Dear Neighbors,I joined Governor Murphy this week to announce that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have granted New Jersey the flexibility to use $425 million in federal funding to improve transit infrastructure, including $315 million for NJ TRANSIT and $110 million for federal transportation projects.Our announcement was made in Long Branch at the NJ TRANSIT Train Station. With this flexibility in funding, New Jersey will be able to use an additional $7.9 million of federal funds to complete a project to build a new pedestrian tunnel to connect the east and west sides of the city that are currently divided by the rail corridor. This funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the $13.2 million that I previously secured from the U.S. Department of Transportation.I’m proud that this federal funding is coming to New Jersey to bolster our transit system and expedite transportation projects across the state. I’ll keep working to secure federal funding for projects that make our communities more accessible and safer for families who rely on public transit.Standing with American WorkersOn Labor Day, I marched in the South Plainfield parade. It was great to see many local leaders and a big crowd out in support of America’s workers. I'm proud to stand with unions and American workers as we celebrated the many contributions that they make to our country. The Biden Administration has advanced a pro-union agenda with the U.S. Department of Labor proposing rules that put American workers first. The results are higher wages, lower unemployment, and better working conditions.Federal Funding to Support Perth Amboy FirefightersLast week, I announced that Perth Amboy will receive $3.6 million in federal funding to support 12 additional firefighters. The funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) funding grant. The funding will help the city maintain adequate staffing to meet the needs of the city’s growing population and keep residents safe and healthy.Congressional App ChallengeMy office is once again participating in the Congressional App Challenge this year, and I invite all middle school and high school students from New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District to participate. This is an excellent opportunity for students to explore and develop their skills in STEM, coding, and computer science.The Congressional App Challenge is the official computer science competition of the House of Representatives. Since its inception in 2013, winning the Congressional App Challenge has grown to become the most prestigious prize in computer science. Over 30,000 students have participated in the Congressional App Challenge across 308 Congressional Districts in 49 states and five U.S. territories. My office has participated in the Challenge since 2017 and I have always been amazed by our students’ creations. The apps can be about any theme or topic and students can use any programming language. Apps can include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in design but cannot be created by AI. Students can participate as individuals or in teams of up to four. Interested students can register to participate by visiting the Congressional App Challenge website where the rules, prizes, and past winners can be found here. All apps must be submitted before November 1st, 2023. For any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected] or call my New Brunswick Office.Click here to visit my website or call my offices directly if you have questions or need help with a federal agency:Middlesex County: 732-249-8892Monmouth County: 732-571-1140Sincerely, Congressman Pallone