WASHINGTON — Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. is demanding that the Republicans who control the U.S. House to investigate why President Donald Trump refused to provide $84 million in disaster aid to the Garden State.
Pallone (D-Long Branch) sent letters to the chairs of the Transportation and Homeland Security committees and their two subcommittees with jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency, asking them to probe whether politics played a role in the decision to say no.
Besides New Jersey, three other Democratic-run states that sought federal assistance — New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island — were denied help following a massive blizzard in February.
“Denying disaster assistance to American citizens just because they live in states that elected Democratic governors is a betrayal of the oath President Trump swore to uphold,” Pallone wrote.
According to Politico, Trump overrode his agencies’ recommendations and rejected the funding request for the four states whose voters supported Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill is appealing the Trump administration’s rejection of the aid request.
“Severe snowstorms — just like hurricanes, flooding and other natural disasters – are a danger to public health and safety. The public relies on the state and federal government to work in tandem to ensure the necessary resources are activated and available,” Pallone wrote.
“Flippantly denying the State of New Jersey’s legitimate need for assistance and downplaying the severity of this event diminishes the public’s faith in our ability to govern.”
Smith helps form congressional caucus to address human trafficking
Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), who has fought to stop human trafficking during his lengthy tenure in the House, is forming a bipartisan congressional caucus to call attention to the issue.
Smith and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Maryland) will co-chair the new Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus. It is named for abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass. Smith has introduced anti-trafficking legislation named for the former slave.
“Human trafficking is an ever-evolving crime, as traffickers are constantly finding new ways — both in-person and virtually — to exploit, manipulate, and abuse victims. Smith said. “To meet these changing and challenging demands, this caucus will work tirelessly to advance new anti-trafficking legislation.”
Menendez wants to help consumers get their money back
Legislation to once again allow the Federal Trade Commission to refund money to victims of scams and frauds has been introduced by Reps. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) and Yvette Clarke (D-New York).
The legislation specifically gives the FTC the power to obtain refunds for defrauded consumers and to require other remedies for victims. The agency’s ability to require such refunds was taken away by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2021.
“As Americans face rising costs and tighter household budgets, they cannot afford to lose hard-earned money to deceptive business practices, scams, and fraud,” Menendez said. “Our legislation restores the FTC’s consumer protection authority, equipping it with the tools to hold bad actors accountable and return money to victims.”
