Dear Neighbors,

This week, I continued my work for our community in our district and in D.C., announcing federal funding for the Old Bridge Food Bank, speaking to the next generation of America’s leaders, introducing a new bill to protect voting rights, and discussing economic issues facing Black women.

Tomorrow, many in our district and across the country will gather for No Kings Day. While I looked forward to joining many of you across the district, I'll be in DC Saturday, trying to get a TSA funding bill passed. I’m inspired by the passion of the people in standing up for their communities, for liberty and justice for all. Let your voices be heard, but do so safely and peacefully.

In This Week's E-Newsletter
1. TSA Funding
2. Old Bridge Food Bank
3. Meeting Students at Old Bridge High School
4. Making It Easier to Register to Vote
5. Trump Corruption World Tour
6. Caucus on Black Women and Girls Roundtable
7. Nationally Recognized Documentary by Local Student
8. Congressional Arts Competition
9. Passport Clinic

TSA Funding 
As I write this, House Republicans are delaying, yet again, a vote to fund TSA, FEMA, and other DHS agencies - a deal that had already passed the Senate.

The bill would represent a win for the people. Outcry by the public - demanding that TSA get back to work and the need for serious reforms at ICE and CBP - as well as Democrats in Congress holding to their values, led to an end to Republican intransigence in the Senate as they finally backed down.

Over the past few weeks, TSA agents have gone without pay as Republicans and President Trump rejected several proposals from Democrats to pay our TSA agents. Hundreds have quit and many have called out because they could not afford to pay for gas, childcare, or their bills. The resulting airport security lines stretch for hours and have crippled airports across the country. 

At the same time, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have refused to negotiate on basic reforms to protect rein in ICE and protect the rights of citizens and non-citizens from abuses by DHS agents.

I will be staying in DC through the weekend to get this done for the American people.

Bringing Back our Federal Dollars to Feed New Jersey
On Monday, I visited the Old Bridge Food Bank to announce $500,000 in community project funding for much needed building renovations and expansion. Far too many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. As the cost of groceries continues to rise, keeping food on the table is one of the toughest challenges. It’s important that institutions like this one have what they need to support their communities.

The Old Bridge Food Bank, is just one of 15 organizations and projects in New Jersey’s 12th District that will receive federal community project funding in the 2026 fiscal year budget amounting to about $16.5 million dollars. The funding will be put towards infrastructure improvements, environmental protections, community safety, recreation, modernization and more. 

If you would like to support the Food Bank’s efforts, items may be dropped off directly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 10am and 12pm. Check their current list of items needed.

Meeting Students at Old Bridge High School
While I was in the neighborhood, I also had the opportunity to meet with some of the amazing AP Government students at Old Bridge High School and answer some of their questions about the life of a Member of Congress and the state of our country. Some of the students will be able to vote for the first time in midterm elections this fall. The depth of their questions inspired hope in our next generation and emphasized the importance of civics education in our schools.

Making it Easier to Register to Vote
On Thursday, I reintroduced the Filer Voter Act, legislation that would make it easier to register to vote by allowing voters the opportunity to register to vote when they file their taxes.

The United States is one of the few democratic countries that places such a heavy burden on its citizens when it comes exercising their right to vote, yet Republicans are pushing legislation like the SAVE Act, which would make it harder for Americans to register. The Filer Voter Act would make the registration process easier and expand access to qualified voters.

Modeled on the Motor Voter Law passed in 1993, which allowed voters to register to vote at their local DMV, this bill would allow people to register to vote when they file their taxes. In the past decade of presidential elections, about only 60% of those eligible to vote did so. Easing access to register to vote will allow more Americans to register, and thus foster a more fair voting system.

Trump Corruption World Tour
This week on the Trump Corruption World Tour, we’re looking at the defense industry.  Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are backing a new military drone company called Powerus. Powerus says it intends to produce more than 10,000 drones each month and compete for Pentagon contracts in a market that is expanding quickly.

That expansion is being driven in large part by policy decisions coming out of Washington. The Pentagon has launched initiatives like Drone Dominance, which plans to spend roughly $1.1 billion purchasing hundreds of thousands of American-made drone systems.

Caucus on Black Women and Girls Roundtable
On Tuesday, I joined my colleagues in the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls for a Women's History Month roundtable with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies examining Black women’s economic development and educational opportunity.

As the Trump Administration continues to attack diversity initiatives, cut federal employment, and erase education and workplace equity policies, Black women are suffering far greater employment losses than other groups of women. Some of the largest losses among Black women were college graduates and public-sector workers. At the roundtable, we discussed how persistent wage gaps, occupational segregation, capital access barriers, and educational inequities constrain economic mobility for Black women and impose measurable costs on our nation’s economic strength.

Local student recognized by national documentary competition
Every year, C-SPAN holds a documentary competition inviting middle and high school students to produce short films on issues of national importance. This year’s theme, “America’s 250th Anniversary: Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence,” inspired nearly 4,000 students to participate. This year, we have a winner from our district!

Congratulations, Lars Harrison of Montgomery High School, for your outstanding documentary exploring whether the voting age should be lowered to 16. I’m extremely proud of you for your work, earning your prestigious recognition and award from C-SPAN. This is a testament to your perseverance and storytelling ability. I hope it inspires you to continue documenting and asking important questions. We all stand to benefit from the curiosity of young leaders with fresh perspectives. I think I speak for New Jerseyans in the 12th district and beyond when I say: keep going!

One Week Left to Submit your Art for the Congressional Arts Competition
There is only one week left for students in the 12th district to submit their 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.

Passport Clinic
This past week we had another successful passport clinic in which over 100 residents got help applying for their passport, renewing their passport, and even getting their passport photo taken. 

If you were unable to make it but need assistance with your passport, please reach out to my district office.