Dear Neighbor,

It was a jam-packed week in Washington and New Jersey fighting against an all-out Republican war on your health care. I started off my week voting against the Republican spending bill that does nothing to address the health care crisis. I wrapped it up back in New Jersey rallying community leaders to stop RWJ Barnabas from closing Monmouth Medical Center hospital in Long Branch.

On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson called the House back into session after their nearly 50-DAY TAXPAYER-BANKROLLED VACATION just to push his spending bill that does not include any funding for Affordable Care Act tax credits, or prevent any cuts to Medicaid. For nearly 50 days, the Republican-controlled House surrendered its power of the purse and constitutional authority to the President, and Speaker Johnson refused to swear in newly-elected Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva—denying over 700,000 Arizonans a voice in Congress.

When the Republican spending bill came up for a vote, I voted HELL NO.

The people of Long Branch deserved to be heard. Instead, the state allowed a deeply flawed process to leave residents out in the freezing cold. Literally.

You can watch the livestream of my remarks before the press conference with community leaders here.

Honoring a Local Vietnam Veteran Whose Service Was Finally Recognized

Ahead of Veterans Day, I had the privilege of presenting long-overdue military service medals to Highlands resident William “Bill” Tikiob Ward at the Harold Daley VFW Post 1333 in Neptune. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1974, deploying to the Vietnam Theater with only four days’ notice and supporting critical refueling operations that kept U.S. aircraft in the air. Despite earning multiple commendations for valor and exceptional service, he never received several of his medals due to administrative delays that lingered for more than 50 years.

When Bill reached out to our office, my team dug in. Working with the Air Force Personnel Center and the National Personnel Records Center, they were able to secure the documentation needed to correct his record and finally deliver the honors he earned decades ago. Standing beside him as he received them was a powerful reminder of the debt we owe to those who have worn our nation’s uniform.

And on Veterans Day, I was grateful to march in the Highland Park/New Brunswick parade with veterans from across our community. It’s always an honor to stand with the brave Americans who put their lives on the line to serve our country.