of 25 die from SCA each year. Key provisions of the HEARTS Act include: Deployment of AEDs: Ensuring schools and childcare centers have access to life-saving devices. Training Requirements: Providing CPR and AED training to staff, students, and volunteers. Public Awareness Campaigns: Developing educational materials in collaboration with CDC to increase awareness of cardiomyopathy and SCA risks. Support for the HEARTS Act has been widespread, with endorsements from organizations such as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, and the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation. Advocates, including Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose life was saved by an AED, have emphasized the bill’s transformative potential. “My grandson Kittim did not die in vain,” said Razeenah Walker, President of The Kittim N. Sherrod Foundation. “Thanks to Congressman Pallone, this legislation ensures that no other family has to endure the loss of a child from a preventable cardiac event.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/release-reps-watson-coleman-veasey-wagner-and-miller-meeks-send-letter-encouraging-hhs-to-expand-access-to-colorectal-cancer-screenings,"Reps. Watson Coleman, Veasey, Wagner and Miller-Meeks Send Letter Encouraging HHS to Expand Access to Colorectal Cancer Screenings",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) sent a joint letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra encouraging the Department to take steps to expand access to colorectal cancer screenings. “We are writing to urge you to ask the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to commence an expedited review and update process of its 2021 colorectal cancer screening guidelines to reflect the availability of new, innovative FDA approved non-invasive colorectal cancer tests,” the Members write in their letter. “USPSTF should already have initiated its colorectal cancer screening guideline update process; however, there is no indication as to when the agency will begin this important work.” Colorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer for men under the age of 50, and the second-deadliest for women in the same age group, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 53,000 Americans are expected to die from colorectal cancer in 2024. “Fortunately, colorectal cancer can be prevented through regular screenings, but unfortunately tens of millions of eligible Americans go unscreened often due to limited access or reluctance to undergo invasive methods including colonoscopies,” write the Members. USPSTF-recommended treatments must be covered by insurance, which significantly improves access to life-saving preventative care. “New, innovative, and accessible screening tests are essential to increase colorectal cancer screening rates – across the eligible population – with a particular need among Americans aged 45-49 and individuals from underserved and rural communities,” the letter continues. “However, due to the way the 2021 recommendation test categories were framed, without an update or amendment, these new tests fall outside the guidelines and might not be covered by insurers.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-passage-of-legislation-to-help-put-aeds-in-schools-across-america,Booker Applauds Passage of Legislation to Help Put AEDS in Schools Across America,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded the passage of the HEARTS Act, bipartisan legislation that would put more Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and make CPR training more prevalent and accessible across the country. The bill, which is now headed to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, includes major provisions from Booker’s Access to AEDs Act. Booker’s Access to AEDs Act promoted students’ access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public elementary and secondary schools, and was combined with Congressman Frank Pallone’s (D-NJ-06) Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act. The combined bill will create a grant program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training, in addition to supporting the purchase of AEDs and the development of cardiac emergency response plans, which can more than double survival rates from cardiac arrest by empowering people nearby to dial 911, start CPR and use an AED. The HEARTS Act passed the House in September of this year and passed unanimously in the Senate last night.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-capito-durbin-cornyn-applaud-unanimous-senate-passage-of-second-chance-reauthorization-act,"Booker, Capito, Durbin, Cornyn Applaud Unanimous Senate Passage of Second Chance Reauthorization Act",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and John Cornyn (R-TX) applauded the unanimous passage of their Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024 in the U.S. Senate. The legislation passed the Senate last week. “Since 2008, programs funded by the Second Chance Act have provided invaluable resources and support to state and local governments as they prepare incarcerated individuals to reenter society,” Senator Booker said. “I’m proud that with bipartisan support, the reauthorization of this crucial legislation has unanimously passed the Senate. We must continue to fund these vital programs to reduce recidivism and help those who have paid their debt to society embark on the next chapter of their lives. I urge Democrats and Republicans in the House to come together to pass the Second Chance Reauthorization Act and help our country improve public safety by ending the cycle of disenfranchisement and reincarceration.” “The vast majority of people incarcerated today will come home to our communities at some point,” Senator Capito said. “The Second Chance Reauthorization Act invests in public safety by implementing evidence-based programs and services to improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and make our communities safer. I am proud to work with my colleagues on this legislation that will not only reauthorize these programs, but will also strengthen programs championed by President Trump to provide the proper tools to help individuals successfully reintegrate into life outside of prison walls.” “The Second Chance Act is a proven, time-tested law that extends invaluable support to formerly incarcerated people. This legislation will build on those successes again, as it did when we last reauthorized it as part of my landmark First Step Act. Last week, the Senate voted to reauthorize critical programs, investing in policies that curb recidivism and create opportunities for those returning to their communities. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act will help the criminal justice system live up to its ultimate mission: to rehabilitate and prepare people for successful reentry into society,” Senator Durbin, Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said. “Second Chance programs offer formerly incarcerated individuals the resources to build better lives and contribute to their communities,” Senator Cornyn said. “By reauthorizing investments in these reentry initiatives, we can reduce recidivism and improve lives."" BACKGROUND: Over 95% of incarcerated people will eventually be released, with more than 600,000 individuals returning to their communities from prison each year, and an even higher number reentering from local jails. To improve reentry services and lower recidivism rates, the bipartisan Second Chance Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in April 2008 and reauthorized by President Donald Trump in 2018. In addition to Senators Booker, Capito, Durbin, and Cornyn, the bill was also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The bill now awaits passage through the U.S. House of Representatives before being signed into law by the president.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413447,On Fox News Smith demands answers on unidentified drone activity and calls on Defense Secretary to provide all available capabilities in response to possible threats,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today joined Martha MacCallum on Fox News to discuss his ongoing efforts to get answers about the unidentified drone activity storming New Jersey skies and his call for U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide all available capabilities to law enforcement officials to respond to the possible threats:,1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413449,Coast Guard lifeboat followed by swarm of drones in close pursuit Smith urges Defense Secretary to immediately deploy all capabilities to identify and address widespread drone activity across New Jersey,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"In a letter today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) urged U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to immediately provide all capabilities at his disposal to identify and address the widespread drone activity across New Jersey as serious concerns continue to mount over potential threats to the homeland. Smith’s letter comes after he was briefed by a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Commanding Officer stationed in Barnegat Light that more than a dozen drones followed a USCG motor lifeboat in close pursuit over the weekend. “As you no doubt are also aware, there have been numerous instances of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flying over New Jersey, including in close proximity to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure, to include military installations located in my district,” said Smith. “As you know, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) possess capabilities to identify and take down unauthorized unmanned aerial systems and have utilized this capability to address overflights of the installation,” Smith said. “I urgently request all capabilities possessed by the Department of Defense, especially those in use by JBMDL to be immediately deployed to identify and address the potential threats posed by UAS over the state of New Jersey,” said Smith. Smith, who spent hours with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy on Monday evening monitoring the New Jersey sky in the Sheriff’s Mobile Command Center, said he is deeply concerned by the potential threats posed by the drones. “The serious concerns of New Jersey residents need to be put to rest with answers—not empty reassurances,” said Smith. “The time to act is now.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413450,"Washington Times article on Smith, other fed officials' concerns:'New Jersey drones stump FBI; lawmakers furious at federal inaction'",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"By Stephen Dinan and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times - Tuesday, December 10, 2024 U.S. officials are not sure what to make of the swarms of drones flying over New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking outrage from lawmakers who said it makes the government look incompetent. Those lawmakers decried the lack of answers — and lack of action. “We can bring one down tomorrow,” said Rep. Christopher Smith, New Jersey Republican. Robert Wheeler Jr., who runs the FBI’s critical incident response group, said no evidence suggests nefarious motives, but he hasn’t ruled that out. “It is concerning,” he told the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday. He said the public has provided more than 3,000 tips, and reports are everywhere. Some drones have been fixed-wing aircraft, and others are rotary. Some are larger than the typical commercially available size. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, called the drones “sophisticated” and said they “go dark” once detected. The drones were spotted in the general area of Picatinny Arsenal, an Army research complex, and President-elect Donald Trump’s home at Bedminster. “Why are we not taking action?” Rep. August Pfluger, the Texas Republican who convened Tuesday’s hearing on drone dangers, demanded of FBI and Justice Department officials. Mr. Wheeler offered a bureaucratically intricate response. He said “authority exists to mitigate” a drone while in flight, but he didn’t explain why it hasn’t happened. At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden knew of the New Jersey drones, but she would not comment further. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, New York Republican, said the lack of answers has become an embarrassment. “The fact that we continue to say we don’t know what they are, we don’t know what they’re doing — the American people are looking at us and think we’re lying to them because they think, ‘How could you not have answers to drones flying over some of the most critical airspace in the country?’” he said. Mr. Smith said he was visiting authorities on Monday. One sheriff said a deputy spotted 50 drones flying over the shore on a recent night. A Coast Guard officer said one of his boats was followed by “between 12 and 30 of these drones.” Paul Schwennesen, co-director of the Global Strategy Decisions Group, said he thinks authorities are “frozen with fear” of the ramifications from collateral damage of taking down a drone, such as debris hitting a house. “People are acting out of a sense of self-restraint here, which is being promoted by our policy environment,” he told lawmakers. Experts noted threats elsewhere. He said the risk is “increasingly rapidly.” “We’re already seeing drug cartels in Mexico use drones to attack the military, police and their rivals,” Mr. Jones said. He said those are potential dangers to the U.S. but the more current threats are smuggling operations that use drones as surveillance platforms. They track U.S. assets and spot holes in defenses so they know when to send high-risk contraband across the border. Drone flights have disrupted operations at U.S. airports and sporting events. Lawmakers seemed comfortable with the federal government’s existing powers to track and destroy drones, though they said that authority must be extended and enhanced. They said the bigger policy holes are at the state and local levels, where most drone incidents are handled. This article was published on Dec. 10, 2024 and can be found online at: New Jersey drones stump FBI; lawmakers furious at federal inaction - Washington Times https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/10/new-jersey-drones-stump-fbi-lawmakers-furious-fede/?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=manual&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=standard&utm_campaign=morning&bt_ee=w58vP0aUx6OyCxpx2%2BeQ73OR39%2Fu%2By%2FD6nYxshD5rxV4LfKKlwH1CBve8pEBe2uw&bt_ts=1733922620821",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413451,Asbury Park Press 'Rep. Smith: 50 drones came in from ocean; At least a dozen trailed Coast Guard ship',2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Jenna Calderón and Lisa Robyn Kruse - Asbury Park Press More than a dozen drones followed a 47-foot Coast Guard boat Sunday night, while law enforcement tracked another 50 drones coming onto land from the ocean at Island State Park, Rep. Chris Smith said. Meanwhile, an FBI assistant director admitted that the agency doesn’t know who is behind the unidentified drones that are flying over New Jersey. Authorities did confirm that the drones are not coming from local military bases. The mystery of the unidentified drones deepened Tuesday, as federal officials admitted during a congressional hearing that despite repeated assurances from Gov. Murphy and other public officials, they can’t say definitively whether the drones pose a threat. MORE: Ocean County sheriff on hunt for mystery drones; Monmouth releases drone map NJ drones: Here are the post-9/11 rules on how government fights airspace intruders “There is nothing known that would lead me to say that but we just don’t know and that’s the concerning part,” Robert Wheeler, assistant FBI director, said during the congressional hearing. Rep. Christopher Smith said during the hearing, and in an interview on Fox News, that he went drone-hunting at Island Beach State Park on Monday with Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. He said they went to that beach because the night before, a law enforcement officer had counted 50 drones coming in from the ocean onto land. In addition, he said that he was told by a Coast Guard official that one of their 47-foot ships in the ocean was trailed by 12 to 30 drones. “I think this is a very serious threat,” Smith said. He added that when he asked officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst why they couldn’t shoot down the drones, he was told they don’t have the authority to do so. Smith urged officials at the hearing to grant military authorization to shoot down the drones so that their identity and capability could be ascertained. During the congressional hearing, Wheeler said that the FBI doesn’t know the people responsible for the drones that have blanketed New Jersey in recent weeks. Wheeler said that based on verified eyewitness reports, some of the drones are larger than commercial drones, and are both rotary and fixed-wing craft. Drones are not military Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle said they are not responsible for the recent scattering of devices in the sky, continuing confusion surrounding the mysterious objects. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst did not immediately respond for comment. Since receiving initial reports of the sightings a few weeks ago, Picatinny Arsenal officials immediately began investigating and increased outreach and coordination with several local, state and federal partner organizations to obtain more information, Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander, said. ""While the source and cause of these aircraft operating in our area remain unknown, we can confirm that they are not the result of any Picatinny Arsenal-related activities,” Bonham said. MORE: Mystery drones sighted in Monmouth, Ocean counties: Cops New Jersey has witnessed a startling number of drones since mid-to-late November. The unidentified drone sightings have also been reported in Bergen, Esssex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Somerset, and Warren counties. Some eyewitnesses have reported seeing “car-sized” objects that appear to rise in the sky as the sun sets. They have been hovering over reservoirs, military installations and critical infrastructure. In a joint statement on Dec. 3, the FBI, State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness said authorities were asking the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are security restrictions over Bedminster from December 6 to 20, as well as over Picatinny Arsenal since November 25. This article was originally published in the Asbury Park Press on Dec. 10, 2024 and can be found online at: https://www.app.com/story/news/local/2024/12/10/50-nj-drones-came-in-from-ocean-12-trailed-coast-guard-ship-congressman-fbi-admits-dont-know-origin/76893631007/",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413452,"Patch article on Smith concerns re: unidentified drones'Drones Coming From Ocean, Tailed Coast Guard Vessel At Jersey Shore, NJ Rep Says'",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Karen Wall,Patch Staff Posted Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 10:53 am ET|Updated Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 11:43 am ET — U.S. Rep. Chris Smith is urging the federal Defense Department to take action to identify and address the ""potential threat"" posed by drone activity over New Jersey after being told a U.S. Coast Guard vessel was followed by drones and that dozens of drones were seen flying onshore from the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. Smith made the demands in a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after conversations he had Monday night where he was told about a large number of drones coming onshore from the Atlantic Ocean and about drones following a U.S. Coast Guard boat off Ocean County. Smith told Austin he is very concerned about the proximity of unidentified drone flights over the last several weeks to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure across New Jersey, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The base is part of New Jersey's 4th District, which Smith represents. He told Fox News host Martha MacCallum on Tuesday that he had been with Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the sheriff's office unit that is chronicling drone activity when a U.S. Coast Guard officer told him about the drones following the Coast Guard motor lifeboat. ""One of their 47-foot boats was trailed very closely by more than a dozen of these drones"" off Barnegat Light, Smith said in the interview Tuesday. The drones were very large and close to the stern of the boat, Smith said he was told. In addition, Smith said a member of the sheriff's office told him of seeing 50 drones flying onshore from a boat on Sunday night. Messages left for the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard seeking additional details were not immediately returned Wednesday morning. Smith said he spoke with officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and was told the defense department has ""the capability to ascertain who they are and take them down,"" but that the defense department has not been given the authority to shoot one down. Smith, who spent hours with Mastronardy on Monday at the Sheriff’s Mobile Command Center while it was at Island Beach State Park, said he is deeply concerned by the potential threats posed by the drones. ""This is very, not just suspicious, but provocative,"" Smith said in the Fox interview. ""This could be a foreign power whether it be Putin, Xi Jinping or (a country in) the Middle East."" Smith, in his letter to Austin, said he is very concerned about the proximity of flights to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, along with other sensitive sites and critical infrastructure across New Jersey over the last several weeks. ""As you know, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) possess capabilities to identify and take down unauthorized unmanned aerial systems and have utilized this capability to address overflights of the installation,"" Smith said. ""I urgently request all capabilities possessed by the Department of Defense, especially those in use by JBMDL to be immediately deployed to identify and address the potential threats posed by UAS over the state of New Jersey."" Smith, in a news release Tuesday morning, described the response so far by state and federal agencies as ""tepid"" and called it ""totally unacceptable."" ""As we saw with the Chinese spy balloon last year, our fiercest adversaries will stop at nothing to surveil our homeland and threaten our national security,"" he said. ""The serious concerns of New Jersey residents need to be put to rest with answers—not empty reassurances,"" Smith said. ""The time to act is now."" This article was published on Dec. 11, 2024 and can be found online at: https://patch.com/new-jersey/marlboro-coltsneck/s/j23gv/drones-coming-from-ocean-tailed-coast-guard-at-jersey-shore-nj-rep?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=666b17f44f8702d8ab956b9ede12ba559d62bda1a72487c264dbb04d026cda7a",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/mciver-introduces-first-bill-us-house-works-protect-women-dhs-agents,"McIver Introduces First Bill in U.S. House, Works to Protect Women DHS Agents",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"This bill would improve job safety for many NJ-10 residents and workers nationwide, including those with TSA, FEMA, Secret Service and others WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10) introduced the Better Ballistic Body Armor Act in the U.S. House to increase the availability of protective body armor, like bulletproof vests, that better fits the bodies of women agents in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Ill-fitting body armor for women and people with varying body types has potentially lethal consequences, and can cause bullets and shrapnel to ricochet off agents’ chest plates and into their necks or spines. The bill is co-led by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS-04). This bill is bipartisan and bicameral, with Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) sponsoring companion legislation, co-led by Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), in the Senate. This McIver’s first bill introduction in the U.S. House since being sworn in on September 23, 2024. “When we ask our nation’s DHS agents to put themselves in harm’s way for our country, we should make sure they have the right equipment to stay safe—because of ill-fitting armor, there’s a lethal safety gap for women and some men who work on the front lines at DHS that my Better Ballistic Body Armor Act will address,” said Rep. McIver. “Regardless of gender or body type, these DHS agents are doing the same challenging work, but with uniforms made exclusively to fit traditional male bodies, they’re open to more harm. This is a fixable problem with a clear solution: let’s pass this bipartisan bill to provide the right protective gear to everyone who serves.” ""As a career law enforcement officer, I know firsthand how critical effective and advanced body armor is to protecting officers who are out in the field defending our communities. Proper gear is literally a matter of life or death for these courageous men and women, that's why I’m proud to lead the DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act alongside my colleague, Rep. McIver. This legislation will provide the necessary resources to protect those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,"" said Rep. Ezell. “Law enforcement officers deserve protective body armor that keeps them as safe as they keep us. This bill ensures that all officers will have access to the most advanced and effective safety equipment available,” said Sen. Peters. “I’m grateful for my colleagues Rep. McIver and Rep. Ezell for their leadership over this bill in the House.” “The frontline law enforcement personnel at the Department of Homeland Security deserve the most effective body armor possible to protect them from threats—it’s just common sense. That’s why I’m glad to co-sponsor Rep. McIver’s legislation to ensure these brave men and women have the individualized protection they need, just like special agents at the FBI,” said House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson. “I thank her for introducing this much needed legislation.” This bill would improve job safety for many NJ-10 residents and workers nationwide, including those with Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Secret Service and others. In addition to requiring DHS to provide more sufficient body armor for all who serve, this bill also increases reporting standards for DHS so that there is a clearer record of how many women are receiving compliant ballistic resistant body armor to safely and successfully execute their roles. McIver sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Better Ballistic Body Armor Act. Peters’ companion bill has passed in the Senate. The House version awaits a vote. Full text of the Better Ballistic Body Armor Act can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=306D3EA7-B898-4BEC-9A9A-2110FCED81DB,Norcross Passes Critical Water Infrastructure Funding for South Jersey,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This legislation is vital to New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District, which has faced damage from flooding, destructive storms, and tornadoes in recent years. “By investing in storm and wastewater management and flood mitigation infrastructure, we can better protect our cities, towns, businesses, and homes from the destructive power of severe storms,” said Congressman Norcross. “I’m proud to support the authorization of these important projects to ensure all South Jersey residents are safe.” The bill grants the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the authority to implement water resources development projects and studies, including efforts to enhance waterway infrastructure, strengthen South Jersey communities’ resilience to flooding, and support the region’s economy and quality of life. Congressman Norcross fought to include the following provisions in the bill: Authorizing $4,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure in Deptford Township Authorizing $3,200,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure in Washington Township and Gloucester County Raising the authorized funding level for the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority project from $119 million to $143.8 million. Authorizing feasibility study for navigation project in the Borough of Paulsboro Authorizing feasibility study for channel deepening in the Delaware River in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Read more information on WRDA, including the full bill text, here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-menendez-secure-win-new-jersey-community-voices-passage-updated-harbor,"Pallone, Menendez Secure Win for New Jersey Community Voices with Passage of Updated Harbor and Tributary Study",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced the inclusion of an updated New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributary Study (HATS) in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024). The study, which was first authorized in 2013 as a response to Hurricane Sandy, aims at improving flood protections and storm resiliency. The new language ensures community feedback remains central to federal decisions on major flood control construction while ensuring that small and medium sized non-controversial projects may proceed in the near term. Pallone and Menendez led efforts since last year to ensure HATS was prioritized in WRDA 2024. When the Corps released the initial results of its study in Summer 2023, Pallone and Menendez embraced community feedback that smart planning required greater consideration of the different causes of flooding, green infrastructure solutions, and more opportunities for community input. The updated authorization marks a significant achievement for the region’s safety and sustainability. “Planning for climate change impacts is complicated. The inclusion of an updated Harbor and Tributary Study that centers community voices in the Water Resources Development Act is a critical step toward safeguarding New Jersey’s future. This success reflects over a year of deliberation with the Corps and community advocates to find a path forward that prioritizes the long-term resiliency of our region to stronger storms while balancing community considerations and the need to move some projects forward in the near term. I’m grateful to my colleagues for working together to deliver real results for families and businesses,” said Pallone. ""Increasing resiliency in our infrastructure is vital to the future of our communities. In order to make the investments necessary to protect New Jersey’s coastlines from floods, storm damage, and additional environmental risk factors, it’s crucial that we continue to push the Harbor and Tributaries Study forward and begin the work as soon as possible. I’m grateful that we’ve achieved that goal in this legislation, and I’ll keep working alongside my colleagues to deliver continued progress for those we represent,” said Menendez. “The New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries study within the Water Resources Development Act gives the Army Corps the opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan to address multiple types of flooding that threaten our communities and national parks here. With record floods and more frequent and severe storms making roads impassable, trapping people in their homes and damaging Sandy Hook's diverse and sensitive shoreline, this bipartisan support could not come soon enough!” said Lauren Cosgrove, Northeast Campaign Director at the National Parks Conservation Association. “We are grateful for Congressman Pallone and Congressman Menendez’s leadership and the support from the NY-NJ delegation in taking action to address all of our flooding concerns, which will save lives, expedite projects and save taxpayer money. All of which will improve the quality of life for all that live and work here, and millions more that visit Gateway National Recreation Area’s trails, beaches and wildlife.” ""Regional planning for coastal resilience around the NY/NJ Harbor region is critical to the protection of homes, property and natural habitat. The initial USACE HATS study was a big step toward such a plan, but had major inadequacies. We thank Congressmen Frank Pallone, Rob Menendez and the bipartisan congressional delegation for addressing these flaws and securing crucial language in this legislation that centers community input, accounts for a fuller array of flood risks, adds green infrastructure that maintains a healthy estuary, and allows beneficial small projects to proceed unimpeded,"" Greg Remaud, Baykeeper & CEO, NY/NJ Baykeeper. The Harbor and Tributary Study will equip the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address coastal flooding, storm surges, and environmental concerns in the New York-New Jersey region. With increased frequency and severity of weather events, the study represents a vital tool in protecting both lives and livelihoods while advancing innovative and sustainable flood management strategies.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-urges-fair-treatment-new-jersey-fishing-industry-striped-bass,Pallone Urges Fair Treatment for New Jersey Fishing Industry in Striped Bass Management,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. sent a letter today to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Executive Director Bob Beal, advocating for fair treatment of New Jersey’s fishing industry under the proposed 2025 Atlantic Striped Bass management measures. Pallone stressed the need to rebuild striped bass stocks while ensuring New Jersey’s fishing industry is not unfairly penalized compared to neighboring northern states. In his letter, Pallone called on the ASMFC to regulate New Jersey as a separate region, highlighting that the fish do not arrive along the Jersey Shore from the North until November and December – the time of the ASMFC’s proposed closures. This would mean New Jersey would carry the full brunt of the reduction for states to the north of it. He noted that similar frameworks where New Jersey is regulated as a separate region have successfully rebuilt Summer Flounder stocks and could serve as a more equitable model for striped bass management. “Meeting the stock rebuilding deadline of 2029 is important to the future of the species, as well as the industry and culture that depend on healthy stocks of Atlantic Striped Bass. A more appropriate framework to achieve shared goals would be to regulate New Jersey as a separate region. It is my understanding that the Atlantic Striped Bass Board is currently considering fishing closures to achieve a 14 percent reduction for a region that reaches from Massachusetts to New Jersey in November and December – my state’s best season. It is critical that the Board consider that the fish do not arrive from the North along the Jersey Shore until this time of year. As a result, the seasonal closure would wholly benefit our northern neighbors at the expense of New Jersey’s industry and culture. This is simply unfair,” Pallone wrote. Pallone’s advocacy comes as the public comment period for the ASMFC’s proposed measures closes today. The commission is expected to announce its final decision at its December 16 board meeting. In response to Pallone’s letter, Tom Fote, Legislative Chairman for Jersey Coast Anglers Association and New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, said, “We aren’t saying whether we should be doing cuts or staying status quo at this time, but if we are doing anything then we agree with the Congressman that New Jersey should be its own region and not grouped with the other states.” Jim Hutchinson, Managing Editor at The Fisherman Magazine (New Jersey, Delaware Bay edition), said, “I want to personally thank Congressman Pallone for addressing the inequities in the striped bass options which could have grave socioeconomic impacts on our recreational fishing community in New Jersey. Any changes to the 2025 season at this point, especially those presented by the Board during their December 5th webinar, may lead to a less equitable opportunity for New Jersey anglers and cause undue harm to our recreational fishing industry.” Full text of Pallone’s letter is below and linked here: Dear Executive Director Beal, I write to share my feedback regarding the Atlantic Striped Bass Board’s recent announcement of changes to the species’ 2025 management measures. Specifically, I am concerned that the State of New Jersey may be regulated in a group with other states, which would make stock rebuilding measures more difficult and unnecessarily penalize New Jersey’s fishing industry. Meeting the stock rebuilding deadline of 2029 is important to the future of the species, as well as the industry and culture that depend on healthy stocks of Atlantic Striped Bass. A more appropriate framework to achieve shared goals would be to regulate New Jersey as a separate region. It is my understanding that the Atlantic Striped Bass Board is currently considering fishing closures to achieve a 14 percent reduction for a region that reaches from Massachusetts to New Jersey in November and December – my state’s best season. It is critical that the Board consider that the fish do not arrive from the North along the Jersey Shore until this time of year. As a result, the seasonal closure would wholly benefit our northern neighbors at the expense of New Jersey’s industry and culture. This is simply unfair. Several years ago, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission regulated New Jersey as a separate region to equitably achieve Summer Flounder stock rebuilding efforts and I believe that remains an appropriate model for Atlantic Striped Bass management measures. As its own region, New Jersey can achieve the necessary cuts without causing disaster. I hope you will agree that this framework will help us achieve both environmental and economic goals. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Frank Pallone, Jr. MEMBER OF CONGRESS",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-van-drew-secure-hot-spot-erosion-study-nj-shoreline-bipartisan,"Pallone, Van Drew Secure Hot Spot Erosion Study for NJ Shoreline in Bipartisan National Water Infrastructure Bill",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) today announced the inclusion of their New Jersey Shore Hot Spot Erosion Mitigation Study in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). This study will address hot spot erosion—localized areas of accelerated sediment loss that leave beaches, dunes, and nearby properties dangerously exposed to storm surges and flooding. Hot spot erosion occurs when geography and currents collide to focus wave action and energy on a narrow part of a beach. The inclusion of this study builds on a March 1, 2024, letter authored by Pallone and Van Drew to the Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, which called for urgent action to address the impacts of hot spot erosion along the Jersey Shore. The study directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify the most erosion-prone areas, assess their impact on existing federal shore protection projects, and propose tailored solutions to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these investments. “Hot spot erosion isn’t just about losing sand—it’s about losing the first line of defense for New Jersey families and businesses against storms and flooding,” said Congressman Pallone (NJ-06), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “The Jersey Shore generates over $50 billion in annual economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs. This study will help pinpoint problem areas and develop solutions to protect our coastline, preserve our economy, and ensure the safety of our coastal communities.” ""The Hot Spot Erosion Mitigation Study is a promise to safeguard our coastal way of life and the natural beauty that defines our beloved South Jersey,"" said Congressman Van Drew (NJ-02). ""We must take a novel approach to protect our coastline from the harmful effects of coastal erosion. This new program gives the U.S. Army Corps the tools they need to implement innovations to address this challenge. As this bill becomes law, I am committed to executing its implementation and continuing my efforts to secure a stronger future for both South Jersey and the entire country."" The New Jersey Shore Hot Spot Erosion Mitigation Study will analyze specific areas of rapid sediment loss, evaluate the impact on federally funded shore protection projects, and recommend solutions. These may include the construction of physical structures such as seawalls, groins, or breakwaters, or adjustments to renourishment schedules to address the unique challenges posed by erosion hot spots. The study aims to protect more than 100 miles of New Jersey’s coastline, which supports $100 billion in property and tens of thousands of jobs. Hot spot erosion has increasingly undermined federal investments in shore protection projects, making targeted solutions critical to maintaining the state’s resilience against severe weather and sea-level rise. WRDA, passed every two years, authorizes essential water infrastructure projects nationwide.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cassidy-introduce-legislation-to-give-americans-relief-from-rising-flood-insurance-premiums,"Booker, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Give Americans Relief from Rising Flood Insurance Premiums",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Flood Insurance Affordability Tax Credit Act to give low- and middle-income households enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a 33 percent refundable tax credit to combat rising flood insurance premiums. Many Americans are struggling to afford the cost of rising flood insurance premiums, including thousands of New Jersey families that rely on this critical program to protect them in the event of extreme weather and flooding. “Flood insurance is becoming less and less affordable for families across our country,” said Senator Booker. “This bipartisan legislation will provide much needed relief for low- and middle-income households, particularly in New Jersey, where many families are grappling with rising premiums through the National Flood Insurance Program. This legislation is one important step forward as we work to expand access, lower costs, and protect New Jersey families from extreme weather and flooding.” “The National Flood Insurance Program’s outlandish premiums are crippling Americans’ ability to protect their families and homes,” said Dr. Cassidy. “While we work to fix the broken system, this tax credit provides relief to current policyholders and provides a path for others to re-enroll in the program.” The Flood Insurance Affordability Tax Credit Act will also direct the Treasury Secretary to establish a program where premiums can be paid in advance on behalf of taxpayers when premiums are due, benefitting families when they need it most. To read the full text of the bill, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-introduces-bill-to-increase-transparency-of-medical-residency-programs,Booker Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency of Medical Residency Programs,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the GME Data Transparency Act of 2024, legislation that will require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect attrition data related to the Graduate Medical Education (GME) program. The data will include probation, transfers, withdrawals, and dismissals of residents from their programs, and the types of residency specialties funded by the GME program, broken down by demographics like race and gender. “The federal government provides billions of dollars to fund the GME program, and we must increase the transparency around how these programs operate,” said Senator Booker. “Currently, most of this data is not collected in a consistent and accessible manner. This information will help us gain valuable insight on where these programs might need change or support, and how lawmakers can act now to help residents complete their medical training.” “The National Medical Association is committed to advocating for safe, professional, and productive environments in which all physicians can receive medical training. Having accurate and comprehensive attrition data (including probation, withdrawals, transfers, dismissals), residency program financial investments, and resident demographics is critical to improving our nation’s residency programs. Tracking attrition in this manner will help to identify challenges, areas for support and intervention; it will also help us understand the full financial costs of training residents, leading to data-driven equity and efficiency. The insights gained from these data will certainly enable residency programs to enhance recruitment, retention, and educational quality, ultimately benefiting residents, patients, and the communities they serve,” said Joy D. Calloway, MBA, MHSA, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, National Medical Association. ""Transparency is the cornerstone of accountability. The National Council for Residents (NCR) applauds Senator Booker for bringing forth this necessary piece of legislation which can shed light on an underreported and under documented problem of Black resident attrition,” said Dr. Paul Johnson, Executive Co-Leader of NCR. This legislation is endorsed by The National Medical Association and The National Council for Residents.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-pens-letter-requesting-greater-transparency-comprehensive-briefing-on-drone-activity-over-new-jersey,"Booker Pens Letter Requesting Greater Transparency, Comprehensive Briefing on Drone Activity Over New Jersey",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Secretary Pete Buttigieg of the Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting the agencies provide municipal and county officials with a comprehensive briefing regarding the unauthorized drone activity over New Jersey communities. He also requested that officials make any available information accessible to the public. Senator Booker wrote, “Over the past several weeks, there have been multiple confirmed sightings of unexplained drone activity over New Jersey communities and military installations. These sightings have been confirmed by local and state authorities, prompting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to open an investigation into the sightings and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose flight restrictions over Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County. On December 4th, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy convened a briefing with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, state agencies, and members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation. The unexplained drone activity in and around New Jersey continues, however, with reports on December 9th of drone sightings over Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County.” The letter continued, “I recognize the need to maintain operational security of ongoing investigations and that this situation requires complex interagency coordination. However, there is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the state—from constituents and local officials alike—despite assurances that the drones pose no known threats to public safety. As such, I urge you to share any relevant information about these drone sightings with the public. Without transparency, I believe that rumors, fear, and misinformation will continue to spread.” “I also request that the DHS, the FBI, and the FAA provide a briefing to New Jersey’s municipal and county officials on the current situation, to include the federal government’s response to date, in accordance with appropriate classification restrictions.” Senator Booker’s letter concludes, “It is our shared obligation to ensure that our airspace is safe and secure, and I am committed to giving New Jerseyans peace of mind about these activities. I am eager to assist with investigations into the origins of these activities and to work with you to develop policies to protect New Jersey’s population and infrastructure from malicious drone activity.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413446,Smith on Island Beach State Park tonight with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy as part of ongoing efforts to address the unidentified drone activity,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) tonight is on Island Beach State Park with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy, who has led efforts to determine the source and possible risks related to the drone activity that has been reported in Ocean County over the last few days. Rep. Smith issued the following statement: “I have been speaking with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, and national security officials located in the area to discuss the widespread reports of unidentified drone activity across my central New Jersey congressional district and across our state. Understandably, New Jersey residents are very alarmed at this significant and reoccurring phenomenon—and the tepid response from our state and federal agencies so far is totally unacceptable. As we saw with the Chinese spy balloon last year, our fiercest adversaries will stop at nothing to surveil our homeland and threaten our national security. While the source of this drone activity is still to be determined, it is clear that the communication channels and proper authorities among local law enforcement and federal partners must be drastically improved in order to work quickly through deconfliction and security challenges as unmanned aerial systems become more prevalent. The people of New Jersey deserve swift and bold action on the part of our state and federal agencies to investigate, assess, and address the situation immediately and to alleviate the growing concerns of our community. I have already made inquiries to various federal agencies regarding their response to these sightings after being briefed by the Governor, the State Police, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and U.S. military personnel over the past week. I will continue working around the clock to ensure law enforcement has all the tools and authorities necessary to identify these unmanned aerial systems and until New Jersey residents have the comprehensive answers they deserve.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-calls-federal-action-address-unexplained-drone-activity,Kean Calls for Federal Action to Address Unexplained Drone Activity,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,"Thomas H. Kean, Jr.",K000398,kean.house.gov,kean,https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(December 9, 2024) WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) issued a statement urging immediate federal action to address the growing concern over unexplained drone activity in New Jersey: “I join thousands of New Jersey residents in deep frustration regarding the growing concerns over drones operating in our skies. The safety and privacy of our residents must be a top priority, and right now, both are being put at risk. I am calling for the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other appropriate federal agencies to deploy greater resources to investigate and address this escalating issue. Additionally, an in-depth public briefing from authorities should take place immediately. The people of New Jersey deserve answers, and I will continue to demand accountability to ensure their rights and security are fully protected.” - Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-rob-menendez-announces-31-million-grant-replace-lead-service-lines,Congressman Rob Menendez Announces $3.1 Million Grant to Replace Lead Service Lines in City of Elizabeth,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Robert Menendez,M001226,menendez.house.gov,menendez,https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"ELIZABETH, N.J. - Today, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $3,129,752 in grant funding to the City of Elizabeth to replace known lead drinking water service lines. “Universal access to clean, safe drinking water is a basic human right, and with our partners at the EPA and throughout New Jersey, we’re ensuring that we meet that vital goal,” said Congressman Menendez. “With this funding, we’re building infrastructure resiliency and fulfilling our promise to put our communities first. As always, I’m grateful to the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration for their support.” ""The health and well-being of our residents is our top priority, and this significant grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency will make a tremendous difference in addressing the critical issue of lead in our drinking water,” said Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “We are grateful to Congressman Rob Menendez for his steadfast advocacy and to the EPA for supporting our efforts to ensure every family in Elizabeth has access to clean, safe drinking water. This grant represents a vital step toward safeguarding our community’s health and investing in the infrastructure that will benefit future generations.” The funding was provided through the EPA Community Grants Program and is one of the 1,022 congressionally directed water infrastructure projects totaling more than $1.4 billion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. A member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Menendez is a leading voice in Congress on building resiliency in our critical infrastructure, strengthening our green economy, and improving access to clean air and water throughout New Jersey. Earlier this year, Menendez secured $959,000 in Community Project Funding to replace lead service lines in the City of Elizabeth. He has requested an additional $7 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2025.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-over-150000-support-public-safety-neptune-and-perth-amboy,"Pallone Announces Over $150,000 to Support Public Safety in Neptune and Perth Amboy",2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced over $150,000 in federal funding to support critical public safety initiatives in Neptune Township and the City of Perth Amboy through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a division of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, awarded the grants to help strengthen local law enforcement, enhance community safety, and fund innovative crime prevention efforts. “This funding is a significant boost for our communities, empowering local law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to enhance public safety,” said Pallone. “From addressing violent crime to supporting crime prevention and mental health programs, these grants represent a commitment to ensuring our neighborhoods are safe and equitable for everyone.” Neptune Township will receive $48,501, while Perth Amboy will be awarded $104,432. These funds will enable local officials to invest in programs that combat crime, assist victims, and promote justice system reform. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding for state and local jurisdictions. Named in honor of NYPD Officer Edward Byrne, who was killed in the line of duty, the program funds a range of initiatives, including law enforcement, drug treatment, mental health services, and community corrections. Since its inception, the JAG program has delivered over $7.6 billion in critical funding to communities nationwide.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-230665-rutgers-support-commercial-fishing-and-aquaculture,"Pallone Announces $230,665 for Rutgers to Support Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture Industries through Distance Learning in New Jersey",2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Piscataway, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) today announced $230,665 in federal funding for Rutgers University to expand distance learning capabilities to rural communities and businesses in Cape May, Cumberland, Middlesex, and Ocean counties, providing critical support to the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries in New Jersey’s coastal region. The project, spearheaded by Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, will establish one main location to share lessons, another that both shares and receives lessons, and two more places where people can join and learn using the latest technology for online education. These upgrades will deliver instructional coursework and industry presentations to three locations, benefiting 10,802 students across the region. “This investment is a major win for New Jersey’s communities,” said Congressman Pallone. “By equipping Rutgers and its partner sites with the tools to connect and share expertise, we’re giving local businesses and residents access to the education and training they need to thrive. Supporting our state’s commercial fishing and aquaculture supply chain is critical to strengthening the local economy, creating jobs, and reducing the barriers these rural communities often face.” This funding will support initiatives including: Enhanced access to industry-specific education for businesses in the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors. Expanded educational opportunities for underserved rural communities. Increased resilience to climate challenges by supporting sustainable economic practices. In addition to the USDA grant, Rutgers will contribute $40,706 in additional funding, bringing the total project cost to $271,371.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-senate-passage-of-take-it-down-act,Booker Statement on Senate Passage of Take it Down Act,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker issued the following statement: “The sharing of nonconsensual explicit images online is a serious and urgent problem, and we need effective legislation that will thoroughly protect people from harassment, hold wrongdoers accountable, and compel online platforms to quickly remove such content. I’m glad that the original sponsors agreed to the improvements I proposed to the bill and that it has passed the Senate through unanimous consent. This new version will ensure that victims are better protected and all platforms that publish these sorts of images are held to account under the law. I hope the bill will swiftly pass in the House and be signed into law.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2476AEDB-9BEC-4BB3-8EB3-FD19F53C8C05,Rep. Norcross Presents Five Medals and Two Awards to 99-Year-Old World War II Veteran,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"CHERRY HILL, NJ. – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Camden County Commissioner, Melinda Kane, and Haddon Township Mayor, Randall Teague, presented 99-year-old World War II veteran, Gilbert Klein, with five medals and two awards honoring his service. Klein served in the Navy from 1944-1946 and was involved in Operation Juneau and the American occupation of Okinawa, Japan. During the event, Rep. Norcross awarded Klein the Combat Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Honorable Discharge Button, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin. “It is an honor to recognize Gilbert Klein’s remarkable service to our country,” said Rep. Norcross. “As a World War II Navy veteran, Gilbert’s critical work in Operation Juneau to clear minefields in the East China Sea and his efforts to ensure the safety of U.S. forces during the American post-war occupation of Japan is inspiring to us all. On behalf of a grateful nation, we thank Gilbert for his service and sacrifices.” “Today, we honor Gilbert Kein by presenting him with five medals and two awards that highlight his bravery and service in World War II,” said Mayor Randall Teague, Haddon Township. “Our veterans all make immense sacrifices, and we thank Gilbert for the work he did to keep his fellow Americans safe.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-blasts-amtrak-service-failures-demands-refunds-commuters,Pallone Blasts Amtrak Service Failures; Demands Refunds for Commuters,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone today criticized Amtrak and NJ Transit for their failure to provide reliable service along the Northeast Corridor, leaving thousands of commuters stranded Monday due to ongoing overhead wire issues. Pallone demanded that the two transit agencies refund customers. “Canceling trains during rush hour along the Northeast Corridor is completely unacceptable. Working people rely on dependable public transportation to get to work and back home, and this level of disruption cannot continue,” said Pallone. “Amtrak and NJ Transit must immediately address these recurring failures and provide clear communication to commuters about what steps they are taking to ensure reliable service.” Monday’s chaos began at 8:40 a.m. when overhead wire problems occurred at Swift Interlocking in Kearny, just north of Newark Penn Station. The incident temporarily halted service on Amtrak, NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line, and forced Midtown Direct trains to divert to Hoboken. Limited service resumed at 10:30 a.m., but the ripple effects caused extensive delays and cancellations into the evening commute. NJ Transit resorted to cross-honoring rail tickets on buses, PATH trains, and private carriers. This latest incident follows months of disruptions caused by the century-old infrastructure along the Northeast Corridor. Pallone has been instrumental in securing $112 million in federal funding to modernize critical infrastructure, including $13.4 million for catenary wire upgrades, $18.6 million for signal improvements, and $80 million for enhancements at the Kearny Substation—key areas affected by Monday’s outage. Even with significant repairs in the last few months to the aging overhead wire systems, they remain a weak point. The wires, prone to sagging in summer heat and snapping in cold temperatures, require replacement with modern constant tension systems that can adjust to extreme conditions.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-passing-of-christy-davis-jackson,Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Christy Davis Jackson,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement mourning passing of Christy Davis Jackson: “It is with deep sadness that Bill and I learn of the passing of Christy Davis Jackson, the wife of Bishop Reginald Jackson. She was brilliant, beautiful inside and out, and one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. “Our paths crossed in politics and public life, and I look back with fondness on the work we were able to do together. She was smart and talented, driven by her faith and a joy to be around. Bill and I are praying for her family during this tragic time.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-elected-to-senate-democratic-leadership-team-for-the-119th-congress,Booker Elected to Senate Democratic Leadership Team For The 119th Congress,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) was unanimously elected to the Senate Democratic Leadership Team as Chair of the Strategic Communications Committee. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced today the caucus’ full slate for the 119th Congress following Senate Democratic leadership elections. “I am humbled that Majority Leader Schumer and my colleagues have entrusted me to be the new Chair of the Senate Democratic Strategic Communications Committee. In this position, I’m excited to help lead our Caucus’ communication and messaging strategy, ensuring the accomplishments and priorities of Senate Democrats are heard loud and clear across the county. I look forward to using creative strategies and new technology and platforms to speak directly to the American people. While the next Congress presents a unique set of challenges, our party will continue to champion policies that build an America where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and nobody is left behind. It is my privilege to serve my constituents, the Caucus, and our country in this new Congress alongside my colleagues and Leader Schumer,” said Chair of Strategic Communications Committee Cory Booker (D-NJ). “I am honored and humbled to be chosen by my colleagues to continue leading Senate Democrats during this crucial period for our country,” said Leader Schumer (D-NY). “Our caucus has led the way in passing historic legislation that has improved the lives of millions of Americans and we remain laser focused on addressing the most pressing challenges facing our country. As I have long said, our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families. However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values. We have a lot of work ahead – in the Senate and as a country – and in this upcoming Congress, our caucus will continue to fight for what’s best for America’s working class. Senate Democrats are ready to get to work for you, the American people.” The Senate Democratic Leadership for the 119th Congress: Senate Democratic Leader and Chair of the Conference: Senator Charles Schumer Democratic Whip: Senator Dick Durbin Chair of Steering and Policy Committee: Senator Amy Klobuchar Chair of Strategic Communications Committee: Senator Cory Booker Vice Chair of the Conference: Senator Elizabeth Warren Vice Chair of the Conference: Senator Mark Warner Chair of Outreach: Senator Bernie Sanders Senate Democratic Conference Secretary: Senator Tammy Baldwin Vice Chair of Outreach: Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Deputy Democratic Conference Secretary: Senator Brian Schatz “I am honored to continue to serve the Senate Democratic Caucus as Whip in the 119th Congress. The November 5th election showed that our nation remains divided, and we face many challenges ahead. I look forward to continuing to serve my caucus and the American people in this role,” said Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). “As Chair of Steering and Policy, I look forward to working with my colleagues to chart our path forward and ensure the policies we are fighting for in Washington reflect what the American people want and need. This is the time to find common ground when we can, and stand our ground where we must,” said Chair of Steering and Policy Committee Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “In this next term, it will be our responsibility as Senate Democrats to make clear to working families how we’re fighting for them,” said Vice Chair of the Conference Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). “We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I’m grateful to be in the fight.” “I’m very grateful to once again serve alongside my colleagues in Senate leadership,” said Vice Chair of the Conference Mark Warner (D-VA). “It’s time to get to work building Democrats’ record of fighting to grow the middle class, protect reproductive rights, lower housing and health care costs, bring back American manufacturing jobs, and defend our rights and freedoms. I look forward to working with my Democratic colleagues and across the aisle to get it done.” ""At a time of massive income and wealth inequality I look forward to working with my Democratic colleagues to create a government and economy that works for all – not just the very rich and large corporations,” said Chair of Outreach Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “I am proud to be giving Wisconsin families a seat at the decision-making table and in a position to keep delivering for the Badger State. While I am proud of our progress, I know we have more work to do to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and fight for our rights and freedoms. I am as committed as ever to working with my colleagues to do just that and make life better for Wisconsinites,” said Senate Democratic Conference Secretary Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). “I’m proud to continue my work with my Democratic colleagues to deliver for our working families,” said Vice Chair of Outreach Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). “Together, Democrats will remain focused on lowering costs, keeping our communities safe, and standing up for the rights of all Americans.” “I’m honored to continue serving in this leadership role. The Senate has a key role to play in the coming two years, and this post puts me in a position to help shape and defend our priorities. I look forward to working with Leader Schumer and our leadership team on building a stronger future for Hawai'i and our country,” said Deputy Democratic Conference Secretary Brian Schatz (D-HI).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413438,Rep. Smith's statement on President Biden's pardon of Hunter Biden,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter Biden: ""President Biden’s 'full and unconditional' pardon of his son Hunter makes an absolute mockery of our justice system. While other Americans are serving time for committing the very same felonies, Hunter Biden will never be held accountable for his crimes—simply because of his last name. Time and time again President Biden said that he would not pardon his son. He also said he never discussed these crimes and activities with Hunter. President Biden has been caught in many lies throughout his political career—which begs the question what else has he said as President and Vice President—and even as a U.S. Senator—that was not true? President Biden has degraded the rule of law.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-announces-over-13-million-pandemic-recovery-efforts-saint-peters-and,Pallone Announces Over $13 Million for Pandemic Recovery Efforts at Saint Peter’s and Hackensack Meridian Health System,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"New Brunswick, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced over $13 million in federal funding to support pandemic recovery efforts at Saint Peter’s University Hospital and Hackensack Meridian Health System facilities in New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District. This funding, secured with Pallone’s advocacy, will provide critical financial relief to sustain high-quality health care and reimburse hospitals for emergency protective measures undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Throughout the pandemic, our local hospitals worked tirelessly to save lives and protect public health, often under extraordinary financial strain,” said Congressman Pallone. “This funding will help ensure that Saint Peter’s University Hospital and Hackensack Meridian Health System can continue delivering the exceptional care our communities rely on as we recover from the pandemic’s challenges.” Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick will receive over $6 million in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse the hospital for contracting with clinical laborers, including nurses, respiratory therapists, and medical assistants, to address the surge in COVID-19 cases from January 2022 through June 2022. These emergency measures ensured patients received critical care while protecting the health and safety of medical staff and the broader community. An additional $7 million in federal funding will support the Hackensack Meridian Health System, which includes four hospitals within New Jersey’s 6th District: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, JFK University Medical Center, and Raritan Bay Medical Center Perth Amboy. FEMA funding for these projects falls under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, which provides for emergency protective measures in response to federally declared disasters. Pallone has been a leader in securing federal support for New Jersey’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies, including funding for hospitals, public health systems, and disaster resilience projects.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-passing-of-mildred-crump,Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Mildred Crump,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement mourning the passing of former Newark City Council President Mildred Crump: “Bill and I are devastated at the passing of Mildred Crump, an extraordinary woman whose tenacity, spirit, compassion, and grit forever changed the landscape of New Jersey politics. She was smart, savvy, impeccably dressed, and always led with kindness and grace. A woman of immense and unwavering faith, I doubt that her work is done even now that she’s rejoined our Heavenly Father. “Mildred was relentless. Her legacy is a litany of firsts — the first Black woman to serve on the Newark City Council, and later the first woman to serve as Council President. She found a world that often blocked Black women from positions of power or leadership, and through sheer determination and skill paved a path broad enough for countless others to follow — myself included. “For her, others always came first. She heard the calling to public service as a means to do good in the world. To shape the circumstances of people less fortunate and make their lives better. To look out for our communities, for families who have been left out, overlooked, marginalized, and unfairly disregarded. She always sought out the least among us and asked, ‘What can I do to help?’ That is the truest meaning of service. “To know her is to love her, and it has been a blessing to know Mildred. Bill and I are praying for her family, her son Larry and her daughter Sherri. We pray they find peace in knowing the joy Mildred’s spirit has found in returning at last, after 31 long years, to her beloved husband, Cecil. May God bless her and welcome her home.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-statement-on-the-passing-of-mildred-crump,Booker Statement on the Passing of Mildred Crump,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"NEWARK N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mildred Crump. To be the first is a privilege, and Mildred did not shy away from this responsibility when she became the first Black woman elected to the Newark City Council and the first woman to serve as the governing body’s president. She opened the doors of opportunity for so many and demonstrated unwavering commitment in her decades-long service to the City of Newark, delivering meaningful, material improvements for all of us that call Newark home. Mildred was a mentor, colleague, and friend to me—an example of leadership and public service. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy as the Matriarch of Newark will endure. It is my hope that we may all live up to the standards that Mildred set for us.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/12/17/2024/booker-sullivan-reintroduce-world-aids-day-resolution,"Booker, Sullivan Reintroduce World AIDS Day Resolution",2024-12-01,2024,2024-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) reintroduced a resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day, including the goal to achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The resolution recognizes current efforts made by the United States and international organizations in combating HIV/AIDS, such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved over 25 million lives. The resolution also encourages greater coordination between the global community to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. “Every year, thousands of people in the United States with diagnosed HIV continue to lose their lives, with communities of color disproportionately suffering from this fatal disease,” said Senator Booker. “This World AIDS Day, I hope our country remembers those we have lost, lends support to those currently suffering, and recommits itself to eradicating HIV/AIDS globally. I’m proud to stand alongside Senator Sullivan in reintroducing this bipartisan resolution that acknowledges the United States as a global leader in the fight to ultimately achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.” “The United States and the world have made great progress combatting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including through the PEPFAR program I helped spearhead during the George W. Bush administration,” said Senator Sullivan. “Nearly 15 million people have been treated under this global coalition of partners. We must continue this important work and lead the effort to end HIV/AIDS infections and deaths. I am glad to join Senator Booker in this resolution recognizing World AIDS Day and commending those who have participated in the critical work to save lives and eradicate this devastating disease.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413399,"Smith cosponsor of legislation House overwhelmingly passes Social Security Fairness Act to remove unjust provisions that penalize police officers, firefighters and teachers",2024-11-12,2024,2024-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"With the strong support and vote of Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), the House of Representatives today passed (327-75) the Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82) to repeal two unjust provisions known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) that penalize police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public servants by unfairly reducing their Social Security benefits. “It is egregiously unfair that our fellow Americans who have spent substantial portions of their careers serving their communities are punished by having their benefits cut in this way,” said Smith, a cosponsor of the bill. “This critical legislation will help restore fairness to the retirement program for the millions of Americans who deserve their hard-earned benefits.” Currently, the WEP and GPO reduce the benefits of nearly 3 million Americans who also receive a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security or who have a spouse employed by federal, state, or local government in a job that is not covered by Social Security. In September, Smith signed a discharge petition to advance the bill directly to the House Floor for a vote after the bill stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee despite its overwhelming bipartisan support. The petition, which received the required number of 218 signatories, enabled the bill to move to the House Floor without needing further committee action. “The urgent need to repeal the WEP and GPO completely is why I have been a proud cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act since it was first introduced last January and why I signed the discharge petition to ensure it received its well-deserved consideration by the House of Representatives,” Smith said. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/on-veterans-day-booker-releases-updated-resource-handbook-for-new-jersey-vets,"On Veterans Day, Booker Releases Updated Resource Handbook for New Jersey Vets",2024-11-11,2024,2024-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"NEWARK N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) unveiled his 2025 Veterans Handbook, an updated version of his comprehensive resource guide for New Jersey veterans and their families. The handbook, is a collection of resources designed to help New Jersey veterans with the transition from military to civilian life and includes information on health benefits, workforce centers, employment opportunities, federal and state education programs, crisis support services, and more. “Since our nation’s founding, the United States of America has been blessed with citizens willing to protect and defend our nation’s ideals at home and abroad,” said Senator Booker. “Today, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of those men and women who have valiantly answered the call to service, and we celebrate their commitment to country above self. We owe veterans and their families an immeasurable debt. As a United States Senator, I have had the honor of meeting with veterans and their families from across the state of New Jersey and throughout our nation. Our veterans represent the best of us, and I am committed to ensuring that we meet our obligations to them by providing the recognition and benefits they earned and deserve.” Click here to access the 2025 Veterans Handbook or find it online by visiting booker.senate.gov under Resource Guides. To request a printed copy of the handbook, contact either of Senator Booker’s state offices.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases/honoring-our-heroes-celebrating-courage-and-sacrifice-veterans-across-nation,Honoring Our Heroes: Celebrating the Courage and Sacrifice of Veterans Across the Nation 2024,2024-11-08,2024,2024-11,Democrat,House,NJ,LaMonica McIver,M001229,mciver.house.gov,mciver,https://mciver.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"As we approach Veteran’s Day, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver honors the service and sacrifice of all Veterans who courageously dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom. Among these brave individuals, five of these heroes are constituents of the 10th Congressional District. Dr. Keith Kirkland Dr. Keith Kirkland proudly served three ½ years in the United States Army from January 13, 1975, to June 12, 1978, and he is a Vietnam era veteran. His main tour of duty was with Signal Company Fifth Special Forces group stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Dr. Kirkland achieved the rank of sergeant(E5) and was a paratrooper who specialized in the field of communications. After his honorable discharge in 1978 he attended Seton Hall University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He continued his education earning a master’s degree in management science from New Jersey Institute of Technology and his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at Rowan University in New Jersey. Dr. Kirkland has been on staff at ECC since 1985 with increasing responsibility in each appointment - ranging from Director of an Upward Bound Program, serving as Director of Evening and Weekend Services, Assistant Dean of Continuing Education and Campus Services and Acting Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development where he oversaw programing such as professional development and training programs and grants administrator. He currently serves Dean of Student Affairs at Essex County College and is responsible for overseeing student support services which promote student success, including counseling, career planning, athletics, childcare and student extracurricular programs. He has served as an adjunct instructor at the college for the last twenty years. He also has collaborated with community-based organizations and Essex County College promoting scholarship among inner city youth, has served on state-wide community college committees, advised the student Veteran’s Club, and organized Essex County College’s annual Veterans Day Remembrance ceremony. Dr. Keith Kirkland lives in Linden, New Jersey in Union County with his wife of 34 years Lisa Wright-Kirkland and credits his military experience for instilling in him the self-discipline and leadership training he needed to achieve his personal and professional success. Willie Williams Willie Williams, born in May of 1962, was born and raised in Hudson County NJ. He is a resident of Jersey City. At just 18 years old, Williams served his country in the United States AirForce. Starting in 1980, up until 1985 he was an outside wire & antenna maintenance specialist with tours of duty in western USA and England, United Kingdom. William was honorably discharged, and he took pride in operating in his duties throughout his tenure. He is a devoted father to one son, and one dear granddaughter. He has gifts and talents that carries him through his life. For quite a while and even currently, he selflessly helps people with their electrical issues as he is great and extremely knowledgeable in his trade. Williams love the Lord and is a devoted member to his church. He loves to sing and uses his gift to bless God back and his church. William sings on the choir and is part of the Men’s ministry for Wallace Temple AME Zion Church. If you ask around, people will tell you that he is helpful and truly a soldier. William has overcome many trials and tribulations, and still stands tall as he strives to be the best person he can be. William Williams is a man who loves and honors God, his family and the great nation of USA. Dr. Robert C. Spellman Dr. Robert C. Spellman is a proud veteran of the United States Army serving during the Vietnam War era and subsequently in the United States Army Reserve. Upon graduation from Virginia State University in 1963, Dr. Spellman was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant but not reporting for active duty until May 1965 after pursuing a master’s degree from Rutgers University. During the period from 1965 to 1967, he was promoted twice; to the rank of First Lieutenant and in 1966 to the rank of Captain. Subsequently, Dr. Spellman served in the United States Army Reserve for three years as Commander of the Sadowski Postal Unit in Newark, New Jersey. While on active duty, Dr. Spellman served in SETAF located in Vicenza, Italy and as Commander of Recruits at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1968, Dr. Spellman was one of the original faculty members to be hired at the new Essex County College and has served in all scholarly ranks. At Essex County College he held several positions: as Director of Instructional Media, Associate Dean of Instruction, Dean of Community Programs and from 1974 to 1978 as Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Chief Academic Officer. Earning a Ph.D. degree from New York University at the age of twenty-nine, Dr. Spellman has traveled the world visiting Africa, Europe, and made some 31 trips to Israel. Besides being one of two remaining Senior “Founding Faculty Members”, Dr. Spellman is pastor of the Macedonia Church in Newark New Jersey. Dr. Spellman describes himself as a “blessed people centered person who delights in promoting, uplifting, inspiring and “difference making motivator” to all those he encounters. He teaches his students to always be forward looking goal achievers. William Begazo William Begazo, born on February 13, 1965, in Queens, NY, joined the U.S. Navy in April of 1985 at the age of 20. Having spent much of his life in New York City, he was sent to Orlando, FL, for boot camp, where he trained for two months. Upon graduation, he traveled to Meridian, MS, for Yeoman ""A"" School. After completing his training, he took some time to visit family before being assigned to San Diego, CA, for onboard training, which included emergency fire drills and other necessary shipboard training. Following his training, Begazo was sent to Long Beach, CA, where he participated in the recommissioning of the USS Missouri (BB-63), a significant event in naval history. After the ship's recommissioning, Begazo and the crew were initially expected to establish the ship's homeport in San Francisco. However, the homeport was never set up, and the crew remained stationed in Long Beach. In 1986, the USS Missouri embarked on a world tour, known as the 1986 shakedown cruise, which began in San Francisco on May 10, 1986, and concluded in Long Beach on December 19, 1986. This tour marked the first time a battleship had circumnavigated the globe since 1907–1909, a significant milestone in naval history. After the tour, the Missouri participated in the 1991 Persian Gulf War before being decommissioned for the final time in March 1992. Begazo remained aboard the Missouri until August 1987, when he was discharged from the Navy. He is deeply grateful for the experiences he gained during his service and is particularly appreciative of the assistance he has received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over the past five years. The VA provided vital support, including housing assistance through HUD, which was instrumental during a challenging time in his life. To this day, William Begazo continues to carry a strong sense of pride in his service and remains a proud American. Terrell Washington Terrell Washington is from Jersey City New Jersey. He is a combat veteran of the United States Army and part of the 82nd airborne. Served in Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Served from 2003-2006. He serves veterans now working with Jersey City Veteran Affairs, is on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit organization called Backpacks For Life in which he serves veterans that are homeless, at risk of being homeless, those facing substance abuse and much more. He also owns a business named Vetworking which organizes networking events connecting veterans with jobs, business and resources. He continues to be a vital bridge for veterans and civilians in his community.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-calls-for-solidarity-in-the-face-of-hate,Rep. Watson Coleman Calls For Solidarity In The Face of Hate,2024-11-08,2024,2024-11,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, in response to reports of a wave of racist text messages sent to African American middle school, high school, and college students across the country, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement calling for solidarity and calling on civil rights groups to join together to denounce the spread of hatred:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/governor-phil-murphy-lieutenant-governor-tahesha-way-and-congresswoman-bonnie-watson-coleman-launch-new-jerseys-commemoration-of-americas-250th-anniversary-celebration,"Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Launch New Jersey’s Commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration",2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"New Jersey to Celebrate the Nation’s Semiquincentennial by Revitalizing Revolutionary War Sites and Hosting Educational Programming and Events Across the State MANALAPAN – At Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman today launched New Jersey’s celebration of the nation’s 250th Anniversary, kicking off a multi-year schedule of events and projects that will take place through the nation’s semiquincentennial, from 2026 to 2033. As a leader in education, technology, AI, film, science, and more, New Jersey will celebrate its revolutionary legacy and its critical role in American history. “New Jersey is not just home to revolutionary history—we are, to this day, the birthplace for revolutionary possibilities,” said Governor Murphy. “From our eclectic culinary landscape, to our leadership in emerging industries like clean-energy and generative Artificial Intelligence, to our steadfast reputation as one of the most diverse states in the nation, New Jersey is where the future is being built. As we launch New Jersey’s official Commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration—and prepare to welcome in visitors from across the globe—we are going to unite together around our core, American values every step of the way.” “Our nation’s rich and diverse history has unfolded over the last 250 years,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. “In my role as Secretary of State, I oversee the New Jersey Historical Commission, and I am thrilled to celebrate our country’s layered history—much of which has roots here in New Jersey. This shared legacy reflects our resilience and strength as united Americans, standing together through generations.” “The Battle of Monmouth was a vital turning point to winning our nation's independence nearly 250 years ago. So much of the story of our nation's founding took place right here in New Jersey,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “As a member of the Semiquincentennial Commission, I'm so excited to help New Jersey show the rest of the country why we're known as the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution.’” The launch event included musical accompaniments by the Washington Crossing Fifes and Drums; a posting and retirement of the colors by reenactors of the Continental Army; the Pledge of Allegiance led by Ava Porta, a fifth grade student from Taylor Mills Elementary School in Manalapan; the National Anthem performed by Melissa Walker, an acclaimed jazz vocalist and recording artist from Montclair; and an essay read by Malay Gupta, an eighth grade student and first-place winner in America’s Field Trip scholastic contest at John Adams Middle School in Edison. “Today’s launch of America250 in New Jersey honors our state’s rich history and its pivotal role in America’s fight for independence during the Revolutionary War,” said Senator Cory Booker. “Preserving our historic war sites keeps our nation’s stories alive and inspires future generations to engage with the values it was founded on: democracy and freedom.” “As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, it brings me great joy to see arrangements being made to showcase the history of New Jersey and our involvement in the American Revolution to the world,” said Senator George Helmy. “Our state played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War, from turning the tides of the conflict at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, experiencing more military engagements than anywhere else in the thirteen original Colonies, to providing refuge as George Washington strategized during his time as Commander-in-Chief. I applaud the work of the Murphy Administration and RevolutionNJ in revitalizing New Jersey's Revolutionary War sites and making sure the stories of our state’s important role in the founding of our country are told. I am eager to see New Jerseyans engage in our nation's rich and complex history and learn how the ideals of the American Revolution remain relevant today.” “America250 is thrilled to welcome New Jersey as it joins dozens of states and territories in coordinating events and programs in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Rosie Rios, America250 Chair. “As one of the 13 original colonies, New Jersey will play a vital role in marking this historic moment. Governor Murphy’s leadership and the work of RevolutionNJ, along with the $25 million investment to revitalize New Jersey’s Revolutionary War sites, will ensure the stories of New Jersey’s role in our nation’s independence are brought to life for generations to come.” The years-long initiative will be led by RevolutionNJ, New Jersey’s official organization charged with planning and promoting the state’s 250th anniversary commemoration. RevolutionNJ serves as New Jersey’s representative to America250, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The partnership promotes any opportunities offered by the national commission, such as the recent America’s Field Trip, where 13 New Jersey students received awards, including Malay Gupta, who presented his award-winning essay at the launch event. Now through 2026, RevolutionNJ and the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism will engage locals and visitors in experiences that highlight New Jersey’s critical role in the nation’s history. New Jersey’s latest economic impact report on tourism, released by the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism this year, confirmed the Garden State welcomed 120.5 million visitors in 2023, representing a 5% year-over-year increase that reached 4% above 2019’s banner-year volumes. This upward trend is forecasted to continue into 2026 and beyond, as travelers to New Jersey visit Revolutionary War sites in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and renowned heritage attractions. Programming offered by RevolutionNJ will include: Tavern Talks: An interactive series of events that takes you back in time, featuring history that happened on your doorstep. Reenactors immerse participants in the past using questions and prompts to help you explore not only the past, but also issues you and your community face today. This popular program is taking place across the state at different microbreweries. Revolutionary Lives: Living the American Experiment Then and Now Traveling Exhibition: Coming in 2025, this exhibition will bring the stories of diverse people during the American Revolution in New Jersey to audiences across the state. This program will be offered free of charge and will take place at libraries, senior centers, and city halls, among other sites. The RevolutionNJ Race Series: Launched at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in August 2024, this race series will include 5k races around several key Revolutionary War sites in New Jersey and will continue through the anniversary period. These races will continue again in spring 2025. History Happened Here: This educational programming invites middle and high school students to conduct research on a topic of their own choosing that connects to the American ideals of freedom, justice, equality, self-determination, and the pursuit of happiness. Foundations of Democracy: This resource provides teachers with a comprehensive annotated list of elementary civics materials, including activities that cultivate active citizenship and foster a democratic classroom. Art Installations: RevolutionNJ will also be partnering with the New Jersey Arts Council to launch a series of Revolutionary-inspired installations throughout the state showcasing local artists. RevolutionNJ's programming will culminate in a marquee event to celebrate July 4, 2026, the nation's 250th anniversary, which will feature performances, reenactments, and much more. For more information on programming, visit RevNJ.org. “In a time when the nation is divided on many issues, this anniversary provides an invaluable opportunity to re-engage our colleagues, neighbors, and most importantly our students, with the ideals of the Revolution – liberty, equality, justice – and to recommit to working together toward that more perfect union that Americans have long striven for,” said Sara Cureton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. “RevolutionNJ is seizing this opportunity to share New Jersey’s dramatic history with local, regional, and international visitors,” said Carrie Fellows, Executive Director of Nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution. “We believe that connecting people with our state’s fascinating historic sites will strengthen our communities, our economy, and our understanding of democracy for generations to come.” The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has been leading enhancements to ensure the state’s Revolutionary War historic sites fully shine as part of America’s 250th anniversary. This includes implementing Governor Murphy’s investment in ten signature revolutionary war sites. “New Jersey is at the heart of our nation’s founding, with historic sites, critical battlefields and key lands that helped turn the tide of victory in the Revolutionary War,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “As we kick off America250, the Department of Environmental Protection is making capital investments in New Jersey’s Revolutionary War historic sites, including the development of a new visitor center with immersive exhibits at Washington Crossing State Park, thanks to funding provided by Governor Murphy and the State Legislature. These enhancements will ensure that New Jersey is ready to showcase our part of the Revolutionary War for the Semiquincentennial milestone anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.” “In 2026, we will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate New Jersey’s role in the founding of our country,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “It is a chance to commemorate all that strengthens, inspires, and unifies us as Americans. Treasury looks forward to being a part of these efforts to share and remember our unique history.” In 2022, New Jersey announced a $25 million investment from federal American Rescue Plan funds would be allocated to RevolutionNJ, in partnership with the New Jersey Historical Commission and Crossroads of the American Revolution, to help restore the following Revolutionary War sites: Monmouth Battlefield State Park Washington Crossing State Park Trenton’s Old Barracks Battle Monument in Trenton Princeton Battlefield State Park Proprietary House in Perth Amboy The Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield Wallace House in Somerville Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth Rockingham in Kingston New Jersey is also investing in the construction of a brand new permanent gallery space in downtown Trenton, at the New Jersey State Archives. Along with the State Museum, this new gallery will launch an exhibit examining New Jersey's Revolutionary story and will showcase some of the state's foundational historic documents to the public. “The 2,727 members of The New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution are thrilled to collaborate with Governor Murphy, Lt. Governor Way, and other leaders within our state and communities, in the celebration of America 250! New Jersey Daughters are working on many different initiatives, including cataloging the names and service of every person who fought in a battle within New Jersey and by placing DAR America250 markers throughout the state to honor the service of the women and men who served during the Revolution along with many other projects to get New Jersey citizens involved in this upcoming celebration,” said Diane Waugh Oliver, State Regent, New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. About RevolutionNJ RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey. About The Battle of Monmouth On June 28, 1778, the land that is now Monmouth Battlefield State Park was the site of one of the longest battles of the American Revolutionary War. There, Washington restored his force’s reputation battered by defeats in 1777. In the day-long battle in the hills, wood lots, farm fields and meadows, the main Continental Army, retrained at Valley Forge, repulsed attacks by the main British Army.?By the end of the battle, over 600 people were dead, dying, or wounded and the Continental Army held the field.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-calls-on-epa-to-ban-use-of-paraquat-to-protect-farmworkers-and-rural-communities,Booker Calls on EPA to Ban Use of Paraquat to Protect Farmworkers and Rural Communities,2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and his Senate colleagues sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to ban the use of paraquat, a highly toxic pesticide linked to severe health risks, including Parkinson’s disease and various forms of cancer. “Paraquat is a highly toxic pesticide whose continued use cannot be justified given its harms to farmworkers and rural communities. We write to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the use of paraquat in the United States,” the Senators wrote. “Paraquat has been linked to Parkinson’s disease, thyroid cancer, and other health harms such as kidney, liver, and respiratory damage, and reproductive harm, including neurodevelopmental impact on developing fetuses. In rural areas, exposure to paraquat and other pesticides during pregnancy can increase the risk of leukemia,” the Senators continued. There has been a global movement away from paraquat, with over 70 countries—including China, Brazil, and members of the European Union—banning its use. Additionally, data from the EPA indicates that the majority of U.S. farmers do not rely on paraquat for their crops. Given the documented health hazards associated with paraquat, the case for its ban is clear. The EPA must prioritize the safety and well-being of farmworkers and rural communities, who should not be subjected to preventable health harms. “We urge you to protect the health of farmworkers and rural residents by banning paraquat,” the Senators concluded. The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT). To read the full text of the letter, click here. Earlier this month, 47 Members of Congress sent a letter to the EPA, also urging a ban on paraquat. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-and-county-executive-benson-celebrate-47-million-federal-grant-for-mercer-to-replace-lincoln-avenue-bridge-in-trenton,Rep. Watson Coleman & County Executive Benson Celebrate $47 Million Federal Grant for Mercer to Replace Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton,2024-10-31,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,NJ,Bonnie Watson Coleman,W000822,watsoncoleman.house.gov,watsoncoleman,https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Trenton, NJ (Thursday, October 31, 2024) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Mercer County Executive Dan Benson announced a $47 million federal grant award to replace the Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program (BIP), a Biden-Harris Administration initiative to replace, rehabilitate, improve, and preserve bridges across the country. The program is a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Rep. Watson Coleman voted for, and President Biden signed. At the beginning of this year, Rep. Watson Coleman sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, encouraging the Department to approve Mercer County’s application for this grant. Senator Cory Booker also strongly advocated for Mercer County’s grant application, providing letters of support for three consecutive years, including in January of this year. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Rep. Watson Coleman works tirelessly to ensure the Department of Transportation has the resources necessary for grant programs like the BIP. “I am so excited to announce this significant investment from the Biden-Harris Administration to replace the Lincoln Avenue Bridge,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “This funding will replace the existing structure with a safer, more reliable, and more durable passage across Assunpink Creek. Thousands of Trentonians rely on the Lincoln Ave bridge, which provides a key footpath to Trenton Central High School. I’m incredibly grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration, Secretary Buttigieg, Mercer County, and the City of Trenton for their partnership.” “The Lincoln Avenue Bridge has served Trenton’s residents for generations but has now reached the end of its lifespan,” said Senator Booker. “I am proud to have helped secure this unprecedented $47 million investment to replace this century-old bridge, and ensure everyone in Mercer County has access to safe and reliable infrastructure for years to come.” Spanning 687 feet, the Lincoln Avenue Bridge is the longest county-owned bridge in Mercer, and at ninety-three years it is also one of the oldest. The bridge crosses both the Assunpink Creek and Amtrak’s busy Northeast Corridor Rail Line, connecting neighborhoods and serving as a primary conduit for students on their way to and from Trenton Central High School. Mercer County began Concept Development on the Bridge Replacement Project in 2015, as it became clear that the current structure was reaching the end of its lifespan. The Federal BIP grant will cover most of the project’s estimated $63 million cost, with the remainder coming from Mercer County and from funds provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). “I want to thank Senator Booker and Congresswoman Watson Coleman for partnering with us to procure the largest infrastructure grant in Mercer County history,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “For nearly a century, the Lincoln Avenue Bridge has tied together neighborhoods in our Capital City, and by replacing the aging structure we ensure that this corridor remains safe and accessible to Trenton residents for generations to come. We’re excited to kick off another major public works project for Mercer County, and we look forward to using local union labor to build under a Project Labor Agreement.” Planning on the project is expected to finish next year, and has included input from various stakeholders, including the City of Trenton, Amtrak, NJ Transit, The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. The bridge will be replaced in phases so that one lane will remain open at all times. “The DOT’s Bridge Investment Program funding is essential for advancing the Lincoln Avenue Bridge project,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. This funding will not only enhance accessibility and safety for our community, but will also ensure that our infrastructure is equipped to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. We are grateful for this investment in our Capital City.” ""In 2024, Mercer County has made significant strides to ensure our financial house is in order,” said Mercer County Commissioner Chair John Cimino. As an engineering professional, I recognize that a $47 million grant for a single bridge is an uncommon achievement. I look forward to many more successes like this in the future."" “New Jersey appreciates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure to improve our local communities,” said NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor. “This $47 million federal grant to replace the Lincoln Avenue Bridge over Amtrak and the Assunpink Creek in Trenton provides critical funding to get this project to construction to ensure we have a safe transportation system for all users – whether they are driving, biking, walking, or riding a train.” “The residents of Trenton and greater Mercer County lead busy lives, which has put strain on our aging infrastructure. This substantial federal grant to replace the Lincoln Avenue Bridge will help ensure that every trip made is safe and efficient for years to come,” said Senator Shirley K. Turner. “I thank Rep. Watson Coleman and County Executive Benson for their dedication to this project and their commitment to improving our community’s transportation system.” “This is a sterling example of when government and community partners come together to do big things for the benefit of the community they serve,” said Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli. “Repairing, replacing, and maintaining infrastructure like the Lincoln Ave. Bridge is critical to bring social and economic equity to the local neighborhood, the City of Trenton, and Mercer County as a whole. Thank you, County Executive Benson and our federal partners, for their leadership and financial support of the critical endeavor.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-secures-47-million-federal-grant-for-mercer-county-to-replace-100-year-old-lincoln-avenue-bridge-in-trenton,Booker Secures $47 Million Federal Grant for Mercer County to Replace 100-Year-Old Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton,2024-10-31,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"NEWARK N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced $47 million in federal funding to replace the nearly century-old Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton, New Jersey. This funding was awarded to Mercer County through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Bridge Investment Program (BIP). Senator Booker strongly advocated for Mercer County’s grant application, providing letters of support for three consecutive years, including in January of this year. This grant is part of a new round of funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will build, repair, and modernize regionally significant bridges in 19 states. The FWHA announced nearly $635 million total for 22 small and medium-sized bridge projects with the funding for the Lincoln Avenue Bridge being the fourth largest award in this announcement. The County’s Lincoln Avenue Bridge Replacement Project will include the construction of a new bridge over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Rail Line, an inactive rail yard, and Assunpink Creek, which is a tributary of the Delaware River. The bridge, which was built in 1931 and has served Trenton’s communities for decades, is now close to structural failure and in need of urgent replacement. “The Lincoln Avenue Bridge has served Trenton’s residents for generations but has now reached the end of its lifespan,” said Senator Booker. “I am proud to have helped secure this unprecedented $47 million investment to replace this century-old bridge, and ensure everyone in Mercer County has access to safe and reliable infrastructure for years to come.” “I am so excited to announce this significant investment from the Biden-Harris Administration to improve the Lincoln Avenue Bridge,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “This funding will improve the safety, reliability, and durability of the Lincoln Ave bridge, which thousands of Trentonians cross daily, whether to get to work, pick up their kids, run to the grocery store, attend school, or meet up with friends. I’m incredibly grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration, Secretary Buttigieg, Mercer County, and the City of Trenton for their partnership.” “I want to thank Senator Booker and Congresswoman Watson Coleman for partnering with us to procure the largest infrastructure grant in Mercer County history. For nearly a century The Lincoln Avenue Bridge has tied together neighborhoods in our Capital City, and by replacing the aging structure we ensure that this corridor remains safe and accessible to Trenton residents for generations to come. We’re excited to kick off another major public works project for Mercer County, and we look forward to using local labor to build under a Project Labor Agreement,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413397,New BOEM-DOD offshore wind agreement heightens concerns over whether approved projects have been properly vetted by U.S. military,2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today slammed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to collaborate on offshore wind development, saying the haphazard move “heightens serious concerns over whether projects that have already been approved were thoroughly and properly vetted by the U.S. military for adverse impacts on national security and military readiness.” “It is extremely disconcerting that BOEM is only now deciding to define roles and duties with the Defense Department for offshore wind leasing and project review after 10 projects have already been fully approved by the Biden-Harris Administration with more lined up,” said Smith. “BOEM’s own analysis for the Atlantic Shores South project acknowledges that the offshore wind turbines would specifically interfere with federal and military radar systems, even mentioning Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst by name,” said Smith. “And yet shockingly, BOEM has already issued full federal approval for construction to move forward—even before reaching this new agreement to work with the Defense Department.” According to BOEM, the memorandum of understanding includes calls for BOEM and DOD to: · “Collaborate as early as possible in the offshore wind leasing process”; · “Regularly communicate and exchange information at the staff and leadership levels”; and · “Determine what areas should be deferred from leasing to enable the performance of DOD activities.” “Anyone who has been paying close attention to the shoddy and reckless approval process for these offshore wind projects will not be fooled by this after-the-fact proposal—which is far too little and far too late,” said Smith. “For years, we have been pointing out the lack of serious scrutiny and proper vetting for these projects—especially and including the likely dire impacts on national security and military readiness—but the Biden-Harris Administration has ignored our concerns,” Smith said. “In fact, the implementation of this agreement so late in the process begs the question of what national security threats have been downplayed or neglected by BOEM over the past few years during its reckless, fast-track approval process,” said Smith. In Congress, Smith has been leading efforts to raise the alarm over the serious threats that rapid offshore wind industrialization poses to U.S. national security in addition to other wide-ranging adverse impacts. Last year, Smith introduced legislation—which was passed by the House of Representatives in July 2023—that would require presidential certification that offshore wind projects would not “weaken, degrade, interfere with, or nullify the capability of radar relied upon by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Armed Forces.” Smith’s legislative effort came shortly after BOEM Director Liz Klein failed to offer specific details when pressed by Smith at a congressional hearing on whether offshore wind projects would make military vessel navigation less safe. Their exchange occurred just one week after Bloomberg reported that the Pentagon had deemed several areas off the East Coast as “highly problematic” for offshore wind development due to proximity to military operations. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5C0579A3-9DAE-451F-98A1-35C22F8B128D,"Rep. Norcross Presents $750,000 in Community Project Funding for the Redevelopment of John Lucas House in Gibbsboro",2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,NJ,Donald Norcross,N000188,norcross.house.gov,norcross,https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) presented $750,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) to the Borough of Gibbsboro to redevelop the John Lucas House into a community event space. The funding was secured through the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding package and will be used to assist in lead paint remediation, construct kitchen and restroom facilities, and repair structural deficiencies at the John Lucas House. The Borough envisions the house as the center for activities on Silver Lake and will be used to host public and private events. ""Community Project Funding grants invest in our communities and support economic development, job creation, and critical projects that improve the quality of life,” Rep. Norcross said. “Bringing neighbors together for events is important for fostering a sense of community, and it’s an honor to have secured this funding to make this new event space a reality.” “The FY2024 Congressional designated spending for the transformation of the former home of John Lucas into an events venue at Silver Lake in Gibbsboro complements the redevelopment of the former Paint Works Corporate Center into a destination with townhomes, walking trails, restaurants and office space,” said?Mayor Ed Campbell. “Gibbsboro is forever grateful to Congressman Norcross for his continued support for this important project and for his persistent dedication to seeing the three superfund sites in Gibbsboro fully remediated and the Borough's effort toward economic redevelopment."" Rep. Norcross recently secured 14 CPF awards totaling $13,565,031for projects throughout New Jersey’s First Congressional District to support economic development, create jobs, and respond to the most pressing needs of the community. More information on the 14 projects can be found here. Since the creation of CPFs in 2021, Rep. Norcross has secured $28.8 million in awards for local projects throughout South Jersey. CPF awards secured by Rep. Norcross range from road and transportation projects and affordable housing upgrades to improving health care and education accessibility.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-406-million-in-federal-grants-for-new-jersey-projects,Booker Announces $406 Million in Federal Grants for New Jersey Projects,2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"NEWARK N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced a total of $406 million in federal grants being awarded to New Jersey by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). EPA’s 2024 Clean Ports Program (CPP) is awarding the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) $347 million total to execute their plan to implement alternative freight movement and zero-emissions options across the marine terminals operated by the Port Authority and its private sector partners in New York and New Jersey. The program will also award $55 million to the SeaStreak LLC to deploy high-speed zero-emission ferries for service between northern New Jersey and New York City, as well as for accompanying charging infrastructure and for training and workforce development. Additionally, the FRA is awarding $4 million to the Morristown & Erie Railway (ME) to provide more efficient and reliable freight rail operations along a nine-mile railway that runs from Morristown, New Jersey to Roseland, New Jersey. Senator Booker wrote in support of the Port Authority’s and the Morristown & Erie Railway’s applications for these projects in May and July of this year, respectively. The Port Authority’s “Catalyzing Change: Zero Emissions NY-NJ Port Projects for a Greener Future” plan is receiving $344 million to establish a sustainable zero emissions operation at the Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest container port on the East Coast and third largest in the country. The Port Authority’s Port Master Plan 2050 would commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The second grant of $3 million would fund a drayage truck movement study, increased community air monitoring, and the establishment of a Ports Community Advisory Council. “EPA’s $347 million award to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to execute their ‘Catalyzing Change’ plan is a huge win for New Jersey, and a bold step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Senator Booker. “Investing in zero-emissions technologies and enhancing our freight operations will help us protect our environment and boost our regional economy. I am proud to have supported this award that will create jobs, improve air quality, protect our planet, and ensure that our supply chain remains efficient and resilient.” “We appreciate the recognition and support from our government and community partners to ensure the critical work at the Port of New York and New Jersey is accomplished with an eye toward the future,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This funding will reverberate well beyond the docks, allowing us to work together with nearby communities to ensure that the busiest port on the East Coast sets a new standard for collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.” “We’re immensely grateful and thrilled to receive this significant funding from the EPA, allowing us to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission equipment across our port facilities,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This award is a crucial step forward in our commitment to sustainability and will help us meet the Agency’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. We are grateful for the EPA’s partnership as the Port Authority continues our aggressive pursuit of our climate agenda.” “These extraordinary awards represent a significant step toward our community engagement and sustainability efforts, and we extend our sincere appreciation to all of the port partners who made it happen,” said Bethann Rooney, port director at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “The cargo moved through the Port radiates out across the country, but it would not be possible without the collaboration of the port community. Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice as we look to maximize the impact of every dollar to deliver cleaner air, new equipment, and a port that leads the way on sustainability and community engagement.” ""Ports are essential to moving and bringing us goods that we depend on, but they are also sources of air and climate pollution impacting the surrounding communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. ""By advancing zero-emission technologies, we are tackling air pollution head-on while creating good-paying jobs that support local economies and families. This tremendous investment demonstrates EPA's commitment to environmental and climate justice, and economic opportunity while also ensuring that our port communities can breathe cleaner air.” The grant money for the Morristown-Erie Railway will be awarded through the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. The project will replace five-track miles of 75-year-old lite-weight jointed rail and eight switches with 115-pound or larger rail in addition to other updates. These improvements will minimize derailments and reduce noise levels, and help the railway expand its operations to manage the increase of freight coming in from the Port of New York and New Jersey. “This $4 million grant from the FRA’s CRISI program is a crucial investment in the Morristown & Erie Railway that will enhance the safety and efficiency of our freight operations,” said Senator Booker. “Upgrading our aging infrastructure will benefit freight rail workers and consumers from Morristown to Roseland who rely on these tracks. This project will create jobs, support the local economy, and ensure this railway remains safe and efficient for years to come.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-highlights-over-11-million-dollars-new-fema-safer-and-afg-grants-local,"Kean Highlights Over $1.1 Million Dollars in New FEMA, SAFER and AFG Grants for Local Fire Departments",2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,NJ,"Thomas H. Kean, Jr.",K000398,kean.house.gov,kean,https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"(October 29, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded over $1.1 million dollars for local fire departments in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. In February of this year, Congressman Kean hosted a FEMA AFG Webinar also wrote letters of support for fire departments to receive a FEMA grant in the 7th Congressional District that requested assistance. Congressman Kean’s Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law in July which provided the necessary federal resources through the AFG and SAFER programs. “Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities,” said Congressman Kean. “It is essential that we provide our first responders with the resources they need, and I am grateful to see this funding coming back to the district. Investing in our local fire departments means we are investing in the safety and well-being of our families and neighbors.” ""Our agency is incredibly grateful to be chosen for a 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase new portable radios,” said Matthew Hoffman, Chief of Readington Volunteer Fire Company. “Radio communications are a vital part of our everyday operations and safety of our firefighters as they operate on incidents. These funds will help to take the financial burden off our agency and township in the upgrade process. We appreciate the letter of support from Congressman Kean and his office that was submitted with the application.” “Quakertown Fire Company is thrilled to be receiving a $577,000 FEMA SAFER grant for recruitment and retention,” said Bradley Patkochis, Chief of Quakertown Fire Company. “The importance of AFG and SAFER cannot be understated, particularly the ability for local fire companies to complete critical projects without putting it on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers. Thank you to Congressman Kean for supporting FEMA AFG and SAFER programs through the Fire Grants and Safety Act.” $1,171,231 in total going back to New Jersey’s local fire departments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) were distributed as follows: $60,909 for City of Linden $44,788 for Tri-County Fire Co No 1 of Stephensburg (Hackettstown) $53,705 for Alpha Volunteer Fire Co (Phillipsburg) $189,735 for Readington Volunteer Fire Company $244,761 for Chester Township $577,333 for Quakertown Fire Company (Franklin, Hunterdon Co.) Congressman Kean’s Fire Grants and Safety Act authorizes up to $750 million in funding from fiscal years 2024 through 2028, extending the sunset date of these programs to September 30, 2030. Additionally, it increases funding levels for the U.S. Fire Administration to $95 million in order to support initiatives such as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-delivers-549-million-federal-boost-zero-emission-ferry-project-driving,"Pallone Delivers $54.9 Million Federal Boost for Zero-Emission Ferry Project, Driving Cleaner Transit Solutions for Highlands and Central New Jersey",2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,NJ,"Frank Pallone, Jr.",P000034,pallone.house.gov,pallone,https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Highlands, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. has announced a major win for central New Jersey with $54.9 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program to advance zero-emission high-speed ferries through Seastreak, LLC. This award will support the deployment of zero-emission ferries and essential charging infrastructure, aimed at cutting dangerous pollution and easing travel between New Jersey and Manhattan. Pallone, who helped author the Inflation Reduction Act as the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, championed Seastreak’s proposal as a model for clean, efficient transit in coastal communities. “Bringing these federal dollars back to New Jersey means cleaner air, less traffic on our busiest routes, and a long-term boost for communities like Highlands,” said Pallone. “This project is about more than cutting dangerous pollution; it's about strengthening our local economy and supporting sustainable transit solutions that benefit residents and businesses alike. Projects like this put New Jersey on the cutting edge of homegrown, clean energy.” Headquartered in Atlantic Highlands, Seastreak operates a vital ferry service for thousands of central New Jerseyans daily. This funding allows the company to take a critical first step in its fleet overhaul, advancing zero-emission technology and setting a national example in coastal air quality improvement. The project also includes workforce development initiatives, such as training partnerships with local schools and industry groups. ""Seastreak is committed to being the one of the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry operators in the country,” said James D. Barker, Seastreak Vice President. “High-speed electric ferry technology is a new and quickly evolving space. With this grant, we are excited to contribute to a new frontier in maritime technology while continuing our efforts to improve air quality within the communities we serve. We’re grateful for Congressman Pallone’s work in Congress to make this project possible."" Additionally, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will receive $344 million to expand zero-emission equipment across port operations. Programs like the ZE Equipment for Ports (ZEEP) Voucher Incentive Program and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA) will help replace polluting cargo vehicles and install new charging stations to reduce harmful port emissions affecting neighboring communities. EPA announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3 billion nationwide through EPA’s Clean Ports Program. “Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413396,Smith measure required report in response to death of Kyle Mullen IG report notes some improvements but admonishes Navy to reassess medical capabilities at Hell Week,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher H. Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,chrissmith,https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"In a new report mandated by legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) noted improvements made following Kyle Mullen’s death but admonished the Navy to “reassess” the “medical capabilities” at the Navy SEALs Hell Week training, raising serious questions over whether their medical and communications equipment can “provide the appropriate standard of care” and if their medical staffing requirements “meet clinical demand.” “The new policies following Kyle’s death are welcomed, yet they underscore the grave unnecessary risks that SEAL candidates faced before the critical changes were implemented,” said Smith. “Significantly, the IG report reinforces the findings of the Navy’s May 2023 command investigation into Kyle’s death, which cited ‘failures across multiple systems that led to a number of candidates being at high risk of serious injury,’ including ‘wholly inadequate’ medical monitoring and care during and after Hell Week,” said Smith. “The IG report shows that unnecessary health and safety risks existed and notes that some—but not all—of these failures have been addressed in the wake of the Mullen tragedy.” Proactive Pneumonia Safety Measure. Acute pneumonia was determined to be the cause of Kyle’s death in February 2022. According to the IG, one new policy implemented by the Navy following Kyle’s death was that they now administer prophylactic antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections including cellulitis and pneumonia. Also, one or two medical personnel are now required to be on-site for all Hell Week evolutions. Additionally, the IG reports that “one of the biggest improvements for SEAL candidates” is the Recovery Observation Center (ROC), which it says was established in August 2023 “to provide closer medical oversight of candidates during Hell Week and when Hell Week is complete.” “It is clear as day that there were significant medical shortfalls and lapses when Kyle Mullen and others were training during Hell Week in 2022, and the change is good,” Smith said. “But now, almost three years after Kyle’s death, the IG is still raising significant questions about appropriate standard of care and the Navy’s ability to meet the clinical needs for the brave men who enter this rigorous training program.” The Navy now has 90 days to respond to the proposed recommendations made by the Inspector General following their evaluation. Named the “Kyle Mullen Naval Safety Enhancements,” Smith’s measure was passed by the House of Representatives in July 2022 and incorporated as Section 745 of the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263). The revised provisions directed the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review and report its recommendations for improved medical care and oversight of Navy SEAL training. Smith said the IG report and the continued push for further improvements would not be possible without Kyle’s mother Regina—a registered nurse—and her dedication to ensuring that no other parent must endure her pain. “Regina’s courageous and relentless advocacy in the face of untold suffering has resulted in direct improvements for those who are training for some of our Nation’s most critical missions,” said Smith. “The incredibly tough, brave young men who step up to serve our great Nation deserve the best medical care and attention we can provide,” Smith said. “Regina’s heroic work will no doubt save other young men from injury and even death.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z