U.S. House of Representatives

The House of Representatives passes the bill that implements the unfulfilled recommendations of the 9/11 Commission

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Albio Sires voted today in support of HR 1 which implements the unfulfilled recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission and puts America on the road to safety.

"Two of the most dangerous miles in the nation are located in the 13th District of New Jersey, and the bill passed today reassures our residents that we are taking vital steps to keep them safe from terror attacks," said Congressman Albio Sires. "There is no doubt that our district is one of the most vulnerable, and it is imperative that we have the appropriate funds to protect and defend ourselves from terrorism."

The bill includes important provisions that will improve our security such as :

-Increasing the share of state homeland security grants provided on the basis of risk

- A stand-alone grant program that will provide first responders with equipment which allows them to communicate with one another during an emergency;

- Strengthening of aviation security by phasing in a requirement of 100% screening of the cargo on passenger aircraft, and

- Accelerating the installation of explosive detection systems for checked baggage and improving the explosive detection systems at passenger checkpoints in our nation's airports.

This bill also phases in, over then next five years, a requirement that 100% of the containers leaving the largest ports overseas will be screened. Our district is home to Port Elizabeth, the largest container seaport on the East Coast and the destination for many of these containers. Containers in international ports will be scanned for radiation and density prior to being loaded onto ships bound for the United States.

The 9/11 Commission bill also includes provisions to better prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and provides for the establishment of a Middle East Foundation. The foundation would help to counter extremism abroad by promoting economic opportunities, education reform, human rights and democratic processes in Middle East nations.

"We must do what it takes to ensure that terrorism doesn't once again reach our soil. New Jersey's terror threat requires greater efforts to keep our residents safe. I am confident we are on the road to restoring peace of mind to our community and to the individuals who live closest to potential danger," said Congressman Sires.

###

New Jersey Right to Life
113 North Avenue West
Cranford, NJ 07016

Contact: Marie Tasy
Executive Director
(908) 276-6620

January 9, 2007--

Today, New Jersey Right to Life, the state’s largest pro-life organization, is urging Governor Corzine and state and federal legislative leaders to support legislative initiatives that exclusively limit public funds to life-saving stem cell research that does not cause harm to either the mother or the fetus or destroy life at any stage.

The call comes on the heels of action being pushed at both the state and federal levels of government to publicly fund life-destroying research. The Federal House of Representatives is scheduled to take up a bill tomorrow which will expand federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. During NJ Governor Corzine’s State of the State address today, he reiterated his support for a referendum to be placed on the ballot asking NJ voters to approve funding for stem cell research grants.

MERKT: DEMOCRATS DRIVING OUT RESIDENTS, LOSING NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL CLOUT

AS POLICIES MAKE GARDEN STATE LESS ATTRACTIVE, POPULATION -- AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATION -- LEAVING!

Citing a published report today that New Jersey has tumbled out of the top ten states in population and is heading toward losing a congressional seat, Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt (R. - Morris) said the news report shows the real-world results of disastrous state policies embraced by Democrats in Trenton during recent years.

Scotch Plains, NJ -- The Linda Stender campaign today released the attached document on Mike Ferguson’s voting record to open the door for religious discrimination:

Ferguson's Votes for Religious Discrimination
Why Has Mike Ferguson Voted 3 Times for a Provision Designed to Permit Government-Funded Employment Discrimination Against Jewish-Americans?

October 6th, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 6, 2006

Contact: R. Matthew Fretz - rmfretz@rmfretz.com

Ramsey - Independent Candidate for the Fifth District, R. Matthew Fretz, released the following statement regarding Representative Scott Garrett's latest campaign mailer heralding Garrett as 'An Independent Voice', which happens to be Mr. Fretz's party line on the ballot November 7th.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: R. Matthew Fretz - rmfretz@rmfretz.com

http://fretzforcongress.com

Ramsey - Independent Congressional Candidate for the Fifth, R. Matthew Fretz released the following statement regarding passage of the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

For Immediate Release

July 31, 2006

Contact: R. Matthew Fretz - rmfretz@rmfretz.com

Ramsey - Independent Congressional Candidate R. Matthew Fretz released the following statement regarding private travel by members of the House of Representatives and their aides.

"There must be a ban on this activity. If special interest and foreign peddlers of influence want to talk to legislators, they know where to find them. In order to prevent further abuses, the House must adopt an independent review process. This is the only solution, since the House is unwilling to discipline or regulate themselves."

###

Fretz for Congress

At a recent discussion Congressional Candidate for the Sixth District, Leigh-Ann Bellew, when asked about the impact rising gas prices may have on family summer vacations, stated that she was "concerned that families may be faced with the difficult decision to shorten, if not entirely cancel, their travel plans due to the price of gas." Candidate Bellew pointed out that, among other things, America must decrease its reliance on foreign oil to aide in reducing gasoline prices.

She pointed to a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives, the "American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act," that would assist in achieving the goal of relief for the millions of families already buckling under the high cost of gas. However, it was also noted that the current Representative for the Sixth District, Frank Pallone, apparently is not concerned with providing that relief because he voted against the bill.

United States production of crude oil has decreased by nearly 50% over the past 20 years while Pallone has been in office. The "American-Made Energy" bill could aid in reversing that trend by providing access to an estimated 30 billion barrel oil reserve in Alaska. Accessing the reserve would help reduce the escalation of gas prices and is something the people of Alaska overwhelmingly support. However, "relief at the gas pump is hitting the partisan wall of political agendas of those like Mr. Pallone, and that hurts all Americans."

Rather than continue the current obstructionist tactics of her opponent, Bellew stated she would support a comprehensive policy that, not only decreases reliance on foreign oil and increases oil supply, but also expands research and use of alternative fuels and promotes a clean environment. She pointed out that these are not mutually exclusive alternatives. Pursuing these ends, said Bellew, "is too important to our economy and the livelihood of every American family."