What We Delivered in the Eighth District in 2023
Floor Speech
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Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, as we close out 2023, I want to talk about the results my team and I have delivered for New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District during my first year in office.
Our team has solved over 1,100 constituent cases, which have ranged from getting evacuees out of Afghanistan, to resolving passport issues so constituents can visit their loved ones, to returning over $270,000 to our constituents. We have sent over 26,000 letters communicating directly with our residents about the issues they care about.
We have also secured over $11 billion in Federal grants for projects in our district. That includes over $6.9 billion for the Gateway Program, the largest critical infrastructure project in the country. We also secured over $4 billion to overhaul the Northeast Corridor, drastically improving the commuter experience on the busiest passenger rail line in the country.
We secured millions for additional priorities such as community policing, environmental justice, and tackling climate change, all in less than a year.
I have also introduced six bills and cosponsored over 100 bills that address affordability, improve the quality of life for residents in our district, and fight for our Democratic values and priorities.
The first bill I introduced was the Working Families Task Force Act, which would establish a whole-of-government approach to improve the standard of living for working families in our district and across the country, including access to childcare and healthcare and creating good-paying jobs.
I made quality-of-life issues a priority, introducing legislation to battle helicopter noise in our communities. I am proud to have cosponsored legislation to protect reproductive rights, support our LGBTQ community, and fight gun violence.
As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have worked hard every day to improve critical infrastructure across our district. This includes strongly advocating for commuting alternatives for you and your family, such as extending New York City's 7 line to New Jersey.
Serving on the House Committee on Homeland Security, I have prioritized our work to keep our country safe while following our American and Democratic values.
I have tackled the work of reforming our broken immigration system head-on as co-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force. I have fought to close the privately run Elizabeth Detention Center, which has had a decades-long record of abuse and neglect of migrant detainees.
I have stood alongside my colleagues to call for relief for cities that are handling an influx of asylum-seekers. I have led efforts to oppose harmful Republican targeting of migrants.
This year, alongside House Democrats, my team and I have delivered significant and meaningful results for every single resident of New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District despite the House Republicans' dysfunction and division. We are just getting started.
My top priority is and has always been serving you. I love this district and every community I have the honor of representing. Delivering real, tangible results is what motivates me every day.
I look forward to working for you in Washington and in the district. My team and I are available to help you and your family with any issues you may be having with the Federal Government. We are here to serve you. I thank you for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to deliver for all of you in 2024.
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