January 12, 2024

2023 YEAR-END HIGHLIGHTS

Dear Friends,

Rep. Payne greets constituents during Memorial Day event.

It continues to be an honor to serve you.  Every day, I am working to support American families and workers. Last year, I helped secure $10.7 billion to repair the Hudson River Tunnel and begin construction on a new one under the river.   Also, I spent the year fighting to improve health care benefits for veterans, protecting and strengthening Social Security, preserving our environment, promoting increased federal resources for cancer research and prevention, and passing my bill to guarantee that first responders have modern equipment and technology.

But there is still much work to be done to address the issues that face our country.  In 2024, I have a bill to lower gun violence through a federal gun buyback program. Another bill would protect American cash as a form of payment for goods and services. Last year, I helped pass legislation which lowered the price of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries. Now, I want to lower the prices for insulin and other life-saving medications for all Americans.  Below are a few highlights of my work in Congress and the district in 2023.            

Federal Grants for NJ-10

In 2023, I helped secure 572 federal grants worth more than $346 million to help the cities, communities, and projects in our district.           

Working to Protect Americans from Gun Violence   

Rep. Payne, Jr. speaks at anti-gun violence event.

In 2023, I introduced my Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act to attack our nation’s epidemic of gun violence. The bill, H.R. 1361, provides federal grants to local communities to organize gun buyback programs.  This will help get guns off the street, stimulate local economies, and save American lives.  There is no gun violence without guns.  Gun buyback programs have proven effective at the state and local level to reduce gun violence. Now, we need a national program to give every community the funds necessary to address this epidemic.    

Making Sure the U.S. Economy Works for ALL Americans 

More and more businesses want to eliminate cash payment for goods and services nationwide. I introduced my Payment Choice Act to protect American currency as a form of payment at retail establishments.  The bill, H.R. 4128, would make it illegal for retail businesses to reject cash for in-person, consumer transactions.  

Every American should have the right to pay in cash.  Many businesses have gone cashless and accept only digital payments because they want your purchase and your personal data. But cash is the only option available for millions of Americans as they pay for food, housing, and other essentials.  Also, I am concerned about the safety and privacy of the data that businesses are collecting from consumers during routine purchases.  Besides, American cash is a lesson in American history.  A few years ago, we fought over who should be represented on our currency.  Now, businesses want to eliminate currency completely.         

Fighting PAD to Save Limbs and Lives 

Rep. Payne, Jr. promotes his ARC Act in Congress.

During my time in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of actions to reduce unnecessary limb amputations due to Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD.  This  blood disease is similar to health conditions that causes heart attacks, but it attacks arms and legs instead.    If left untreated, it can cut off the blood circulation in limbs and lead to amputations or even death. 

I introduced my Amputation Reduction and Compassion (ARC) Act to help PAD patients and people at risk.   The bipartisan bill, H.R. 4261, requires Medicare and Medicaid to fully cover screening tests for beneficiaries who are at-risk of PAD.  Too many Americans undergo a preventable amputation because of PAD every year.  We need to prevent these tragic incidents.  PAD is treatable if caught early enough, so screenings are vital to reducing these preventable amputations.  if we can make screenings more accessible to Americans, it will save limbs and lives.

Providing Food for Low-Income Families 

Rep. Payne, Jr. gives Thanksgiving dinner to local veteran.

America has enough economic and natural resources to help low-income American families put food on the table to survive difficult times. But there are many Americans who are not able to get the benefits they need due to their living conditions. 

I introduced the SNAP Benefits Fairness Act (H.R. 1765) to adjust how our country calculates Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to make sure all eligible Americans are able to get the food they need.

Securing Paid Sick Leave for our Railroad Workers

As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I know that it is critical to support our freight rail workers. In 2023, I introduced a bill to provide these workers seven days of paid sick leave. It is a benefit enjoyed by millions of Americans already and it is the least we can do for these vital 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 their allotted vacation time. These workers risked their lives to keep food and medicine on American store shelves during the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill would provide them the paid sick leave they deserve.

Helping Constituents with Federal Services

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.  I wish you peace, joy and prosperity in the new year! 

Sincerely,

Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Member of Congress