New Jersey

State Senators:

Bob Menendez (D)

Term Start: January 17, 2006

Full Name: Robert Menendez
Date of Birth: January 1, 1954
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Bob Menendez was born in New York City to Cuban immigrants and grew up in Union City, New Jersey. He attended Union Hill High School, where he became active in student politics. Menendez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Peter’s University in 1976. He later received his Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law in 1979.

Personal Life: Bob Menendez is married to Nadine Arslanian, and he has two children from a previous marriage. The family resides in North Bergen, New Jersey. Known for his dedication to public service and his advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities, Menendez continues to work towards policies that promote justice, equity, and prosperity for all Americans.

Early Career: After completing his education, Menendez began practicing law and became active in local politics. He served on the Union City Board of Education and later became the city’s mayor. His early political career focused on improving local governance and addressing community issues such as housing and education.

Political Career:

Local Government: Menendez entered politics as a member of the Union City Board of Education, and later became mayor of Union City from 1986 to 1992.
New Jersey State Legislature: Menendez served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1987 to 1991 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1991 to 1993. During his tenure in the state legislature, Menendez worked on issues such as healthcare, education, and public safety.
U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 1992, Menendez represented New Jersey’s 13th congressional district until 2006, focusing on urban development, education, and foreign policy. Menendez was known for his advocacy on behalf of his constituents and his efforts to secure federal funding for local projects. During his time in the House, he served in leadership roles, including as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
U.S. Senate: In 2006, Menendez was appointed to the U.S. Senate by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to fill the seat vacated by Corzine. Menendez won a special election later that year to complete the term and was re-elected in 2012 and 2018. As a senator, Menendez has been a prominent voice on foreign relations, healthcare, and immigration. He has held significant leadership positions, including Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee on Finance
Committee on Foreign Relations

Legislative Achievements:

Foreign Policy: Menendez is a leading voice on foreign policy and national security. He has worked on legislation to impose sanctions on adversaries, support allies, and promote human rights globally.
Healthcare: Menendez advocates for healthcare access and affordability. He has supported the Affordable Care Act and worked on legislation to lower prescription drug costs and expand Medicaid.
Economic Policies: Menendez focuses on economic development, job creation, and financial regulation. He has championed measures to protect consumers and ensure financial stability.
Immigration: As a son of Cuban immigrants, Menendez is a strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. He has worked on legislation to protect Dreamers and provide pathways to citizenship.
Social Justice: Menendez supports civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting rights. He has pushed for policies to address systemic racism and promote equality.

Senator Menendez is known for his extensive experience in foreign policy, healthcare advocacy, economic development, and social justice. His background in local, state, and federal government, along with his leadership roles, shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit his constituents and the nation.

Committees

Banking, Housing, and Urban Development: Committee ensures that the banking system is safe, housing is accessible, urban areas are well-developed, and consumers are protected in financial matters.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens.

Voting patterns

Senator Menendez has a voting record that reflects his commitment to foreign policy, healthcare, economic stability, immigration reform, and social justice. Here are some key aspects of his recent voting patterns:

Key Voting Patterns:

Foreign Policy and National Security:

Sanctions and Human Rights: Menendez is a strong advocate for imposing sanctions on adversaries and supporting human rights globally. He voted for the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (H.R.3364) and supported resolutions condemning human rights abuses.
Defense Authorization: Menendez supports robust national defense measures. He voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” (H.R.4350) to ensure military readiness and support for defense initiatives.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act: Menendez is a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He has consistently voted against efforts to repeal or undermine the ACA and supported measures to expand Medicaid and lower prescription drug costs.
Prescription Drug Costs: Menendez voted for the “Affordable Insulin Now Act” (H.R.6833) to cap insulin prices and supported various bills aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs.

Economic Policies:

Consumer Protection: Menendez focuses on protecting consumers and ensuring financial stability. He voted for the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (H.R.4173) and has opposed efforts to weaken financial regulations.
Economic Relief: Menendez supported the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief, stimulate the economy, and support families and businesses during the pandemic.

Immigration:

Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Menendez is a proponent of comprehensive immigration reform. He supported the “Dream and Promise Act” (H.R.6) to provide pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and has consistently voted for legislation to protect immigrants and refugees.
Border Security: While advocating for immigrant rights, Menendez has also supported measures to enhance border security and improve the immigration system.

Social Justice and Civil Rights:

Voting Rights: Menendez is a strong advocate for protecting and expanding voting rights. He voted for the “For the People Act” (H.R.1) to enhance voting rights, address campaign finance reform, and reduce corruption in politics.
Equality: Menendez supports LGBTQ+ rights and voted for the “Equality Act” (H.R.5) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He has also supported various measures to address systemic racism and promote civil liberties.

Senator Menendez’s voting record reflects his commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth through equitable policies, comprehensive healthcare access, a balanced approach to national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.

Full Name: Cory Anthony Booker
Date of Birth: April 27, 1969
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Early Life and Education: Cory Booker was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Harrington Park, New Jersey. He attended Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, where he excelled in academics and sports. Booker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University in 1991. While at Stanford, he also obtained a Master of Arts in Sociology in 1992. Booker was a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, where he received an honors degree in United States History in 1994. He later attended Yale Law School, earning his Juris Doctor in 1997.

Personal Life: Cory Booker is known for his charismatic personality and commitment to public service, and is often active engagement on social media. He resides in Newark, New Jersey, and is an active member of his community. Booker has been a vocal advocate for veganism and animal rights, often highlighting the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet.

Early Career: After completing his education, Booker moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he worked as a staff attorney for the Urban Justice Center. He later served as a program coordinator for the Newark Youth Project. Booker served as a Newark City Councilman, where he focused on providing legal services to low-income families and advocating for social justice.

Cory Booker (D)

Term Start: October 31, 2013

Political Career:

Newark City Council: In 1998, Booker was elected to the Newark City Council, representing the Central Ward. During his time on the council, he gained national attention for his efforts to combat corruption and improve living conditions in his district.
Mayor of Newark: Booker was elected Mayor of Newark in 2006 and served two terms until 2013. As mayor, he implemented significant reforms, including reducing crime rates, improving city services, and attracting investment to the city. Booker’s tenure was marked by his hands-on approach and use of social media to engage with residents
U.S. Senate: Elected in a special election in 2013, Booker became the first African American U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He was re-elected in 2014 and 2020. As a senator, Booker focuses on issues such as criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, and healthcare. He is known for his advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities and his efforts to address systemic inequalities.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Committee on the Judiciary

Legislative Achievements:

Criminal Justice Reform: Booker has been a leading voice for criminal justice reform. He co-authored the “First Step Act” (S.756), which aimed to reduce recidivism and reform sentencing laws.
Healthcare: Booker advocates for expanding healthcare access and affordability. He supports the Affordable Care Act and has introduced legislation to lower prescription drug costs and expand Medicare coverage.
Economic Policies: Booker focuses on economic justice and opportunity. He has introduced bills to increase the minimum wage, expand tax credits for low-income families, and promote economic development in underserved communities.
Environmental Issues: Booker is a strong advocate for environmental protection and climate change action. He has introduced legislation to promote clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and address environmental injustices.
Social Justice: Booker supports civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting rights. He has introduced legislation to address systemic racism, promote equality, and protect voting rights.

Senator Booker is known for his dedication to criminal justice reform, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and social justice. His background as Mayor of Newark and extensive experience in public service shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit his constituents and the nation.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Judiciary: Committee plays a role in shaping the nation’s legal framework and ensuring the fair administration of justice. Its work impacts a wide range of issues, from the confirmation of judges to the protection of civil liberties and the enforcement of federal laws.

Voting patterns

Senator Booker has a voting record that reflects his commitment to criminal justice reform, healthcare access, economic justice, environmental protection, and social equality. Here are some key aspects of his recent voting patterns:

Key Voting Patterns:

Criminal Justice Reform:

Sentencing and Incarceration: Booker has been a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. He co-sponsored the “First Step Act” (S.756), aimed at reducing recidivism and reforming sentencing laws. He has consistently supported measures to address systemic issues within the criminal justice system and promote rehabilitation over incarceration.

Healthcare:

Healthcare Access and Affordability: Booker is a strong supporter of expanding healthcare access. He has consistently voted to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supported measures like the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief and enhance healthcare coverage.
Prescription Drug Costs: Booker has introduced and supported legislation to lower prescription drug prices, including efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap insulin costs.

Economic Policies:

Economic Justice: Booker focuses on policies that promote economic justice and opportunity. He supports raising the federal minimum wage and has introduced the “American Opportunity Accounts Act” (S.3766), also known as the “Baby Bonds” proposal, to address wealth inequality.
Small Business Support: Booker has voted for various bills aimed at supporting small businesses, particularly through financial assistance and reducing regulatory burdens. He supported the “Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act” (H.R.266) to provide COVID-19 relief to small businesses.

Environmental Issues:

Climate Change and Clean Energy: Booker is an advocate for strong environmental protections and climate action. He has supported the “Green New Deal” resolution (S.Res.59) and introduced legislation like the “Environmental Justice Act” (S.2236) to address environmental injustices and promote clean energy.
Conservation Efforts: Booker has voted for legislation to protect public lands and promote conservation, such as the “Great American Outdoors Act” (H.R.1957).

Social Justice and Civil Rights:

Equality and Civil Rights: Booker is a proponent of social justice and civil rights. He supports the “Equality Act” (H.R.5) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and has introduced legislation to address systemic racism and promote racial equality.
Voting Rights: Booker is a strong advocate for protecting and expanding voting rights. He voted for the “For the People Act” (H.R.1) to enhance voting rights and address campaign finance reform.

Senator Booker’s voting record reflects his commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic equality, comprehensive healthcare access, balanced national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.