Dear Neighbors,
I introduced a bill this week that would prohibit tianeptine, commonly known as “gas station heroin,” from being marketed to consumers. Tianeptine is an unapproved drug that is marketed as a purported dietary supplement and sold under labels such as “Neptune’s Fix.”
The Prohibiting Tianeptine and Other Dangerous Products Act would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to prohibit the marketing of products, such as tianeptine, as dietary supplements.
It’s clear that these products pose a serious threat to consumers and are jeopardizing the health of our communities, particularly our kids. Ingestion of the drug has led to an increase in calls to poison control centers and severe adverse effects requiring visits to emergency rooms nationwide. According to America’s Poison Control Centers, 391 tianeptine cases were reported nationwide last year, including 27 in New Jersey.
These dangerous products do not belong on store shelves, which is why I introduced this bill to empower FDA to prohibit the marketing of “gas station heroin” to protect consumers. Read more here
Federal Funding Coming to New Jersey to Bolster Solar Energy
New Jersey will receive a major federal investment from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand solar energy access in the state. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will receive $156.1 million from the Solar for All Program to deploy solar energy to New Jersey households.
The award is expected to fund solar projects for tens of thousands of households in the state. The funding comes from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which was created in the Inflation Reduction Act that I helped author as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress.
This announcement is a huge step forward in the transition to a clean economy. These investments will help ensure New Jersey is ready to do our part to tackle the challenges of the climate crisis head on. I fought to include significant funding for investments in renewable energy so that we can empower Americans with new, good-paying jobs, lower energy costs, and access to clean energy.
Important Upgrades to Piscataway’s Emergency Response System
I was in Piscataway this week to highlight federal funding I secured for the Township. Piscataway will receive $963,000 to upgrade its police radio system and improve communication between township officials and other police agencies. President Biden signed the legislation into law on March 8.
