U.S. SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ
“The inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris marks the start of a new chapter in our nation’s history with leaders in the White House focused on solving problems instead of just creating them, leaders who will fight for all Americans, leaders who will restore dignity to the office and America’s standing around the globe.
“This historic day should bring all of us a sense of optimism and pride. But I hope it also brings us a sense of resolve as we face enormous challenges: a raging pandemic that has taken 400,000 of our loved ones, friends and neighbors; a spiraling economic crisis that is crushing hardworking families and small businesses and disproportionately hurting low-income and minority communities; the existential threat of climate change; and civil unrest that threatens to tear our country apart.
“I look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to put the needs of the American people above all else. We must defeat COVID-19, create a fairer economy that works for everyone, protect our environment, strengthen our democracy, and heal our divided nation. We may be living through some very dark times, but today is a new dawn in America with brighter days ahead for the United States and for our families.”
STATE REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN MICHAEL LAVERY
“While we applaud President-elect Joe Biden’s call for healing and unity, it rings hollow as he slowly reveals a very liberal agenda for his Presidency. New Jersey cannot afford his vision of draconian regulations, anti-business policies, new spending and tax hikes. Now, more than ever, our state must embrace New Jersey’s tradition of off-year elections, and provide a common-sense conservative check and balance to what we are about to see in Washington. We must elect Republicans up and down this state and throw Phil Murphy out of office.”
NJ BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT/CEO MICHELE SIEKERKA
“Above all, this is a moment when our nation must become united. Economic prosperity cannot be built upon a foundation cracked by social unrest. If division rules the day, there cannot be a true economic recovery. This is indeed a defining moment in our history and the ultimate opportunity to address social inequities that will strengthen and unite our country.”
REPUBLICAN STATE CHAIRMAN MICHAEL LAVERY
“While we applaud President-elect Joe Biden’s call for healing and unity, it rings hollow as he slowly reveals a very liberal agenda for his Presidency. New Jersey cannot afford his vision of draconian regulations, anti-business policies, new spending and tax hikes. Now, more than ever, our state must embrace New Jersey’s tradition of off-year elections, and provide a common-sense conservative check and balance to what we are about to see in Washington. We must elect Republicans up and down this state and throw Phil Murphy out of office.”
HOUSE PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS JOSH GOTTHEIMER AND TOM REED
“Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus congratulates Joe Biden on being sworn in as our 46th President. Our nation is at a critical juncture: after an horrific assault on our Capitol, a raging pandemic, and families and small businesses hurting, millions of Americans are looking for our country to come together.
These historic circumstances have left the country vulnerable and divided. Restoring faith in our democratic institutions and rebuilding our economy will require all of us — regardless of party and at every level of government — to set aside our differences, bind our wounds, and commit to doing the hard work of bipartisan lawmaking. This means standing up against political extremism and putting country ahead of party.
The Problem Solvers Caucus stands ready and eager to work with President Biden on this effort. If we can commit to working across the aisle and collaborating on a genuine bipartisan agenda, the opportunities are endless.
Congress is narrowly divided in both the House and Senate. Bipartisan solutions will be the only way to enact meaningful legislation and address the many challenges plaguing our country.
We congratulate and look forward to working with President Biden and his team to unite the country, defeat COVID-19, and create new economic opportunities to help our country recover and grow. The American people deserve no less.”
HUDSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR AMY DEGISE
“The past four years of Trump’s administration will forever remain dark chapters in the books of American History, but together we fought for our rights and spoke loudly at the polls that this was not the future we visioned for our country. Today not only marks the beginning of a new administration, but it serves as a signal of hope for so many of us. I am so incredibly proud of our new President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the countless individuals, like Francesca, who worked tirelessly to bring the change we so desperately needed to Washington.”
NEW JERSEY ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEMEBR FRANCESCA GIARRANTANA
“Growing up in Jersey City, I was afforded the opportunity to embrace the diversity of our country from my own backyard and witness firsthand as friends and neighbors pursued their American Dream. The values that Hudson County represents were threatened time and time again over the past four years, but the path forward begins now. Today as we welcome President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”
STATE SENATOR ANTHONY BUCCO
“I congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris on their swearing in today. Inauguration Day is a reminder of our shared ideals as Americans, and allows us to refocus on working together to build a better nation and advancing the common good. I wish them the best, particularly as we continue to face the devastating challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JACK CIATTARELLI
“I want to congratulate President Joe Biden on his inauguration and Vice-President Kamala Harris on her historic swearing-in today. While there will be things we differ on over the next four years, I am confident we can find common ground on issues of great importance to New Jersey. First and foremost, it is time New Jersey taxpayers get a fair return on the tax dollars they send to Washington – a problem that has persisted for decades under previous Democratic and Republican Administrations. That means restoring the SALT deduction, funding the Gateway Project, upholding current prohibitions on offshore drilling, and building a new, expanded veterans’ clinic in South Jersey.With their excuses of the past four years no longer available, I call on Governor Murphy, the new Democratic Administration and Democrat-controlled Congress to deliver for New Jersey.”
NEW JERSEY AFL-CIO PRESIDENT CHARLES WOWKANECH
“President Biden is a longtime supporter of labor unions and our union values. His aggressive plans for his first 10 days will benefit workers in New Jersey and around the country. By identifying the crises plaguing America – COVID-19, the pandemic recession, and a lack of social and economic justice – our new president is taking immediate action to restore our physical, economic and moral health. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and our allies in the new Congress as we press for enactment of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act – the PRO Act – and guarantee that our cherished labor values of solidarity and unity are preserved and honored.”
NEW JERSEY AFL-CIO SECRETARY-TREASURER LAUREL BRENNAN
“This new administration will provide this country with real leadership and bring back the dignity we associate with the White House. We pledge to do everything we can to support this new administration.”
AMERICAN HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL CENTER FOR ASSISTED LIVING PRESIDENT/CEO MARK PARKINSON
“We congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration, and we look forward to working with the new Administration and 117th Congress to develop meaningful solutions for the challenges long term care providers face – many of which have been magnified by the pandemic.
“There is still an immediate crisis in front of us. Long term care providers are working with pharmacies and state officials to help administer life-saving vaccines swiftly to residents and staff, and we are hopeful we have reached a turning point in our fight against the virus. However, with record-breaking numbers of COVID cases among the general population and in long term care facilities, we cannot let our guard down. Lawmakers must continue to ensure that long term care facilities are made a priority for the resources they need to protect our most vulnerable citizens and our health care heroes on the frontlines.
“At the same time, we must reflect on the lessons we have learned throughout the pandemic and apply them toward strengthening our health care system. We will work collaboratively with the Biden Administration and Members of Congress to achieve our goals and create a better future for our nation’s seniors.”
U.S. SENATOR CORY BOOKER
“This is a moment of history and hope.
Today is Inauguration Day, and Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
My sister, Kamala Harris, is now the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first South Asian woman to be sworn in as the Vice President, inspiring generations of young leaders to come.
After four long, unprecedented, and disturbing years, the Trump presidency is officially over. The American people stood up, organized, voted, and removed this dangerous man from office.
We witnessed attacks on our voting rights, our democracy and the Constitution, immigrants, Muslims, Black and brown communities, the poor, LGBTQ Americans and women, the free press, peaceful protesters, our environment, and our health care. We’ve lost more than 400,000 of our loved ones to a pandemic that was initially downplayed and wildly mishandled by the former president.
And through the power of the ballot, we said, “enough.”
Though this inauguration has been unlike any other, due to restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and security threats from far-right extremists, it is a positive and pivotal turning point in our country’s history.
The time to heal and rebuild is now.
Not only have President Biden and Vice President Harris been sworn in to serve the American people, but later today I’ll be joined by new colleagues in what will soon be a Democratic-led Senate, including Georgia’s first Black and first Jewish Senators, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, who I am so honored to get to work with.
The truth is we as a country have experienced a collective trauma during this presidency and pandemic. But I know that through the tireless work of organizers and voters like you, we are now in a position to redeem our nation, tackle this deadly virus, revitalize our economy, and make progress to lift up each and every one of us.
I am thrilled and encouraged to think about what comes next: passing stronger pandemic relief for workers, businesses, and families, letting science and our medical experts guide the strategy on stopping the spread of this virus, raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, honoring our heroes like John Lewis by restoring the Voting Rights Act and preventing voter suppression, passing comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform, ensuring that Black Lives Matter in the eyes of our justice system, taking bold action to address the climate crisis, and so much more.
We got here together, and we’ll build our country back better together. The future is bright.”
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN
“Congratulations to President Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States. I look forward to the President bringing unity to our nation. His leadership, vision and respect for America are most welcome and much needed.
“Congratulations to Vice President Kamala Harris who makes history as the first African-American, first Asian-American and first female Vice President.
“I wish the President and Vice President well as they turn the page on four years of divisiveness and bring our country together.
“God bless America.”
SOMERSET COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR PEG SCHAFFER
“Today is an historic day of celebration for those who love America’s democracy, and those who love America. Watching President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris take their oaths of office to lead all of America for the next four years, I felt hope I haven’t felt during the divisiveness of recent years.
That hope is not because I am a Democrat, but because I am an American and a patriot, and I know President Biden and Vice President Harris are the leaders we need to move the entire country beyond our current divisions and bring the country out of the curse of this pandemic.
History is made today, and our nation’s soul restored. Let’s work together to make the future better than the past.”
DEMOCRATIC STATE CHAIRMAN JOHN CURRIE
“Today our nation has officially closed the book on the past four years of division, cruelty and chaos as we begin the process of healing under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of decency and respect and because of that, I have a tremendous amount of hope for our country in spite of the great challenges that we face. I am comforted to know that we now have a leader with the empathy and experience to overcome the damage that has been done by the previous administration, in addition to ensuring that the COVID-19 crisis is brought to an end. On behalf of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, I offer my heartfelt congratulations and full support to President Biden and Vice President Harris.”
REP. TOM MALINOWSKI
“When I was six years old my mom and I fled communist Poland to the United States, where we built a new life in New Jersey. Thinking back to those times, I don’t think either of us could have imagined this moment.
President Biden has put forward ambitious goals for his first 100 days. We will defend American democracy at home and rebuild our moral leadership abroad. We will prioritize the affordability and accessibility of healthcare for all Americans. We will rebuild and modernize our nation’s infrastructure, and lead the world to a clean energy future. Most important, we will get the COVID-19 pandemic under control and pass additional relief to help struggling American families.
The last four years have left America more divided than at any point in living memory. Our country has never been perfect. But the virtue of our democracy is that it gives us an ideal to strive for and the means to correct our imperfections. Today we celebrate what we did right to fix what was wrong, and we remember that the job is never done.”
ESSEX COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT WAYNE RICHARDSON
“Congratulations to our new President Joe Biden and our new Vice President Kamala Harris on this historically significant Inauguration Day. All inaugurations are special, and the transfer of presidential power in itself is a history making event. Today, we celebrate how this transfer of power has reaffirmed that the will of the people is paramount in American democracy, and the power of healing is stronger than the power of division. President Biden was elected with more votes than any presidential candidate in American history. His message of healing clearly resonated with the American people, and his experience and character will benefit our nation as he leads us forward.
Additionally, we must recognize the significance of Vice President Harris taking the oath to serve our nation. She is a great leader, extremely qualified, and it brings me great joy to acknowledge that she is the first woman – and first person of color – to hold the office of Vice President of the United States of America. Another proverbial glass ceiling has been broken, and all Americans should be proud to witness the magnitude of this day and the hope it brings to a generation of young Americans. Congratulations again to President Biden and Vice President Harris. We look forward to the leadership you will provide for years to come.”
ESSEX COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRENDAN GILL
“Congratulations to President Joe Biden on taking the oath of office to serve as the 46th President of the United States. In the greatest voter turnout in American history, President Biden was elected with more votes than any previous presidential candidate – and today’s inauguration affirmed the will of the people and properly established the leaders and direction of our nation. President Biden is a friend to Essex County, a man of great character, and is perfectly suited to lead our nation as we continue to fight the Coronavirus Pandemic and heal from our internal divisions. I extend my congratulations to Vice President Harris on this historic day. She is the first woman, and the first person of color, to be elected to the Vice Presidency – but as she famously articulated, she “may be the first, but won’t be the last”. She is extremely qualified, well deserving of our faith and trust, and I look forward to President Biden and Vice President Harris leading our nation for the next 4 years.”
REP. MIKIE SHERRILL
“With the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol this afternoon, the country can begin to heal after four years of division and intolerance.
“President Biden will work on behalf of all Americans. His experience, empathy, and grace are perfectly suited to this moment when we need such qualities more than ever.
“He will work with Congress to usher in a new era of American leadership that harnesses the resilience that has always defined the United States. The coronavirus pandemic, economic recession, systemic racism, climate crisis, and our crumbling infrastructure all require intense focus and commitment. His decades of public service have prepared him to meet the challenges we face, and I know President Biden and his administration will help us build back better.
“As the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to serve as Vice President, Kamala Harris gives the United States even more reason to believe in our potential and our future. She is a shining example to women and girls across the world, and I am so grateful that my daughters and my sons have her to look up to as an example. She will be a strong leader alongside President Biden.
“Today is a day to celebrate and turn to the work that lies ahead.”