Robert Menendez

Federal investment in worthwhile projects can create jobs, spur economic activity, improve education and expand access to quality and affordable health care. Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked hard to secure these types of investments, which can make a real difference in our lives.

Highlights

• Creation of Liberty Corridor -- Congressional champion of Liberty Corridor project, having established it as a Project of National and Regional Significance and secured tens of millions of dollars in federal investment since 2005. An area of seven northeastern counties and one western county, the Liberty Corridor of New Jersey is where multi-modal transportation systems, such as ports, highways, airports, rail lines and research facilities, play a vital role in linking and nurturing an historic base economy of manufacturing and commerce with global implications.

• Mass transit tunnel -- Helped secure a federal commitment to fully fund its portion of the new Mass Transit Tunnel across the Hudson -- a project which is now underway. This project helps create jobs, save commuters time and money and clean the air we breathe. The tunnel is expected to create 44,000 permanent jobs, in addition to 6,00 construction jobs. With train traffic into New York at maximum capacity, the tunnel project would double commuter rail capacity between New Jersey and New York and improve rail service across the Garden State and reduce congestion on roadways.

• New Jersey hospitals -- As a member of the House of Representatives led the charge that successfully pressed the Clinton administration to provided fairer Medicare reimbursements to New Jersey hospitals. This amounted to hundred of millions of dollars in federal funding that these hospitals were due under a more equitable system.

• Community Health Centers -- Has helped deliver millions of dollars in federal investment to new and existing Federally-Qualified Health Centers, which serve as medical homes and safety-net providers for thousands of low-income families in New Jersey who otherwise would not be able to afford quality health care.

• Children's Health Insurance Program -- Led the 2008 and 2009 Senate efforts to protect and expand federal investment in New Jersey's FamilyCare children's health insurance program. New Jersey's strong program was targeted repeatedly by amendments aiming to reduce federal support for it, but Senator Menendez led the effort that overcame each of them. This program helps ensure that children from families that fall in the health coverage abyss between Medicaid and expensive private insurance have access to quality and affordable health care. In 2009, a strong children's health insurance reauthorization was enacted into law.

• Energy efficiency -- Created the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program as part of the 2007 energy bill. This program, funded with $3.2 billion in the 2009 economic recovery package, helps create jobs, provide local tax relief, ensure local services and clean the air we breathe. The grants invest in energy efficiency projects undertaken by cities, towns and counties. It lowers their energy costs and provides local budget relief.

• Appropriations -- Has delivered billions of dollars in federal investment to New Jersey in the House of Representatives and Senate. Funding has modernized schools, upgraded transportation, improved health care facilities and delivery, safeguarded property from flooding, increased public safety and protected our natural treasures, among other accomplishments.
  

Appropriations request disclosure

Congress and the Obama administration have undertaken a concerted effort to increase transparency in the federal government. This includes an open appropriations process to ensure that federal investments are made in worthwhile projects and programs that make a difference in the lives of families in our state.

In accordance with Senate rules, this section contains a list of all the federal investment requests I have submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee for funding consideration in the FY2010 appropriation bills. While I realize that not all of these projects can be funded, I have submitted all viable projects to the relevant Appropriations subcommittee, which will ultimately make final funding decisions based on the criteria and priorities they have established in the corresponding legislation.

The projects included in this section have been reviewed by my office to determine if they are complete, reasonable and meet the eligibility requirements that have been determined by the subcommittee. I believe this process allows me to best represent all of New Jersey's interests and provides the best opportunity to maximize federal investments in the State of New Jersey.

In addition to my efforts to get New Jersey’s fair share of funding in our annual appropriations bills, I also work diligently to make New Jersey communities and organizations aware of competitive federal grant opportunities available. By supporting New Jersey applicants, we can ensure that more of our tax dollars are coming back home for important programs that protect and support our communities.

• Requests submitted to the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee on May 22, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on Defense on May 15, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies on May 15, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education on May 15, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies on May 15, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development on May 15, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Department of Homeland Security Subcommittee on May 13, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee on May 8, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on the Department of State and Foreign Operations on May 8, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies on May 8, 2009
• Requests submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee for the FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act
• Requests submitted to the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on April 30, 2009