Robert Menendez

Legislation provides additional 20 weeks of benefits for laid off New Jersey workers, while aiming to spur home sales and supporting businesses

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – This evening, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to extend unemployment insurance for laid off workers. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was a co-sponsor of the legislation and voted in favor of its passage. The bill extends benefits by 14 weeks in all states and by 20 weeks in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher, which includes New Jersey, and is expected to assist tens of thousands of New Jerseyans whose benefits have expired. The    » read more »

"It’s About Real Lives, Not Politics"

November 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today stood on the Senate floor in favor of the unemployment insurance benefits extension and released the following statement:

“I rise today to say that it should come as a surprise to no one that we have a jobs crisis in America. To help fix it in the short-term we need to extend unemployment insurance benefits to help families who are suffering through the worst job market in many years – not obstruct and stonewall to score political points.”    » read more »

Pilots cited laptops as distraction that caused error

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The pilots of Northwest Airlines Flight 188, which overshot its destination by 150 miles while carrying 147 passengers from San Diego to Minneapolis last week, have told authorities that they were at least partially distracted by laptop computers in the cockpit.

In the wake of this incident, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that he will introduce “distracted flying” legislation to prohibit the use of non-essential portable electronics in the cockpit.    » read more »

Funding from Energy and Water Appropriations bill essential for New Jersey’s economy, safety and environment

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) hailed the final passage of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which authorizes more than $159 million in funding for beach replenishment, flood control, energy and infrastructure projects. After House and Senate passage, the bill awaits the President’s signature.    » read more »

Funding part of FY2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and FY2009 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced an estimated $1.9 million in funding for key agriculture projets in New Jersey: $1.3 million from the FY2010 Agriculture, Rural Development , Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and $656,610 million under the FY2009 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These investments are meant to promote farming and conservation efforts in New Jersey.    » read more »

Funding, distributed through program created by Menendez, will support Newark’s comprehensive Climate Prosperity Initiative

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker today announced $2,836,300 for the City of Newark through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which Senator Menendez created in Congress in 2007. The funding will bolster the city’s successful Climate Prosperity Initiative.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced a total of $1,327,800 in funding for four New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which he created as part of energy legislation in 2007. The program supports municipal energy-saving initiatives and improves energy efficiency in transportation, buildings, and other sectors. It will deliver a total of $73 million to New Jersey cities, towns and counties through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

New Jersey municipalities receiving funding announced today include:

• Township of Piscataway -- $528,800
• Township of North Bergen -- $514,000
• Paterson -- $250,000
• Township of Union -- $35,000    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the region that includes New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico (EPA Region 2) with $1.2 million from the economic recovery package to reduce diesel emissions, boost job creation, and promote a healthy environment.

Under the management of the not for profit organization, CALSTART, the trucks belonging to three previously identified fleets operating within New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico will be replaced with new advance technology hybrid trucks to improve regional air quality.    » read more »

Questions on Pizarchik related to coal ash disposal, mountain-top mining

October 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) went on the record in opposition to the nomination of Jospeh Pizarchik to be the US Department Interior’s Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Menendez released the following statement after the Committee’s business meeting, citing questions about Pizarchik’s views on coal ash disposal and mountain-top mining:    » read more »

Funds are awarded to New Jersey State Energy Office to use at state and local levels

September 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that New Jersey’s State Energy Office has been awarded a total of $14,400,700 in funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which he created as part of energy legislation in 2007 and fought to fund while crafting the economic recovery package.    » read more »

"Bill threatens NJ with coastline drilling and unwanted power lines. Does not do enough to promote clean energy."

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today voted against the energy bill in committee, citing its failure to go far enough to go far enough in spurring the production of clean energy. Menendez cited a few issues with the legislation, including:    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today released the following statement on the Organization of American States General Assembly’s resolution on Cuba:

“This weak resolution undermines the OAS’s foundation by only paying lip service to the principles upon which the Democratic Charter stands. It allows for loose interpretation of what should be a clear set of fundamental democratic principles and standards regarding human rights, and we are already seeing this interpretation play out.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded more than $8 million in federal funds to seven New Jersey Research institutions and one provider of neighborhood-based health care to conduct health care research and expand community-based care in New Jersey. The funds will support research in variety of areas, including mental health, cancer treatment and neurological disorders, and help families get medical care close to home.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today released the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice:

“I applaud President Obama for this wise and historic nomination. The Senate will be scrutinizing her judicial qualifications, and I believe that Judge Sotomayor is eminently qualified to become a Supreme Court Justice.

“Throughout her distinguished career, including appointments from both Republican and Democratic administrations, Judge Sotomayor has shown a vast knowledge of the law, displayed the proper temperament and gained a breadth of experience that makes her an ideal nominee."    » read more »

Member of Banking Committee crafted provision in bill that would protect consumers under 21, and require credit card companies to verify consumer's financial situation before approval

May 22, 2009 -- Hoboken, NJ – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today visited Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken to discuss credit card reform legislation currently being debated in the Senate.    » read more »