Dear Neighbors,

The Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade is an unprecedented assault on reproductive health care, women’s ability to make their own health care decisions, and the constitutional right to privacy. A fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution has never been taken away before in the history of the United States.

This decision will overturn decades of progress and impose an outdated, extremist ideology long pushed by the radical right but opposed by a majority of Americans. It will harm women, their families, and their futures. It will embolden states and anti-abortion politicians to further restrict access to care and opens the door to the erosion of other fundamental rights.  

The Justices who penned this decision should be ashamed. The Senate Republicans who rigged the process to steal seats on the Court should be ashamed. A blight has been cast on the Court as Republicans fulfill their dream of overturning Roe. Please know that I stand with everyone who is outraged today and will continue to fight for women's right to make their own health care decisions.

My Bill to Bolster Mental Health Treatment

My bipartisan bill to bolster mental health treatment passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 expands mental health care and substance use disorder prevention services, eliminates barriers to treatment for opioid use disorders, increases suicide prevention services, and invests in mental health services for children and young people.

This bill is needed today more than ever. Americans report rising anxiety and depression and increased use of opioids and other substances. One in five adults are battling a mental illness. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14, and earlier this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report finding that four in ten high school students said they felt persistently sad or hopeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. The opioid crisis also continues to devastate families and communities all around the nation – 108,000 people lost their lives due to drug overdoses last year. Read more here

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

The House and Senate passed a major bill that will help prevent gun violence. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country.

The bill enhances background checks for people under 21, protects victims of domestic violence by closing the boyfriend loophole, keeps deadly weapons out of the hands of individuals a court has determined dangerous and cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements.

This bill now goes to the President for his signature. It is an important first step, but we must do more to prevent gun violence. I’ll continue to support commonsense gun violence prevention measures, including an assault weapons ban, in Congress.

Major Dredging Project for the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers

I secured $26 million for dredging of the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers in a federal spending bill. The House is expected to vote on the underlying legislation in the coming months. The Army Corps of Engineers will dredge both the entrance of the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers at Sandy Hook as well as the Navesink River to Red Bank and the Shrewsbury River as far as the Branchport Avenue Bridge in Long Branch – a total of approximately 14 miles.

New Jersey’s waterways are critical to our state’s recreation and fishing industries. I’ve heard from so many people in the communities along the rivers and the boaters who use the channels regularly about the importance of this project. The dredging will make the rivers safer and easier to use for them and everyone involved in fishing. Read more here

Preserving New Jersey’s History for Future Generations

I secured $500,000 for the Metlar-Bodine House Museum Historic Site Project in Piscataway in a federal spending bill. The House is expected to vote on the underlying legislation in the coming months. The funding will be used to complete the final phase of an extensive restoration project for the museum, including construction of the Forever the 4th gallery that will feature the Ross Hall Wall and other important historic treasures.

The museum is listed on the state and national registered historic sites and highlights the rich history of Middlesex County through a collection of local memorabilia and architecture. This funding will make sure that our state’s history is preserved for future generations. Read more here

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, tests, or resources available to New Jerseyans during the coronavirus pandemic, click here to visit my website or call my offices directly:

Middlesex County: 732-249-8892

Monmouth County: 732-571-1140

Sincerely,