How a Government Shutdown Would Affect New Jersey

Dear Neighbors,

With just one day until government funding runs out, extreme right-wing Republicans continue to make radical demands and fight with each other. Their recklessness will drive America into a shutdown that will hurt working families, damage our economy, and threaten our national security.

A government shutdown would have serious consequences for Americans across the country. Here in New Jersey that includes:

28,890 federal workers, who would be furloughed or forced to work without pay, in addition to the many employees of businesses with government contracts who could be laid off, furloughed, or see their hours cut.
777,217 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries could potentially lose access to benefits in a prolonged shutdown.
18,562 active-duty servicemembers and reserve personnel, who would continue to work to keep our country safe without receiving their paychecks.
166,841 women, children, and infants could soon lose access to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.
More than 1,500 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Officers, who would have to show up to do their critical jobs without getting paid. In previous shutdowns, this led to significant delays and longer wait times for travelers at airports across the country.

It's past time for House Republicans to stop holding our economy hostage with their political games.

The Importance of the Brownfields Program

The Brownfields Program is a shining example of how government can both stimulate economic growth and protect public health in local communities. This week, we held a hearing in my Energy and Commerce Committee on a proposal to update and reauthorize the program, which I originally authored when it was created in 2002.

Over the last 20 years, the Brownfields Program has been an economic engine for local government and communities looking to turn former contaminated sites into economic centers and green spaces. As part of this program, the federal government provides financial help in the form of loans or grants for cleanup, assessments, and job training so communities can turn dilapidated sites into parks, public housing, or new business centers.

By revitalizing these properties – communities are growing their economies for the future and creating good-paying jobs. For every dollar we invest in the Brownfields Program we get twenty dollars back in economic return. Read more here

Click here to visit my website or call my offices directly if you have questions or need help with a federal agency:

Middlesex County: 732-249-8892

Monmouth County: 732-571-1140

Sincerely,

Congressman Pallone