July 1, 2022  

CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE

Dear Friend,

Your unwavering support and commitment has afforded me the privilege of taking our fight to the United States House of Representatives, year after year.  Thanks to you, I remain energized and inspired to keep up the good fight to revitalize and usher in economic growth and prosperity to New Jersey's 10th Congressional District.  I am excited to share with you a few of the recent items that I've been working on in Washington, DC.

Fighting for Women's Reproductive Freedom  

On June 24th, the U.S. Supreme Court violated 50 years of precedent through its cruel decision to reverse Roe v. Wade.  This decision has dangerous consequences for the lives of millions of pregnant women across our nation, including African Americans and other women of color.  This decision has stripped women of their legal right to choose and placed it into the hands of radical and compromised state legislatures.  Throughout the years, I have maintained and will continue to argue that it is a woman's right to make decisions about her body.  It is critical to note that abortion will remain legal in the State of New Jersey.   

Americans support women's reproductive freedom.

The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade symbolizes the impact that the radical right-wing agenda of the modern Republican Party has made on our nation.  They are determined to increase their power at the expense of eliminating the rights of vulnerable Americans.  They seek to move their own dangerous agenda that the majority of Americans disagree with.  This decision forces women to return to a very dark past when access to safe abortions were difficult or nearly impossible.    

I continue to call on the United States Senate to abolish the filibuster and pass the Women's Health Protection Act, now.  I voted to pass the legislation out of the House nearly a year ago because I believe America's women deserve the unequivocal legal right to their own reproductive health choices which includes abortion.  The Senate must heed this necessary call to action now.  Our time has run out to ensure reproductive rights for women are protected by federal laws.

I will always be a proud, uncompromised, and defiant supporter of a woman's right to choose.  I vow to continue fighting to ensure that women have the legal right to make their personal and private health care decisions without any government interference.

My Payment Choice Act Passes U.S. House, Requires Retail Businesses to Accept Cash for Purchases of Goods and Services

I am proud that my bill, the Payment Choice Act, passed the U.S. House as an amendment to the Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act (H.R. 2543).

American currency is under attack.

Fifty-five million Americans lack access to a bank account or credit card and rely on cash to pay for their goods and services.  The Payment Choice Act guarantees these consumers can make purchases in cash for all retail transactions under $2,000.  Far too many retail businesses across our nation have started rejecting cash in favor of digital payments.  Without this legislation these Americans would be left out of the economy completely if cash were banned.  Additionally, cash transactions are private.  Studies suggest that data collection is a $200 billion dollar industry and recent company data breaches have revealed private information belonging to millions of people in the United States and around the world.  

As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I have seen the devastating impact of hurricanes and other natural catastrophes on the digital payment system.  Cash is sometimes the only way to pay for items during a natural disaster.  If a hurricane knocked out a power grid anywhere in the country, Americans would not be able to pay for critical, lifesaving supplies to protect them and their families without cash.

A few years ago, we were fighting over who should be represented on American paper bills.  Now, it seems companies are prepared to get rid of them entirely.  This bill, once passed by the Senate and signed by the President, will help to prevent this from happening and ensure that the 55 million Americans who rely on cash are protected and able to use it.

My Homeland Security for Children Act Becomes Law, Protects Children Before, During and After a Terrorist Attack

On June 6th, my Homeland Security for Children Act was signed into law by President Biden.  The new law, formerly H.R. 4426, requires the Department of Homeland Security to include feedback from organizations that represent the needs of children in future department strategies, policies and plans.  

I introduced this comprehensive legislation on behalf of the children of our nation.  When children lose parents, face food insecurity, and become homeless after extreme weather catastrophes and national emergencies the likelihood of displacement can become a tragic reality.  This can make children vulnerable to abuse, delayed development, reduced access to educational opportunities, and institutionalization.    

Rep. Payne, Jr. supports children at Soar with Reading Event in Newark

The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act Passes U.S. House, Lowers Gas Prices for New Jersey Residents

Gas prices are inexcusably high and hurting New Jersey residents and families.  The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 7688) gives the President the power to declare an “energy emergency” when events cause supply restrictions for consumer fuels, such as car fuel, aviation fuel, home heating oil, and liquid propane. 

New Jersey Gas Prices Must Be Lowered

The bill makes it illegal to sell fuel at excessive or exploitative prices during emergencies which is known as price gouging.  Price gouging can also impact smaller independent gas stations, needlessly blaming them for supply chain issues out of their control.  This bill grants the Federal Trade Commission the power to penalize companies for price gouging. 

Every New Jersey resident who has filled up their gas tank in the last two months understands that prices are excessively high.  But there is no incentive for oil and refining companies to increase production, lower prices, and help American consumers.  They have demonstrated that they have no problem robbing hard-working American families and using that money for stock buybacks and executive bonuses.  This bill would bring much needed accountability into the oil market and keep prices reasonable during a fuel emergency like the one our nation is experiencing now.  

House Passes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to Address Gun Violence and Protect Our Neighborhoods

I voted for The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to establish stronger gun control measures, protect victims of domestic violence, and create stronger protections from gun violence in our children's schools.  The Senate-led bill (S. 2938) allocates $750 million to fund state efforts to create and enforce laws that keep criminals and domestic terrorists from obtaining deadly weapons.  It adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships (i.e. boyfriends or girlfriends) to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to protect victims of domestic abuse.  In addition, it provides $300 million to strengthen school safety measures, supports school violence prevention efforts, and trains to school personnel and students on how to handle violent events.    

Rep. Payne, Jr. joins anti-gun violence supporters at local rally.

I supported this bill because it provides some common-sense solutions to curb gun violence in our communities.  It keeps guns out of the hands of criminals and increases school protections against gun violence.  

I hope this is only the beginning of more common-sense gun reform legislation and not the end.  It is our responsibility to increase the legal purchase age for guns to 21 years old and ban assault weapon sales nationwide.  It's important that we make the creation of ghost guns illegal and institute a nationwide gun buyback program, like the one I introduced, to get guns off the streets.  These actions will help us provide safer communities for all Americans.   

Federal Grants for NJ-10

In May and June, I secured more than $380 million in grants for our district including $130 million in research grants for Rutgers University and New Jersey Institute of Technology, almost $20 million for the New Jersey Department of Transportation to improve roads in the district, $25 million for Head Start programs in Newark Public Schools, and more than $41 million for community health centers.

It remains my privilege to work for you.  Please contact me through my district offices and social media to let me know how I can serve you best.

Sincerely,

Donald M. Payne, Jr.
Member of Congress