June Wrap-up

Above: Gottheimer announces an indefinite pause in the implementation of the Congestion Tax.

Congressman Gottheimer highlighted New York’s decision to indefinitely pause the implementation of the Congestion Tax ahead of its planned June 30 start date. After a five year fight, this decision will protect families and children from cancer-causing pollution and save hardworking Jersey families, commuters, and small business owners thousands of dollars every year. 

Gottheimer has fought the Congestion Tax for five years — through bipartisan bills, freedom of information requests, letters, and by forming the Congressional Anti-Congestion Tax Caucus. The decision is a major victory for New Jersey families, commuters, and small businesses. It will allow New Jersey and New York to continue their cooperative relationship at the Port Authority and pass billions of dollars worth of commerce through the region.

Above: Gottheimer announces the "Jobs Plan for America's Veterans."

Congressman Gottheimer joined the Fort Lee VFW to announce his new “Jobs Plan for America’s Veterans,” which will help our nation’s heroes secure quality jobs after they transition to civilian life. 

Gottheimer’s "Jobs Plan for America's Veterans" includes:

• A letter to Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs Denis McDonough and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging them to develop a skills-based badging program for competencies that veterans learn while serving like IT, logistics, and electrical work.
• New legislation as part of the FY2025 Veterans’ Affairs funding package, which expands support in the VA Transition Assistance Program.
• Support for the Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act of 2024, which will invest $50 million across three states to create veterans’ manufacturing pilot programs.

Above: Gottheimer announces new action to claw back federal investment for renovation of the Port Authority Bus Terminal

Congressman Gottheimer visited the Port Authority Bus Terminal to call on federal officials to deliver key investment for the terminal’s eight-year, $10-billion renovation project. Twenty percent of the nation’s GDP runs through the tri-state area, and thousands of Jersey commuters rely on the bus terminal every day.

Gottheimer urged the Department of Transportation to favorably evaluate the Port Authority Bus Terminal’s application for a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program loan, a foundational first step to advancing the renovation. Gottheimer helped strengthen the TIFIA program while crafting and helping pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. 

Gottheimer has long been a supporter of mass transit. In 2021, he worked across the aisle to craft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which will deliver $4.5 billion for public transportation in New Jersey by 2026 including millions for Newark Penn Station. Because of Gottheimer's strong advocacy in Washington, the federal government will cover the outstanding $6.8 billion costs for the Gateway Program, saving taxpayers’ money across the tri-state area.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable with North Jersey LGBTQ+ advocates and community organizations, focused on key issues facing the LGBTQ+ community including access to healthcare, homelessness, mental health, and protections under the law. Gottheimer also announced new legislation, the Elder Pride Protection Act, which he is leading with Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota. This legislation will create a taskforce at the Department of Justice, focused on combating rising abuse against elderly LGBTQ+ Americans.

“It’s a privilege to represent North Jersey’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community and our Jersey Values in Congress, the first of which is freedom: freedom to be who you want to be and love who you want to live. Freedom to live free of fear, discrimination, and hate,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “I will always oppose any attempt by those in Washington or around the country to roll back the clock on progress. At the end of the day, equality shouldn’t be a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s an American issue.”

Above: Gottheimer with North Jersey LGBTQ+ advocates and community leaders

As always, if you’re experiencing an issue with a federal agency, Congressman Gottheimer's Constituent Service team is here to listen & help with VA benefits, Social Security, Medicare, & much more.

Call at 201-389-1100 or email [email protected].

You can also follow Congressman Gottheimer's Twitter here, Facebook here, and Instagram here.

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