Frank Pallone, Jr. was sworn in for his 17th full term in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2021. Pallone represents New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District, which includes most of Middlesex County as well as the Bayshore and oceanfront areas of Monmouth County.
Throughout his career, Pallone has fought to make health care more affordable and accessible, protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, and make the country’s food system safer. Pallone has fought to protect New Jersey’s environment, and ensure that all residents can enjoy the National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook. He has also championed issues that are important to the state's commercial and recreational fishing industries.
Everyone in the United States should be treated fairly under the law, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Congressman Pallone strongly believes that Congress has a moral obligation to act to end end racial injustice and ensure that the United States lives up to its ideals. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Americans across the country have stood up to say enough is enough. It is past time to reform the criminal justice system and ensure it operates fairly for all Americans.
Congressman Pallone supports legislation that will help combat the pattern of violence and inequality and is working to ensure that we end the health disparities too many communities of color have experienced during the coronavirus pandemic.
Congressman Pallone is an original co-sponsor of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 that would address police abuse, hold law enforcement accountable, improve transparency, and create structural change that safeguards every American’s right to justice.
The Justice in Policing Act of 2020:
In addition to this bill, Congressman Pallone has supported legislation that would reform the criminal justice system and help prepare people to return to society after they have served their time.
In 2018, Congress passed the First Step Act that was signed into law. As its name suggests, this legislation was a first step toward the comprehensive overhaul that is needed to ensure that law enforcement embrace community engagement and compassion. The bill shortened mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses and released prisoners convicted for minor drug crimes.
The coronavirus pandemic has had an especially devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including communities of color. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Pallone has been working to address these health disparities. Where you live or what you look like should not determine anyone’s quality of life or whether someone has access to good health care.
The Health Care Enhancement Act that Congressman Pallone helped pass and that was signed into law mandates the Trump Administration send Congress a report on COVID-19 health disparities. Congress mandated this report in order to better understand how the coronavirus impacts different demographic groups with the intention of using that information to provide resources and support to help close gaps in COVID-19 health outcomes. Unfortunately, the report Congress received from the Trump Administration fails to meet the basic requirements of the law and leaves both Congress and the American people in the dark. Congressman Pallone will keep pushing the Trump Administration to take these discrepancies seriously.
Congressman Pallone also taken steps to ensure that inmates who complete their sentences have access to health care when they are released. In the Heroes Act, he included legislation that would allow inmates to be enrolled in Medicaid 30 days prior to release, providing a smoother transition as they finish their time.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Congressman Pallone called on the Department of Homeland Security to give people in the Department’s custody increased access to phones so they can communicate with their families and legal representatives. He believes we must not allow this national emergency to interfere with the rights of detainees to speak with family members or their lawyers.
Congressman Pallone's support of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 and his work to end health racial health disparities builds on his long record of fighting for policies that reflect our American ideals of equality, fairness and justice. During his time in Congress, he has worked to ensure all Americans, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, are entitled to the same protections under the law.
Congressman Pallone believes we can grow the American economy and restore the American dream for all by raising wages, strengthening workplace protections, and investing in our national infrastructure.
Tax System:
Congressman Pallone opposed the partisan Republican tax plan, and voted no when it was considered by the House of Representatives. The newly enacted law disproportionately benefits the wealthy and sets caps on state and local tax deductions and reduces the mortgage interest deduction – changes that negatively affect New Jerseyans. The tax scam raises the national deficit by $1.5 trillion.
Congressman Pallone believes the American tax system should serve all Americans by growing our economy and supporting the middle class and those who aspire to reach it. He also believes that we should end unfair tax breaks that shield the wealthiest Americans from paying their fair share.
Investing in American Infrastructure:
Congressman Pallone advocates for strong federal investment to address our nation’s ailing infrastructure. He understands that it’s time to make real and significant investments for the future.
To that end, Congressman Pallone introduced The Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America Act, or LIFT America Act, which sets out five years of funding for essential infrastructure improvements, job growth, and greater protections for public health and the environment. The legislation would appropriate:
In order to compete in a global economy, young people must be able to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st century. To achieve this, Congressman Pallone believes local schools and teachers must be provided with adequate resources and compensation, and a strong emphasis must be placed on hiring and retaining highly trained and talented teaching professionals.
Expanding access to higher education is an investment in the nation’s future and economic strength. Congressman Pallone represents world-class universities in the sixth district, and college affordability remains a priority of his in Congress. He is committed to increasing Pell Grants for students and has supported legislation to keep student loan interest rates low and outlaw predatory student loan practices.
Congressman Pallone advocates a forward looking energy policy that encourages innovation to power America. A critical aspect of this agenda is incentivizing clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind with mechanisms manufactured here in America. Congressman Pallone uses his position as Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee to advocate for these priorities.
Congressman Pallone has supported efforts to allow offshore wind development to supply clean energy to New Jersey. He also strongly supports the United States remaining in the Paris Agreement as a crucial means of combatting climate change.
As Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he introduced the LIFT America Act which would make comprehensive investments in New Jersey and the nation’s infrastructure. The bill would authorize billions of dollars to update our electric grid.
Congressman Pallone was inspired to come to Congress in order to put a stop to ocean dumping off the Jersey Shore and clean up New Jersey’s toxic waste sites. A clean environment helps create jobs and fosters an environment that will help local economies grow and expand. It has always been a top priority of Congressman Pallone’s to protect the water and air and clean up both Superfund and Brownfields sites so New Jersey residents can lead healthy lives in the communities where they live and work.
Congressman Pallone has also been a tireless leader in protecting our oceans, and strongly opposes offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. An oil spill would have devastating effects on New Jersey’s coastal economy and environment. He has introduced the COAST Anti-Drilling Act, which would permanently ban offshore drilling in the Atlantic. He also has introduced the BEACH Act, which would impose new water quality testing and public notification standards so beachgoers are better protected and informed about the safety of their beaches.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Pallone has introduced and supported legislation to ensure safe drinking water for New Jersey communities, and the regulation of toxic chemicals. He is also a leader in the fight to combat the climate crisis. In 2020, he announced the CLEAN Future Act, a comprehensive proposal of sector-specific and economy-wide solutions to address the climate crisis. The CLEAN Future Act formally adopts the goal of achieving of a 100 percent clean economy by 2050. The draft bill incorporates both proven and novel concepts, presenting a set of policy proposals that will put the U.S. on the path to a clean and prosperous economy.
Congressman Pallone has been a longtime advocate for New Jersey’s recreational and commercial fishing industry. He has called for flexibility in the timeline of rebuilding fisheries, and pushed for NOAA to use better data and increase transparency when determining fishing quotas. In 2016 and 2017, he successfully helped lead efforts to increase New Jersey’s summer flounder quotas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he fought for federal funding to support the state's commerical and recreational fishing industry, delivering millions of dollars in aid to New Jersey.
Keeping the country safe is of the utmost importance to Congressman Pallone. He takes seriously his job to protect and defend our nation, and to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources and support they deserve.
He is a strong advocate in Congress for strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship and supporting the Armenian people. Congressman Pallone also founded and continues to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus. He also founded the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and continues to to be an active member. He is also deeply involved with affairs related to Greece, Cyprus and Ireland.
Israel
Congressman Pallone is a life-long supporter of the state of Israel as it stands as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. He continues to vote for military and economic assistance for Israel and believe it has the right and responsibility to respond to threats in self-defense.
Armenia
For more than 25 years Congressman Pallone has acted as a strong and active voice for Armenia and the Armenian-American community in Congress. It remains a priority of his to achieve Congressional recognition of the Armenian genocide.
India
India is a great friend and economic partner to the United States. Congressman Pallone was involved in the formation of the U.S.–India nuclear deal which facilitates nuclear cooperation between our countries and expands cooperation in energy and satellite technologies.
Congressman Pallone believes that India, which is the largest democracy, the second most populous country, and has the third largest standing army in the world, is an obvious choice for permanent membership in the Security Council. That is why he recently introduced H.Res.535, a resolution expressing support for the Republic of India to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Greece and Cyprus
Congressman Pallone is a strong supporter of the Hellenic community. As a member of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance (CHIA) Caucus, Congressman Pallone has worked to ensure strong American support of Greece and Cyprus as the two countries continue to recover from the economic crisis of 2012. He also believes that we must continue to do everything in our power to ensure a peaceful and lasting reunification of Cyprus.
Ireland
Congressman Pallone has been a leading voice in Congress and has made U.S. support for a peaceful resolution to conflict in Northern Ireland a priority. He supported the 1998 Good Friday agreement and the peaceful and democratic process which it established.
Congressman Pallone is a member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives where he and his colleagues work on developing a stronger U.S. – Ireland relationship and advocate on behalf of issues important to Irish-Americans. Congressman Pallone has also met with members the Irish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly during their visits to the U.S. Congress.
The seemingly endless list of mass shootings and the stunning number of daily gun deaths in the United States should warrant immediate action by our government including instituting universal background checks, an assault weapons ban and limiting high capacity magazines.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Pallone believes that all Americans should have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and advocates for legislation that will help achieve these goals.
The Affordable Care Act was a major step towards expanding coverage, lowering healthcare costs and protecting patients from insurance company abuses. He continues to be its ardent defender in the face of numerous Congressional “repeal and replace” attempts.
In addition, Congressman Pallone uses his leadership role on the Committee to protect the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, bring drugs to market faster, make our food system safer, and support work that will advance public health. He is particularly passionate about efforts to improve health outcomes for children, women, and the underserved.
Affordable Care Act
As the Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee during the 111th Congress, Congressman Pallone played a key role in writing the health reform bill and helping to guide it through the House and eventually into law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes significant investments in the health of our nation while controlling costs.
The law includes critical consumer protections and ends the control of insurance companies over consumers. Insurance companies are not allowed to drop coverage when people get sick and cannot impose lifetime caps on coverage. It stops unjustified premium hikes by insurance companies and ensures that no one with pre-existing conditions will be denied coverage. It makes it easier to access preventive care, by eliminating co-pays for many preventative services. Young adults may now stay on their parents’ health coverage through 26.
Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers provide vital health services to the local community, particularly to those who may not access health care otherwise. In New Jersey, there are 24 federally-funded Health Center organizations that served 561,965 patients and provided over 2 million patient visits in 2018.
Congressman Pallone is proud to support community health centers so they may grow and expand. According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, community health centers in Congressman Pallone’s district leveraged $7,245,311 in federal investments and served approximately 63,135 patients in 2016.
FDA User Fee Reauthorization
Congressman Pallone introduced bipartisan legislation in 2017 to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with additional resources through fees on pharmecutical companies to upgrade the safety review of prescription drugs.
The bill, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, reauthorizes the drug and medical device user fee programs, which will ensure that FDA gives patients access to therapies at the earliest possible time. It also includes a generic drug and biosimilar user fee agreements which will speed the delivery of low-cost generic drugs to patients.
The law will also enable FDA to better incorporate the patient perspective in the regulatory process, advance regulatory science and support the modernization of the clinical trial and review process.
Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Congressman Pallone knows that lower prescription drug costs are a top priority for many Americans. That's why he led the House passage of H.R.3, the Lower Prescription Drug Costs Now Act, which empowers the federal government to negotiate directly with drug companies on 250 of the most expensive drugs and makes those prices.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office anticipates that H.R. 3 will save the federal government about $500 billion over ten years. H.R. 3 reinvests those savings back into the American people by creating the most transformational improvement to Medicare since its creation – delivering vision, dental and hearing benefits – and turbocharging the search for new cures and treatments.
We owe it to our families, we owe it to our economy, and we owe it to the founding ideals of our country to ensure that those who have come here as children, those who have fled violence and oppression, and those who have made countless contributions to our communities are able to call America home.
Congressman Pallone understands that investing in all forms of infrastructure is necessary to ensuring a strong economy. That is why as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he introduced the LIFT America Act which would make comprehensive investments in New Jersey and the nation’s infrastructure. The bill would authorize over $80 billion to expand access to broadband, improve drinking water infrastructure, update our electric grid, cleanup and redevelop contaminated brownfield sites, and invest in hospital infrastructure. He also has announced a $760 billion plan to address some of the country’s most urgent infrastructure needs, from the massive maintenance backlog and designing safer streets to combating climate change by reducing carbon emissions and moving us toward a clean energy future. It also outlines major investments in surface transportation, rail and transit systems, airports, ports and harbors, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, brownfields, and broadband.
Congressman Pallone stands with New Jerseyans who are working to fight for better wages, benefits and conditions at their places of employment. Congressman Pallone supports policies that would significantly raise the minimum wage, implement equal work for equal pay and paid family leave. Congressman Pallone has consistently voted against bad trade deals, including the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Hurricane Sandy
Many towns in the Sixth District were devastated by Superstorm Sandy, and many individuals, families, businesses, and communities are still recovering. Congressman Pallone fought hard for a robust Superstorm Sandy Emergency Relief Package to provide aid so New Jersey and other affected states could rebuild from the devastation caused by the historic storm. In total, the aid package that passed appropriated $60.1 billion to affected states to recover and rebuild. These funds have financed important flood control and beach renourishment projects in the Sixth District, as well as reimbursing the state and local governments for costs caused by the storm.
While New Jersey has made progress to recover from Sandy, much work remains to be done. Congressman Pallone has continued to work hard to support New Jerseyans as they continue to recover from the storm. He helped introduce the bipartisan SAFE NFIP Act to reform the National Flood Insurance Program to make it work for policyholders, not against them. His legislation would increase affordability, invest in mitigation efforts, cap the profits of flood insurance companies, and reform the appeals process to serve the needs of policyholders.
Congressman Pallone continues to monitor the rebuilding process and work with federal agencies to make sure funds are getting to New Jersey as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers provide vital health services to the local community, particularly to those who may not access health care otherwise. In New Jersey, there are 23 federally-funded Health Center organizations that serve 511,947 patients through a combined 144 delivery sites.
Congressman Pallone is proud to support community health centers so they may grow and expand. According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, community health centers in Congressman Pallone’s district leveraged $7,245,311 in federal investments and served approximately 63,135 patients in 2016.
Gaming
In 2017, Congressman Pallone introduced the Gaming Accountability and Modernization Enhancement Act, which would repeal the federal prohibition on sports betting and allow states to legalize online gambling. It does not create a federal framework for gambling and instead allows states that choose to legalize and regulate sports betting and/or online gambling to do so.
The bill would legalize sports betting in New Jersey and introduce a new source of revenue, potentially amounting in billions for New Jersey in revenues. A state-wide ballot measure to amend New Jersey’s state constitution to allow sports gaming was overwhelmingly supported by New Jersey citizens by a 2-1 margin.
Congressman Pallone is committed to protecting the programs that seniors rely on, like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, while also making them stronger and more secure.
Medicare
Congressman Pallone opposes Republican efforts to end the Medicare guarantee and provide vouchers to seniors. Turning Medicare seniors over to private insurance companies would break the underlying promise of the system and ultimately end up costing seniors more.
Medicaid
He also opposed block granting Medicaid funding to states because of the impact on nursing homes and home health care.Medicaid is the financing mechanism for most nursing home patients and the quality of nursing home care would severely suffer.
Social Security
Congress created Social Security as a promise to Americans that they or their loved ones would have a source of income when they retired, were widowed, or disabled. For the past 75 years, it has lived up to this promise. Congressman Pallone opposes all efforts to privatize Social Security
Congressman Pallone is a cosponsor of H.R. 1902 – Social Security 2100 Act (Larsen, D-CT) which would provide a modest across the board benefit increase andadjust for a more robust cost of living formula.. He also supports H.R. 1205 – Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions from social security benefits.
The success of small businesses is a crucial part of making New Jersey’s economy strong. Congressman Pallone advocates for programs to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs, and to encourage business development in the state. This includes supporting efforts to redevelop Fort Monmouth in New Jersey, as well as pushing for net neutrality to ensure that small businesses have equal access to customers and markets via the internet.
The Gateway Tunnel Project is essential to the economic vitality of the United States, in particular the New Jersey and New York region where 17% of the nation’s population lives and 20% of the nation’s GDP is produced.
Congressman Pallone supports the rehabilitation and modernizing of the Gateway Tunnel Project, which would improve rail infrastructure from Newark to Penn Station NYC and add additional Hudson River tunnels. Congressman Pallone, along with his Congressional New Jersey and New York colleagues, has kept pressure on the Trump Administration to uphold their financial obligations to the project.
Last Congress, Congressman Pallone voted for a two-year comprehensive transportation reauthorization bill (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act) to upgrade America’s infrastructure and put Americans back to work. The transportation jobs bill enables mass transit and bridge-and-road construction projects, including 54,000 jobs in New Jersey. It was signed into law by President Obama.
It is simply our duty as a nation, when we put our men and women in harm’s way, to care for them when they return. Congressman Pallone supports adequate funding for veterans programs to provide the men and women who fought for our country the support they need to stay healthy, get an education and find a good job. Congressman Pallone supports policies that would improve health services, increase job opportunities, and expand educational opportunities for veterans.
The economic recession has caused many homeowners to face trouble making mortgage payments. The fear of foreclosure on a family’s home is a major concern for many Americans. Congressman Pallone supports the federal government taking necessary steps to give homeowners the tools they need to get back on their feet and modify home loans to avoid foreclosure.
Congressman Pallone supported the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB’s mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.
Congressman Pallone supports funding for housing for low-income families. Programs such as Section 8 and the Community Development Block Grants help families in need access affordable housing so they can have a steady residence and provide stability to their family