On November 19, NJ Governor, Phil Murphy gives out $2 million to provide legal help for illegal immigrants facing the prospect of deportation. Murphy stated that “Families who came to New Jersey for a better life do not deserve to be torn apart by the federal government's cruel and discriminatory policies." No recent events have occurred involving other important members of the State Government. ~ Siona A. Tom Malinowski has not been put into office yet, and therefore has yet to do anything regarding immigration.
On May 22, 2018, Robert Menendez introduced the POWER bill, which will help “protect alien victims of crime or serious labor or employment violations from removal from the United States, and for other purposes.” What that essentially translates into is that immigrants cannot be sentenced for deportation when they commit a crime. They will be treated as if they themselves were American citizens, receiving similar sentences, and will help have their deportation issue be handled in another case and court. Back in 2013, Menendez was part of a bipartisan group of 8 senators that sought to enact actions in support of immigration reform. On June 21, 2018, Cory Booker introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2018, a bill that will “provide standards for facilities at which aliens in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security are detained, and for other purposes.” This means that workable living standards, such as proper heating and sanitation conditions, will be upheld for immigrants placed under the jurisdiction of Homeland Security. This bill will serve to give equal and unsegregated detainment conditions for immigrants under federal authority. ~ Sean W.
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Senator Cory Booker has recently taken a human rights focus in foreign policy, introducing the Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act of 2018 (S. 3696) on November 29th, which aims to promote human rights in Burma through appropriating $103,695,069 to fund aid for victims of (non-exhaustively) recent ethnic cleansing campaigns, geographical displacement, and gender-based violence. (There was no significant news on foreign affairs regarding Rep. Malinowski and Sen. Menendez.) ~ Alexander T. On October 21, NJ Governor, Phil Murphy signed an agreement with Israel to strengthen economic ties. He stated that, "The New Jersey-Israel relationship already generates more than $1 billion in annual shared economic activity and we hope that, as a result of this MOU, that number will double, if not triple, in the years ahead."
No recent events have occurred involving other important members of the State Government. ~ Siona A. On November 14th 2018, Cory Booker sponsored the VET Extension Act, which would provide extensions to benefits provided to veterans and members of the military who qualify for the Post 9-11/Educational Assistance program. In addition, Booker voted for the SJ Res 54 Bill, which would directly remove the US Armed Forces from conflict in Yemen, this bill was officially passed on November 28th 2018. Meanwhile, Kip Bateman has not voted, sponsored, or co-sponsored any National Security Bills recently. There has been no news on his current stances on National Security. ~ Annie Z. In response to recent Russian military activities near Crimea, Senator Bob Menendez has taken the initiative to call on the POTUS and his colleagues in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to act in favor of Ukraine, providing more resources and aid prior to the President’s next G20 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. NATO motion has been suggested.
(There was no significant news on foreign affairs regarding Rep. Malinowski.) ~ Alexander T. Phil Murphy: In recent weeks, Phil Murphy has worked on many of his campaign promises. However, Murphy is yet to introduce any major, statewide legislation on climate change.
Andrew Zwicker: In the past, Andrew Zwicker has stated that “New Jersey needs to be a leader in climate change”. In recent weeks, there has been no new action regarding climate change in the state assembly. Roy Freiman: Throughout his career, Roy Freiman has consistently voted against regulations advocated for by various environmental agencies. However, in recent weeks, there has been no major legislation or discussion on the topic of climate change. Kip Bateman: Christopher Bateman has supported certain bills designed to battle climate change in the past. But in recent weeks, there hasn’t been any major developments in climate change legislation. ~ Reza M. Andrew Zwicker has recently supported and sponsored bills to promote economic growth in New Jersey. In 2018, he has supported bills about manufacturing and agriculture. Andrew Zwicker was a primary sponsor of a bill that aimed to stimulate manufacturing growth in New Jersey through the use of state agencies. The bill also established guidelines on credentials necessary for certain jobs. He has also sponsored bills to give beginning farmers loans and financial assistance; another bill, which he was also the primary sponsor of, helped mentor beginning farmers to give them advice and allow them to get started.
Roy Freiman has heavily supported economic growth in a variety of areas. Early in the year, he supported a bill aiming to regulate and help consumers with digital currencies. He also was the primary sponsor of two bills promoting winemaking and grape-growing in the state to foster tourism and economic growth in that sector. In addition, Freiman sponsored a bill to make a five-year plan (prepared by the secretary of state) listing the economic “vision, goals, objectives, and strategies for economic development” of the state . Similarly, he proposed establishing a review commission for economic growth. Kip Bateman has not made very much economic policy recently. Phil Murphy released a “master plan” for the economy about two months ago. He intends to promote entrepreneurship, wage growth, and the presence of women and minorities in the labor market. Murphy intends to achieve his goal by promoting investment in New Jersey business and by giving businesses tax credits. In order to promote investment, Murphy took a trip to Germany and Israel to encourage others to finance business in New Jersey. ~ Sam S. There was no significant news on civil rights and liberties regarding general assembly member Andrew Zwicker. There was no significant news on civil rights and liberties regarding general assembly member Roy Freiman. There was no significant news on civil rights and liberties regarding State Senator Christopher Bateman. Meanwhile, Governor Phil Murphy released a press statement on December 4th, in which he commended victim Katie Brennan for sharing her story about a sexual assault experience. In the statement, he expressed his belief that people should support victims of sexual assault, and start by believing the accuser. ~ Arjun A. There was no significant news on health regarding Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker or Roy Freiman.
Similarly, there was no significant news on health regarding Senator Kip Bateman. Governor Phil Murphy met with nine members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation on December 10th to discuss several issues, health care being one of them. There was no significant news on civil rights regarding Tom Malinowski. ~ Karina Z. Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker wants to pass legislation that would help New Jersey STEM graduates to offset some college loans through the STEM Loan Redemption Program. Assemblyman Roy Freiman recently established the "New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program Act" which helps employees plan for their retirement more effectively. Senator Christopher Bateman introduced Timothy J. Piazza Law which will increase hazing to a crime of the fourth or third degree. Bateman is also working towards passing a bill that appropriates funding for capital projects and park development. Gov. Phil Murphy wants to rebuild NJ Transit and implement good management by the end of 2018. He has an end goal to fix mismanaged public transportation in New Jersey. He is also working toward implementing a new $15 dollar minimum wage bill by the end of 2018. ~ Alexandria Y. On November 29th, Sen. Booker cosponsored the Closing the Law Enforcement Consent Loophole Act of 2018 which would prohibit law enforcement officers from having coitus with anyone in their custody. On December 6th, Sen. Cory Booker sponsored a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in order to give a refundable tax credit to certain teachers. He also cosponsored a bill allowing the Secretary of Transportations to give out loans in order to install electric buses and the infrastructure accompanying them. On December 4, Sen. Bob Menendez cosponsored a bill reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program, which covers about 5 million households. On December 6th, he cosponsored a bill to honor and recognize those who served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. ~ Alessandra V. Booker has not had any specific news regarding domestic affairs.
In terms of bill voting Booker voted “yea” for bills concerning immigration policies and immigration reforms. He also voted “yea” on the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 which ended up passing, including farm and crop insurance, trade and international food aid, etc. ~ Nidalia W. |
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