While Senator Lautenberg Delivers Effective Results for New Jersey, Rob Andrews Delivers Nothing But Campaign Spin

In his 18 years in Congress, Rob Andrews has proven to be one of the most ineffective legislators New Jersey has ever sent to the House of Representatives, with little to show for all his time in Washington. Despite introducing 119 bills during the last congress, Andrews is unable to point to many specific individual accomplishments on behalf of New Jersey. [The Hill, April 25, 2007]

In fact, Andrews is so ineffective that he no longer bothers to show up for work, missing more than 75 votes since announcing his run for Senate on April 3rd and almost 10 percent of all votes this Congress alone -- even as he chooses to spend more time politicking than getting things done for the people of New Jersey.

By contrast, Senator Lautenberg -- during this term alone -- has racked up a series of remarkable accomplishments that make a real difference in people's lives:

* Making Port Security Grants Risked-Based: Congress passed into law Senator Lautenberg's amendment to the 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to require that all federal port security grants be allocated entirely on the basis of risk. [109th Congress, Senate Amendment No. 1197, adopted on July 14, 2005] 

* Saving New Jersey's Chemical Plant Security Laws: Senator Lautenberg wrote a Federal law that preserved New Jersey's strong chemical security laws and allows them to be much stronger than federal regulations.  The Lautenberg law blocks the Bush Administration from moving forward with its proposal to preempt New Jersey's strong chemical security laws. Senator Lautenberg's legislation was included in the [FY2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Public Law No 110-161, (2007)]

* Reimbursing Troops for Body Armor: Coauthored a law that requires the Bush Administration to reimburse families for the cost of appropriate body armor they purchased for loved ones serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. [108th Congress, Senate Amendment No. 3312, adopted on June 14, 2004, by a vote of 91-0, Record Vote No. 112, Public Law No. 108-375]
 
* Saving Health Insurance for New Jersey Children: Senator Lautenberg led the fight to defeat the Bunning amendment, which would have stripped health coverage for 3,200 children in New Jersey.  [110th Congress, HR 976, Motion to Table Bunning agreed to 53-46  Roll Call 290 (2007)]

* Improving Rail Security: Senator Lautenberg wrote a new law authorizing $160 million in Federal funds to upgrade tunnels used by NJ Transit and Amtrak in our region  [Public Law No.110-53 (2007)]

* Blocking Foreign Aid to Libya: Senator Lautenberg wrote a provision that prevents U.S. foreign aid for Libya until the Libyan government fully compensates the American victims of its terrorism it sponsored in the 1980s. [FY2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Public Law No 110-161(2007)] 

* Blocking Terrorist Access to Guns: After Senator Lautenberg exposed that the Bush Administration was blocking law enforcement from getting details about gun purchases by people on the terrorist watch list, the Department of Justice changed its policies.  In 2007, at Senator Lautenberg's urging, the Administration endorsed Lautenberg's proposal to restrict gun sales to suspected terrorists.  [GAO Report 05-127, January 2005, S.1237]

* Preventing Oil Spills: Senator Lautenberg authored a law that forces oil tankers to strengthen their ships against spills or face increased Federal penalties. [Public Law No. 109-241(2006)]

* Fighting Sponsors of Terrorism: Senator Lautenberg wrote a law that allows American victims of terror to collect damages from countries that sponsor terrorism. [Public Law No. 110-181 (2007)]

* Blocking Bush Privatization: Senator Lautenberg blocked the Bush Administration's dangerous plan to privatize and outsource America's air traffic control system. [108th Congress, Senate Amendment No. 893, agreed to on June 12, 2003, by a vote of 56-41, Record Vote No. 222]

* "Greening" the Federal Government: Senator Lautenberg authored a law that requires the Federal Government to consider "Green" standards in future Federal construction projects. [Included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Public Law No. 110-140 (2007)]

* Cleaning Up Unauthorized Dumps: Senator Lautenberg authored a provision that bans unregulated solid waste sites on railroad lines, closing down a loophole in Federal law. [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law No. 110-161, (2007)]

* Combating Global Warming: Senator Lautenberg strengthened the Senate Global Warming bill, a priority for the Democratic Congress.  [S. 2191, Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.(2007)]

* Building a Better Future for Amtrak: Senator Lautenberg authored legislation to revitalize Amtrak and passenger rail in America.  The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.  [S. 294, Passed/agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 70-22. Record Vote No. 400(2007)]

* Protecting Our Veterans:  Wrote a law that blocked the Bush Administration's attempt to raise health co-pays for military retirees and their families. [Public Law No. 110-181(2006)]
 
"The record is clear: while Senator Lautenberg can point to accomplishment after accomplishment to demonstrate his effectiveness for our state, Rob Andrews has spent the past 18 years as an ineffective backbencher in Washington, when he bothers to show up for work at all. We agree with the Andrews campaign when it says that voters should weigh this contest in terms of effectiveness and point to the fact that while Senator Lautenberg delivers real results for New Jersey, Rob Andrews delivers nothing more than hot air.  As with everything else, Rob Andrews talks a good game, but he's short on results," said Lautenberg spokeswoman Julie Roginsky.

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