South Jersey Scoop

Dear Friend,

Here you will find information about the work my team is doing in South Jersey to support you and the latest legislative updates from Washington, D.C. Serving you in Congress is one of my highest honors and is something I take very seriously. Feel free to forward this newsletter to family, friends, and colleagues and encourage them to sign-up for my weekly update.

Sincerely,

Jeff Van Drew
Member of Congress

Rep. Van Drew Questions FBI Director Kash Patel at House Judiciary Hearing

This month, I spoke at a House Judiciary hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel as the witness to examine how badly trust in our nation's top law enforcement agency was damaged under the last administration's policies that placed politics ahead of public safety.

What we saw during those years was unacceptable: Americans being unfairly targeted simply because of their faith or their beliefs. Catholics were labeled as threats for praying in their churches. Parents were branded as extremists for standing up at school board meetings. Hindu religious leaders here in New Jersey had their temples raided. Jewish students were harassed on college campuses. That is not how law enforcement in America should work.

We cannot go back to a time when free speech was silenced and religion was targeted. I will continue to fight to restore accountability and make sure the FBI returns to its original mission: protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.

Click here or the image below to view my full remarks.

Rep. Van Drew Works to Protect South Jersey Beaches

Recently, I met with mayors from Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties, along with leaders from the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, to discuss how we can better protect our beaches.

For years, I have fought to bring record levels of federal funding to our shore. That work has paid off, and we continue to see major beach projects move forward. At the same time, I am pushing for long-term solutions to the erosion that threatens our coast. I will be introducing legislation to create permanent and reliable funding for beach projects across the country so that our shore towns everywhere remain safe and secure. I am also working with the dredging industry to lower costs, and we are advancing my Hot Spot Erosion Mitigation Law, which is already being tested in Atlantic City to save sand and save taxpayer dollars.

I will always protect our beaches, our coastal communities, and the families who depend on them.

Click here to read my full release on this topic.

Rep. Van Drew Joins Fox Business to Discuss Foreign Censorship

Recently, I joined Fox Business to discuss laws in Europe that are forcing American companies to censor speech on their platforms.

Americans are losing freedoms not because of our own Congress or courts, but because of foreign bureaucrats across the Atlantic Ocean. It is anti-American. Their so-called "safety" laws punish our people for sharing news, opinions, and even humor. America thrives on innovation and freedom, and we cannot allow foreign elites to dictate how we communicate or what opinions are allowed to be heard.

Click here or the image below to watch the full interview.

Rep. Van Drew Reflects on the Loss of Charlie Kirk

The murder of Charlie Kirk was a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when anger and division are allowed to grow unchecked in our country. For too long, people of faith and principle have been labeled and attacked simply for standing strong in what they believe. It has to stop. We can disagree in America, but it must be done with respect.

The truth is, Charlie never backed down, and neither will we. His courage, his faith, and his love for this country are the example we must carry forward. The United States of America is the greatest country on earth, and it is always worth fighting for.

Rep. Van Drew Meets with VFW in Washington, D.C.

This month, I had the privilege of meeting with members of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in my Washington, D.C. office to discuss their priorities. Every day, I work in Congress to ensure our veterans receive the care they have earned. From access to health care to mental health resources to making sure benefits are delivered on time, I will fight to make sure they are supported every step of the way. Hearing directly from those who have worn the uniform is one of the most important parts of my job, and I will continue to address their concerns in Washington.

Our veterans represent the very best of America. Their service and their love of country remind us of the values we must always protect. I remain committed to making sure they are honored not just in words, but through action.

ICYMI: Rep. Van Drew Celebrates Rebuilding of Lake Lenape Dam

This week, I hosted local leaders in Mays Landing, NJ, to celebrate the completion of the newly rebuilt Lake Lenape Dam. The structure was failing, and families and businesses were left at risk. After visiting the site with local leaders years ago, I saw the danger firsthand, and it was clear that action had to be taken.

That is why I fought to get this project done. We were able to bring in $4.6 million in federal funding to rebuild the dam from the ground up. Now, instead of an aging, dangerous structure, the community has a safe and dependable dam that will protect homes and businesses for years to come.

All over the country, there are dams just like this one that are old and in need of repair. That is why I introduced H.R. 5414, the Dam Assessment and Mitigation Support (DAMS) Act, a bipartisan bill to make sure states have the resources they need to keep critical infrastructure strong before it turns into a crisis.

I will always fight to make sure South Jersey has the safe communities and reliable infrastructure we deserve.

Click here to read my full statement on this event.