April Wrap-Up

Above: Gottheimer announces new action to protect against President Trump’s reckless tariffs. 

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined local business leaders in Westwood to announce new action to protect Jersey families, small businesses, and farmers from higher costs and to make life more affordable. Gottheimer announced new legislation that would require the President to submit a clear strategy to Congress to justify imposing tariffs for emergency purposes.

Gottheimer’s Plan to Fight Abusive Tariffs:

• First, Gottheimer introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Trade Review Act to limit the President’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs without the approval of Congress and stop these reckless tariffs.
• Second, Gottheimer introduced the Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act, to require the President to submit a clear strategy to Congress to justify imposing tariffs for emergency purposes.
• Third, Gottheimer also joined 46 of his colleagues in a letter calling on President Trump to reconsider the 25% tariffs on imported building materials from Canada and Mexico.
• Gottheimer announced a new online portal where Jersey families and small businesses can make their voices heard on how tariffs are hurting them.
  
  • Gottheimer will send these comments to the White House and U.S. Trade Representative to help ensure Jersey voices are heard.

“When asked about the impact of auto prices on our wallets, Trump said he ‘couldn’t care less.’ Instead, he wants to double down on reckless and chaotic policies. None of this makes our country stronger — it only raises costs across the board,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “When it comes to tariffs, we need a targeted approach that doesn’t put the bullseye on our own economy. From the beginning, I have been laser-focused on making life more affordable for Jersey families. The President’s planned sweeping tariffs, including on our key trading partners and allies, will do just the opposite.”

Above: Gottheimer joins local leaders to take on utility companies charging hardworking families.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new action as part of his ‘Lower Utility Bills Plan’ to combat relentless utility price hikes crushing hardworking Jersey families. This comes after the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved multiple rate hikes, amounting to a 40% increase on utility bills in one year. 

Gottheimer called out utility monopolies — JCP&L, Orange and Rockland, PSE&G, and Atlantic City Electric — for failing to keep up with critical infrastructure repairs, causing brownouts throughout the state, delivering subpar service, and jacking up rates on hardworking Jersey families. 

Gottheimer’s new action as part of his ‘Lower Utility Bills Plan’:

• First, Gottheimer joined the state in calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or FERC) to immediately investigate PJM for skyrocketing costs by overpaying at auction.
• Second, Gottheimer is calling on New Jersey’s utility companies to reverse their insane price increases. 
• Third, Gottheimer is introducing legislation to ensure LIHEAP is fully staffed and equipped to deliver the assistance families rely on, especially as energy costs rise.
• Gottheimer is calling on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to immediately rehire LIHEAP staff and work to strengthen and modernize the program.

“There is a harsh reality coming at Jersey families on their June utility bills — another outrageous increase on your electric bill. In fact, when you add it up, over the last year, families are looking at a nearly 40 percent increase on their utility bills,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Right now, too many families are being forced to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table. No one in Jersey, or anywhere across the country, should have to make that choice. We have to give hardworking families a break — not break their bank.” 

Above: Gottheimer announces new legislation to stop reckless cuts to firefighter cancer research and health care.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined local leaders and firefighters at the Englewood Fire Department to announce new legislation to fight back against the Trump Administration’s reckless cuts to firefighter cancer research and health care. 

Gottheimer’s announcement follows the Trump Administration shutting down the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, firing employees who investigate and prevent firefighter deaths, and halting all training at the National Fire Academy.

Gottheimer’s New Action to Get the Backs of our First Responders:

• First, Gottheimer announced new legislation — the Fight Fires and Fight Cancer Act — to stop the Administration from recklessly slashing programs that support firefighters’ safety, training, and health care.
• Second, ​​Gottheimer is sending a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., demanding that he keep the Cancer Registry portal open and continue their work on firefighter-related cancer research.
• Gottheimer called on HHS Secretary Kennedy to reinstate workers who support the World Trade Center Health Program and the Cancer Registry.
• Gottheimer also joined a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Trump Administration demanding they reinstate all classes at the National Fire Academy.
• Gottheimer also joined an effort with representatives from across the tri-state area demanding that President Trump and Secretary Kennedy explain exactly how all of these cuts will fully impact the World Trade Center Health Program.
• Gottheimer is also fighting to pass his bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act, which would provide federal investments so that all firefighters across America — whether volunteer or professional — can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests. 

“It makes zero sense that the Trump Administration would turn their backs on first responders and on the families of our fallen heroes — gutting funding for cancer research and support for the World Trade Center Health Program. The Administration is literally admitting that the safety and lives of our first responders are not a priority. Well, they are to me, as I have said since day one,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “That’s why I am introducing new legislation — the Fight Fires and Fight Cancer Act — to stop the Administration from recklessly slashing programs that support firefighters’ safety, training, and health care. We must always get the backs of those who have ours.”

Above: Gottheimer, Rutherford, and Cortez Masto join law enforcement organizations to reintroduce the Invest to Protect Act.

The Invest to Protect Act is bipartisan, bicameral legislation led in the House by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), former Sheriff Rep. John Rutherford (FL-5), and Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-4), and in the Senate by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

“The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act will make critical investments in our departments and ensure that our police officers in smaller towns across New Jersey, and our nation, have the resources and training they need to keep themselves and communities safe,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus. “If you want to make something better, you don’t get there by cutting or defunding. You need to make smart, targeted investments. You must invest, not defund. You can have both justice and public safety. You don’t have to pick between one or the other. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure we have both and protect our communities and officers.”

Above: Gottheimer speaks at Rutgers University Hillel.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited Rutgers Hillel and Rutgers University Chabad House on campus to speak with students about the alarming rise in antisemitism on college campuses across the country. Rutgers University is home to more than 6,400 Jewish undergraduate students — the second largest Jewish student population in the country.

“With so much hate and antisemitism across our country and our state, and even here on our college campuses — it’s more important than ever before that we remain united as one community to support each other,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), the only Jewish member of the New Jersey congressional delegation. “Let me be as clear as I can be: No student deserves to be targeted because of who they are or what they believe — here or anywhere. When the Jewish community at Rutgers is confronted by hate or intolerance, this is an attack on all of us, regardless of background, regardless of faith. I will continue to fight antisemitism and hate against anyone on this campus and around our state every single day.”

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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