LoBiondo Applauds House Passage of – Make America Secure Again’…

U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo applauded House passage of four appropriations bills dubbed "Make America Secure Again" Appropriations bill, which included a number of his priorities. The consolidated appropriations package, which also includes a 2.4 percent pay raise for military personnel, passed the House last night 235 to 192, sending it to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

VBA Appeals Hearings Now Held Virtually in Southern New Jersey

In partnership with the Veterans Benefits Administration , veterans, and elected officials, and in an effort to improve veteran satisfaction, VA Healthcare - VISN 4 and the VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, are working to improve the compensation and pension appeals process for veterans in southern New Jersey. Previously, many of the area's veterans who appealed a decision for a service-connected disability rating by VBA had to drive to Philadelphia for a hearing.

Trump dealt huge loss as Republicans pull Obamacare repeal bill

WASHINGTON -- House Republican leaders abruptly ended debate Friday pulled legislation backed by President Donald Trump that would have repealed and replaced the Affordable Care Act. The GOP leadership didn't have the votes after several Republicans, including four of five from New Jersey, said they couldn't support the legislation.

Another N.J. House Republican comes out against healthcare bill

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, the most powerful member of the New Jersey congressional delegation, said he would vote against the Republican health care legislation that would leave an additional 500,000 state residents without coverage. "Unfortunately, the legislation before the House today is currently unacceptable as it would place significant new costs and barriers to care on my constituents in New Jersey," Frelinghuysen said in a statement.

Paul Ryan faces cliffhanger vote, with no pork to offer reluctant Republicans

The modern congressional whip operation shifted into high gear this week as House Republican leaders scrambled to find support for their plan to overhaul the health-care industry. But House Speaker Paul Ryan , R-Wis., does not have the tools that previous speakers once used to win over recalcitrants before cliffhanger votes.

Centrists balk at GOP ObamaCare bill

GOP centrists in the House are fleeing from their party's ObamaCare repeal-and-replace legislation, complicating White House efforts to win passage in a vote scheduled for Thursday. Centrist defections in the last 24 hours include Rep. Charlie Dent , the co-chairman of the moderate Tuesday Group, which has roughly 50 members.

Lifelong Democrat Lauds Gorsuch, Classmates Stay Friends Since ’80s

William "Bill" Hughes Jr., a lifelong Democrat and one-time congressional candidate, had warm praise for Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee. The two were classmates at Georgetown Preparatory School in the 1980s, while Hughes' father served as the congressman for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District and Anne M. Gorsuch, the nominee's mother, headed the federal Environmental Protection Agency under Ronald Reagan.

U.S. approves new airline over objections from N.J. Republican and his union allies

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration 's approval of a new international airline over objections from organized labor and Republican ally Rep. Frank LoBiondo means new flights from Newark Airport. Norwegian Air International received final Transportation Department approval Friday.

Trump out of Atlantic City but an issue in House race there

The legacy of Donald Trump's casino empire disappeared from Atlantic City with last week's closing of the Trump Taj Mahal, but donations he made years ago are factoring into a New Jersey congressional race. Incumbent Republican Rep. Frank LoBiondo received donations from Trump more often than any other current member of Congress over a 10-year span ending with his final donation in 2007.

Trump appears with Bill Clinton accusers prior to second presidential debate

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump, facing an exodus of support from top Republicans due to his vulgar comments about women, counterattacked Sunday by appearing with women who claimed they were mistreated by Hillary Clinton or her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Trump preceded Sunday's second presidential debate with a press conference featuring four women, including Paula Jones, whose charged that then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton propositioned her.

Jackson: Pricey mailings draw critics in an election year

The four- to eight-page tabloid newspapers have Rep. Chris Smith's name in the banner and his picture on just about every page as he meets with constituents, leads hearings or delivers speeches. Topics for stories include legislation sponsored by the Republican from Mercer County, local public works projects he got funded, his ongoing drive for global human rights and how high school students can apply for a chance to attend a military academy or get their art shown in the Capitol.

Inquirer editorial: N.J. Democrats should choose Clinton, Law

With Donald Trump unopposed on the Republican side, New Jersey Democrats will cast some of the season's last votes on a contested presidential nomination on June 7. As the Editorial Board detailed before the Pennsylvania primary, despite the enthusiasm generated by Bernie Sanders, HILLARY CLINTON is better prepared for the office. South Jersey Democrats will also decide three congressional nominations.

Democrats target North Jersey congressman over views on gay issues

After long targeting South Jersey, national Democrats are looking north this year as they try to chip away at Republicans' congressional majority. The party's national arm is focusing on unseating North Jersey Republican Rep. Scott Garrett, prioritizing a race in the New York suburbs rather than the Burlington and Ocean County-based Third District, which Democrats have spent years trying to capture.