June Wrap-Up

Above: Gottheimer joins Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz (on the right) to host a Latino roundtable to discuss the fight to protect Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz hosted a roundtable with the North Jersey Latino community to discuss his fight to protect critical programs that seniors rely on — including Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare.

“In Jersey, it’s part of our Jersey Values to defend our seniors and the most vulnerable. Yet, the Trump Administration has announced they are turning their backs on our seniors with reckless budget cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — critical lifelines our families rely on,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “We must stop this disastrous assault on our seniors, and that’s exactly what I am fighting to do in Congress. This won’t be easy, but I won’t back down from a fight.”

Above: Gottheimer announces new action to protect against President Trump’s “Summer Fun Tax.”

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new legislation to protect Jersey families and small businesses from President Trump’s “Summer Fun Tax” — a result of his reckless tariffs that are jacking up prices on everything from grills to swimsuits to beach umbrellas.

Gottheimer’s New Action to Counter Rising Costs & Make Life More Affordable:

• Gottheimer announced new legislation — the Tariff Impact Act — to require the independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to review the economic impact of any future tariffs before they can go into place. 
• Gottheimer announced the Congressional Oversight of Low-Value Imports Act (the COOL Act) to prohibit changes to the “de minimis exemption” — affecting imports that cost less than $800 — without explicit approval from Congress.
  • This will allow Congress to put a stop to any unnecessary price hikes on everyday products.
• Gottheimer formally requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive study on the impact Trump’s tariffs have had on everyday household costs.
  
  • This will identify the hardest-hit regions by breaking down the cost increases by zip code.

“Despite all of the fun Jersey has to offer, the Trump Administration is cooking up more chaos with their reckless, cost-increasing tariffs that will make enjoying the summer fun impossible for many Jersey families. Thanks to Trump’s Summer Fun Tax, everything from grills to bathing suits to pool floats will cost a lot more this summer,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s all part of Trump’s outrageous tariff policy, which is in effect a $2,400 tax on every American family — crushing our economy.”

Gottheimer continued, “From the beginning, I have been laser-focused on making life more affordable for Jersey families. The President’s sweeping tariffs, including on our key trading partners, will do just the opposite. They will drive costs up and put a tax on your summer fun. Jersey families here are already getting killed with higher food prices, tolls, rents, property taxes, and utility bills, which are now up 40% in one year. It’s unacceptable, and I’m fighting it on all fronts.”

On June 21, 2025, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a Member of the House Committee on Intelligence, released this statement following U.S. strikes in Iran:

“Tonight, the United States took critical and decisive action to protect America, and freedom and democracy at home and around the world — stopping Iran’s nuclear program in its tracks.

Since 1979, the Iranian regime has been openly committed to the destruction of the United States of America — what they call the ‘Great Satan.’

In support of that goal, Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terror, has built a global network of terrorist proxies — including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis — and has relentlessly pursued a nuclear weapon. They have killed and injured scores of American civilians, targeted our service members, and attacked our key democratic allies, including Israel.

According to the IAEA, and as recently as last week, Iran has repeatedly violated their nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Their Fordow nuclear facility was key to the success of their nuclear program. Thanks to American might and leadership, it now sits in ruin.

The destruction of Iran’s nuclear program is essential to ultimate peace in the Middle East. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue — dealing with the Iranian threat is central to America’s national security. The world is safer because of the actions of our brave service members. I’m praying for the safety of our service members in the region."

Above: Tenafly Resident Shreya Patel’s “Simplicity of the Past,” the winner of the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced that Shreya Patel, a Dwight-Englewood School student, is the winner of the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition.

Shreya’s winning piece, entitled “Simplicity of the Past,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. As the winner of the competition, Shreya received two round-trip tickets to Washington to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception for the new display.

“I was honored to again host the annual Fifth District Congressional Art Competition and Art Competition Showcase. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Tenafly’s Shreya Patel, and each of the dedicated young North Jersey artists who submitted their artwork,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m always blown away by the quality and uniqueness of the art at this showcase. I’m proud to bring a piece of the Fifth District with me to Washington, and to see what these North Jersey artists do next.”

Below: This year’s Second Place winner, “Fashionable Slaughter” by Hailey Kim of Fort Lee, will have their art hung in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office in the Cannon House Office Building.

Below: This year’s Third Place winner, “The Bittersweet Changes” by Angella Cheon of Old Tappan, will have their art hung in the Congressman’s District office in Fair Lawn.

Above: Gottheimer discusses Edan Alexander’s return to New Jersey.

On June 19, 2025, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement upon Edan Alexander’s return to Tenafly, NJ:

“Today is a huge day worthy of great celebration across our state! After 584 days at the hands of Hamas terrorists, Jersey native, Tenafly resident, and my constituent, Edan Alexander is finally home with his family and friends. Through it all, the strength of the Alexander family has been a guiding light for all of us in an incredibly dark period. But they never gave up hope — and neither did we. 

In America and Jersey, we never leave anyone behind. From traveling to Qatar and Egypt to the UAE and Israel, to pushing the Administration at every level, we fought tirelessly to bring Edan back home. 

Edan’s return is a reminder that we must not rest until every last hostage is reunited with their families and loved ones. That includes the return of the remains of the two Americans who were brutally murdered at the hands of Hamas — Omer Neutra and Itay Chen.”

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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