Press Releases

Washington, DC -- US Sen. Cory Booker issued the following statement regarding the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina: “I am horrified by the events that unfolded last night in Charleston, South Carolina. The hate-filled attack on Emanuel AME Church is nothing less than an attack on our nation and our American values. My heart aches for the families and loved ones of those killed and injured, and my prayers are with them. “I know that anyone responsible for... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, D-N.J., announced that they have secured a $40 million US Air Force funding authorization in the Senate FY 2016 Defense Appropriations that would enhance the capabilities of F-16 fighters based in Atlantic City. “The inclusion of this funding in the Senate’s defense bill is a deserving victory for our U.S. Air National Guard - especially New Jersey’s courageous 177th Fighter Wing, who were immediately... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker issued the following statement after the D.C. Circuit Court rejected calls for a delay of the Federal Communication Commission’s implementation of net neutrality rules: “I’m thrilled the FCC will be able to move forward in implementing robust net neutrality rules that protect consumers and maintain an even playing field online,” said Sen. Booker. “Recognizing the transformative power of open online access, I will... Read More

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Robert Menendez, D-N.J., today applauded President Obama’s nomination of Brian Martinotti to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. “I know Brian Martinotti to be an exceptionally capable jurist who presides with an abiding commitment to integrity and justice,” Sen. Booker said. “Brian’s distinguished career as a civil trial attorney and judge on New Jersey’s Superior Court have... Read More

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation, sent a letter to Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) urging the committee to advance their WiFi Innovation Act, which aims to find answers to whether spectrum in the upper 5GHz band can be safely shared for multiple uses, opening up new avenues for technological innovation. “Expanding access to spectrum can... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, participated in a hearing entitled, “Passenger Rail Safety: Accident Prevention and On-Going Efforts to Implement Train Control Technology.” The hearing featured testimony from expert witnesses about ongoing efforts to prevent passenger rail accidents in the wake of the tragic Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia on May 12, particularly through the use of... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez ‎(D-NJ), introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent the closure of the Vets4Warriors program, a Pentagon-funded call center operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care in Piscataway, New Jersey, that provides members of the US armed forces with confidential peer support services administered by veterans. “No one understands the ongoing psychological, emotional, and... Read More

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement regarding media reports indicating that FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance Brad Kieserman is leaving the agency effective June 13: “I wish Brad Kieserman was able to stay at FEMA through the conclusion of the Superstorm Sandy claims review process that began just days ago. I am appreciative of his service to the people of New Jersey and our country. “Whoever succeeds Mr. Kieserman at... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today joined Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), ranking member on the Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee for EPW, in introducing S. 1479, the Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development Act of 2015 (BUILD Act). Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA),... Read More

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today introduced the Police Reporting of Information, Data and Evidence Act – legislation that would bring transparency and accountability to law enforcement agencies nationwide by requiring states to report to the Justice Department on any incident in which a law enforcement officer is involved in a shooting, and any other instance where use of force by or against a law enforcement officer or civilian... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help crack down on distracted driving in Minnesota and across the country. A federal grant program that’s supposed to support states that are taking steps to curb distracted driving last year sat on nearly $16 million in unused funds. The senators’ bill would help ensure that more states are able to access that critical... Read More

WASHINGTON – The Broadband Adoption Act, which was introduced today by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), has already received strong endorsements from various stakeholders. The legislation will reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Assistance Program – which currently subsidizes basic landline and mobile phone services for low-income Americans – by making subsidies for... Read More

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