Frank Pallone

Pallone Announces $1 Million to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault in Middlesex County

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced $1 million for Women Aware Inc. in New Brunswick to strengthen services for survivors of domestic violence in Middlesex County. “Women Aware provides lifesaving support for survivors at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and this funding will help strengthen those services in Middlesex County,” Pallone said. “At a time when many victim service organizations are facing devastating funding uncertainty, this investment is especially important. Survivors deserve stability, safety, and access to care without wondering whether support programs will disappear. I will keep fighting to ensure New Jersey organizations have the federal resources they need to continue this work.” The funding will support the development and expansion of the Middlesex County Family Justice Center, direct services for survivors, and specialized training for law enforcement, prosecutors, and emergency room personnel responding to domestic violence and strangulation cases. Last year, Pallone led a push urging the Trump Administration to release nearly $10 million in aid for New Jersey programs supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking after delays threatened critical services statewide. Women Aware previously warned that reductions in federal Victims of Crime Act funding could force cuts to residential and non-residential programs that help survivors rebuild their lives and regain stability. Pallone has continued pressing the federal government to release delayed victim assistance funding to prevent layoffs, service reductions, and closures at organizations across New Jersey. “This grant strengthens the cornerstone of safety in our community by allowing us to provide critical training for law enforcement and medical personnel. It ensures that when a survivor reaches out, whether in an emergency room or a courtroom, they are met with a response that is trauma-informed, expert, and rooted in justice,” said Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta, MSW, MA, DVS. ###

Following Pallone’s Push FERC Extends PJM Electricity Price Cap, Sparing NJ Ratepayers Price Hike

Position: Congressman Pallone supports FERC's extension of the PJM electricity price cap as a necessary measure to protect New Jersey ratepayers from energy bill increases, while calling for longer-term regulatory reforms to address underlying supply and demand challenges in the electricity market.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved an extension of the PJM electricity price cap: “Today’s decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the PJM electricity price cap is exactly the action I called for to protect New Jersey ratepayers from another spike in their energy bills. Without this step, customers would have faced another round of sharp increases driven by supply constraints and rising demand. In March, I urged FERC to approve this exact proposal to prevent New Jersey residents from absorbing those costs. "This order provides much needed stability for people already paying significantly higher electricity bills. It also gives regulators, states, and Congress time to pursue longer term reforms to address PJM’s underlying challenges. Those challenges include delays in bringing new energy supply online and rapidly growing demand, including from data centers. This is not a permanent solution, but it is a necessary step to prevent further volatility. I will continue working to advance comprehensive reforms that ensure affordable energy for all New Jersey residents.” Read Pallone’s March letter here. ###

Pallone Announces Coding and App Building Competition for NJ Students

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) announced that his office will be participating in the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), an app competition for students interested in computer science, app development, and coding. The Challenge submission period will run from May 1, 2026, through October 26, 2026. The competition is open to all middle and high school students from New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. Interested students can register to participate by visiting the Congressional App Challenge website where the rules, prizes, and past winners can also be found. “The Congressional App Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate their technical and creative skills,” said Pallone. “As the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have seen how innovative technology is creating new industries and opportunities for countless Americans. We must continue to invest in STEM education in New Jersey to ensure the next generation has the skills and tools needed to keep innovating.” All apps must be submitted before 12pm EST on October 28, 2026, to be considered for our in-person competition for the top ten entrants, which take place in early December 2026. Winners will be selected by panels of expert judges from our community and will be honored by Congressman Pallone. Their apps will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website. The CAC was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. Eric Dai and Vaibhav Sitaraman of Edison Academy Magnet School won last year’s competition for “RoadWatch,” an app to enhance road safety and address infrastructure issues using an AI-powered dashcam.

Pallone Presses EPA Administrator for Assistance on Suspected Cancer Cluster in Keyport, NJ at Budget Hearing

Position: Congressman Pallone calls on the EPA to prioritize federal engagement and assistance in investigating a suspected cancer cluster in Keyport, New Jersey, and to work with state and federal partners to remediate contamination at a former landfill site and address ongoing public health concerns.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for assistance on a suspected cancer cluster in Keyport, New Jersey during a hearing on the agency’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget. During the hearing, Pallone pushed Administrator Zeldin for a firm commitment to provide federal engagement. “Earlier this month, I sent EPA a letter about a suspected cancer cluster in Keyport, New Jersey, which is in my district, demanding that the agency work with other federal and state partners to secure the site and address the ongoing contamination. Corporate polluters have been let off the hook for too long in this area, and the community is paying the price, and I think this matter deserves the full attention and force of our public health and environmental agencies. The Region Two administrator, I do want to say, has been cooperative. He met with my staff last Friday to discuss this cancer cluster and remediation of the landfill that we believe may be causing it,” Pallone said. “So I just wanted to mention it to you and ask you to prioritize this issue as we proceed with the region two administrator to address remediation and the health concerns, if I can ask for your commitment,” the Sixth District Congressman asked. Zeldin responded that he was “very well aware of it,” and that the “Region Two administrator has briefed me on it. I know how much of a priority it is. This is an issue that New Jersey DEP has been on the lead on enforcement at the landfill, they have not asked for our assistance, but we stand ready to help.” Download video of the hearing exchange here. Pallone’s questioning came after weeks of escalating concern from Keyport residents living near the former Aeromarine landfill, a site with a decades-long history of contamination that has never been fully remediated. More than 40 cancer cases have been reported in the surrounding community, including 28 clustered on a single street, raising urgent questions about potential environmental exposure. Earlier this month, Pallone formally called on federal and state agencies to launch a coordinated investigation into the site, secure the property, and assess risks to public health. The landfill, which was shut down in 1979 due to major failures, has since been linked to the presence and migration of hazardous substances including benzene, PCBs, heavy metals, and methane gas. Despite repeated violations and nearly $900,000 in fines issued in recent years, the site remained unsecured and had not been properly capped or cleaned up. Last Thursday, Pallone’s staff convened a multi-agency meeting with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Health, EPA Region 2, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Governor’s Office to establish a coordinated response. The Congressman’s office outlined a three-part approach focused on comprehensive environmental testing and cleanup, a full review of potential health impacts, and clear, consistent communication with residents. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for later this week. Yesterday, Pallone also spoke directly with state and local officials in Keyport, including DEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak and Mayor Rose Araneo, to hear from the community and reinforce the need for immediate action. ###

Pallone Urges Public to Take Precautions as Trump-Era Vaccine Skepticism Leads to New Measles Case in New Jersey

Position: Congressman Pallone advocates for maintaining vaccine confidence and science-based vaccine policy. He opposes vaccine skepticism and the Trump administration's approach to vaccine policy under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and supports the Family Vaccine Protection Act to prevent unilateral changes to federal vaccine recommendations.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the New Jersey Department of Health confirmed a measles case in a Hudson County resident, with potential exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport and Hackensack University Medical Center: “The presence of measles in New Jersey should put us all on alert. This virus is highly contagious, and anyone who may have been exposed at Newark Airport or Hackensack University Medical Center needs to take public health guidance seriously. People should watch for symptoms, call a doctor before showing up in person if they feel sick, and make sure they and their children are up to date on the MMR vaccine. “The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and remains our best defense against an outbreak. What makes this even more dangerous is that Donald Trump put Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the most virulent vaccine skeptics in the country, in charge of the nation’s top health agency. Kennedy has spent years undermining confidence in vaccines, and Trump has empowered that agenda at the worst possible moment. That kind of reckless anti-vaccine politics weakens public trust and makes outbreaks like this harder to contain. New Jersey residents deserve clear, science-based leadership, and I will keep fighting to protect it.” Vaccine skepticism has gained traction under President Trump, who embraced Kennedy’s MAHA agenda, while the Trump administration has defended Kennedy’s efforts to dismantle vaccine infrastructure. Last year, Pallone introduced the Family Vaccine Protection Act, legislation to block Secretary Kennedy from unilaterally changing federal vaccine recommendations and to help ensure vaccine policy is guided by science and independent medical expertise. Pallone has also used his role on the Energy and Commerce Committee to press federal health officials for accountability as measles cases rise and public confidence in vaccination comes under increasing political attack, including this week when Kennedy appeared before his committee. ###

Pallone & DeLauro Reintroduce Food Labeling Modernization Act

Position: Pallone and DeLauro support modernizing federal food labeling requirements to provide consumers with clearer nutrition information on package fronts, updated ingredient lists, and standardized labeling to reduce misleading marketing claims.

Washington, D.C. – House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) reintroduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act today. The bill would update front-of-package food labeling requirements, require updates to the ingredient list on packaged foods, and apply consumer friendly labeling requirements. Pallone and DeLauro are longtime leaders in the fight for food safety and transparency for American families, including congressional efforts to ban harmful chemicals such as Red Dye 3, and first introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act more than a decade ago. "Americans face a barrage of marketing claims every time they step foot in a grocery store. It’s overwhelming and virtually impossible to navigate as we’re all trying to make healthy choices for our families," Pallone said. "The Food Labeling Modernization Act will create easy-to-read labels on the front of packages that provide consumers with nutrition information and important warnings. The goal is to make it a little easier for everyone to know what they’re buying and to stop misleading health claims.” "Americans are demanding, and rightfully so, more transparency into what is in the foods they eat. The Food Labeling Modernization Act will give food labeling requirements an important and long-overdue overhaul," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "Food labels should give a clear, accurate, and fair representation of the product, and that is just not the case right now. This common-sense bill would provide more information on foods to consumers—information that is vital as people make informed choices about what to buy to feed their families."  Most food labeling requirements in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act have not been updated since 1990 and in some cases have not been changed since 1938. As a result, food labels are not always required to provide the information that today's consumers need to evaluate and compare products in order to make healthy choices. The Food Labeling Modernization Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a single, standard front-of-package nutrition labeling system in a timely manner for all food products required to bear nutrition labeling. The bill would also strengthen current law to address trends in marketing that confuse or mislead consumers when they are attempting to compare food products. Specifically, the legislation will require guidelines for the use of the word "healthy." Bill text is available HERE.

Pallone Demands Urgent State-Federal Probe Into Suspected Cancer Cluster Near Toxic Keyport Landfill

Position: Congressman Pallone is calling for immediate federal and state investigation into a suspected cancer cluster near a contaminated landfill in Keyport, NJ, and demanding comprehensive environmental testing, enforcement actions, and site remediation.

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) is demanding immediate federal and state action after more than 40 cancer cases, including 28 clustered on one street, were identified near a contaminated landfill in Keyport. In a letter to state and federal officials, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pallone called for a full investigation into whether the former Aeromarine landfill is linked to the reported illnesses and urged immediate steps to address contamination at the site. “A suspected cancer cluster in our community is a sensitive matter that requires the full force of our public health and environmental protection agencies. I sincerely urge you and your agencies to collaborate, take meaningful action and inform the community of your work. The residents of Keyport are entitled to clarity, accountability, and protection from potential environmental harm,”Pallone wrote. The landfill, shut down in 1979 due to major failures, has never been fully closed or remediated. A 2010 environmental assessment found that parts of the site lack basic controls, allowing contaminants to spread into surrounding neighborhoods, Raritan Bay, and Chingarora Creek. Hazardous substances identified at the site include benzene, PCBs, heavy metals, and methane gas. Contaminated groundwater has been observed discharging from the landfill, raising concerns about continued exposure. Despite decades of violations, enforcement has lagged. The state issued its first fine in 2021, followed by penalties totaling nearly $900,000 in 2024 and 2025. Those fines remain unpaid and no comprehensive cleanup has been completed. Pallone is calling for immediate environmental testing of soil, air, and water, a full review of cancer data to determine whether a cluster exists, mitigation of ongoing hazards, and enforcement actions to ensure the site is cleaned up. His full letter can be found here and below: Dear Acting Commissioner Potosnak, Acting Commissioner Washington, Regional Director Graziano, and Region 2 Administrator Martucci: I am writing to urgently request that your agencies take immediate action to address the community concerns of a suspected cancer cluster in Keyport, NJ. As you know, advocates have identified over 40 cases, 28 of which are concentrated on and around First Street, particularly in neighborhoods surrounding the former Aeromarine landfill site along the Raritan Bay shoreline. Recent community concerns regarding elevated cancer incidence are especially alarming in light of the extensive and well-documented history of contamination associated with the Aeromarine site. In 1979, New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ordered the shutdown of the Aeromarine landfill, citing “numerous operating and engineering deficiencies and overall exhaustion of capacity.” Despite this action, the property owners have not taken substantive redevelopment or comprehensive remediation to date. Subsequent investigations have identified significant and ongoing environmental hazards at the site. In 2010, a proposed redevelopment initiative prompted an environmental assessment that documented serious deficiencies in the landfill’s condition. According to findings later referenced in a 2021 lawsuit filed by the Borough of Keyport, substantial portions of the landfill, particularly those adjacent to Raritan Bay, lack adequate engineering controls, allowing solid waste to migrate beyond the site boundary and into surrounding shoreline and bay areas. The environmental assessment and subsequent legal filings further documented the presence and migration of hazardous substances, including heavy metals, methane gas, carcinogenic compounds such as benzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into soil and groundwater. Contaminants were also reported to have migrated into Chingarora Creek, which borders the landfill property, raising significant concerns regarding broader ecological contamination and potential human exposure pathways. In addition, there are multiple locations where contaminated groundwater appears to be discharging hazardous substances from the base of the landfill. The site has not been properly capped, which is a fundamental environmental control necessary to prevent the continued spread of contaminants through air, soil, and water pathways. While it has been reported that local drinking water sources have not been definitively impacted, experts have noted in press reports that residents may nonetheless face potential exposure through other means, including direct contact with contaminated soil, recreational use of adjacent waterways, inhalation of airborne contaminants, and stormwater runoff events that may transport pollutants into surrounding residential areas. Despite decades of documented concerns, meaningful remediation has not been completed. State inspections dating back to 1986 repeatedly identified environmental violations, often with extended intervals between inspections during which conditions further deteriorated. Enforcement actions have been limited. The first monetary penalty issued by DEP occurred in 2021 in the amount of $15,000. After reports of suspected lead were found on the beach in the vicinity of the former Aeromarine landfill in 2024, I coordinated a response from the DEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate, test the material, and cleanup the hazardous material from the beach. DEP then issued additional penalties of approximately $300,000 in 2024, which subsequently increased to nearly $900,000 in 2025. However, these penalties remain unpaid, and the landfill has not been properly closed or remediated by the owner. In fact, it appears that even though the site was never properly capped, residents or visitors can just walk onto the property through an open gate or along the shoreline. Given this extensive history of documented contamination, regulatory enforcement challenges, and ongoing environmental risk, it is imperative that the relevant federal and state agencies determine whether any association exists between conditions at the Aeromarine landfill and reported cancer cases within the surrounding community. Accordingly, I respectfully request that your agencies work in close coordination to implement the following: Promptly secure the site to restrict unauthorized access and minimize potential health and environmental risks. Conduct a comprehensive environmental investigation of the Aeromarine landfill and surrounding residential areas, including soil, groundwater, sediment, and air quality testing. Fully assess the extent of contaminant migration, including potential impacts to Chingarora Creek, Raritan Bay, and adjacent neighborhoods. Evaluate cancer incidence data and determine whether a statistically significant cancer cluster exists. Develop and publicly disclose a plan for immediate mitigation of identified hazards, including methane gas accumulation and ongoing contaminant leaching. Enforce existing penalties and pursue all available regulatory and legal remedies to ensure full remediation of the site. Provide transparent and ongoing communication to affected residents regarding findings, risks, and recommended protective measures. A suspected cancer cluster in our community is a sensitive matter that requires the full force of our public health and environmental protection agencies. I sincerely urge you and your agencies to collaborate, take meaningful action and inform the community of your work. The residents of Keyport are entitled to clarity, accountability, and protection from potential environmental harm. I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely,                                  ###

Pallone Sounds Alarm as Trump Administration Launches Further Attacks on Abortion Coverage in New Jersey

Position: Pallone opposes the Trump administration's investigation into New Jersey's abortion coverage law, characterizing it as an attempt to restrict abortion access nationwide and override state protections for reproductive rights.

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) convened a virtual roundtable today with leading reproductive health advocates to respond to the Trump administration’s probe of New Jersey’s 2022 law requiring health insurers to cover abortion care. As Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone emphasized that Trump administration’s actions represent a broader effort to use federal power to interfere with states that have taken steps to protect women’s reproductive rights. “This is part of a coordinated effort by Donald Trump to restrict abortion access nationwide after Roe v. Wade was overturned,” said Pallone. “Republicans couldn’t get a national ban through Congress, so now they are dusting off obscure provisions to pressure states like New Jersey. Make no mistake: this is about right-wing politicians deciding they know better than women and their doctors. New Jersey made a clear choice to protect access, and now Trump is trying to override it.” The investigation launched by Trump’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services targets 13 states and invokes the Weldon Amendment, which the Trump administration claims allows insurers to object to abortion care services. Reproductive health experts and advocates have warned the probe is an attempt to undermine state laws that expanded access to care after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Participants in today’s discussion included Jenifer Groves of the NJ Family Planning League, Jill Lazare of NOW-NJ, Sarah Best of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, and Katie O’Connor of the National Women’s Law Center, who all outlined the consequences of the Trump administration’s actions for patients across New Jersey. “We’re in a fight for survival — not just for Planned Parenthood health centers, but for everyone’s ability to get high-quality, affordable health care, no matter how much money they make or who they are. We are grateful to have advocates like Congressman Pallone to sound the alarm and fight back against the attacks to reproductive freedom,” Sarah Best Legislative and Policy Director Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ. "The New Jersey Family Planning League stands firmly with Governor Mikie Sherrill and her unwavering commitment to defending New Jerseyans and their right to reproductive freedom from the federal government’s latest strategy in attacking abortion care access. The League believes unequivocally in the fundamental right of every individual to make their own decisions about their body, health and future, free of coercion or interference. We remain dedicated to our mission of supporting access for essential health care services, including abortion care, in New Jersey for all individuals, regardless of identity, income or insurance status," said Jenifer Groves, President & CEO of NJFPL. "The recently announced HHS investigation into New Jersey's protection of women's right to reproductive healthcare is yet another insidious step in this administration's attack on women. Their aim is clear: to send women back to the Middle Ages - barefoot and pregnant. They do not believe women have the right to their own autonomy and, as such, seek to leave women without the right to make the choices that are only their's to make. Access to an affordable abortion is a crucial, fundamental part of a woman's healthcare and is their right. This investigation serves only as another step in Trump's campaign to suppress women in every area of American life and it must fail,” said Jill Lazare President of NOW-NJ. “New Jersey is a state that protects access to affordable abortion care, and now the Trump-Vance administration — which has repeatedly claimed abortion should be ‘left to the states’ — is punishing them for it. By weaponizing the anti-abortion Weldon Amendment, this administration is interfering with state autonomy in an attempt to further its anti-abortion agenda. That's why we are urging Congress to eliminate the extreme Weldon Amendment and protect pregnant people's right to access the health care that they need,” Katie O'Connor, Senior Director of federal abortion policy at the National Women's Law Center. ###