An important update. Spring 2022 Wrap-Up Newsletter ‌ ‌ ‌ Quote of the Month Congressman Gottheimer in Hackensack, announcing the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program: “We're now clawing back even more federal dollars to support our local fire departments and first responders, particularly for our smaller ones where resources are even more stretched. This critical investment will not only keep our communities, families, and brave first responders safe, but it will also help lower our property taxes and make life more affordable for Jersey families,” said Congressman Gottheimer, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “The new American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant program claws critical federal resources back from Washington for Jersey fire departments – to protect our communities, our families, firefighters, and EMTs. We must always get the backs of our first responders.” New Jersey Globe: Gottheimer Is Most Bipartisan Democrat In U.S. House, Lugar Center Says By David Wildstein North Jersey congressman is ranked most bipartisan on Democratic side for last three years Article Link Gottheimer Continues Problem Solving Makes Real Progress by Working Across the Aisle to Protect Jersey Seniors, Veterans, Children, & More Gottheimer Legislation Unanimously Passes House to Support Homeless Veterans Photo: Gottheimer Speaking with Veterans at the Fair Lawn Veterans Day Memorial. The House of Representatives unanimously passed a provision authored by Congressman Gottheimer to allow state governments, including New Jersey, to deploy federal Community Services Block Grant Program investment to support our brave veterans, particularly homeless veterans. After serving our country and putting their lives on the line to defend our freedom and our democracy, supporting our nation’s brave veterans is the least our country can do. Our nation’s veterans should not struggle to get the resources they have earned. Unfortunately, far too often, our veterans face issues finding housing and employment. This provision will add support for veterans — and, in particular, homeless veterans — to the list of investments states like Jersey can make through this community program. Read more here. Bipartisan Legislation Led by Gottheimer Passed in the House to Protect Seniors from Financial Scams & Robocalls Image: Gottheimer with local seniors and announcing his new Senior Security Strategy. The House passed Congressman Gottheimer’s bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act. This legislation will put a 'cop on the beat' to help stop financial scammers from targeting the millions of seniors across the country. Our seniors should be spending time with their kids, grandkids, and friends — not staying up late at night worrying about whether someone is preying on their retirement nest egg. The legislation will create a new Senior Investor Protection Grant Program to support state enforcement agencies and task forces charged with protecting and educating seniors on financial fraud. Senior scams, including harassing robocalls and phone calls impersonating the government, cost older Americans nearly $3 billion a year and cause harm and anxiety for our seniors. Read more here. Gottheimer Helps Lead House in Condemning the Rise in Antisemitism Photo: Gottheimer speaking at The Frisch School. During Jewish American Heritage Month, Congressman Gottheimer helped lead a bipartisan resolution, H.Res.1125, to condemn rising antisemitism, which passed the House of Representatives 420 to 1. “We must combat antisemitism wherever it exists. Those who allow these ideas to fester and to go unchecked only enable them to be further embraced,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “We must take concerted efforts at every level of government to stop this drastic rise in antisemitism in New Jersey and across the country. With sweeping bipartisan support, the House has strongly condemned antisemitism and recognized the many contributions Jewish Americans have made to our great nation.” Read more here. In The News: North-JerseyNews.com: North Jersey House Members Seek to Help Vets Find Jobs, Education Opportunities The Hill: House passes bill to protect seniors from scams WRNJ: Gottheimer helps lead House passage of bipartisan legislation condemning the rise in antisemitism Gottheimer Fights for Jersey Gottheimer Announces New Federal Investment for Jersey Firefighters Photo: Gottheimer announcing the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program in Hackensack. Congressman Gottheimer, along with state and local elected officials, firefighters, first responders, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, announced the new American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program, which is clawing federal investment back from Washington for New Jersey firefighters. This new federal investment was made possible by the American Rescue Plan that Congress passed last year. Clawing $10 million in federal dollars back from Washington for New Jersey fire departments — to protect our communities, our families, firefighters, and EMTs. Awarding up to $75,000 to eligible local and regional fire departments in New Jersey to purchase equipment including oxygen packs, PPE, protective clothing and turnout gear, and cleaning and sanitizing equipment. Clawing back federal dollars to our local fire departments, particularly for smaller departments where resources are limited and help fire departments with limited operating budgets and large numbers of volunteers. Read more here. Gottheimer Announces New "Stay in Jersey" Campaign, Fighting Back Against NYC Congestion Tax to Save Jersey Commuters Time and Money, Support Local Businesses Photo: Gottheimer announcing a new Stay in Jersey campaign. By avoiding the expensive tolls, the cost of parking & gas, and New York’s outrageous proposed congestion tax, Jersey commuters would save nearly $20,000 a year to Stay in Jersey — as well as less stress and more time spent with family from the hours saved not commuting to NYC. Congressman Gottheimer announced a new “Stay in Jersey” campaign to urge all NYC-based businesses to encourage and promote New Jersey workers to stay and work from Jersey, and not make their Jersey-based employees go back to their long, expensive daily commute. Gottheimer also called for “Stay in Jersey” tax incentives for New York businesses that open up new regional office hubs for Jersey residents to work from full or part time. Gottheimer is working closely with State Senator Joe Lagana and Assemblyman Chris Tully, who are drafting “Stay in Jersey” legislation. Staying and Working in Jersey Means: Saving on Expensive Tolls: It’s a $16 dollar-a-day toll to use the George Washington Bridge, Holland Tunnel, and Lincoln Tunnel to get into New York — more than $4,000 a year for a Jersey commuter. Saving on Parking and Gas: Parking in New York City and gas combined can cost more than $10,000 a year. Avoiding Outrageous Congestion Tax: New York’s proposed tax on Jersey drivers who commute into the city is a regressive and punitive congestion tax that will likely cost more than $5,000 a year for driving to work in Manhattan — hitting hard-working middle-class families. More Time for Family: Saving two and a half hours of commuting means more time spent with family and friends. Less Stress and More Productivity: New Jersey ranked second in the nation for most workers with 60+ minute and 90+ minute commutes. Harvard Business Review found that short commutes, like working from home or near the offices, increases innovation and productivity. Protecting Our Clean Air: Fewer cars traveling the hours to and from New York will reduce pollution from the commute. Supporting New Jersey’s Small Businesses & Economy: More dollars will go towards supporting Jersey’s small businesses, including local restaurants, diners, real estate, dry cleaners, gyms, and more. Creating Jobs in Jersey: More businesses setting up shop in Jersey will lead to job growth, including for the hardworking women and men of labor. Realtors will find the space and small businesses will benefit from more people working from Jersey. Read more here. Gottheimer & U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announce Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Investments for Jersey Gottheimer Calls For New “Strategic Shipping Reserve” & “Ports That Perform” Incentives Photo: Gottheimer with U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg at Port Newark Congressman Gottheimer and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited the Port of Newark and announced how investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which Gottheimer helped shape and pass, will improve North Jersey’s infrastructure, including ports, roads, rails, and bridges, help build the Gateway Tunnel, address supply chain issues, create jobs, and boost our local economy. Gottheimer called for the Administration to utilize the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) as a new “Strategic Shipping Reserve” to move critical goods. In an effort to compete with the five major ocean carriers (all foreign-owned), boost our economy, and tackle supply chain issues, Gottheimer called for ports like Newark that move goods faster to be given new “Ports that Perform” incentives — including to the port operators, truckers, and the men and women of the International Longshoremen’s Association. This will incentivize and further boost port efficiency. Read more here. In The News: NJ.com: N.J. to use federal COVID funds to help fire departments with safety equipment Gothamist: Congressman's congestion pricing solution: Just stay in New Jersey CBS New York: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits New Jersey to discuss infrastructure and supply chain issues Gottheimer, Bipartisan House Members Successfully Urge the White House to Invoke the Defense Production Act to Boost Baby Formula Availability Following legislation introduced by Congressman Gottheimer and a bipartisan group of 19 other Members of Congress, the President invoked the Defense Production Act to increase the production of baby formula. This announcement comes on the heels of Gottheimer introducing bipartisan legislation urging the President to invoke the Defense Production Act to increase the baby formula availability, and ensure distribution to all regions of the country through federally qualified health centers. Read more here. ‌ ‌ ‌ ### Contact Me Rep. 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