Steve and his colleagues have worked diligently to take our economy in a new and better direction. For example, the new Congress has passed an Economic Stimulus Package that put up to $1,800 for a family of four directly in the pockets of 3.8 million New Jersey households. Also, Steve constantly works to protect and create good-paying jobs for New Jerseyans. He has co-sponsored legislation to ensure equal pay for women workers, voted to increase the minimum wage, and has repeatedly opposed unfair trade agreements. 

Reviving Our Economy

Steve and his colleagues have worked diligently to take our economy in a new and better direction. Among other major enactments, the new Congress has:

1. Passed an Economic Stimulus Package that put up to $1,800 for a family of four (an average of $842 per household) directly in the pockets of 3.8 million New Jersey households. $3.2 billion for our state.
   
   
2. Passed new energy legislation that among many other things requires cars and trucks to get an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 - the first increase in miles per gallon requirements for U.S. auto manufacturers in 32 years!! This will save New Jersey families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump.
   
   
3. Cut the college student loan interest rate, saving the average 4-year college student about $2,570 and increased the Pell Grant to $5,400 by 2012.
   
   
4. Passed mortgage refinancing and foreclosure relief legislation. Once signed into law, this bill will help NJ families restructure their mortgages and avoid foreclosure.
   
5. Passed a new GI Bill that gives Iraq and Afghanistan veterans free tuition at any state college and increases their health care benefits. This will help 38,000 New Jerseyans who have served on active duty since 9/11.
   
6. Provided New Jerseyans with $186 million over 10 years in increased food assistance and nutrition initiatives such as food stamps, fresh fruits and vegetables in school lunches, and emergency food support.
   
7. Lowered taxes for small businesses, allowing them to double their tax write-offs for new investments made in 2008 from $125,000 to $250,000.
   
8. Passed new, first-time home buyer tax credits and a real property tax deduction ($500/individuals, $1,000/joint filers) for non-itemizers.

Though these are examples of some of our important achievements, so much more needs to be done. Steve will continue to fight to put dollars back in the pockets of Americans through tax cuts for the middle class and ending the federal income tax for seniors making under $50,000. It is time to change the direction of our country and fully address all the problems our nation faces!

Protecting Workers' Rights

Steve constantly works to protect and create good-paying jobs for New Jerseyans. For example, the Congressman has actively opposed the Bush Administration's efforts to outsource postal jobs to private contractors, rallying with letter carriers to stop the proposal (pictured). He has also co-sponsored legislation to ensure equal pay for women workers, voted to increase the minimum wage, and has repeatedly opposed unfair trade agreements.  

See below for more information about ways Steve is working for workers!

On Equal Pay Day, Rep. Rothman Continues to Urge Congressional Action to Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work
April 22, 2008 Today, Equal Pay Day, Congressman Rothman expressed his continuing strong support for legislation to strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and close the wage gap between women and men. To make equal pay for equal work a reality, Rothman has co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. These bills aim to provide more effective remedies to women who receive discriminatory pay and hold employers accountable for paying women less than their male colleagues for comparable work. Read more.

National Economic Woes Hit Home: Fair Lawn Small Business Owner Outlines Struggle to Stay Afloat at Listening Session
April 7, 2008 One of the most compelling moments of Congressman Rothman's Listening Tour came when a local bakery owner explained how the rising cost of commodities like eggs and milk, combined with the drop in household income for non-necessities such as pastries, along with the increased transportation costs caused by rising gas prices, are squeezing him out of business. It was a striking, real-life example of how the nationwide economic chaos that President Bush has presided over can be particularly harmful to local family businesses. Read more.

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Thanks Rothman
May 5, 2008 New Jersey representatives of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers recently met with Congressman Rothman to thank him for his ongoing commitment to American workers. Read more.

Statement on the Economic Stimulus Bill
January 29, 2008 I want to compliment Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner for working together across party lines to come up with this $145 billion package and I was proud to vote for it today. I was impressed with the scope of this package and the speed with which leaders on both sides assembled it. Read more.

Rothman Welcomes Service Employees International Union Members to DC
September 20, 2007 On Tuesday, representatives from the Service Employees International Union in New Jersey thanked Rep. Rothman for his strong support of legislation important to working families. Likewise, Rep. Rothman expressed his gratitude to SEIU for promoting vital issues and working hard for its members. Read more.

How Can I Help?

In these trying times, Steve's office is available to help you in any way possible -- Social Security, Medicare, small business loans, college financial aid, IRS assistance, unemployment benefits, military benefits, mortgage aid programs, food stamps, passport services, immigration assistance, veterans' issues, and many other programs. Call (201) 646-0808

Additional News & Information

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