DC Dispatch: What New Jersey’s Members of Congress Did in Washington This Week

Senate Resignation. New Democratic Presidential Candidate. Speech by a Highly Controversial World Leader. Congress Had a Good Week!

In fact, So a lot has happened that the House has decided to simply call it quits for the summer; House members left town yesterday (a week before the session was scheduled to end), not to return until September. The Senate is scheduled to stay until the end of next week, but the amount that can be accomplished with the presidential election looming may be minimal.

Here are some of the actions of New Jersey’s 13 members of Congress this week.

The Senator Who Is Not There

A week after being convicted on federal corruption charges — and nearly 10 months after those allegations first upended New Jersey politics — Sen. Bob Menendez announced on Tuesday that he will resign from his seat in the Senate, effective August 20.

“While I intend to appeal the jury’s verdict in full, all the way to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will distract it from its important work,” Menendez said in his resignation letter. “Furthermore, I cannot preserve my rights upon a successful appeal because the factual issues before the Ethics Committee are not privileged.”

Menendez, whose letter noted that Governor Phil Murphy once called him an “indispensable senator,” he didn’t show up in Washington on all Senate business this week. His last Senate vote was May 9, before the two-month trial began.

It’s unclear whether the senator will return to Washington at all before the Senate leaves for its August recess next week; he may want to return at some point to deliver a farewell speech from the Senate floor. After resigning, Murphy is likely to make an interim appointment to fill his seat almost immediatelywhich will allow the new senator to begin work when the Senate returns on September 9.

Benjamin hot button

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on Wednesday amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, to the delight of some members and the disappointment of others, especially those in the progressive Democratic caucus.

The speech drew glowing praise from Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), a staunch defender of Israel, who invited two constituents from Lakewood, a strongly Orthodox Jewish town in Smith’s district, to hear the speech.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s passionate yet thoughtful speech, coming at a pivotal moment, was a grand slam,” Smith said. “It represented not only a critical call to action, but also a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the American people and those in the United States and Congress who continue to stand with Israel.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff), one of the most pro-Israel members of his party, was part of Netanyahu’s official Congressional Social Committee; he brought along as guests his constituents Adi and Yael Alexander, parents of American hostage Edan Alexander.

On the other hand, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) was so outraged by congressional leaders’ decision to invite Netanyahu that I missed the address completelyjoining the large group of his democratic colleagues.

“The chief representative of a foreign government speaking directly to a legislature is a special honor that should be reserved for respected world leaders,” Watson Coleman said a day before the speech. “Prime Minister Netanyahu has shown that he is nothing of the sort. He has shown that he is a war criminal.”

She and Sen. Menendez were the only New Jerseyans to miss the speech. But Sen. Cory Booker, though he was present, expressed his strong disapproval of Netanyahu and the current Israeli war plan in a statement released just before the speech.

“I believe (Netanyahu’s) leadership has allowed for a prolonged armed conflict between Israel and Hamas and horrific levels of civilian death and suffering in Gaza,” Booker said. “His actions have made it harder to provide genuine security for Israel, to end the conflict, and to establish a lasting and just peace… Out of respect for that special relationship and my love for the people of Israel, I will be attending today’s speech. I remain committed to holding Prime Minister Netanyahu accountable and working toward a lasting and just peace for all people in the region.”

Death Deception

This week the Chamber left town with It’s only been five years of 12 essential government funding bills, a major disappointment given House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision last fall’s proposal not begin the August recess until all 12 bills have passed. Republicans’ failure to do so foreshadows another showdown over government funding as the recess ends and the Sept. 30 government shutdown approaches.

But there is one thing that the House he did this was achieved this week, with a unanimous vote of 416-0, what’s more, creation of a commission to investigate the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The commission will be made up of members of both parties and will aim to produce a final report on the security failures that led to the attempted assassination by December.

“The lack of transparency from top Biden administration officials following the horrific assassination attempt on President Trump is completely unacceptable,” said Rep. Smith, a co-sponsor of the bill. “The American people deserve nothing less than swift, comprehensive answers and the absolute truth about what happened that tragic day in Pennsylvania, as well as swift accountability for those responsible for this egregious security failure.”

One of the events that took place after the shooting was the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who she said she would step down following a hearing in the House Oversight Committee earlier this week.

Get well soon, Congressman!

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) first checked himself into the hospital on July 14 with a fever. He remains hospitalized, although he is feeling better after a relapse last weekend.

Pascrell, 87, who plans to run for a 15th term in Congress this November, is fully aware of this.

“While recovering from a respiratory infection in the hospital, Rep. Pascrell suffered a setback. Doctors at St. Joe’s have since provided breathing assistance to the congressman and are monitoring his condition. Doctors tell us he continues to improve and remains hopeful of a full recovery,” Pascrell’s chief of staff, Ben Rich, said Wednesday. “He is currently devouring CNN for updates on the Harris campaign.”

I’m still not back on track

July wasn’t as bad for New Jersey Transit as June was, but after Amtrak’s power outage caused hours of disruptions to train service Sunday, New Jersey Democrats say more needs to be done to improve service.

The entire Democratic delegation from the New Jersey House of Representatives, led by Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City) and Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today outlining the next steps their previous letter and calls for increased investment in Amtrak and NJ Transit infrastructure.

“We remain very concerned about the enormous need for long-term maintenance and repair work.” members wrote in their letter“For many New Jerseyans, their commutes have been delayed for the third or fourth time in the past month. Thousands of our constituents are undoubtedly wondering whether commuting by train to work or for leisure is even worth it at this point, which will only worsen congestion on our roads and pollution in our communities if it is not addressed.”

The letter asks the Department of Transportation to review several grant applications submitted by Amtrak and NJ Transit for systems and signal upgrades, as well as for greater transparency on plans and potential delays.

“We also believe that, in the meantime, more needs to be done to inform passengers about planned disruptions, repairs and other improvements that affect their daily commutes,” the letter reads. “We ask that you urgently provide a plan to fully inform passengers about planned and unplanned disruptions.”

Other Lots in the Garden State

• On Monday, MP Gottheimer started cooperation with State Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Linden) and State Senator Brian Stack (D-Union City) to introduce federal legislation to raise awareness of “card skimming,” a practice that allows fraudsters to steal food stamps and welfare benefits.

“These are heartless con artists and swindlers who are willing to push their way into the hands of hungry children and families just to make money for themselves,” Gottheimer said. “It’s pathetic and shameless. At the end of the day, food security shouldn’t be a partisan issue because hunger doesn’t discriminate.”

• Just before leaving for an earlier-than-expected recess yesterday, the House returned and voted on exactly one bill: a resolution condemning the Biden administration’s border policies, and specifically Vice President Kamala Harris’ involvement in them. There may be some political motivations there.