Dear Neighbors,

This week, I joined Democrats in keeping up the pressure to hold Trump and his administration accountable for jumping into a war without a goal, strategy, or Congressional authorization. I celebrated women leaders in Somerset County, expressed the need for public health research funding from the NIH and CDC at an HHS Subcommittee hearing, and was recognized for my work increasing access to PrEP resources in order to end HIV/AIDS. Keep reading until the end for a testimonial from a constituent that I wanted to share with you all.

In this week's E-Newsletter
1. The Cost of the Iran War
2. Fighting High Energy Prices
3. Questioning the NIH and CDC Director
4. Community Project Funding
5. Honoring Women Leaders in Somerset County
6. Congressional Champion Award from AIDS United
7. Remembering Two Former Freeholders
8. Our Next Passport Clinic
9. The Congressional Arts Competition
10. Testimonial from Your Neighbor

The Cost of the Iran War
Trump’s War in Iran is one of the greatest foreign policy blunders in American History.

He initiated this war without a plan or reason, and despite what he says, his own Administration has admitted that this isn’t about regime change, or an imminent (or even nuclear) threat. These aren’t simple lies. These lies have cost Americans at least $1 billion per day and 13 American lives. Additionally, over 230 American service members have been injured.

​Yesterday, It was reported that the Pentagon is seeking an additional $200 billion to fund this war. Meanwhile, Republicans have refused to extend ACA subsidies for millions of Americans which would cost about 1/6th what the Pentagon is asking for. 

Fighting High Energy Prices
Energy prices have soared around the country and right here in New Jersey. The people of New Jersey have seen their electricity bills go up by as much as 16.9%. That is unacceptable, and Congress must act quickly to bring costs down. The Energy Bills Relief Act does just that by connecting American consumers with low-cost, reliable clean energy. I'm proud to join Reps. Casten and Levin in introducing this bill that puts the American people first.

Questioning the NIH and CDC Director
NIH Director and Acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya testified before Congress this week. I stressed the importance of diversity in research and clinical trials because many diseases disproportionately affect specific populations, and treatments can vary in safety, efficacy, and dosage across demographic groups. Without representative enrollment, clinical guidance risks being inaccurate or inequitable.

I also sought assurance that allocated funding is being delivered properly and promptly. The NIH provided $275M in research funding to Rutgers and $58M to Princeton in 2025 for finding cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. NIH research directly supported nearly 400,000 jobs across the country last year, including nearly 6,000 jobs and $1.5B in economic activity in my home state of New Jersey. Dollars are not flowing into local communities, and that means economies are not growing either.


Community Project Funding
As New Jersey’s sole member of the Appropriations Committee, it is my responsibility to ensure that New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District receives its share of government resources.

In the recent funding bill, I secured over $16.5 million in resources for communities throughout the district. This includes $675,000 for the purchase of new hardware and digital forensic licensing software for the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children task force, $500,000 for repairs and expansion of the Old Bridge Food Bank, $231,000 for the replacement of emergency radios in the Borough of Manville, and $1,000,000 for the Hillsborough Recreation Center.

Honoring Women Leaders in Somerset County
This past weekend, I delivered a keynote address at the Annual Outstanding Women of Somerset County Awards Brunch, honoring talented and committed women in our communities: Antionette Mitchell, Nichelle Santos, Manuela Bulgaro, Sara Urbaniak, and Mary Ann Anderson.

The Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women (SCCSW) identifies and addresses issues that affect women in our New Jersey communities. I thanked Commissioner Director & SCCSW Liaison Shanel Robinson for her work in New Jersey.

Each of the honorees, in their own way, have shown what women are capable of by working for change and doing what they thought was right. Women are leading the way as we build a better world for our children and grandchildren.

Congressional Champion Award from AIDS United
This week, I was honored to receive the Congressional Champion Award from AIDSWatch at the nation's largest annual constituent-based HIV/AIDS advocacy event.

I first introduced the PrEP Assistance Program Act in 2019 to ensure this lifesaving medicine reached those who needed it most.

Since then, parts of the bill have been incorporated into other funding bills, which have contributed to a significant increase in access. In 2024, almost 600,000 people were taking PrEP – a 17% increase from the year before. But the work is not finished. Only about 13% of African Americans and 24% of Latinos in the U.S. who could benefit have access to PrEP. I’m proud to keep up the fight until we’ve put an end to HIV/AIDS once and for all.

Remembering Two Former Freeholders
I was saddened to learn that two stalwarts of our community, Keith Hamilton and Gil Lugossy, passed away this week.

Keith Hamilton served five terms as a Mercer County Freeholder and was known as a fighter for both senior citizen centers and Mercer County Community College.

Gil Lugossy served our community as Mercer County Sheriff for 15 years, and he and my father, John, served together as Freeholders. They had a deep mutual respect for each other. He was dedicated to his family and community, and embodied everything a public servant should be.

Keith and Gil will be missed. May it be a comfort to their loved ones that they have the support of the community that both of them served for years.

Don't Miss Our Next Passport Clinic!
It’s not too late to RSVP for our next Passport Clinic next Thursday, March 26th, from 1PM to 6PM. Sign up now to renew or apply for a passport and get passport photos taken. Last time we had over 100 people join us. Don’t delay!

Submit Your Students' work to the Congressional Arts Competition!
There are only a couple of weeks left to submit your artwork! All high school students have a chance to have their pieces displayed at the Capitol. I can’t wait to see and celebrate the winners.

You can visit my website for more information.

Testimonial from Your Neighbor

This week I received a letter from a constituent who had recently sought assistance from my District Office's Constituent Service team. If you need assistance with a federal agency please don't hesitate to reach out. 

I am from Ukraine. In the current situation, Ukrainians who applied for re-parole often wait a year or even longer, and some people, unfortunately, never receive it because of the overwhelming number of applications and long processing times. I reached out to your office for help, and just two months after my application, I received my re-parole approval.

I truly cannot express my gratitude in words. I thank God, and I thank you that you are the Congresswoman representing our district. I know friends from other cities who wrote to their congressmen and never received help or even a response. At the same time, I also know many people who have received help thanks to offices like yours. So I sincerely thank you for your help, for giving me hope, and for the chance to stay here for two more years while the war continues in my country.

I owe this opportunity to you and your team. You are a real force for good. With my deepest respect and gratitude.

Best regards,

Iryna from Plainsboro