Hi — I’m writing to share a quick update on my latest work in Congress. As always, please don’t hesitate to drop me a note with any questions or feedback. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
1. Introduced the Four Pillars of my Affordability Agenda for Jersey.
-I outlined my new legislation, the COVID-19 Supply Chain Relief Act, to relieve pandemic-driven challenges, that will establish a federal supply chain "czar" and regional supply chain leaders, allow unused COVID relief funds to address local supply chain problems, and require the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Transportation report on supply chain issues in 30 days. Read more at NorthJersey.com and Insider NJ.
-The other three pillars to get more money in Jersey families’ pockets are 1) restoring SALT and cutting taxes, 2) lowering prescription drugs and child care costs; 3) and, lowering gas and energy prices.
2. Passed the Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
-I was grateful to help lead the negotiations to pass the once-in-a-century bipartisan legislation. Read more about my efforts at NY Times and The Record. Two NJ columnists also covered my work on the bill: Tom Moran in The Star-Ledger and Mike Kelly in The Record.
-This bill will help create 2M jobs a year for the next decade and will have an immeasurable impact in NJ (bringing at least $12 billion to the state). It will fix our crumbling roads, bridges, and NJ Transit systems. This bill will also build the Gateway Tunnel, expand broadband access to rural areas, and invest in electric vehicle charging stations, our ports, our airports, and more. Read at ABC News, Patch.com, and Real Clear Politics.
-Drinking Water: I recently visited a water treatment facility to highlight how the bill will remove lead and forever chemicals from our drinking water in our homes and schools. Read more at the Bergen Record, WRNJ Radio, and Insider NJ.
3. Passed Legislation Reinstating SALT. No SALT, No Dice!
-When signed into law, this bill will make life more affordable for hard-working NJ families. This is a tax cut for the middle class and a victory for hardworking Americans. Read at The Star-Ledger.
-It will also lower prescriptions drugs costs, get lead out of drinking water, make child care more affordable, fight climate change, expand the school breakfast program, boost our economy, create good-paying jobs, and more. Watch at MSNBC. Read at CNN and NorthJersey.com.
-Before the passage, at an event in Englewood, I teamed up with several of my NJ colleagues in the House – our New Jersey SALT Strike Team – to push for this much-needed tax relief for hard-working New Jersey families. Read at Axios, NorthJersey.com, and New Jersey Globe.
4. Addressed Antisemitism at the Rutgers’ Hillel.
-This week, I spoke at the Rutgers' Hillel about recent antisemitic incidents on the campus, and the hostile environment pro-Israel students are facing. Read more at Jewish News Syndicate, the algemeiner & WRNJ Radio.
5. Spoke with Dana Bash as part of her “CNN On The Trail” Series about Infrastructure and 2022.
-At the end of November, I sat down at a Jersey diner with CNN anchor and New Jersey native Dana Bash. She called the piece “man in the middle.” We spoke about the bipartisan negotiations that led to passing BBB & BIF and my predictions for next year's election. We also visited a crumbling bridge in Teaneck from 1931 to highlight the urgent need for infrastructure investment. Watch the piece on CNN.
6. Giving a Boost to our Small Businesses.
-I visited local businesses in Glen Rock with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to discuss how major investments will strengthen our small businesses and help create jobs in North Jersey. Read at New Jersey Globe and Patch.com
-I met with small businesses and farmers in Sussex and Warren counties as part of my Tourism Task Force, working together to bring more tourism to the region and strengthen the local economy. Read at WRNJ Radio.
-I stopped by a great family-owned café in Franklin to honor the owners for their service to the community and for supporting their staff throughout the pandemic. Read at WRNJ Radio.
7. Welcomed President Biden to Jersey to Highlight Gateway Tunnel.
-I was honored to join President Joe Biden at the NJ Transit Meadowlands Maintenance Complex in Kearny to shine a spotlight on the critical need for passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which includes more than $12.3 billion for NJ, and a commonsense reconciliation package. Read at NJ.com, Insider NJ, WRNJ Radio.
-We also celebrated breaking ground on a key piece of the Gateway Project – the most important infrastructure initiative in our country. Read at New Jersey Monitor.
8. Combating Climate Change and Protecting Our Air and Water.
-I visited the electric charger station at the Oradell Public Library to highlight the need for strong provisions in both bills to fight climate change and keep our air and water clean. Read at WRNJ.
-I stopped by Hackensack High School to discuss the historic investment the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill provides for replacing lead pipes and keeping toxic forever chemicals out of the drinking water in our homes and schools. Read at WRNJ Radio and North-JerseyNews.com.
9. Fighting ISIS-Inspired, Lone-Wolf Terrorism.
-I am honored that my bipartisan Darren Drake Act – a big step forward in preventing ISIS-inspired, lone-wolf terror attacks and saving lives – passed the House. I’m proud to be working with Darren’s parents on this important legislation to protect our communities and honor Darren’s memory. Read at NJ.com, WRNJ Radio and Patch.com.
10. Supporting Our Recovery from Hurricane Ida.
-I made a visit to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA Recovery centers in Bergen County. I’m fighting to make sure our residents and small businesses have the support and assistance they need to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Read at NJ101.5 and CNBC.
-I’m glad to see that New Jersey has clawed back more than $175 million in federal FEMA dollars help our families, communities and small businesses get back on their feet. Read at WRNJ Radio.
-I met with residents and thanked first responders on tours of storm damage in Hackensack and Lodi. Watch at CBS2. Read at TAPinto Hackensack, Insider NJ and West Milford Messenger.
11. Improving Our Supply Chain and Cutting Down on Shipping Delays.
-At the Port of Newark, I discussed how I’m working to address critical supply chain and shipping issues to support North Jersey families and small businesses, especially ahead of the holiday season and as our communities recover from Hurricane Ida and the pandemic. Watch at ABC7 and PIX11. Read at NJ.com and WRNJ Radio.
12. Encouraging NJ to Get Vaccines and Booster Shots.
-I visited the vaccine booster clinic at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus to thank the hard-working staff and encourage all eligible New Jersey residents to get these life-saving shots to help put an end to this pandemic once and for all. Read at NorthJersey.com, WRNJ Radio, Patch.com and TAPinto Paramus.
13. Fighting Back Jersey Style Against NY’s Manhattan Moocher Congestion Tax.
-I am continuing to fight back against NY’s unfair tax scheme and spoke to an MTA hearing about my efforts – including my bipartisan Anti-Congestion Tax Act – to protect New Jersey’s hardworking commuters. Watch at CBS2. Read at NY Times and Patch.com.
14. Hosting Virtual Town Halls.
-Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 67th and 68th “Cup of Joe with Josh” Town Hall meeting. I was honored to have Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz join us as we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.
15. Celebrated Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday, and Hanukkah.
-I started Thanksgiving with a 5k Turkey Trot in the Upper Saddle River. Earlier that week, I spent time in Teaneck with the NAACP handing out turkeys and helping provide warm meals to families who need. Read at CBS.
-I bought holiday cards, presents, and more at small businesses with local leaders in Maywood to encourage shopping local. I also visited family owned Am-Jac Christmas Tree Farm with owners Richard & Susan Longcore in Sussex County.
-I joined many for the menorah lighting in Wyckoff and Fair Lawn. Happy Hanukkah for all that celebrate!
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Thank you and happy holidays!
Yours,
Josh
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| Paid for by Josh Gottheimer for Congress |
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Josh Gottheimer for Congress
PO Box 584
Ridgewood NJ 07451 United States
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