Dear neighbor:

Congratulations to all the New Jersey athletes who brought home medals from the Paris Olympics, especially those with roots in NJ06! It’s inspiring to see Kahleah Copper winning gold in basketball, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone setting a world record in the 400M hurdles and securing gold in the 4x400 meter relay, Casey Murphy excelling with a medal in soccer, and Sebastian Rivera achieving a medal in wrestling. These athletes have made our state proud by showcasing their talents on the world stage.

Last weekend, as I traveled across the district meeting with constituents, I had the pleasure of joining the India Day Parade in Edison and Woodbridge, where we celebrated the contributions of the Indian-American community to our district. Their vibrant culture and community spirit are a true asset to New Jersey. I also visited the Chabad at the Jersey Shore to meet with Jewish leaders and discuss the troubling rise in antisemitism. I want to make it clear that I will continue to speak out against hate and stand firmly against antisemitism in all its forms.

I also want to take a moment to personally thank the incredible summer interns in my DC, Long Branch, and New Brunswick offices. Their energy, dedication, and fresh perspectives have made a real difference in our work, and it's been inspiring to see them start their public service journeys with us. These young leaders are not just helping us today; they're laying the groundwork for the future of our community and our country.

Lower Prescription Drug Costs Coming to New Jersey Seniors

I'm proud to announce a historic victory for New Jersey seniors: the Inflation Reduction Act now allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time. This groundbreaking move will benefit over 1.3 million Medicare enrollees in our state, with $101 million in savings expected for 353,000 Medicare Part D enrollees. With this law, insulin costs will be capped at $35 per month, and essential vaccines will be available at no cost for Medicare Part D enrollees. Read more here.

Urgent Findings on Reproductive Health Crisis Post-Roe v. Wade

On Wednesday, I held a roundtable discussion at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to delve into the critical findings of a new report from my committee on the devastating impacts of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. This report uncovers that in restrictive states, OBGYN residency programs are facing a 70% reduction in abortion training. As a result, patients in these states are experiencing severe complications, including a 20% increase in life-threatening conditions due to delayed care. The strain isn't limited to restrictive states—New Jersey and other protective states are grappling with a 30% surge in out-of-state patients, overwhelming our resources. The mental toll on our medical professionals is staggering, with nearly half of the surveyed providers reporting symptoms of burnout and moral distress. These findings highlight the urgent need to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, ensuring that both patients and providers receive the support and care they deserve across the nation. Read more here.

Taking Action to Protect the North Atlantic Right Whale

$679,000 in federal funding is going to New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)’s Flammang Lab to tackle the urgent task of saving the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. As one of the authors of the Inflation Reduction Act, I made sure we focused on protecting our oceans and addressing environmental crises like this. This funding will help researchers closely monitor the health of these whales, which are at serious risk from threats like fishing gear entanglements. We’re also putting $6.9 million toward developing safer fishing gear to prevent these deadly incidents. It’s a crucial step to ensure these whales—and our planet’s biodiversity—have a fighting chance. 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