How N.J.’s congressional delegation voted in August (and the beginning of September)

WASHINGTON — August began with the U.S. Senate passing a bipartisan continuing resolution to fund the government past the Sept. 30 end of the current federal fiscal year to Dec. 11, avoiding any chance of shutdown before Election Day.

That was after House Republicans in July wrote their own bill without negotiating with the Democrats whose votes would be needed for final passage, approved it largely along party lines, 220 to 215, and then went home for a month.

The Senate during the first week in August passed an alternative backed by both Republicans and Democrats, 90-6, with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim both joining the majority.

On Tuesday, Republicans caved, brought the Senate bill up for a vote, and saw the bipartisan measure clear Congress by 370 to 48. Every House member from New Jersey voted yes.

Before recessing for Labor Day and the Republican midterm convention, the House also passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) that would prevent colleges and universities from participating in boycotts of Israel. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) was the only other New Jersey Democrat backing the legislation along with all three Garden State Republicans. The others Democrats all voted no.

Both the House and Senate are due back in Washington Sept. 14. The House then plans to recess until after Election Day so members can campaign for re-elect