Washington Review: May 20, 2022

This week, the House of Representatives took several important votes to address fuel price gouging, domestic terrorism, the infant formula shortage crisis, the needs of veterans, and support for law enforcement and public safety officers. I also joined letters to urge the administration provide Temporary Protected Status to Central American countries and to ensure greater food security in Haiti. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also announced that New Jersey will receive $221 million for important water infrastructure projects.

• Votes
• EPA Water Infrastructure Loan
• Letters

Votes

This week, I joined my colleagues in the House in supporting various pieces of legislation which respond to recent fuel price increases, the rise of domestic terrorism, and the baby formula shortage. H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, introduced by Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), would protect consumers from price-gouging by oil producers. Specifically, this legislation would empower the Federal Trade Commission to level civil penalties against oil and gas companies who excessively increase consumer fuel prices during an energy emergency declared by the President. This bill passed the House in a 217-207 vote for consideration in the Senate.

I also voted in support of H.R. 7790, the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, which responds to the formula shortage crisis by providing $28 million in supplemental appropriations to be used by the Food and Drug Administration to respond to the current shortage and prevent future shortages. This legislation was introduced by House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and passed with the support of all Democratic members in a 231-192 vote.

Unfortunately, domestic terrorism incidents rose sharply in 2020, proving the need for larger efforts to prevent domestic radicalization and violence. This week, I voted in support of H.R. 350, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, introduced by Rep. Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL). This legislation includes measures to improve the ways that Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) coordinate and report to Congress on domestic terrorism, including by creating an interagency task force on the matter. The bill passed without Republican support in a 222-203 vote.

I also voted in support of several bills to provide veterans the educational and health benefits that they deserve. These bills included two measures to ensure equitable access to mammograms, S.2533 Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act, and S. 2102, The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments Act, both of which passed the House unanimously.

The House also nearly unanimously voted in favor of H.R. 7500, the Fiscal Year 2022 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. This bill, introduced by Colin Allred (D-TX), which allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make necessary improvements to medical facilities. My colleagues and I also advanced legislation which would expand work-study opportunities for veterans. H.R. 6376, the Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Cynthia Axne (D-IA), expands eligibility for work study allowances to those in education or training programs on a half-time basis. This legislation passed in a 370-43 vote.

I also voted in favor of two pieces of legislation which address the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on members of law enforcement and assure that officers are trained to respond to the needs of those facing these issues. H.R. 6943, the Public Safety Officer Support Act, introduced by Rep. David Trone (D-MD), would allow public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who suffer from PTSD following a stressful situation while on duty to access disability benefits. This measure passed with large bipartisan support in a 402-17 vote. The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, H.R. 2992, also passed with large bipartisan support in a 400-21 vote. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) would require the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to consult with relevant agencies to establish crisis intervention training tools for first responders to address individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Both bills will be considered by the Senate.

EPA Water Infrastructure Loan Agreement

This week, the EPA announced a $221 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to assist New Jersey in financing 28 water infrastructure projects across the state, including projects in Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken, and Bayonne. These funds will be used to replace aging water lines, many of which are in Jersey City. This loan agreement will go a long way in financing state-supported water infrastructure projects, especially in Hudson County. These critical infrastructure projects will have far-reaching positive impacts on communities and residents, and benefits will be seen in the decades to come.

Letters

The shortage of infant formula has become a crisis for many families in New Jersey and across the country. To further address this matter, I joined my colleagues in a letter led by Rep. John Larson (D-CT) in support of an all of government approach to address the issue. Specifically, the letter encourages the administration to include infant formula as a priority in their work to improve supply chain resiliency, asks for information on any agency failures which led to the formula recall, and asserts that the House is willing and able to provide resources to shore up the shortage. The House also took action by approving $28 million in supplemental appropriations to address the formula shortage.

I also signed onto a letter led by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power urging the agency to ensure that Haiti receives emergency food aid, and to work with grassroots and community organizations to equitably distribute food aid. Haiti is currently facing acute food insecurity. While 4.5 million Haitians are currently experiencing food insecurity, the UN warns that food insecurity will worsen globally as a result of the war in Ukraine, a major food exporter.

As Central American countries continue to grapple with the effects of Hurricanes Eta and Iota, food shortages, violence, and political instability, I joined a letter led by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) to request that the administration to provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. While the former administration defunded various forms of humanitarian and developmental aid for the region, conditions continued to deteriorate throughout Central America, and we must now respond with an increased humanitarian response and assistance for migrants.

Current Washington D.C. Office Status

In response to the pandemic, my staff continue to work in a hybrid model during this time. Please know we continue to monitor our phone system, so while we are unable to speak directly with you, we manage all voice messages left. If you reached out to us through phone or e-mail, please expect an e-mail response. Be sure to check your spam or junk folders for a response from our office. We appreciate your understanding as we all navigate working through the pandemic.

Vaccination Efforts

Vaccines are available to all individuals 5 and older who live, work, or study in New Jersey. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, as a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19. To find your nearest vaccine location and make an appointment, please visit Vaccines.gov.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend booster shots. Booster shots are the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19. See updated CDC guidelines here.

Please know that I will continue working to get the 8th District the resources it needs. If you have questions or need assistance please call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-7919 and follow instructions to be connected to my staff or send an email to NJ8inquiries@mail.house.gov.