Frank Lautenberg

N.J. Sens Act After Bush Administration Admits It Will Miss Deadline To Screen 100 Percent Of Nation's Cargo

June 23, 2008 -- NEWARK, NJ – Today, Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined executives from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as they announced their introduction of a new bill to increase security at the nation’s 361 ports.

Their bill comes after the Bush Administration admitted to Senator Lautenberg that it will miss a deadline to screen 100 percent of the nation’s cargo for radiological and nuclear weapons. Their bill would, for the first time, create minimum security standards for all containers entering the United States.    » read more »

OPEC Operates Illegal Cartel Under International Trade Law

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a coalition of eleven Senators led by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D – NJ) called on the Bush Administration to take action in the World Trade Organization (WTO) against eight Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by ordering United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Susan Schwab to file a complaint with the WTO.

These eight countries, operating as an illegal cartel, have refused to increase production, reduced the supply of oil on the market and driven up the gas prices that consumers pay at the pump.    » read more »

Rep. Pascrell Joined the Senators in Discussing the Effort in Congress to Bring Down Artificially-High Prices, End Dependence on Oil

June 16, 2008 -- PATERSON, N.J. – Today, New Jersey’s U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-08) spoke out about the need to implement the plan currently before the U.S. Senate that would address out-of-control gas prices. Both Senators are co-sponsors of the Consumer-First Energy Act, a bill to address the root causes of artificially-high gas prices, protect consumers from price gouging and force oil companies to change their ways.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC — Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today issued the following statement in response to the Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General’s announcement of an investigation into reports of Pentagon manipulation of independent military analysts:

“We welcome the DOD Inspector General’s decision to investigate whether the Pentagon unduly influenced the commentary of independent television military analysts. We called for this investigation last month because the American people need information they can trust to make their own informed judgments. It is critical to find out if the Pentagon was manipulating independent analysts, especially if the Pentagon used government contracts as a means of influence.”    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is letting Senate leaders know today of his intent to offer an amendment to the Iraq supplemental spending bill to safely redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq, after which funding for the war would end.

Army National Guard soldier locked in an emotional embrace at homecoming: 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division of the Army National Guard in Anoka, MN. After having their tour extended by the troop surge, the "Red Bulls" were the longest serving guard unit, having been in Iraq since late 2005. Photo by Poppyseed Bandits (CC)    » read more »

Senators Bond and McCaskill Vote on Historic GI Bill Tomorrow; Education Funding Would Help Thousands of Missouri Iraq Veterans

May 19, 2008 -- NEW YORK - Tomorrow, May 20th, the Senate is expected to vote on a World War II-style GI Bill for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

This bipartisan legislation, originally introduced by Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and John Warner (R-VA), is whole heartedly endorsed by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan Iraq veterans' organization, and all the leading Veterans Service Organizations.    » read more »

'Kids Safe Chemical Act' Would Ensure All Chemicals Used In Every Day Products, Including Those Used in Baby Bottles and Children's Toys, Are Proven Safe

May 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D- CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced major legislation to protect Americans, especially children, from toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products.

Baby with bottle: Photo by Frank Tellez (CC)    » read more »

Second time this week that offshore drilling proponents have attempted to lift moratorium on the East and West Coasts

May 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Last night, New Jersey’s Senators helped defeat the second attempt in the U.S. Senate this week – and the fourth attempt in the past year – to potentially open up drilling near the Jersey Shore. U.S Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) helped lead the opposition to the attempt to lift the moratorium on the Outer Continental Shelf, which could lead to drilling less than 100 miles from New Jersey.    » read more »

Grant Will Help Rutgers Conduct research to Improve Maritime Safety, Ecological Decision-Making in the Region

May 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will award $1.7 million in federal funds to Rutgers University for Mid-Atlantic coastal ocean observation.

Senator Frank Lautenberg    » read more »

On Eve of Amtrak's Nationwide Celebration, Resolution Highlights Passenger Rail's Critical and Growing Role in Serving America's Travel Needs

May 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bipartisan resolution to celebrate Amtrak’s first annual National Train Day.

Amtrak trains in Chicago: Photo by Steven Vance (CC)

The resolution, joined by 20 co-sponsors, raises awareness about the critical and growing role that passenger rail plays in serving America’s daily travel needs.    » read more »

N.J. Sen. Says OPEC Production Limits Inflate Gas Prices, Violate International Trade Laws

May 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late last week, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced legislation to force action against the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for its anti-competitive practices and illegal export quotas on oil, which ultimately lead to higher gas prices here at home.

OPEC building, Vienna: Photo by Spino73 (CC)    » read more »

"Good morning, I'm Frank Lautenberg, United States Senator from New Jersey. This week, the price of oil and gasoline both hit new record highs - almost $120 for a barrel of oil and more than $3.50 a gallon for gas.

"These out-of-control prices mean that hundreds of thousands of Americans are driving to work and spending too much of their day just earning back the cost of their commute. The American people deserve to know why this happened.    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC— The following is a statement from Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and John Warner (R-VA):    » read more »

One Year Anniversary Of Virginia Tech Shootings

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) was joined by Virginia Tech shooting victims and their families and gun safety advocates in front of the Supreme Court in calling on Congress to take up and pass his bill to close the gun show loophole.

Gun show, Houston: Photo by mx5tx (CC)

Similar events to the one at the Supreme Court were held across the country today to mark the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, protest easy access to guns and call on Congress to pass Sen. Lautenberg’s legislation.    » read more »

N.J. Sen. Chairs Hearing on the Issue, Says Americans Are Right to Expect Drinking Water That Is Clean, Safe

April 15, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) called for more protection from all contaminants in the nation’s drinking water supply at a hearing he chaired of the Environmental and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality.

Drinking fountain: Photo by Vicki (CC)    » read more »