November 9, 2023

Dear Friends,

In October, the Republicans chose a new Speaker for the U.S. House of Representatives after an exhausting three-week wait.  Now that we have a new Speaker, the House can return to the business of working for the American people.  Despite the chaos, I have been hard at work to make our district better than before.  I am excited to update you on my efforts in Washington, DC.  

Working to Build a New Hudson River Tunnel

The Hudson River Tunnel.

As the former Chairman and now Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I work constantly to provide funding for the Gateway Program.  This week, I was proud to announce the Biden Administration’s plan to award $4.48 billion in federal funding for transportation and infrastructure improvements throughout New Jersey.  The funding includes $3.8 billion to build a new Hudson River Tunnel between New Jersey and New York. 

I helped write the bill that became the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fought to add $66 billion to it for critical transportation projects, such as the Gateway Program and Hudson River Tunnel.  The current tunnel is 113 years old and needs to be replaced.  Service problems could disrupt travel for 200,000 daily passengers.  Other project funding includes:

- $300 million to repair and rebuild the Dock Bridge between Newark and Harrison, NJ.

- $133 million to replace the Sawtooth Bridge in Kearny, NJ.

- $59 million for internal upgrades to Newark Penn Station, such as new elevators and escalators.

- $22 million to study how to improve rail service between New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Providing Funding for Port Newark 

A vessel enters Port Newark.

It is long past time to upgrade and improve Port Newark.  I have been working to help the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey get federal funding and I am excited to announce that the Biden Administration has awarded $32 million to help the port.  The funding will replace and modernize part of Port Newark, reconstruct the wharf with new enhancements, and protect it from rising sea levels due to climate change.   

Port Newark is part of the largest shipping facility on the East Coast, which generates more than $100 billion in economic activity every year and supports more than 500,000 jobs.  I have been working to modernize it with federal funding and I am proud that these efforts were successful.

Helping Families Obtain Health Care   

Open enrollment to secure health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act started November 1, 2023 and continues until January 15, 2024.

I was proud to help pass President Biden's American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act because they expanded access to affordable healthcare for families in New Jersey's 10th Congressional District and across the country.  

Everyone should have quality health care coverage.  Find out if you are eligible and how to enroll at https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/open-enrollment-for-2024-coverage-starts-soon-get-ready-now/

Hosting Small Businesses Opportunity Forum

Rep. Payne, Jr. talks with a small business owner.

Small businesses are a vital part of our district's economy.  On November 20, 2023, I will host a small business forum in Hudson County for entrepreneurs and small business owners to find out how to turn their business idea into a reality and transform their small business into a larger one.  The event begins at 11 a.m. and it will be held at the Urban League of Hudson County at 253 Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact my district office at (973) 645-3213. 

Supporting our Veterans

Rep. Payne, Jr. speaks with a veteran.

This Saturday is Veterans Day.  It is a time to celebrate and honor the men and women who have served in America's military.  I have always respected our veterans and do everything I can to provide them the benefits they deserve.

For example, I helped pass the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.  This law is the most significant expansion of benefits and services for Veterans who have been exposed to toxins in more than 30 years. It expands and extends eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability compensation for Veterans with toxic exposures as well as Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras.  It adds more exposure locations for Agent Orange and nuclear radiation, requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care, and it helps improve the VA’s research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.

Since the PACT Act became law in 2022, Veterans and families have submitted more than 1.1 million claims under this law and received more than $2.4 billion in newly-earned benefits.  I am extremely proud of my work to help these brave American heroes.    

It remains my privilege to work for you.  Please contact me through my district offices and social media to let me know how I can serve you best.

Sincerely,

Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Member of Congress