The budget also includes $62 million to reimburse municipalities for the extra security costs involved in providing presidential protection, some of which would go to Bedminster Township for additional costs incurred when Trump was in residence during the campaign and if he makes Trump National Golf Course his summer White House retreat. He will apparently be there this weekend. The Bedminster funding was also a clear priority of Frelinghuysen's neighboring congressman, Leonard Lance.
The $1.2 trillion measure is the first major spending bill under Frelinghuysen's tenure as appropriations chair. Congress is expected to pass the measure and send it to Trump for his signature this week.
It has been a long time – the late 1970s and early 1980s to be exact – since New Jersey has had committee chairs in such an influential position as Congressman Frelinghuysen now occupies.
We are glad to see him putting his clout to good use.
