Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), introduced legislation to reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Assistance Program by allowing for broadband Internet services to be available to eligible households. The Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 will instruct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a broadband Lifeline Assistance program and will help... Read More

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez today announced the awarding of a combined $1,344,710 in federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants to Neptune Township and Camden, New Jersey, providing them with funding to assess, clean, and redevelop contaminated properties in their respective communities. “Far too many New Jersey communities are home to contaminated properties that have a negative impact on public health, economic growth, and the fabric of... Read More

Newark, NJ – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., issued the following statement regarding the Clean Water Rule announced today by the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers: “40 years ago, Congress had the foresight to pass the Clean Water Act—a law designed to protect our nation’s waters. Local streams and wetlands across New Jersey and our nation have benefitted from its protections. The importance of clean water cannot be overstated. Streams and... Read More

WASHINGTON– With the U.S. Senate on the verge of adjourning until June without passing a long-term highway funding bill, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) today issued the following statement: “I’m frustrated that I won’t have the opportunity today to vote on a long-term highway funding bill and must settle for what will likely become the 33rd short-term funding patch to the Highway Trust Fund in the past six years. In the decade since Congress last passed a long-term... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), today introduced a resolution that condemns the dangerous and harmful practice commonly known as “conversion therapy” and calls for states to enact laws banning its use on minors. Based on the false premise that lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals are somehow afflicted with a mental illness and are in need of curing, so-called conversion therapy aims to change a person’s sexual... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), has introduced two amendments to Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation -- commonly known as “fast track” -- that is expected to come before the Senate for final vote this week. One of Booker’s amendments seeks to enhance American economic competitiveness and afford our workers and manufacturers greater opportunity to benefit from 21st century trade agreements by boosting investments in apprenticeship programs that... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s visit to Camden, New Jersey. “I am pleased that President Obama is visiting Camden, New Jersey, today to highlight the city’s efforts to expand economic opportunities and its implementation of cutting edge community policing strategies. Under Chief Scott Thompson’s leadership, the Camden County Police Department has made progress in lowering crime rates and... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., issued the following statement after voting against the Senate motion to proceed on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation this afternoon: "While I agree with many of the strategic and economic reasons for engaging in fair and free trade with the world’s growing economies, I cannot support this legislation without more significant steps that ensure American competitiveness with the world. To thrive and prosper in the... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), the top Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, & Security, issued the following statement regarding last night’s Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the individuals who were killed or injured in last night’s train derailment, and with all those who were affected. I am so thankful for the... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, (D-NJ) and John Hoeven’s (R-ND) Commercial UAS Modernization Act has received strong endorsements from a number of stakeholders following its introduction earlier today. The legislation sets interim operating guidelines for commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, and creates a framework to promote American innovation in the rapidly growing field. In just a few short hours since its introduction, the Commercial UAS... Read More

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez (both D-N.J.) today announced the Senate passage of their bill to rename the Waldwick, New Jersey, post office the “Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine Post Office Building,” honoring the legacy of Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine — a United States Marine and Waldwick native who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2012. Staff Sergeant D’Augustine, a 2001 Waldwick High School graduate, was an explosive ordinance... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., issued the following statement regarding today’s Senate procedural vote on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): "I would have voted no today because I believe that these four important trade bills should be considered together, not separately. I have strong concerns about TPA more broadly, and my concerns are compounded if fast track moves forward without the customs trade enforcement package already passed out of the Finance Committee.... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and John Hoeven (R-ND), today introduced the Commercial UAS Modernization Act, legislation that sets interim operating guidelines for commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, and creates a framework to promote American innovation in the rapidly growing field. “There is so much potential that can be unlocked if we lay the proper framework to support innovation in unmanned aircraft systems,” Sen. Booker... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), today led a group of 25 of their Senate colleagues in urging President Obama to expand job opportunities and reduce recidivism by taking executive action and requiring federal contractors and federal agencies to “ban the box” on job applications. Reforming hiring practices has widespread support from both public and private institutions. Sixteen states and more than 100 cities and counties have already... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-N.J., issued the following statement after the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act passed in the Senate today. Booker signed on as a cosponsor of the bill last month. “The United States must do everything in its power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon – nothing less than American security, the safety of our allies, and Middle East stability is at stake. I commend Senators Menendez, Corker and Cardin for their leadership... Read More

NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety & Security, today hosted a field hearing in Newark, New Jersey, on America’s passenger rail system. The field hearing sought input to shape forthcoming legislation that will update and improve passenger rail in the United States. “The Northeast Corridor is an indispensable transportation asset and economic driver... Read More

WASHINGTON — Today, Democratic U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Cory Booker (N.J.) announced a major breakthrough agreement in historic legislation to reform the nation's broken chemical safety law, a day before a "markup" hearing to finalize the legislation in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Following intense weekend negotiations, the bipartisan compromise agreement strengthens protections under the proposed law and expands... Read More

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker D-N.J., member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate expressing deep concerns regarding FEMA’s preliminary FY2015 Annual Risk Assessment and Profile of New Jersey. The assessment would lower New Jersey’s threat score and therefore could also decrease the state’s access to FEMA preparedness grant funding. “This... Read More

WASHINGTON –U.S. Sens. Cory A. Booker D-N.J., Brian Schatz D-HI., Gary Peters D-MI, all members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan urging the agency to take steps to modernize their 190,000-strong fleet of vehicles by investing in technology solutions to improve safety and reduce emissions. “We applaud the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) recent issuance... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – On Earth Day and the week of the five-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf Coast, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) introduced the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act. The legislation prohibits the U.S. Department of... Read More