Holding RFK Jr. Accountable

Dear Neighbor,

This week, Trump’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary and infamous conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where I serve as the panel’s top Democratic member. I raised major concerns with RFK Jr.’s nomination from the start, but he has unfortunately surpassed even my lowest expectations. For the past six months, the Trump Administration has created chaos within our health system by cancelling lifesaving research grants, rescinding billions of dollars in obligated funding, firing thousands of civil servants, and eliminating entire agencies and programs within HHS.

On top of that, RFK Jr. is actively undermining vaccines – the greatest public health achievement in modern history – by unilaterally firing all 17 medical experts who develop vaccine recommendations and appointing eight unqualified anti-vaxxers to replace them. These actions, combined with mass-layoffs and proposed budget cuts, threaten to decimate our public health infrastructure, and they come at the same time Trump and congressional Republicans are pushing their Big, Ugly Bill which would take health care away from 16 million Americans so they can give giant tax breaks to their billionaire friends. It’s truly a nightmare scenario for the health of our country.

It’s clear that RFK, Jr. is using his position to advance a dangerous pseudo-science agenda and putting the lives of Americans at extreme risk.

Watch my opening remarks from Tuesday’s hearing:

Republicans Dishonor Police Who Defended the Capitol on January 6^th

Republicans want to erase the history of January 6^th and pretend like it never happened. They are completely dismissing the sacrifices that Capitol Police officers and other law enforcement officials made, including New Jersey native Brain Sicknick – a dedicated member of the Capitol Police who grew up in Middlesex County and lost his life defending the Capitol. More than 140 other members of law enforcement also suffered serious injuries during the insurrection.

To memorialize these heroes, Congress passed a law requiring a plaque on the western front of the Capitol, but Speaker Johnson is actively blocking its installation. To make matters worse, President Trump pardoned more than 1,500 individuals convicted for their violent roles in the January 6th attack. Thanks to him, the criminal who assaulted Officer Sicknick and sprayed him with bear spray is getting off scot-free.

The same Republican party that claims to "back the blue" is blocking a simple plaque that honors officers' heroism while granting pardons to the very people who beat, assaulted, and hospitalized police officers on January 6^th. You cannot call yourself the party of law and order when you are the one letting the criminals off the hook.

I placed a replica of the plaque in front of my office to honor the officers who defended our democracy and to condemn the disturbing wave of pardons that have let violent offenders walk free. We will keep pushing Speaker Johnson to follow the law and honor the New Jersey State Police and the brave law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol on January 6^th.

Military Strike on Iran

I have long supported the goal of stopping Iran—the world’s biggest state-sponsor of terrorism – from obtaining nuclear weapons. The airstrikes ordered last week set back Iran’s nuclear program, but any further military action by President Trump requires the consultation and approval of Congress under the War Powers Act.

I am relieved that a ceasefire was agreed to between Israel and Iran and that a wider conflict was avoided for now.

Raritan River Bridge

The next phase of construction has begun to replace the 117-year-old Raritan River Train Bridge. I’ve fought for years to replace the bridge after it sustained significant damage during Superstorm Sandy.

This project is essential to strengthening our transportation infrastructure and ensuring safe, reliable service for thousands of travelers who ride the North Jersey Coast Line every day. Our state cannot afford to rely on a structure built over a century ago. I’m proud to have secured federal funding to support this project that will serve our Central Jersey Shore communities and job centers for generations to come.

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