How N.J.’s congressional delegation voted in July

In New Jersey politics, July is a month of relative relaxation. The spring legislative session is over, the state budget is signed, and the November elections are still months away; it’s no wonder many New Jersey politicians choose to embark on long vacations.

But the state’s 14 members of Congress don’t get the same break. July was a busy month in Washington, with the National Defense Authorization Act coming up for a vote in both chambers and several appropriations bills working their way towards passage.

During Congress’ three weeks of activity, the House and Senate collectively held more than 100 recorded votes, putting New Jersey’s congressional delegation on the record on a number of important bills and issues. The New Jersey Globe has compiled all of those votes into one place.

To be clear, there are several major things that roll call votes alone cannot capture. For one, Congress often passes noncontroversial items via voice vote; a bill sponsored by Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark) regarding technology for first responders, for example, passed the House last week, but it was done by voice vote and thus has no official roll call.

Moreover, much of the most important work done by Congress happens in committee meetings or behind closed doors. Two members of Congress might vote the same way on a bill, but they could have had entirely different paths leading up to that vote that a roll call won’t capture.

Still, if there’s any one way for the New Jersey citizenry to check in on their representatives, it’s through voting records.

Click here for a web version of the vote tracker, with links to the bills and votes in question.