June 5, 2023

Dear Friends,

It continues to be a pleasure to serve you.  I wanted to update you on a few of the things I have been doing to help you and your family in May. 

SAVING THE COUNTRY FROM ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE

Rep. Payne, Jr. greets constituents during a Memorial Day event.

On May 31, I voted for a bill to protect America from a debt default and halt a potential economic catastrophe.  The bill, the Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3746):

- Raises the debt ceiling for two years and continues to fund critical programs that benefit millions of Americans. 

- Protects Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from cuts and fully funds health care for American veterans. 

- Continues to support food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

- Supports critical American investments in alternative energy, education, childcare, and student loan debt relief.    

America must pay its bills to save millions of jobs and keep the economy running smoothly.  The Fiscal Responsibility Act was a necessary step to avoid a possible economic depression.  I commend President Biden for his leadership in working with both Democrats and Republicans to increase the debt ceiling.  The President signed the bill into law on June 4, 2023.    

IMPROVING HEALTH CARE

Rep. Payne, Jr. discusses his colorectal cancer bill.

I reintroduced the Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act (H.R. 3382) to provide Medicare beneficiaries with comprehensive coverage for colorectal cancer.  Instead of waiting until 2030 for such coverage, this bill requires Medicare to provide it by 2025.

Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, but it has one of the highest survival rates if it is treated early.  My bill will help Americans detect it early and save lives.  I have worked diligently to increase colorectal cancer screenings since my father, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Sr., died from it in 2012.  I do not want other families to lose their fathers and loved ones due to a lack of coverage.

PROVIDING PROPER SICK LEAVE TO RAILROAD WORKERS

Rep. Payne, Jr.'s bill

As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I introduced a bill to provide seven days of paid sick leave to railroad workers.  The bill, the Freight Rail Workforce Health and Safety Act (H.R. 3255), would allow rail employees to care for their health or the health of a family member without using vacation time.  It would give railroad workers the same health benefit provided to millions of working Americans in other professions.    

Every American worker should have the right to paid sick leave.  I am disappointed that the railroad industry did not provide this benefit on its own, especially when it provides it to railroad management.  These frontline workers risked their health during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep food and medicine on store shelves.  They deserve paid sick leave to care for their own health.  

HELPING VETERANS WITH THEIR BENEFITS 

Recently, I helped pass a new law to help millions of American veterans get the health care they need.  The law, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (or Honoring Our PACT) Act, provides additional health care benefits for five million American veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits.

Rep. Payne, Jr. chats with a veteran.

The law directs doctors to examine veterans for cancer, radiation exposure, hypertension and 23 other illnesses as well as make more veterans eligible for medical treatments for these diseases faster.  Many of these veterans developed deadly cancers based on their exposure to toxins, like Agent Orange, or chemicals from burn pits, locations on military bases where military personnel burn trash and hazardous waste.  Links to sites to apply for these veterans benefits are below, including free physicals to detect ailments in registered and unregistered veterans.  Please pass them along to a veteran or veterans' groups in your area. 

How to Apply for Veterans' Assistance 

Please read this guide to benefits for New Jersey veterans here.

Contact the national Veterans Administration here.

PROMOTING YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS

Jeret Perez's "Golden Boy"

In May, I hosted my Congressional Art Competition.  It is an annual event organized by members of Congress to promote art and provide local students with a platform to showcase their artistic abilities.  I have been a strong supporter of the arts throughout my time in office because it is a great outlet for personal expression.  The overall winner of the competition will have the winning piece of art displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year in a place where members of Congress and tourists view it daily. 

This year’s winner was Jaret Perez from Arts High School in Newark with his work named “Golden Boy.”  But I was extremely proud of all the participants and their entries.

If you have any questions or need help with a federal benefits issue, please contact me at any of my offices listed below.

Sincerely,

Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Member of Congress