Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, (D-N.J.) released the following statement commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act into law fifty years ago today. “Today, and every day, I am reminded that we drink deeply from wells of freedom and liberty that we ourselves did not dig.  As we reflect on the myriad of challenges our country continues to face, it’s vital that we remember just how far we have come by relentlessly defending and... Read More

Each day, in jails and prisons across America, youth under the age of 18 are held in solitary confinement often for weeks or months at a time   Solitary confinement is “a violation of one’s human dignity”   Booker, Durbin, Paul, Lee, call on federal juvenile centers to cease this harmful practice   WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Sen. Cory Booker(D-NJ), today introduced the MERCY Act,  legislation which would prohibit the solitary confinement of juveniles tried in... Read More

  Washington, DC - U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Gary Peters (D-MI) today introduced the Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company (SUMIC) Act of 2015, legislation that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs looking to scale-up and commercialize their advanced manufacturing innovations.   “Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy and a tremendous engine for innovation and job... Read More

Washington– US Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement on the Senate’s effort to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood:  “Millions of women rely on Planned Parenthood’s healthcare centers to receive critical care like breast and cervical cancer screenings, sex education, and family planning services. In New Jersey alone, 26 Planned Parenthood health centers serve over 100,000 of our state’s residents.  Just last year, Planned... Read More

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today issued the following statement after President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the final rule to curb carbon emissions from power plants: “I commend President Obama and EPA Administrator McCarthy for finalizing ambitious policies to reduce carbon pollution and combat climate change. We’re in a race against climate change... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), joined a bipartisan and bicameral coalition of congressional leaders to announce that they will work together to develop new solutions to provide access to capital and new private sector investment in distressed communities all across the country. Led by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in the Senate and Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Ron Kind (D-WI) in the House, this group will work together to produce legislation in the fall.... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), led a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter questioning the U.S. Department of Defense’s decision to terminate funding for the successful Vets4Warriors call center without considering any other alternative funding mechanisms to preserve the life-saving program. He was joined on the letter by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-09), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-02), Bonnie Watson-Coleman(D-NJ-12), Donald Payne... Read More

Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) today issued the following statement after he voted against final passage of the US Senate’s transportation reauthorization bill. “New Jersey commuters are hurting right now. Every day, they deal with crumbling roads, dangerous bridges, and failing rail lines that lack modern safety technology. I worked hard to fix the transportation bill passed by the Senate today and secured some improvements, but the legislation just doesn’t do... Read More

Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (both D-NJ) today announced the reintroduction of The Reducing Disparities Using Care Models and Education (ReDUCE) Act, legislation aimed at reducing disparities in healthcare among disadvantaged groups. “Disparities are prevalent in access to healthcare and the quality of care available, especially in disadvantaged communities.” Sen. Booker said. “In order to tackle this problem, we must first identify its... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) today announced a combined $70,146,875 in Homeland Security grants as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ongoing efforts to support state, local, tribal, and territorial partners.  These grants assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector with their preparedness efforts. Preparedness grants strengthen our nation’s... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) today reintroduced the Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2015, legislation that simplifies the financial aid process and increases the accessibility and affordability of higher education for students and their families. “It is vital that we work to reduce the burden of the financial aid process because it should never be easier to finance a car or a home than to finance a long-term investment in a young person’s... Read More

WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced the introduction of the Postal Innovation Act, a bill that supports the modernization of United States Postal Service (USPS) vehicles by incorporating more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly technology.  “At a time when budgets are tight, it is in our best interest to find creative ways to make prudent investments that improve safety, reduce the carbon footprint of postal vehicles, and save taxpayers money,” Sen.... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, 40 Senators, led by U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced historic, comprehensive federal legislation to ban discrimination against LGBT Americans. The legislation was filed simultaneously in the U.S. House of Representatives by 158 Representatives, led by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). "Brave men and women in every generation throughout America's history have mustered the conviction to fight for freedom and equality... Read More

Booker, Menendez, MacArther, LoBiondo and Norcross request FEMA Aid following the severe storm that hit southern New Jersey on June 23rd WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) today led a letter urging President Obama to expedite FEMA aid to communities in southern New Jersey following the “macroburst” storm on June 23, 2015.  He was joined by fellow New Jersey delegation members Sen. Menendez (D-NJ), Reps. MacArthur (R-NJ), LoBiondo (R-NJ), and Norcross... Read More

Education bill falls short of investing in the potential and promise of all of our children, especially New Jersey’s most vulnerable students   Washington–U.S. Sen. Cory Booker D-N.J., issued the following statement after the Senate passed Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA) by a vote of 81-17:     “Today I voted to oppose passage of the Senate’s education bill.  This bill jeopardized Title I funding for New Jersey, which is a lifeline for underperforming... Read More

Booker, Menendez Praise White House Announcement of ConnectHome Program to Expand Broadband Access Newark, Camden among 27 communities that are part of new public-private partnership pilot program   WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez today praised President Obama’s announcement of the ConnectHome initiative, a public-private partnership that seeks to expand access to high-speed broadband to more families across the country. The program’s pilot project... Read More

  Amendments support educators serving on the front lines of education, eliminate harsh preschool disciplinary policies Passage comes on heels of yesterday’s Senate passage of Booker amendment to expand support for foster children and homeless youth   Washington–U.S. Sen. Cory A. Booker D-N.J., celebrated the passage today of two amendments he sponsored to strengthen support for our nation’s educators and eliminate the use of harsh disciplinary practices on preschool... Read More

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, U.S. Senator U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), along with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), introduced an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act that would require states to identify and support schools that fail their most vulnerable students. In an effort to close the achievement gap... Read More

   Legislation will help provide essential information for teachers, policy makers and the community groups to better support our most vulnerable youth to reach their full potential   Washington – The Senate has approved a bipartisan amendment sponsored by U.S. Sen. Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.) to provide essential information for teachers, policy makers and community groups to better support our nation’s foster children and homeless youth. Booker’s amendment (#2169)... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after President Obama granted commutations of sentence to 46 individuals: "The commutations announced by President Obama today are an important step forward for the principle of equal justice under the law. ‎For every one of the 46 offenders given a second chance today, countless more men and women still continue to deal with a legal system ‎plagued by racial disparities that deny basic fairness and equity... Read More