Press Releases

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and 24 other Senators have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to issue a Presidential Memorandum to promote diversity at federal land management agencies like the National Park Service, which celebrates its centennial this August. A renewed focus on diversity will more fully reflect and celebrate the numerous cultures, communities, and people that have contributed to America’s rich... Read More

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced bold legislation to fight poverty in America with real solutions. The Stronger Way Act will help meet the challenge of lifting people up and out of poverty, moving our unemployed into the workforce and advancing tax reforms that make work pay.   “Too many Americans are working harder and longer hours and still falling behind,” said Senator Booker. “While we continue the fight for higher wages, a fairer tax... Read More

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have introduced a bipartisan resolution, S.Res 529, calling for the immediate, unconditional release of Iranian-Americans Siamak Namazi and his father Baquer Namazi from Iranian custody.  Siamak Namazi has been held under arrest since October of 2015 and his father, Baquer has been held since February of 2016.  Both Siamak and Baquer, dual Iranian-American citizens, are being held in Iran’s notorious Evin... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee overseeing America's rail infrastructure, praised the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announcement that the Hudson Tunnel Project and Portal North Bridge – both critical elements of the Gateway Program – have moved into the Project Development process for New Starts, a type of Capital Investment Grant (CIG) through the Federal Transit Administration... Read More

WASHINGTON – Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced on Wednesday‎ S. 3201, the Commodity Checkoff Program Improvement Act of 2016, a measure intended to bring much needed transparency and accountability to the federal government’s commodity check off programs.   Checkoff programs are mandatory participation programs under the US Department of Agriculture. These programs are funded through compulsory fees on producers of eggs,... Read More

Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the House and Senate passeda 14-month Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension that will maintain FAA’s programs through September 30, 2017. “While this legislation falls short of addressing many our aviation system’s real needs, from greater investment in airport infrastructure to broader reforms,  this bipartisan compromise will keep the FAA moving forward as we continue to focus on a... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker(D-NJ) has introduced the Reducing Obesity in Youth Act(ROYA), which would support the health and well-being of young people by encouraging local partnerships and best practices that directly target populations with the highest childhood obesity rates.  The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Chris Coons, (D-DL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Bill Nelson (D-FL). “Research has shown that early childhood is a critical time for developing healthy... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to urge the Department of Justice to fully investigate the nature and extent of prisoner abuse and neglect within the private prisoner transport industry. According to a recent article in the American Bar Association’s Journal,  “At least four people have died on private extradition van trips since 2012.” And a recent investigation by the New York Times... Read More

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and introduced legislation to honor Larry Doby, the first African-American to play in the American League, with the Congressional Gold Medal for his career and contributions to American civil rights.  “Paterson’s own Larry Doby made lasting and significant contributions to sports and our society at a time when African-Americans were socially excluded, marginalized, and segregated,” said Booker. “It’s... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced the beginning of a new bicameral effort to fix America’s strained public defender system. Sen. Booker is introducing the Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2016, legislation that seeks to address the indigent defense crisis in many states throughout the country. Rep. Maloney has introduced the Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2016 in the House. The two will partner to advance the... Read More

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez (both D-NJ) today applauded the confirmation of Judge Brian Martinotti to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. “I am proud that the Senate voted overwhelmingly today to confirm Judge Brian R. Martinotti to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey,” Sen. Booker said. “I was proud to recommend Judge Martinotti’s nomination to President Obama in 2015 as one of my first judicial... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Reps. Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), both members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.-06), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.-02), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Rodney Frelinghuysen (N.J.-11),  Donald Payne, Jr.... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) to reauthorize the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The bill recognizes the important role of America’s maritime transportation system and takes critical steps to improve the management of MARAD.   The legislation also strengthens sexual assault prevention programs at the U.S. Merchant Marine... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), cosponsored legislation that would designate the Stonewall Inn as a national historic site and the nation’s first national park site dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) history. The Stonewall Inn was and continues to be a haven and popular gay bar in the neighborhood of Greenwich Village in New York City.  On June 28, 1969, police raided the Inn and in the subsequent six days that... Read More

Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court’s 5-3 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which struck down provisions in Texas law that restricted abortion access in the state and placed an unconstitutional burden on women seeking reproductive care and services. “The barriers Texas lawmakers imposed on reproductive rights threatened women’s health and freedom. Today, the Supreme Court rightly found those... Read More

Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court’s 4-4 decision in United States v. Texas: “The deeply distressing decision in United States v. Texas is a setback to building a more compassionate and common-sense national immigration policy. Today, the Supreme Court struck a blow against two federal programs that provided hope for millions of undocumented immigrants living in the shadows. “This crisis demands clarity and... Read More

Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker(D-NJ) along with U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act of 2016, a measure that seeks to prohibit the sale of shark fins in the United States.   Shark finning, which contributes to the decline of shark populations around the world, is a cruel practice in which the fins of a shark are cut off on board a fishing... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016 (SANDy Act) to help communities quickly restore communications networks – like cellular service and broadband access – during emergencies such as wildfires and hurricanes. The bill’s impact would be especially significant to communities in Washington at risk of wildfires, earthquakes and... Read More

NEWARK, N.J.– As the nation continues to grieve in the wake of last week’s deadly terror attack in Orlando, today U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) led a rally in Downtown Newark with Congressmen Albio Sires (D-NJ-08) and Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10) along with anti-gun violence advocates, members of law enforcement, LGBT activists and community leaders in support of common sense solutions that reduce gun violence.   Both senators participated in last... Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of Ecuador's deadly earthquake in April that tragically claimed more than 650 lives, today U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) and U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuadorian nationals currently residing in the United States.   "As Ecuador begins to... Read More