Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement applauding the Obama Administration’s college financial aid simplification initiative announced today. Under the plan, beginning October 1, 2016, students and families will be able to fill out the FAFSA for the 2017-2018 academic year using “prior-prior year” income data as they are preparing for the college application process, rather than having to wait until January 1st. This change was also... Read More

  “I will never forget those we so tragically and suddenly lost 14 years ago today. We honor their memories and the courage and compassion of first responders, including many of New Jersey’s own, who rushed into harm’s way to help. The days and years that have followed are a true reflection of American resilience and strength. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the thousands we lost, and all who are still feeling the pain and heartbreak of that... Read More

Washington, DC –  Today, Members of Congress led by U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) in the Senate and Reps. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) and Darrell Issa (R-CA), in the House of Representatives, introduced the Fair Chance Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would give formerly incarcerated people a fairer chance at securing employment by prohibiting federal contractors and federal agencies from asking about the criminal history of a job applicant until an... Read More

Newark, NJ – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) has sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan urging her to deny four seismic survey applications for oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic Ocean.  Seismic exploration for oil-and-gas is the first step towards potential offshore drilling in the Mid-Atlantic, which represents a significant threat to the environment, the fishing industry, and New Jersey’s costal... Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2015 Booker, Christie, Foxx, Menendez Joint Statement    Newark, NJ – Today, following a meeting in U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s Newark office on the Hudson River Tunnel project , Booker, D-N.J., Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., issued the following statement: “Transit across the Hudson River carries an enormous and increasing share of this region's... Read More

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