FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 25, 2024

 Pallone Marks Final Phase of Port Monmouth Flood Project, 12 Years After Sandy 

 Port Monmouth, NJ –  Twelve years after Superstorm Sandy devastated Port Monmouth, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. returned today to launch the final phase of the Port Monmouth Storm Risk Reduction Project. 

 Joined by representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Pallone reflected on the progress made and the federal investments driving it. “This project began as a promise after Sandy—to rebuild smarter, stronger, and protect our communities from climate change,” said Pallone. “With this final phase underway, Port Monmouth will finally have the protection it needs for the future. This is a model for how the federal government can partner with local communities to safeguard our coastline.”

The $61.8 million phase includes floodwalls along Highway 36, drainage systems, levees, and road closure gates along Compton Creek between Campbell Avenue and Broadway. These improvements are designed to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from storm surges and rising sea levels.

Pallone, instrumental in securing funding through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, highlighted the personal impact of the project. “It’s impossible to forget the destruction Sandy brought here,” Pallone said. “This isn’t just about flood protection—it’s about restoring security to the Bayshore and ensuring families and businesses don’t live in fear of the next storm.”

The project, part of a broader effort to improve New Jersey’s coastal resilience, is fully funded by the USACE and expected to be completed in 2028. When finished, it will include extensive beachfill, wetlands mitigation, tide gates, concrete floodwalls, raised roads, and interior drainage improvements to manage heavy rainfall and storm surges. 

Today’s milestone underscores the importance of federal investments in confronting the realities of climate change and protecting New Jersey’s coastline. 

 “This contract award represents our ongoing commitment to safeguarding coastal communities against the increasing threat of severe weather events,” said Colonel Alex Young, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. "Partnering with a capable small business underscores our dedication to supporting local enterprises while delivering essential flood risk management solutions." “Today marks a historic step for climate resilience efforts in New Jersey,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “We are deeply grateful to our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers and our Congressional delegation for their commitment to the completion of this project. More than a decade in the making, this project provides valuable community flood protection against future storms and sea-level rise, while enhancing and protecting the Raritan Bay shorelines and marsh systems that provide critical wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. I am proud to join Congressman Pallone and Colonel Young to celebrate the award of this contract that will enhance climate resilience, create jobs and secure a stronger future for Port Monmouth.”

Team Pallone: It's Frank 30s

 Friends, 

We all know Frank Pallone as one of the most effective Members of Congress. That’s why it's important to  spread the word about the Congressman’s accomplishments and making sure that  nothing is left  on the field this upcoming election. 

Frank Pallone are working for accessible health care, taking on price gouging, fighting to make housing more affordable, and advocating for the environment.

 

Congressman Pallone Statement on President Biden’s Decision to Step Down as Democratic Presidential Nominee

For Immediate Release

 July 21, 2024

 Contact: Victoria Bonney, 202-577-8541

 WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) today issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s announcement that he will not seek re-election as the Democratic Presidential nominee: 

 “President Biden's decision to step back from the nomination reflects his selflessness as a leader. His legacy of putting his country first is underscored by more than fifty years of public service. I am grateful for his calm leadership while navigating the most challenging role on the planet, especially after four years of tumult and division sowed by Donald Trump. Now, our party must come together to defeat the authoritarian policies of the Republican nominee and ensure American democracy endures.”

Pallone Condemns Republican Plan to Defund Amtrak by 12%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2024

Contact: Victoria Bonney,  202-577-8541

 LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (CD-6) today sharply criticized House Republicans’ proposal to cut Amtrak funding by 12% in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation Appropriations bill. He urged Republicans from New Jersey and New York to stand up to the reckless plan to defund public transit serving the Northeast Corridor. 

 “This 12% cut to Amtrak is a direct attack on the hardworking commuters of New Jersey and New York who rely on these services every day,” said Pallone. “We’ve invested billions through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade and modernize our rail systems. Slashing Amtrak’s budget now undermines those efforts and puts our progress at risk.”

 The proposed Transportation-HUD Appropriations funding bill, overseen by Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), would reduce Amtrak’s annual federal funding by over a billion dollars. Pallone emphasized the importance of maintaining robust funding for Amtrak to ensure reliable and safe transportation for millions of Americans. 

 “These cuts are utterly unacceptable,” Pallone continued. “Reduced funding will only lead to more delays, service disruptions, and outdated infrastructure. I call on my Republican colleagues from New Jersey and New York to stand up against this radical proposal and protect our constituents.”

Pallone Launches Investigation Into Reports of Oil Companies Colluding to Drive Up Gas Prices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Mary Werden 

 202-225-4671 

 May 22, 2024

 “If U.S. oil companies are colluding with each other and foreign cartels to manipulate global oil markets and harm American consumers who then pay more at the pump, Congress and the American people deserve to know.”

 Washington, DC – Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. launched an investigation into seven oil and gas companies today, demanding answers for the behavior of crude oil producers as concerns grow that oil companies are illegally colluding to artificially inflate gas prices. The new probe comes in the wake of recent revelations from a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into Scott Sheffield, the former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources Company, who allegedly attempted to illegally coordinate crude oil production levels with OPEC and his competitors in order to drive up prices at the pump and rake in additional profits.

 “At a hearing last Congress, Committee Democrats raised concern that oil companies were artificially inflating gas prices to gouge consumers and produce record profits for shareholders,” Pallone wrote to the CEOs of BP America, Shell USA, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Devon Energy, Hess, and ExxonMobil Corporation (Exxon). Pallone went on to underscore that Democrats’ concerns have been realized: “The FTC’s complaint details troubling actions by Mr. Sheffield, who allegedly attempted to illegally collude and coordinate crude oil production levels with Pioneer’s competitors and representatives from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+.”

Pallone noted that OPEC and OPEC+ are cartels in which many of the major oil-producing nations of the world openly collude to artificially limit production and manipulate oil prices. Moreover, OPEC has shown a significant willingness to use its oil leverage for geopolitical reasons, such as when it caused the 1973 oil crisis. Starting in the 2010s, however, increasing U.S. crude oil production limited OPEC’s ability to manipulate global supply as American oil producers — subject to antitrust and competition laws in the United States — refused to artificially limit supply. Without those U.S. protections, Pallone wrote, American consumers would be at the mercy of OPEC and OPEC+’s member nations, including Russia and Iran. 

 “Unfortunately, Mr. Sheffield and Pioneer appear to have flouted those laws,” Pallone wrote. “Even more troubling, Mr. Sheffield appears to have attempted to encourage other U.S. oil producers to follow his and Pioneer’s lead in colluding with a cartel to drive up energy costs at Americans’ expense.”

 Pallone pointed to publicly available data that suggests U.S. oil producers limited their production growth, despite high prices, over the same period that Mr. Sheffield was trying to influence his competitors. Meanwhile, crude oil prices have soared as high as $120 per barrel. 

 “I am concerned that Mr. Sheffield’s behavior may represent common practices across the industry, as reporting and the FTC complaint have suggested. Simply put, I am worried that Mr. Sheffield’s actions, rather than being ‘entirely inconsistent with how we do business,’ as Exxon has claimed, are instead industry-standard practice — directly contradicting what the largest oil companies, including Pioneer and Exxon, testified to the Committee last Congress,” Pallone concluded. “If U.S. oil companies are colluding with each other and foreign cartels to manipulate global oil markets and harm American consumers who then pay more at the pump, Congress and the American people deserve to know.”

 Pallone demanded answers and documents from each of the seven companies, including:

•  All communications between each company’s current or former employees involved in developing future production plans and representatives of OPEC or OPEC+;
•  A list of meetings between each company and representatives of OPEC or OPEC+, as well as a list of meetings between each company and competing U.S. oil producers;
• All communications between each company and representatives of competing U.S. oil producers that describe or allude to present, planned, or projected production;
• Any legal guidance pertaining to antitrust, competition, or sanctions issues ahead of meetings with representatives of OPEC or OPEC+;
•  Any non-public communications or meetings that executives have had with shareholders or equity owners on crude oil production levels or prices; and
• A detailed description of any efforts to influence potential federal or state government efforts to artificially limit crude oil production. 

 In his letter to Exxon, which recently acquired Sheffield’s Pioneer Natural Resources Company, Pallone made additional demands, including: 

•  All communications between Pioneer employees who were involved in developing production plans and representatives of OPEC or OPEC+; 
• A detailed description of any guardrails Exxon plans on implementing in the wake of the acquisition to ensure that the alleged behavior by Mr. Sheffield is not replicated within Exxon; and
•  A detailed description of how former employees of Pioneer will be incorporated into Exxon’s corporate structure and their role in developing future production plans or in altering existing production plans for any of Exxon’s assets. 

Full letters are available here:

BP America 

Shell USA 

Chevron 

Occidental Petroleum 

Devon Energy 

Hess 

Exxon

 

Pallone Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Americans’ Online Data from Foreign Adversaries

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Mary Werden 

202-225-4671 

 April 20, 2024 

Pallone Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Americans’ Online Data from Foreign Adversaries 

 "Bill Includes Pallone’s Bipartisan “Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act,” Which He Introduced Earlier this Year"

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today applauded House passage of the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act. The bill would create a framework to force divestment of TikTok from its Chinese Communist Party-controlled parent company ByteDance so that Americans can continue to use the platform without the risk that Chinese Communist officials would be able to use the app to undermine our national security and privacy. 

The package also includes the “Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act,” which was authored by Pallone. It would prohibit data brokers from selling or otherwise making available Americans’ sensitive information to the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran or entities controlled by them. 

 “National security experts are sounding the alarm and warning that our foreign adversaries are using every tool at their disposal, including apps like TikTok, to amass troves of sensitive data about Americans. The laws in China allow the Chinese Communist Party to compel companies, like TikTok, to share data with them on demand whether the companies want to or not. We simply cannot allow this to continue,” Pallone said. “This bill also takes decisive action to mitigate our foreign adversaries’ ability to collect Americans’ data and use it against us. Most Americans are unaware that data brokers compile dossiers about their interests, beliefs, finances, and movements. This package includes a bipartisan bill I authored that protects Americans by barring data brokers from selling sensitive information about them to our adversaries. I’m grateful to my colleagues in Congress, who worked to get this bill across the finish line.” 

Pallone serves as the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over consumer protection and technology policy. His floor speech in support of the bill is available here.

Pallone Applauds House Passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Pallone Helped Author New Legislation that Guarantees Free Coronavirus Testing for All Americans, Paid Sick Leave, Protections for Health Care Workers and Provides Important Benefits to Children and Families

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted in favor of passing H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Pallone is an original co-sponsor of the bill and helped draft key provisions, including a guarantee that all Americans have access to coronavirus testing free of charge, and an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) that the federal government provides to state and territorial Medicaid programs:

“This week, we continued our ongoing work to respond to the coronavirus global pandemic, which has now claimed the lives of more than 40 Americans. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act recognizes the urgency of the moment and prioritizes America’s families by providing critical support to assist those affected by the outbreak.

“I am proud to have helped write this legislation, which ensures that coronavirus testing will be free of charge for all Americans, establishes paid sick leave for those who have to take time off from their jobs, strengthens food assistance for vulnerable Americans and enhances unemployment assistance for Americans who may be laid off or furloughed. It also increases the FMAP for state and territorial Medicaid programs, which will be critical as we prepare for the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic.

“This national public health emergency requires a coordinated, whole-of-government response to help slow the virus’ spread and keep Americans safe. This package will help us rise to meet the challenge before us. I stand ready to continue to work across the aisle and with the Administration to respond to this global pandemic and help keep Americans safe.”

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act builds on the $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus spending package that was passed and signed into law last week. That package included support for state and local health agencies, vaccine and treatment development, and loans for affected small businesses to lessen the economic blow of this public health emergency. The State of New Jersey is directly receiving at least $15.6 million from that funding package.

A summary of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act is available here.

Bill text is available here.

Pallone Announces CLEAN Future Act, a Bold New Plan to Achieve a 100 Percent Clean Economy by 2050

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2020


The Plan Details Deep Decarbonization Strategies for Each Sector of the U.S. Economy within the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Jurisdiction and Novel Concepts for Achieving Nationwide Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Pollution


Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today released the legislative framework of the draft Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act – an ambitious new climate plan to ensure the United States achieves net-zero greenhouse gas pollution no later than 2050. Pallone made the announcement with other Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which he chairs, and spoke about the plan at a press conference today on Capitol Hill. Video of his remarks are available here.

The CLEAN Future Act is a comprehensive proposal of sector-specific and economy-wide solutions to address the climate crisis. Critically, the CLEAN Future Act formally adopts the goal of achieving of a 100 percent clean economy by 2050. According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, avoiding the most catastrophic outcomes of climate change requires cutting carbon pollution to net-zero by 2050. The draft bill incorporates both proven and novel concepts, presenting a set of policy proposals that will put the U.S. on the path to a clean and prosperous economy.

“Record wildfires, flooding, heat waves and drought have spelled out a dire reality: the climate crisis is here, and we can no longer afford to address this crisis along the margins. Today we are providing the kind of serious federal leadership this moment requires,” said Congressman Pallone. “This plan represents our commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas pollution. For the sake of the American people, the long-term sustainability of our economy, and public health, we must act boldly, and that is exactly what we intend to do.”

The framework is the result of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s ongoing work to seriously and meaningfully tackle the climate crisis. The Committee held 15 hearings addressing the climate crisis, including seven focused on how best to facilitate deep decarbonization of various sectors of our economy. Legislative text of the draft CLEAN Future Act will be released by the end of the month. Hearings and stakeholder meetings will continue throughout the year.

The Committee’s framework details the legislation’s proposals to date, which include taking ambitious new policies within the Committee’s jurisdiction, all aimed at reducing U.S. greenhouse gas pollution to net-zero by 2050. The draft legislation includes the following key areas:

Power Sector: The CLEAN Future Act proposes a nationwide CES requiring all retail electricity suppliers to obtain 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The CES in the discussion draft text mandates that all retail electricity suppliers provide an increasing supply of clean energy to consumers starting in 2022, rising to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The draft legislation stipulates that suppliers must possess a sufficient quantity of “clean energy credits” at the end of each year, or may otherwise make an “alternative compliance payment.” Suppliers may buy and trade clean energy credits from one another or purchase them via auction. The mandate is technology-neutral, allowing electricity suppliers ample flexibility and freedom of choice.

Building Sector: The draft legislation aims to improve the efficiency of new and existing buildings, as well as the equipment and appliances that operate within them. The Act establishes national energy savings targets for continued improvement of model building energy codes, leading to a requirement of zero-energy-ready buildings by 2030. This section further provides assistance for states and Tribes to support adoption of updated model building energy codes and support full compliance. The CLEAN Future Act also incorporates several additional measures to reduce building emissions.

Transportation Sector: The draft legislation reduces transportation emissions, the largest source of GHG emissions, by improving vehicle efficiency, accelerating the transition to low- to zero-carbon fuels and building the infrastructure needed for a clean transportation system. The bill directs EPA to set new, increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, including non-road modes of transportation. It further requires year-over-year improvements to those standards – and that the level of the standards be set in accordance with the path to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Industrial Sector: The CLEAN Future Act establishes a Buy Clean Program that sets performance targets to steadily reduce emissions from construction materials and products used in projects that receive federal funding. With the vast majority of U.S. construction projects funded by government dollars, this proposal would transform these carbon-intensive industries by ensuring that these projects only use the cleanest construction materials. The program also strengthens the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector while reducing climate pollution by promoting the use of low-carbon materials and expanding the market for cleaner products.


National Climate Target for Federal Agencies: The CLEAN Future Act directs all federal agencies to use all existing authorities to put the country on a path toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It does not stipulate which energy sources or strategies qualify, instead taking a technology-inclusive approach to reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century. To ensure federal agencies’ collective efforts remain on track, the draft legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate each agency’s plans, make recommendations and report on progress each year.

State Climate Plans: The CLEAN Future Act empowers the states to complete the transition to a net-zero economy, based on the existing federalism model in the Clean Air Act. The bill sets a national climate standard of net-zero greenhouse gas pollution in each state by 2050. States are then granted flexibility to develop plans to meet the 2050 and interim standards based on their policy preferences, priorities and circumstances. Each state must submit a climate plan to EPA, which then reviews and approves or disapproves each plan. States may work independently or cooperatively as they develop their plans to meet the national climate standard. To ensure that states have ample guidance and expertise at their disposal, the bill directs EPA to develop a set of model greenhouse gas control strategies, which states can choose to incorporate into their plans.

National Climate Bank: The CLEAN Future Act establishes a first-of-its-kind National Climate Bank to help states, cities, communities and companies in the transition to a clean economy. The Bank will mobilize public and private investments to provide financing for low- and zero-emissions energy technologies, climate resiliency, building efficiency and electrification, industrial decarbonization, grid modernization, agriculture projects, and clean transportation. The CLEAN Future Act requires that the Bank prioritize investments in communities that are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, including frontline, rural, low-income and environmental justice communities.

Environmental Justice: The draft legislation requires that states’ individual climate plans, and state implementation plans for other hazardous air pollutants proactively consider the needs of frontline and environmental justice communities. The draft also includes grant programs to allow impacted communities to participate in the permitting and regulation of petrochemical facilities in their neighborhoods. It further protects these groups by implementing strong new coal ash disposal requirements and repealing oil and gas production exemptions from landmark environmental laws.

The CLEAN Future Act also features a suite of complementary policies, including proposals to remove barriers to clean energy, reduce super pollutants like methane, and investments in grid modernization and energy efficiency programs.

The Energy and Commerce Committee is requesting feedback and recommendations from all stakeholders as it continues to expand and refine the CLEAN Future Act. To that end, hearings and stakeholder meetings will continue throughout the coming year. Potential 2020 hearing topics include adaptation and climate resilience, workforce and community transition, recycling and waste management, and international cooperation. Feedback can be submitted to CleanFuture@mail.house.gov.

Pallone and Thomas Edison Descendant Denounce Trump Administration’s Roll Back of Lightbulb Efficiency Standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2019

Trump’s corporate giveaway will increase consumer electricity bills by $12 billion a year

EDISON, N.J. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Barry Edison Sloane, Thomas Edison’s great-grandson, held a press conference to condemn the Trump Administration’s rollback of lightbulb efficiency standards that reduce energy consumption and save consumers billions of dollars each year. They were joined by Ed Potosnak with the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

In 2007, Congress passed, and President George W. Bush signed into law, lightbulb efficiency standards that required manufacturers to begin producing lightbulbs that use less energy. In 2017, the Obama Administration updated the guidelines to require additional bulb types – including three-way reflector, globe-shaped, and candelabra-style bulbs – adhere to the same efficiency standards as pear-shaped bulbs. In February, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced it would disregard this update. It is estimated that the rollback would increase consumers’ electricity bills by $12 billion a year by the year 2025.

In March, Pallone held a hearing in his Committee’s Energy Subcommittee on the Department of Energy’s inaction on efficiency standards and its impact on consumers and climate change. Pallone serves as the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“This reckless rollback will lead to years of unnecessary electricity generation and carbon emissions – just to power inefficient and outdated lightbulbs. Trashing this important standard will also increase consumers’ electricity bills by allowing inefficient products to remain on the market, something that is absolutely unnecessary,” Congressman Pallone said. “I would like to thank Barry Edison Sloane, a descendant of Thomas Edison, and Ed Potosnak who joined me today to call on this administration to follow the energy guidelines set by Congress and signed into law.”

The New Jersey congressman pointed to the fact that last month 37 electric utilities sent a letter to DOE opposing the lightbulb rollback.

“My great-grandfather, Thomas Edison, believed that all inventions, including the lightbulb, could and should be improved over time. In fact, he had over 20 patents on the incandescent lightbulb: each one an improvement. Thanks to new technology, the newer lightbulbs are more energy efficient, lessen our carbon footprint, and save consumers money – innovations he would have championed,” said Barry Edison Sloane, great-grandson of Thomas Edison. “It’s unacceptable that the Department of Energy now intends to disregard commonsense innovations that have already been embraced in 80 countries and the U.S. for over a decade. Edison would have agreed that, given the urgency climate change presents, this kind of action is like throwing gasoline on our burning house. I think my great grandfather might have had something to say about this, like, ‘Who’s the dim bulb who came up with this idea and why?’”

“I applaud Congressman Frank Pallone for continuing to stand up to Trump’s dangerous and ill-informed deregulatory agenda. Today, we stand together to call attention to a roll back of the federal lightning standard that could cost consumers billions, increase air pollution, and take us ten steps back in addressing the climate crisis,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Federal light bulb standards may seem like a small thing, but in fact they have enormous impacts on our wallets and our environment. These senseless attacks on smart and widely effective energy efficiency programs only further advances dangerous deregulatory attacks on our economy and environment.”

Beyond the rollback of the lightbulb efficiency standards, the DOE has also ignored the law by refusing to finalize or update efficiency standards for 17 products, including refrigerators, washing machines and room air conditioners.

Pallone Announces Bill to Help Coastal Communities Combat Effects of Climate Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2019

Senators Kamala Harris, Chris Murphy Lead Senate Companion

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced legislation to help protect coastal communities from sea level rise and stronger storms caused by climate change. The Living Shorelines Act would create a federal grant program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to assist states, localities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in constructing living shorelines.

Living shoreline projects use natural materials and systems, including dunes, wetlands, and oyster reefs, to support the natural flood resilience of healthy shoreline ecosystems. Natural infrastructure is cost-effective and adaptable to changing environmental conditions. It also enhances ecosystem functions which can improve water quality and wildlife habitat protection. Certain types of living shorelines can also support carbon mitigation.

“The Living Shorelines Act will help us protect our coastal communities from the effects of climate change, including more flooding from sea level rise and stronger hurricanes, by harnessing proven natural infrastructure solutions. Since Superstorm Sandy, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to make my home state of New Jersey more resilient against the effects of climate change. This legislation will provide additional help so communities can use living shorelines to effectively mitigate future flooding while benefiting local economies,” Congressman Pallone said. “Strengthening living shorelines will also improve the local environment by supporting water quality and habitats for local wildlife and fish as well as provide enhanced opportunities for recreation. I look forward to working with Senators Harris and Murphy in the Senate to advance this legislation.”

The legislation provides $50 million in federal funds that would be matched by state and local governments and NGOs applying for grants and projects. They would be monitored to measure and help determine best practices for future living shoreline projects. The bill would give priority consideration to projects in areas where a federal disaster has been declared in the past 10 years or that have a history of flooding, which includes New Jersey’s coastal towns. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) will introduce the companion bill in the Senate.

“Our country is facing a climate crisis, and while we work to secure our environment for future generations we must also take steps to mitigate against sea level rise and prepare for the extreme weather that has become increasingly common,” said Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA). “We need to make smart investments in our coastal communities, and creating living shorelines is a proven method of protecting our precious coasts.”

“Connecticut’s economy depends on a vibrant, healthy Long Island Sound, and we have to be smart if we’re going to manage the effects of climate change on our coast. I’m proud to join Senator Harris and Congressman Pallone in reintroducing the Living Shorelines Act. Our legislation will send money to towns along the Sound that are working on environmentally friendly projects to fortify against future storms and rising sea levels,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).

“We are living in a world of a changing climate. Mr. Pallone’s Living Shorelines legislation will provide support for developing new approaches to protecting our coast that are based in nature,” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the Littoral Society. “Pallone’s bill will empower communities to find ways to live with the water, restoring natural shorelines and habitats while protecting property and communities. We applaud Mr. Pallone for his continued leadership in protecting our coast and ocean, and appreciate the continual development of creative, workable and sound programs that come from his office.”

“Coastal managers have long known that beaches and dunes reduce the risk of flood and storm damage to oceanfront coastal communities while providing ecological habitat and recreation benefits, and the U.S. has wisely invested in maintaining and restoring this critical natural infrastructure. Living shorelines provide these exact same benefits to bayside and estuarine coastal communities but without the same level of support from the federal government. The Living Shorelines Act will help ensure ALL coastal communities can use natural infrastructure to reduced risk from coastal hazards while maintaining wildlife habitat and offering recreation values,” said Derek Brockbank, Executive Director of American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

“Living shorelines are a proven way to use natural systems to protect shorelines, reduce flooding of both public and private properties, and provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife", said Jeff Benoit, President of Restore America's Estuaries. “The Living Shorelines bill provides a real opportunity to advance the use of this technique to create healthy and productive estuaries.”

“Living shorelines are an important and adaptable tool to help coastal communities become more resilient while improving habitat for wildlife,” said Jessie Ritter, Director of Water Resources and Coastal Policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “In the face of severe storms and flooding, the Living Shorelines Act of 2019 will enable more communities to use nature-based solutions to help protect their coastlines. Importantly, the Living Shorelines Act of 2019 will further demonstrate and measure how living shorelines projects protect communities— ultimately helping us improve their design and effectiveness. Thank you to Senators Harris and Murphy and to Congressman Pallone for their leadership on this critical issue for wildlife and coastal communities alike.”

“The Jersey Shore Partnership applauds Congressman Pallone’s introduction of the Living Shorelines Act. This innovative program advances the opportunities to protect our coastal infrastructure by incentivizing a natural complement to ‘hard’ shoreline stabilization methods like stone sills or bulkheads and recognizes the value of living shore lines’ numerous benefits. We applaud and promote this legislation as an important step in advancing shoreline stabilization projects that enhance natural materials that buffer shoreline erosion from coastal storms, support natural habitats, and essential ecosystem functions,” said Margot Walsh, Executive Director, The Jersey Shore Partnership.

E&C Democrats Introduce Infrastructure Package Aimed at Combating Climate Change, Expanding Broadband Access & Protecting Public Health and the Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2019

Committee Also Announces Hearing on The LIFT America Act

Wednesday, May 22

Washington, D.C. – All 31 Democratic members of the Energy and Commerce Committee today introduced a sweeping infrastructure package, the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America Act, or LIFT America Act, that will rebuild America through investments in combating climate change, expanding broadband access and protecting public health and the environment.

Full Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. also announced that the Full Committee will hold a hearing on the bill on Wednesday, May 22, at 10 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “LIFT America: Modernizing Our Infrastructure for the Future.”

“We cannot wait any longer to act on climate or to modernize our nation’s aging infrastructure. The LIFT America Act makes significant investments in rebuilding our country and takes an important step in combating the climate crisis by moving us towards a clean energy future and reducing our carbon emissions,” said Pallone. “This legislation will strengthen our economy for the future by creating good paying jobs, making critical investments in our nation’s broadband network, and bringing critical improvements to our drinking water and health care infrastructure.”

The LIFT America Act includes investments in several key areas, including:


Action to Combat the Climate Crisis and Protect Our Environment:

• Over $33 billion for clean energy, including $4 billion to upgrade the U.S. electric grid to accommodate more renewable energy and make it more resilient. It also includes $4 billion for the expansion of renewable energy use, including $2.25 billion for the installation of solar panels in low-income and underserved communities. LIFT America also includes $23 billion for energy efficiency efforts – namely retrofitting and weatherizing buildings, including schools and homes, to ensure they produce fewer carbon emissions – and funding the nationwide deployment of more clean energy fuels.
• $2.7 billion to spur the development of Smart Communities, including $850 million in technical assistance to help cities and counties integrate clean energy into their redevelopment efforts, and $1.4 billion to support the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
• More than $21 billion to protect Americans’ drinking water, including $2.5 billion to establish a new grant program allowing PFAS-affected communities to filter the toxic chemicals out of their water supplies. LIFT America also expands upon the passage of the 2017 Safe Drinking Water Act by extending and increasing authorization for the State Revolving Loan Fund, and other safe water programs.
• $2.7 billion for Brownfields redevelopment to revitalize communities and create jobs by returning valuable land to productive use.

Expanding Access to Broadband Internet:

• $40 billion for the deployment of secure and resilient high-speed broadband internet service to expand access for communities nationwide and bring broadband to 98 percent of the country.
• $12 billion in grants for the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 services to make 9-1-1 service more accessible, effective, and resilient, and enable Americans to send text messages, images, or videos to 9-1-1 in times of emergency.
• $5 billion in federal funding for low-interest financing of broadband infrastructure deployment through a new program that would allow eligible entities to apply for secured loans, lines of credit, or loan guarantees to finance broadband infrastructure build out projects.

Investing in America’s Health Infrastructure:

• $2 billion in funding to reauthorize the Hill-Burton hospital infrastructure program, including targeted assistance to support cybersecurity in the health system.
• $1 billion for Indian Health Service infrastructure projects to reduce health disparities in Indian Country.
• $100 million to support state labs on the frontlines of fighting infectious diseases.
• $100 million to establish a community-based care infrastructure program and to develop teaching health centers and mental health care centers.
• $3.5 billion to improve public health infrastructure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at state, local, tribal and territorial health departments.

The LIFT America Act is sponsored by Energy and Commerce Committee members Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Annie Kuster (D-NH), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Donald McEachin (D-VA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Darren Soto (D-FL) and Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ).


A section-by-section of the bill is available HERE, and the text of the bill is available HERE.





Information for next week’s hearing on this legislation, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list, testimony and a live webcast, will be posted HERE as they become available.

Pallone: Rx Drug Price-Fixing is Reprehensible

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2019


Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement after a coalition of 44 states brought an anti-trust lawsuit against 20 generic drug manufacturers and 15 individuals for a conspiracy to fix prescription drug prices for more than 100 products on the market:

“The Attorney Generals’ allegations of drug price-fixing are deeply disturbing, and I applaud their efforts to hold manufacturers accountable for subjecting American consumers to higher prescription drug prices. If true, any conspiracy to artificially drive up prices when Americans are already struggling to afford the lifesaving drugs they depend on is reprehensible.

“Generic drugs are intended to bring competition to our marketplaces and provide access to affordable medications for all Americans, but this lawsuit suggests some manufacturers may have conspired to rig the system. This behavior is unacceptable, and another example of how we must continue to find ways to prevent drug manufacturers from taking advantage of Americans.”

Pallone Leads New Jersey Delegation Demand to Permanently End to Offshore Drilling Plans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2019



WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and the full New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a bipartisan letter to Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt demanding that the Department permanently withdraw plans to conduct offshore oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Congressman Pallone’s letter was signed by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), Donald Payne (NJ-10), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02).

On March 29, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska ruled that President Trump’s Executive Order to undo oil and gas drilling bans in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans was illegal. Last week, Secretary Bernhardt told the Wall Street Journal that the Court’s ruling would temporarily stall the Trump Administration’s dangerous plans for offshore drilling.

“We write regarding reports that the Department of Interior intends to stall plans to expand dangerous offshore oil exploration in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans in light of a recent federal court ruling. Based on this court decision and your public statements, we ask you to commit to permanently abandon plans to conduct offshore oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans,” the Members wrote. “Opening areas in the Mid and South-Atlantic to oil and gas development will put local economies at risk. Coastal communities along the Atlantic Ocean, including our home state of New Jersey, remain steadfast against any plan to drill for oil and gas in our coastal waters.”

The Jersey Shore is home to over $700 billion in coastal properties. The state’s tourism industry generates $38 billion a year supporting almost half a million direct and indirect jobs, amounting to nearly ten percent of the state’s entire workforce. New Jersey’s vibrant commercial fishing industry generates over $7.9 billion annually and supports over 50,000 jobs. New Jersey also has one of the largest saltwater recreational fishing industries in the nation. In Atlantic coastal states, an estimated 1.4 million jobs are connected to fishing, tourism and recreation, contributing to over $95 billion in gross domestic product. According to 2010 census data, 39 percent of the U.S. population is concentrated in counties directly on the shoreline.

A copy of the letter is available here.

Pallone Provision to Strengthen NOAA Facilities at Sandy Hook Passes House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2019

Public Lands Package Reauthorizes Land and Water Conservation Fund

Washington, DC – Last night a provision authored by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) to strengthen the facilities at Sandy Hook passed the House of Representatives. Numerous stakeholders, including the state of New Jersey, asked Pallone to provide a legislative fix allowing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to directly take over the marine science lab lease on Sandy Hook. Previously the State of New Jersey leased the lab from the National Park Service with NOAA subleasing the lab from New Jersey. The provision will improve the efficiency of NOAA’s facilities at Sandy Hook.

“I am proud that NOAA will be able to continue to important work at Sandy Hook, including research on climate change and its impact on New Jersey’s coast,” said Pallone. “This is an important example of how we can work together to improve efficiency for our government.”

The change is part of S. 47, which includes components of over one hundred individual bills, permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), designates over 1 million acres of wilderness, and protects over 1 million acres of public land from future mining operations, including a sensitive area at the gateway of Yellowstone National Park. The bipartisan bill previously passed the Senate and will now be sent to the president for signature.

“This legislation will help to protect and preserve our nation’s land and resources for future generations,” said Pallone. “Thanks to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, places in New Jersey like Gateway National Recreational Area and Sandy Hook can maintain and improve their facilities and remain open to all Americans – and now the Fund can continue helping communities around the country meet their potential. I’m proud to support this landmark package and look forward to seeing it become law.”

In New Jersey, LWCF has already invested $346 million to protect public lands, historic sites, and increase recreational opportunities.

Pallone Highlights Importance of Vaccines at Hearing on Measles Outbreaks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2019


What is particularly disconcerting, is that this is a public health problem for which science has already provided a solution: a safe and effective vaccine.”


Washington, DC - Today Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, stressed the importance of addressing the growing public health crisis of measles outbreaks in the United States. There have been more than 159 measles cases reported across the nation already this year. There was a reported case of measles this week in Bergen County, New Jersey and another 33 cases in Ocean and Passaic counties last December. More information on the hearing can be found here. Pallone had scheduled the hearing in his Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to hear about efforts to prevent the disease’s spread and strategies to support vaccination efforts.

Pallone’s remarks can be found below and the video can be found here.

This committee has a long history of addressing public health concerns and infectious disease crises. Today, we are here to discuss the troubling increase in the number of measles cases here in the United States.

This issue hits close to home for me. Just this past December, 33 cases of measles were confirmed in Ocean and Passaic counties of my home state of New Jersey.

As of this morning, there have been more than 159 measles cases reported across the nation already this year. And there are now six outbreaks—of three or more cases—in four states. Not only are we seeing a troubling increase in cases, but the number of outbreaks also continues to grow. This is all deeply disturbing.

The reemergence of this highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease poses a threat beyond the pockets of communities in which it arises.

It is particularly dangerous to infants, children under the age of five, those who are pregnant, and people with compromised immune systems. All these people are at higher risk of severe complications from the measles.

What is particularly disconcerting, is that this is a public health problem for which science has already provided a solution: a safe and effective vaccine. There is overwhelming confidence among researchers, public health officials, and parents in the MMR vaccine.

Yet vaccine hesitancy, and, to a lesser degree, vaccine access concerns are behind the growing number of measles cases in the U.S. since 2010.

I know that we will discuss both of these issues and hear from our experts as to the federal government’s responsibility in addressing both.

I’d also like to hear from our witnesses about one particular area of great concern to me, and that is the proliferation of disinformation about the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine.

I am deeply troubled by the role digital media plays in perpetuating myths and fears regarding measles. It is undermining the facts on how to safely and effectively prevent measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

For example, recent media reports found that users on YouTube and Facebook are steered toward anti-vaccination content due to the platform’s algorithms.

Both companies have said they are taking steps to address the promotion of conspiracy theories, but we must keep our eye on where the misinformation will pop up next.

Particularly when we know there is a preponderance of evidence that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective. And, that there are measures in place to continue to monitor and assess its safety and the safety of other vaccines.

I am deeply troubled that parents are being inundated with distortions and misinformation campaigns when they are going online to try to make informed decisions about their child’s health.

I look forward to hearing from Dr. Messonnier and Dr. Fauci about what’s driving the recent measles outbreaks. I’d also like to know what efforts are underway by the CDC and NIH to address this growing public health threat, and where they still need additional support.

Thank you, and I yield back.

Pallone Slams Trump’s Unconstitutional Declaration of a National Emergency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2019



Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that he would be declaring a national emergency to build a border wall. The president’s emergency declaration and effort to steal billions of dollars in civil works programs, flood prevention and reconstruction projects, and military construction funds could impact more than $50 million specifically intended for New Jersey facilities at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

“President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency is based on lies and deception and is blatantly unconstitutional. This is not a dictatorship, although President Trump continues to act like a dictator. President Trump took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution. His actions in this case are a violation of that oath. That’s why I have co-sponsored a privileged resolution to terminate the president’s fake emergency under the National Emergencies Act.

“Our Founding Fathers gave the power of the purse to Congress and it is clear that the president either hasn’t read the Constitution or is simply willing to ignore our nation’s founding principles to get his way. Congress must immediately reassert its authority and do whatever is necessary to prevent the president from further trampling on the Constitution. I’ll be fighting the president’s actions on the floor of the House, through the courts and however else is necessary to restore our democracy, which may require his removal from office.

E&C Bipartisan Leaders Announce Subcommittee Hearing on Measles Outbreak and Response Efforts on February 27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2019


Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Brett Guthrie (R-KY) announced today that the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the current measles outbreak and response efforts on Wednesday, February 27. More information on timing, location and witnesses will be announced next week.

“Measles is a highly contagious, life-threatening virus that was previously eliminated in the United States thanks to the success of the measles vaccine,” the four bipartisan Committee leaders said. “Unfortunately, measles cases are on the rise as a consequence of the virus’s transmission among unvaccinated groups.

“The reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, presents a serious public health threat, especially for those who rely on ‘herd immunity.’ We look forward to learning more from public health officials on addressing the current outbreak, efforts to prevent the disease’s spread, and strategies to support vaccination efforts,” Pallone, Walden, DeGette and Guthrie concluded.

Since January 1, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 101 individual measles cases in 10 states. The majority of measles cases have occurred in Clark County, Washington, a suburb of Portland, Oregon, with 53 confirmed measles cases. Of those cases, 47 involved people who were not vaccinated against the disease, and 38 people infected were children between the ages of one and 10.

Pallone Statement on Government Funding Agreement and Possible Declaration of National Emergency

February 15, 2019
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr (NJ-06) released the following statement on the funding agreement to keep the government open and the possibility that President Trump would build declare a national emergency to build his border wall.

“President Trump’s ridiculous demands for a costly and unnecessary border wall previously led to a shutdown that lasted for 35 days. While this agreement is far from perfect, it is a hard earned compromise that avoids another disastrous government shutdown for our country. The agreement makes important investments in our nation’s future and ensures that federal workers will continue to receive their paychecks while also giving them a well-deserved raise.

“Make no mistake, Democrats will fight President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency in Congress, the courts and wherever is necessary to prevent the president from trampling on the Constitution. Despite the president’s lies, there is no national emergency on our nation’s border and circumventing Congress on this issue will set a dangerous precedent that Republicans may very well regret.

“The wall is costly, impractical and unnecessary. Mexico is never going to pay for it, the American people don’t want it and declaring a national emergency to build it is illegal.”

Pallone Reintroduces Bill to Stop Robocalls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2019

An Estimated 26.3 Billion Unwanted Calls Were Placed in the U.S. in 2018

Washington, D.C. – Today, Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) reintroduced the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act (HR 946) in the House of Representatives to stop abusive robocall practices.

Pallone’s bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enact strong consumer protections for authorized calls and empower the FCC with strong enforcement tools to reign in robocallers. The legislation would also ensure that consumers have the ability to stop calls they’d previously authorized and require incoming calls to have authentic caller identification information before they are delivered to customers.

“Americans are fed up with robocalls. It is incredibly annoying to repeatedly get unwanted calls from people you don’t know and don’t want to talk to,” Pallone said. “Despite previous efforts like the Do Not Call Registry, robocalls are still on the rise. The Stopping Bad Robocalls Act will equip consumer protection agencies with innovative, new tools designed to stop the abusive practices by robocallers and better restrict unauthorized robocalls.”

Last year, an estimated 26.3 billion unwanted calls were placed in the U.S., which represents a 46 percent increase in unwanted calls over the previous year. The staggering number of unwanted calls are returning huge profit margins for robocallers, with every dollar spent by robocallers returning as much as $20 profit—a 2,000 percent profit margin. Though some robocalls are initiated by legitimate companies, robocalls are also used by scammers to steal from consumers, with more than 22 million Americans losing a total of $9.5 billion in robocall scams in 2016 alone.

Pallone’s bill was also applauded by various consumer groups.

“The Stopping Bad Robocalls Act will apply essential and meaningful consumer protections from unwanted robocalls if the FCC should fail to rein in robocalls from telemarketers and debt collectors, student loan servicers and others,” said Margot Saunders, senior counsel at the National Consumer Law Center.

“The robocalls problem is out of control and, without action from Congress, will only get worse. This legislation would tackle the growing problem of "spoofed" calls that trick consumers into answering, by ensuring phone companies implement technology to stop these unwanted calls before they reach the consumer, at no additional cost. Consumer Reports applauds Congressman Pallone for his leadership in addressing this growing problem,” said Maureen Mahoney, policy analyst at Consumer Reports.

The Stopping Bad Robocalls Act would curb the rise of robocalls by:

• Amending the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to ensure that the FCC has the authority and the tools to take strong, quick action when they track down robocallers;
• Allowing consumers to revoke consent they had previously given to receive calls at any time and in any reasonable manner;
• Codifying a reassigned number database to put robocallers on notice when a telephone number they may have previously been authorized to call has been given to a new customer who has not authorized their call;
• Limiting the number of robocalls exempted from the TCPA under the FCC’s rules;
• Requiring calls to have verified caller identification information associated with a call before the call can be put through; and
• Extending the statute of limitations from one year to four years for callers violating robocall prohibitions.

Pallone’s bill is originally cosponsored by: Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), A. Donald McEachin (D-VA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Charlie Crist (D-FL).

Section-by-Section available HERE.

Bill text available HERE.

Pallone to Hold U.S. Service Academy Day at Naval Weapons Station Earle on September 29th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2018


LONG BRANCH, NJ – On Saturday, September 29th , at 10:00 a.m., Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) will be hosting a U.S. Service Academy Day at Naval Weapons Station Earle, Leonardo Pier Complex. The event will provide a forum for students who are interested in attending one of our nation’s prestigious U.S. Service Academies to learn more about the process for admission.

The event will focus on the admissions process, steps to obtaining a congressional nomination, and lifestyles as Cadets or Midshipmen at the academies. Interested students will have the opportunity to personally meet and speak with representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and ROTC programs from Rutgers University.

“Our nation’s service academies are some of the highest caliber institutions committed to graduating leaders of character, honor and integrity,” said Congressman Pallone. “Graduates are selflessly prepared to assume some of the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. By hosting this U.S. Service Academy Day, it is my hope that we will inspire young people of the 6th Congressional District to come and explore the many opportunities that our academies have to offer.”

Doors will open at 10:00 a.m., and presentations from the Academies will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. Reservations are required for admission, therefore, interested students and parents should RSVP to Dawn Rebscher at (732) 571-1140.