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Prediction track record
How often we called Nellie Pou's passage votes correctly, from their stated positions on each bill's tagged topics. Excludes “unclear” calls and abstentions.
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
To prohibit the disclosure of records by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of individuals for the purposes of immigration enforcement, and for other purposes.
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
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Positions Nellie Pou took during their campaign, scored against their subsequent record — public statements cross-checked with related votes. “Kept” means 80%+ of those statement-vs-vote pairs aligned; “Broken” means 30% or fewer.
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Nellie Pou has 5 tracked positions but no scored statement-vs-vote pairs touching them yet. Verdicts will appear here as related statements and votes accumulate.
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Enhanced ACA premium subsidies should be made permanent at expanded levels.
“Nellie demanded that leaders in Congress take action to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits in order to lower health care costs for New Jersey families.”
Passage votes where Nellie Pou broke ranks with ≥75% of Democrats. Threshold catches substantively partisan splits; unanimous-ish or close votes are excluded.
Pou And Sherrill Take Paterson; Accurate Box Company Tour
Position: The release describes a factory tour of Accurate Box Company in Paterson, New Jersey, and expresses support for manufacturing, job creation, and a pro-growth economy in the region.
PATERSON, NJ – This week Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill toured Accurate Box Company, a woman- and family-owned manufacturer based in Paterson, New Jersey.
“Accurate Box Company is a great example of a business not only surviving, but thriving here in northern New Jersey,” said Rep. Nellie Pou. “Paterson is the cradle of our nation’s industrial revolution, and I am focused on making sure manufacturers can continue operating in our region. It is with the help of firms like Accurate Box that we can continue creating jobs and generating commerce for our communities to benefit from. I thank Governor Sherrill for coming to Paterson and her commitment to supporting a pro-growth economy here in the Garden State.”
“It is not often that you have elected officials right at your doorstep. It was an honor to have both Congresswoman Nellie Pou and Governor Mikie Sherrill tour our manufacturing plant and meet our employees. The fact that they came here shows just how much they believe in the success of our company and want to encourage economic development here in Paterson,” said Lisa Hirsh and Mark Schlossman, the family behind Accurate Box Company.
Accurate Box Company was founded in 1944 by Henry Hirsh, originally as a small folding carton company in Newark. In the 1960s, Henry’s son Charles Hirsh took over the business with tremendous success. By the 1980s, Accurate Box had outgrown its original manufacturing plant in Newark and moved to its current home in Paterson.
This year, Accurate is celebrating eighty-two years as one of the largest independent box manufacturers in the United States.
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New Pou Report: World Cup Success Masked Federal Security Issues
Position: The release argues that federal immigration enforcement by ICE and mishandled federal security funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup created avoidable security, coordination, and tourism risks, and urges DHS to set transparent funding rules and ensure FEMA has adequate staffing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
WASHINGTON, DC – Marking 100 days since the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this week, Congressmember Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Task Force on Special Events, today released a new official report detailing how the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and mishandling of federal security money created unnecessary security risks before and during the tournament.
The report, issued by minority members of the Task Force, examines shortcomings in federal security coordination and the botched distribution of $625 million in congressionally appropriated security money. Those delays threatened World Cup match permits in Massachusetts, a major fan festival in Miami, and security operations in Kansas City.
The report is also signed by fellow Task Force members Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10) and Congressman Al Green (D-TX-09).
“The World Cup was an extraordinary success, including in New Jersey where we proudly hosted the historic championship final. I again commend our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers whose careful work kept millions of fans and visitors safe,” said Congresswoman Pou. “But that success should not prevent us from examining what could have gone better. Our new report identifies several avoidable problems with immigration enforcement, security coordination, and delays in federal money that complicated preparations for the tournament.”
Pou concluded: “With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics fast approaching, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to learn from our experiences in the 2026 World Cup. I hope our findings will help strengthen security preparations for the Olympics and other major events America will host in the years ahead.”
Key Report Findings
Immigration Enforcement: ICE’s expanded operations and refusal to rule out civil immigration enforcement at World Cup events created uncertainty for fans and host communities.
Security Coordination: Conflicting guidance about ICE’s role complicated local security planning, while congressional requests for information were ignored.
Tourism and Local Economies: Immigration enforcement fears and threats to withdraw airport customs personnel needlessly risked discouraging visitors and harming local businesses.
Federal Funding Delays: DHS missed its own deadline for awarding $625 million in World Cup security funding by nearly seven weeks, jeopardizing local security preparations.
FEMA Cuts and Mismanagement: DHS carried out mass firings, encouraged resignations, and diverted personnel from their primary responsibilities to support ICE and CBP operations. President Trump repeatedly called for eliminating FEMA, even as the agency administered World Cup security money.
With Congress already providing $1 billion for security at the 2028 Olympics, the Task Force report urges DHS to set transparent funding rules and ensure FEMA has the manpower needed to deliver those resources on time.
As the top Democrat on the Task Force, Ranking Member Pou helped lead congressional oversight of World Cup security, including hearings examining human trafficking prevention and coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement.
At a February 2026 oversight hearing, then-ICE Director Todd Lyons refused to rule out civil immigration enforcement at the World Cup when directly questioned by Pou. Pou subsequently led Democratic Task Force members in demanding an emergency hearing on the Trump administration’s immigration plans. The hearing was never held by the majority, and written questions to ICE and CBP went unanswered. In March 2026, Pou introduced the Save the World Cup Act (H.R. 7986) to ban civil immigration enforcement at World Cup matches and fan festivals.
Pou also repeatedly pressed DHS to release the $625 million Congress appropriated specifically for World Cup security. Following pressure from Pou and other committee members, DHS finally announced grant awards on March 18, 2026, nearly seven weeks after its own deadline. The report today documents how the delays threatened security preparations in several host cities and calls for reforms to prevent similar problems ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
A copy of the full Task Force Minority Report is available here.
A one-page summary of the report’s findings is available here.
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Pou Reveals New Details of Massive Data Center Diesel Spill
Position: The release calls for a full accounting of the Secaucus data center diesel spill, including its timeline, environmental impact, and safeguards to prevent recurrence, and expresses concern about diesel remaining in soil, sediment, and waterways.
PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today revealed new details about the September 11, 2026 diesel spill at a data center in Secaucus, including a more than seven-hour delay in reporting the incident to state authorities and unanswered questions about its environmental impact.
These findings, obtained after Pou sought answers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, were shared in a letter to Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli as the state continues investigating the roughly 5,500-gallon spill.
On October 2, 2026, Congresswoman Pou wrote to NJDEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak seeking a full accounting of the spill, including how it occurred, a timeline of the disaster, the extent of the damage, and what safeguards would be put in place to prevent similar catastrophes.
“Although approximately 4,000 gallons of the diesel have been recovered from waterways and canals, a full accounting of the remaining fuel and cleanup is still outstanding. NJDEP reports that its daily inspections have found no evidence that diesel reached the Hackensack River. However, the agency has acknowledged reports of discoloration in vegetation along the southeast edge of the river, downstream of the tributary where the spill occurred. Although Equinix and NJDEP have stated that an unspecified amount of fuel was absorbed by cleanup materials deployed around the tributaries, I remain deeply concerned about diesel that may remain in the surrounding soil, sediment, and waterways,” Congresswoman Pou writes Secaucus Mayor Gonnelli about the data center damage around his community.
Key Findings from the NJDEP’s Preliminary Investigation
Approximately 4,000 gallons of diesel have been recovered from the storm sewer line and drainage canals: NJDEP reports an unspecified amount was absorbed by cleanup materials. How much diesel remains in surrounding soil, sediment, and waterways is unknown.
No evidence was found that diesel reached the Hackensack River: But NJDEP acknowledged reports of “discolored vegetation along the river’s southeastern edge, downstream from the affected tributary.” NJDEP is investigating if the discoloration was caused by the diesel spill.
The data center falls below the threshold for certain state safeguards against major facilities. NJDEP determined that the facility is not subject to New Jersey’s major-facility discharge prevention requirements, including secondary containment systems, physical security measures, and visual inspections.
Cleanup efforts continue, and Equinix has taken corrective measures. NJDEP has confirmed that emergency responses were undertaken following the spill. According to separately published reports, Equinix has reportedly terminated a facility site engineer and suspended automatic fuel polishing operations nationwide.
The state probe remains ongoing with no completion date announced. The agency has committed to releasing its final report publicly and will evaluate appropriate enforcement actions.
Secaucus and surrounding communities have lived with pollution for decades. Contamination from industrial sites and landfill runoff led the Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Lower Hackensack River a Superfund site in 2022. Now as a major cleanup is underway, the September 11 Equinix spill has seen over 5,000 gallons of diesel released into the local environment.
The Secaucus spill comes amid growing national attention to the environmental impact and public costs of rapidly expanding data centers.
Timeline of the September 11, 2026 Diesel Spill
12:20PM: The spill may have begun as early as just after noon, following a failure of the overfill protection system on generator #4’s fuel tank during an internal fuel transfer.
~4:00PM: Equinix’s fuel polishing process stopped although diesel continued leaking.
6:36PM: An Equinix guard discovered the spill, approximately six hours after it may have begun.
6:46PM: Within 10 minutes of discovering the spill, Equinix isolated the fuel lines and halted the generator.
7:06PM: Spill containment kits were deployed.
7:11PM: Equinix contacted its emergency contractor.
7:43PM: Equinix notified NJDEP of the spill, more than seven hours after it may have begun. The Secaucus Fire Department arrived around the same time.
9:45PM: Equinix’s emergency contractor arrived at the facility, more than three hours after the spill was discovered.
September 12, 6:07AM: Secaucus and the local health department received electronic notification of the spill, nearly 18 hours after it may have begun.
The text of Congresswoman Pou’s letter to Secaucus Mayor Gonnelli is below.
Dear Mayor Gonnelli:
I write to share new information over the recent data center fuel spill in Secaucus that released over 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel into waterways near the Hackensack River. On October 2, I wrote to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) demanding answers about the spill at the Equinix facility, including a timeline of events and information about its environmental impact. NJDEP responded to several of my questions. Although more information is forthcoming, I want to share what we have learned so far, including additional details Equinix recently provided to my office and to NJDEP.
On September 11, 2026, Equinix conducted an internal fuel transfer operation, during which the overfill protection system on generator #4’s fuel tank failed. Equinix has stated that the spill may have begun as early as 12:20 PM and continued until approximately 4:00 PM when fuel polishing stopped. After roughly six hours of diesel fuel leaking, an Equinix security guard discovered the spill at approximately 6:36 PM. Within 10 minutes, the facility isolated the fuel lines and halted the associated generator. Around 7:06 PM, spill kits were deployed and by 7:11 PM, Equinix contacted its emergency environmental contractor. Equinix reported the incident to the NJDEP Hotline at 7:43 PM—over seven hours after the spill began. Around that same time, the Secaucus Fire Department arrived at the facility—Equinix’s own emergency environmental contractor arrived roughly two hours later at 9:45 PM. NJDEP also directed environmental booms to be deployed to stop the diesel fuel from spreading into the drainage tributary for the Hackensack River. NJDEP also directed the use of additional equipment to vacuum and clean up the spill.
More than a month after the spill, important questions remain unanswered. Although approximately 4,000 gallons of the diesel have been recovered from waterways and canals, a full accounting of the remaining fuel and cleanup is still outstanding. NJDEP reports that its daily inspections have found no evidence that diesel reached the Hackensack River. However, the agency has acknowledged reports of discoloration in vegetation along the southeast edge of the river, downstream of the tributary where the spill occurred. Although Equinix and NJDEP have stated that an unspecified amount of fuel was absorbed by cleanup materials deployed around the tributaries, I remain deeply concerned about diesel that may remain in the surrounding soil, sediment, and waterways.
NJDEP continues to investigate the incident, including whether the vegetation discoloration was caused by the fuel spill, but has not provided a timeline for completing its probe. NJDEP has promised to provide me with additional information as it becomes available. The agency has committed to making its final report public so our community can understand the full extent of any damage. Once the report is completed, NJDEP will evaluate appropriate enforcement actions.
Importantly, within a week of the spill, NJDEP inspected the Equinix facility and determined that its fuel storage capacity falls below the threshold for New Jersey’s major facility discharge of petroleum and other hazardous substance prevention requirements. These requirements include having physical security measures, impermeable secondary containment and diversion systems, and visual inspections and monitoring.
While NJDEP has confirmed that appropriate emergency responses were undertaken following the spill and that cleanup efforts continue, and although Equinix appears to have terminated an employee serving as a facility site engineer and has halted automatic fuel polishing nationwide, more must be done to keep our communities safe. My office will continue to work with you, the Town of Secaucus, state agencies, and federal regulators to address the aftermath of this incident and prevent similar spills in the future.
Sincerely,
Nellie Pou
Member of Congress
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Pou Statement On Release of Martin Soto from ICE Detention
Position: Representative Pou celebrates the release of a constituent from ICE custody and states that ICE remains out of control in New Jersey and that its abuses must continue to be opposed.
PATERSON, NJ – Tonight, U.S. Representative Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) celebrated the release of Martin Soto, a resident of the Ninth Congressional District who was held in ICE custody for several months.
“I am so overjoyed that Martin Soto is finally freed from ICE custody,” stated Rep. Nellie Pou, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. “Martin was undeniably targeted and mistreated, being moved from Delaney Hall to the Elizabeth Detention Center and held in solitary confinement. For months my office has been pushing ICE to release Martin and tonight justice is finally being done. It should have happened months ago. ICE remains out of control in our state and we must continue to oppose its rampant abuses. But tonight we can be grateful the hard work from so many paid off and Martin is being reunited with his family.”
Initially detained in Newark, Martin Soto was moved to the Elizabeth Detention Center in retaliation for his role in the hunger and labor strike to highlight the deplorable conditions at Delaney Hall. There, Martin experienced harsh retribution including isolation.
Rep. Pou and her staff have been working with the Soto family, advocates, and other elected officials to obtain his release for months.
“I am so happy Martin is finally being released from ICE custody,” said Gabby Soto, wife of Martin Soto. “I want to thank Congresswoman Nellie Pou for all of her work on his case. Her efforts were critical to us finally reaching this moment.”
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Pou Demands Answers After 5,500-Gallon Data Center Diesel Spill
Position: Congresswoman Pou is requesting a full accounting from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding the 5,500-gallon diesel spill at an Equinix data center in Secaucus, including its cause, environmental impact, cleanup status, and safeguards to prevent recurrence.
PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) is seeking answers from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) following a massive diesel fuel spill at an Equinix data center in Secaucus that contaminated local waterways in her district.
Pou called for a full accounting of the roughly 5,500-gallon spill, its environmental impact, and the safeguards being put in place to prevent another data center disaster.
“This spill in the Ninth District was the largest data center fuel spill on record in our state. The scale of this disaster demands a full accounting. We need to understand how it happened, ensure the cleanup is complete, and put protections in place to prevent another one happening again. Our residents deserve clear answers now,” Congresswoman Pou writes to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak.
Secaucus and surrounding communities have lived with pollution for decades. Contamination from industrial sites and landfill runoff led the Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Lower Hackensack River a Superfund site in 2022. Now as a major cleanup is underway, the September 11 Equinix spill has dumped another 5,500 gallons of diesel into the local environment.
The Secaucus spill comes amid growing national concern over the environmental impact and public costs of rapidly expanding data centers. These facilities consume large amounts of electricity and can require significant water for cooling. Also, as seen in Secaucus, they can often store large quantities of diesel to power backup generators.
Data center electricity demand is rising rapidly, raising questions about energy costs and who should pay for the infrastructure needed to serve these facilities. The Secaucus spill highlights what can happen when the systems designed to keep these massive facilities running fail.
Pou concludes, “NJDEP has a vital role in protecting New Jersey’s environment and holding data centers and their owners accountable when safeguards fail. The scale of this disaster demands a full accounting. . . . Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
A copy of Congresswoman Pou’s letter is below.
Dear Commissioner Potosnak:
I write to express my concern about the recent fuel spill at the Equinix data center in Secaucus that contaminated nearby waterways. Over the last decade, several data centers have experienced large-scale fuel spills, including several in New Jersey. In 2017, roughly 600 gallons of fuel spilled into Clifton’s storm drains from the Digital Realty EWR21 Data Center. Then, in 2022, more than 1800 gallons leaked from an Equinix-owned data center in North Bergen. Now, just weeks ago, Secaucus has experienced the largest data center diesel spill on record in our state. Residents and local officials deserve to know how this happened, what damage it caused, and what safeguards will keep this from happening again.
Secaucus and the surrounding communities have a long history of dealing with pollution. Decades of contamination from manufacturing plants and landfill runoff into the Hackensack River prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Lower Hackensack River as a Superfund site in 2022. The river is already undergoing a major cleanup after those years of contamination.
Against that backdrop, the September 11 spill is especially alarming. According to public reports, roughly 5,500 gallons of diesel fuel escaped the Equinix data center into a creek and tributary connected to the Hackensack River.5 The spill reportedly occurred during an automated fuel-recycling process and has been attributed to a “computer glitch.”
Three weeks later, the public still lacks a full accounting of the spill’s impact on local waterways and wildlife. The incident also raises broader questions about the environmental risks posed by data centers, including the storage and handling of large quantities of backup fuel. Those questions are particularly urgent here given the major federal cleanup underway on the Hackensack River.
I appreciate that NJDEP is working to investigate and address the spill. But NJDEP must provide a clear account of exactly what happened and what is being done to prevent another spill to ensure transparency and accountability. To that end, please provide answers to the following questions no later than October 9, 2026.
1) Please identify the best available timeline for when each of the following events occurred on September 11, 2026 and any days thereafter:
a) Equinix began its fuel recycling process.
b) The system failed, and fuel began spilling.
c) Equinix first identified the spill.
d) The flow of fuel was stopped.
e) Equinix first contacted emergency responders.
f) Equinix first notified NJDEP.
g) The emergency response team arrived on site.
h) Crews began containment efforts to prevent the diesel from spreading.
i) NJDEP first notified Secaucus officials about the spill and the response.
j) Any barges or other cleanup equipment that were removed from the site, and the basis for determining they were no longer needed.
2) Has NJDEP continued to brief Secaucus on the containment and cleanup? If so, please provide the dates of those communications. If not, please explain why.
3) Following the spill, has NJDEP required Equinix or other data centers to adopt human, on-site monitoring and other safeguards for automated fuel systems or other risks to the community? If so, please describe those requirements. If not, please explain why.
4) Has NJDEP determined whether diesel from the spill reached the Hackensack River? If so, please provide its findings and any information on remediation and cleanup.
5) When does NJDEP expect to complete its investigation and issue a final public report on the spill?
NJDEP has a vital role in protecting New Jersey’s environment and holding data centers and their owners accountable when safeguards fail. This spill in the Ninth District was the largest data center fuel spill on record in our state. The scale of this disaster demands a full accounting. We need to understand how it happened, ensure the cleanup is complete, and put protections in place to prevent another one happening again. Our residents deserve clear answers now.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Nellie Pou
Member of Congress
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Honoring Clifton’s Dennis John Benigno; The Fight for Traumatic Brain Injury Victims Lives On
Position: The release supports Senate-passed legislation to reauthorize federal traumatic brain injury public health programs, including naming the national TBI surveillance program after former Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., and urges enactment this year.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) praised the U.S. Senate approval of the Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program Reauthorization Act, legislation to renew the federal government’s public health programs related to TBIs, including the national TBI surveillance program which is being named in honor of former New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
“Congressman Bill Pascrell spent decades fighting for Americans living with traumatic brain injuries and pushing our country to take this epidemic seriously,” said Congresswoman Pou. “But one major impetus for Bill taking on this fight was his close work with the Benigno family of Clifton who raised the profile of TBIs after a severe brain injury DJ suffered. Thank you to Senator Kim for advancing this legislation out of the Senate and making sure the bill honors both the legacies of Congressman Pascrell and Dennis John Benigno. We must get a TBI renewal across the finish line this year to continue the critical work to support survivors, expand research, and improve care for families across our country.”
In the Senate, this legislation was led by Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and passed unanimously. In July 2026, the House advanced a similar measure authored by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) also naming the surveillance program for Congressman Pascrell.
“It was an honor to lead the Senate’s TBI reauthorization efforts to ensure these lifesaving programs continue as they have done since 1996, carrying forward Bill’s legacy of caring for those impacted by TBI’s in the process. I'm grateful my Senate colleagues came together in a bipartisan way to move this legislation forward, and hope to see it cross the finish line soon," said Senator Kim.
The namesake of the Senate-passed legislation stems from lifelong Clifton resident Dennis John “DJ” Benigno who passed away in January 2024. Benigno’s life was forever altered after being struck by a car at just fifteen, leaving him with a devastating brain injury that left him totally disabled.
“I am proud to see Dennis John’s legacy – bringing greater attention and resources to addressing the devastating consequences of traumatic brain injury – live on through this Senate-passed bill,” said DJ’s father, Dennis, who together with DJ’s mother, Rosalind, founded the Coalition for Brain Injury Research. “Our family knows firsthand how profoundly a traumatic brain injury can change a life and affect an entire family. It is our hope that continued federal focus and research on traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) will lead to meaningful advances in treatment and recovery, while bringing hope and aid to the many survivors and families affected by the devastating consequences of these injuries. We are deeply grateful for the work of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell and Senator Andy Kim, and for the continued advocacy of Congresswoman Nellie Pou.”
The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, established in 2001, was created by Congressman Pascrell to confront TBI and the impact it has on the inflicted, their families, and their loved ones. Millions of veterans, accident victims, athletes and others have benefitted from the policies the task force has helped advance over the years.
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Pou Introduces Resolution Celebrating Bangladesh’s Global Leadership
Position: The release announces a bipartisan House resolution congratulating Bangladesh on its presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly and reaffirming the U.S.-Bangladesh partnership.
PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, has introduced a bipartisan House resolution congratulating the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and reaffirming the importance of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States. The Republican lead cosponsor is Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC-02).
“Bangladesh’s leadership at the United Nations is a proud moment for Bangladeshis around the world, including the thousands of Bangladeshi Americans I am honored to represent in North Jersey,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Our two nations share deep economic, security, and personal ties that have grown stronger over more than half a century. As co-chair of the Bangladesh Caucus, I want Congress to recognize this historic achievement and continue building a relationship that benefits the people of both our nations.”
“We are grateful for Congresswoman Nellie Pou’s leadership in introducing this important resolution and working hard to deepen the ties between the United States and Bangladesh,” said Paterson Second Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique.
Pou represents one of the largest Bangladeshi-American communities in the United States. In Congress, she has worked to elevate the voices of Bangladeshi Americans in Washington and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh. As her new resolution notes, an estimated 300,000 people of Bangladeshi heritage live in the United States.
The United States and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations in 1972 and maintain important economic, military, security, and humanitarian ties. The Congresswoman’s resolution finds that bilateral trade in goods and services totaled an estimated $13.7 billion in 2025 and highlights Bangladesh’s major contributions to U.N. peacekeeping and its hosting of more than one million Rohingya refugees.
Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st General Assembly on June 2, 2026 and began serving as President when the session opened on September 8, 2026.
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Pou Introduces Safe Water for Schools Act to Protect Students from Lead
Position: The release supports the Safe Water for Schools Act (H.R. 10596), which would reauthorize a federal grant program at $7 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to help school districts replace drinking water fountains and monitor lead levels in school drinking water.
PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, last week introduced H.R. 10596, the Safe Water for Schools Act, legislation to help schools across the country replace aging drinking water fountains and monitor their water for dangerous lead contamination.
“Every parent should be able to send their child to school knowing the water they drink is safe,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Last year, testing in Paterson in our district found lead in water fountains and faucets throughout our schools, including dangerous levels that forced some fixtures out of service. This is a problem we can fix. My new bill will help schools in New Jersey and across America replace old fountains, monitor water, and keep lead away from our children. Safe drinking water isn’t political and should be something every family can count on, no excuses.”
The Safe Water for Schools Act would reauthorize a federal grant program under the Safe Drinking Water Act at $7 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The program helps local school districts replace older drinking water fountains and cover the costs of monitoring lead levels in school drinking water.
The legislation is endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association and the American Federation of Teachers.
The need for this investment has hit close to home in the Garden State. Testing conducted in Paterson Public Schools last year found excessive lead levels in fountains and faucets at 10 schools. Fourteen fixtures registered above the federal action level (15 parts per billion, or ppb), while testing found some amount of lead in a whopping 29.5 percent of the district's fountains and faucets.
Congresswoman Pou has made improving water infrastructure a major focus of her first term in Congress. Earlier this month, the House overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Development Act, which includes more than a dozen priorities Pou championed to advance flood protection and water projects across North Jersey. The legislation also includes Pou’s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, designed to remove barriers that have delayed environmental remediation and flood mitigation projects by the U.S. Army Corps.
Earlier this Congress, Pou also introduced H.R. 5072, the Water Crisis Prevention Act, to strengthen the federal response to major water infrastructure failures and direct a federal review to improve infrastructure resilience against flooding.
Pou helped secure $500,000 to improve the Lower Saddle River channel and, with Senator Andy Kim, delivered another $1.2 million this year for stormwater improvements along River Street in Paterson.
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Issues:
Congress
Congresswoman Pou Blasts Pairing of Unchecked Trump Tariffs with Russia Sanctions
Position: The release opposes a bill that pairs Russia sanctions and Ukraine aid with broad new tariff authority for the President, while supporting aid to Ukraine and strong sanctions against Russia. It also calls on the President to impose sanctions on Russia immediately.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) tonight blasted sabotage of Ukrainian support by authorizing broad new tariff authorities to President Trump.
“For nearly five years, Ukrainians have fought bravely for their survival, and against all odds, Ukraine is now winning the war. America should be giving Ukraine the necessary support it needs to expel Russia from its borders and end this war of aggression,” said Congresswoman Pou. “I support providing broad aid to Ukraine, strong sanctions against Russia, and the message that Congress stands with Ukraine. Tragically, the substance of this bill does not match the message and this bill wrongly pairs Russian sanctions with giving Donald Trump destructive tariff powers that would go beyond this conflict.
“And for nearly two years, the President has imposed widespread tariffs on allies, yet has waived Russian sanctions and has refused to apply similar tariffs on Russia, despite Russia’s repeated attacks on Ukrainian civilians and its refusal to engage in good-faith peace negotiations.
“Nothing is preventing the President from imposing sanctions on the Russian war machine and he could have imposed harsh sanctions on day one of his administration nearly two years. I call upon him to do that today. To my Ukrainian friends: Americans are with you, and I am with you. Slava Ukraini!” concluded Pou.
Congresswoman Pou’s support for Ukraine
Pou was a cosponsor of a discharge petition that, in June, forced Speaker Johnson to bring H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, to a vote on the House floor. The legislation – which Pou voted in favor of – would provide fresh funding to Ukraine in its fight for survival and help impose long-sought sanctions on Russia for its cruel and illegal war.
Pou has advocated for the U.S. Department of State to increase funding to assist Ukraine with tracking and returning children abducted by Russia and has repeatedly called on the Department of Homeland Security to uphold legal protections for Ukrainian refugees in the United States. When the Department of Defense announced it would halt munitions shipments to Ukraine last year, Pou joined her colleagues in demanding that the decision be reversed.
Congresswoman Pou is a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and represents one of the nation’s largest Ukrainian American communities.
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Position: The release supports the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act, which includes flood mitigation projects, new studies, and the CLEAN-UP Act for environmental remediation, and calls for proactive flood protection measures for North Jersey communities.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House’s Water Resources Subcommittee, spoke on the floor of the House in favor of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The legislation includes over a dozen priorities Pou championed to help protect North Jersey from flooding and advance critical local water infrastructure projects. The legislation passed the House overwhelmingly, 415-to-9.
The passed legislation includes provisions that will help move long-delayed flood mitigation projects forward, launch new studies, and strengthen protections for communities across North Jersey that have endured repeated flooding.
The bill also incorporates Congresswoman Pou’s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, legislation she introduced earlier this year to remove barriers that have stalled environmental remediation projects.
“In our North Jersey communities, flooding is not some distant threat. In just the last few weeks, our communities have seen terrible flash floods turn streets into rivers, destroying homes, cars, and small businesses, and upending lives,” said Congresswoman Pou. “This bill takes action by moving long-delayed flood protection projects forward across Bergen and Passaic Counties. I am especially proud this package includes my bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act. We cannot keep waiting until after disaster strikes to act. We must be proactive and give our communities the tools to protect themselves before the next storm comes.”
Since taking office, Congresswoman Pou has made flood mitigation one of her key priorities in Congress.
Earlier this year, she introduced the CLEAN-UP Act to remove barriers delaying Army Corps projects and authored the Water Crisis Prevention Act to improve the federal response to infrastructure failures. During the Surface Transportation Reauthorization mark-up, Pou also secured an amendment into the bill that would direct the Government Accountability Office to review Department of Transportation PROTECT grants and produce a report identifying best practices and strategies to prevent flooding, improve safety, and strengthen infrastructure resilience.
Additionally, the annual spending bill for FY2026 included $500,000 in federal funds supported by Pou to improve the Lower Saddle River channel.
The House’s passage of the Water Resources Development Act builds on that record and represents another significant step toward delivering long-awaited relief for communities living with chronic flooding.
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Source: GDELT 2.0 GKG, filtered to a curated list of national outlets. Inclusion is not endorsement; opinion pieces and reported news are mixed.
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Top PAC donors · 2026 cycle
Political action committees that gave the most to this rep's principal campaign committee this cycle. PAC giving is direct organizational support — industry, ideological, or leadership.
1.INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEELabor2 contributionsTrade-union PAC for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Backs candidates supporting prevailing-wage standards, infrastructure investment, apprenticeship programs, and union organizing rights.AI$10,000
2.SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION)Labor2 contributionsTrade-union PAC for the Service Employees International Union — backs candidates supporting union organizing, collective bargaining, prevailing wages, and worker protections.AI$10,000
3.FAIR SHOT PACIdeological2 contributionsProgressive-aligned PAC — backs candidates and causes focused on economic opportunity and reducing inequality.AI$10,000
4.AMERIPAC: THE FUND FOR A GREATER AMERICAIdeological2 contributionsIdeological PAC with a nationalist or patriotic framing — specific policy positions not clearly signaled by the name.AI · low$10,000
5.CARPENTERS LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERSLabor2 contributionsTrade-union PAC for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners — backs prevailing-wage protections, federal infrastructure funding, project labor agreements, and worker safety standards.AI$10,000
6.EMILYS LIST2 contributions$10,000
7.NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE3 contributions$10,000
8.JOBS, EDUCATION, & FAMILIES FIRST JEFF PAC2 contributions$10,000
9.PURPOSE PAC2 contributions$10,000
10.AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFL-CIO COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATIONLabor2 contributionsTrade-union PAC for teachers — backs candidates supporting public education funding, collective bargaining rights, and worker protections.AI$10,000
Source: OpenFEC (api.open.fec.gov) Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “committee.” Aggregated by contributing committee. Self-transfers from joint-fundraising / victory committees are excluded.
Top individual contributors · 2026 cycle
Itemized individual contributions over $200 to this rep's campaign committee, aggregated by donor employer. PAC giving is shown above; this section is people, not organizations.
1.SELF$25,456
2.BOB CIASULLI AUTO GROUP$11,500
3.WINNING STRATEGIES WASHINGTON$11,050
4.FOUNDATION RISK PARTNERS$9,000
5.WILLIAM KISTLER CHARITABLE FUND$8,154
6.ARCHER FINANCIAL LLC$7,000
7.PUMA SPRINGS VINEYARDS$7,000
8.PEAK6 INVESTMENTS$7,000
9.CHARLESBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC,$7,000
10.THE RING GROUP$7,000
Source: OpenFEC Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “individual,” aggregated by the donor's self-reported employer. This is a geographic / industry correlation, not a corporate endorsement.
