The Week Just Passed: “Let’s Get On With It!”

Seeking More Time on FEMA Flood Insurance Claims

Another Stop on Rodney’s Listening Tour: Verona

Army Secretary Visits Picatinny, Affirms Importance to U.S. Security

Community Support for Frelinghuysen Veterans Fair

Salute: Dave Baker

The Week Just Passed: “Let’s Get On With It!”

“As I write this, the House stands poised to consider the bill the Senate passed this afternoon to fund the operations of the federal government beyond Monday October 1 – the start of the new fiscal year.  As you will recall, the House approved legislation last Friday that provided the money necessary to keep the government ‘open for business’ while stopping Obamacare.

“Later this weekend, I hope the House will pass a package of pro-economic growth measures along with legislation to increase the nation’s debt limit to avoid a catastrophic default. 

“I listen carefully to my constituents, but I have never been one to pay much attention to public opinion polls.  However, there are some interesting surveys out this week.  The results:

“1- Americans do not want a government shutdown;

“2- Obamacare is becoming increasingly unpopular, with more Americans worrying about how it will affect their wallet and their care;

“3- Taxpayers are tired of excess government spending and dangerous debt and want to make sure that this President sits down and negotiates a resolution to this growing crisis;

“For too long, President Obama and his allies in the Senate have ignored our looming debt disaster. President Obama’s plan has been, and remains, more debt and no reform.

“I hope the President will agree to join with us to solve the problem. This plan of more debt and no reform is absolutely unacceptable. We need to strengthen our economy for all Americans - and we need to deal with Washington’s spending problem.  We cannot accept this ‘new normal’ of a weak economy, no new jobs, and shrinking wages.

“So let’s get on with it!  In my view, the House government appropriation bill – the Continuing Resolution - approved seven days ago and the economic growth/debt limit package, I hope we will soon pass, are a great place to start!”

Rodney Frelinghuysen

Read more about Rodney's thoughts on the shutdown here.

Recommended Reading: Kathleen Parker, writing in the Washington Post, “Waiting for Obamacare.”

Seeking More Time on FEMA Flood Insurance Claims

Rodney joined a bipartisan group of House members and Senators in urging the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for at least a six-month extension for thousands of Sandy-impacted homeowners to file flood insurance claims.

Under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) managed by FEMA, Sandy-impacted homeowners must file a Proof of Loss (POL) form, a statement on the amount that the homeowner is claiming under his or her flood insurance policy, by October 29^th in order to be eligible for coverage for flood damage.

“Many New Jersey families have been unable to meet this deadline in time because they are still waiting for repair work to begin on their homes or only recently become aware of additional expenses as they start to repair and rebuild,” Rodney said.  “To deny claims based purely on the timing of some paperwork does an extreme disservice to homeowners who have already suffered significant hardship.”

The group of bipartisan members of Congress requested an immediate extension to ensure that all homeowners have a fair process when it comes to filing their flood insurance claims and receiving the full benefits to which they are entitled.

The lawmakers wrote in a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate:

 “Our offices are aware of many families who are still waiting for work to begin on their homes. These families could be left homeless indefinitely if they are not able to meet the proof of loss deadline for National Flood Insurance Program claims. As you know, this deadline is a little over a month away and we strongly request that it be extended by at least an additional six months to accommodate the ongoing recovery needs of our constituents...  While we are aware that FEMA has the authority to approve on a case-by-case basis claims submitted after the one year deadline, we believe that a blanket extension for every homeowner should be in place to ensure a fair and proper process for everyone. To deny these claims based purely on the timing of their paperwork pulls the rug out from underneath homeowners who are relying on their flood insurance policies to repair and rebuild their homes.” 

Another Stop on Rodney’s Listening Tour: Verona

As is his longstanding tradition, Rodney conducted another town hall meeting on Monday.  This time, his “listening tour” stopped in Verona, Essex County.

The topics were varied and the discussion was lively – immigration reform, Obamacare, Food Stamps (SNAP), gun violence, the budget “sequester,” to name a few.

“Thank you to those who took time to come out and participate.  For those who could not make it, keep an eye on my calendar,” Rodney said.  “My ‘listening tour’ will make a stop near you soon.”

Read more about Rodney’s Town Hall meeting in Joshua Jongsma’s report in the Verona Cedar Grove Times here.

Army Secretary Visits Picatinny, Affirms Importance to U.S. Security

Fulfilling a personal commitment he made to Rodney, Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited Picatinny Arsenal Thursday.

“This is a unique facility with a critically important mission; there really is no other government or industry counterpart to Picatinny,” he said, underscoring the arsenal’s contribution to national security. “The workforce possesses knowledge and expertise that increases the lethality of the joint services warfighter.”

“I know the Secretary is keenly aware of the essential work done by the men and women of Picatinny,” said Rodney, the Vice-Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.  “But I am pleased that he got to be briefed personally on their vital missions and had the opportunity to thank those Picatinny personnel who served overseas in the line of fire.”

Picatinny Arsenal was designated the Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition, providing products and services to all branches of the U.S. military.

McHugh saw first-hand how the Army and Navy are working together to improve packaging, handling, storage and transportation of essential products and supplies.

“Regardless of what the budgetary climate might be, threats to our national security are always there, which is why ongoing research and development is needed to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the best equipment possible,” McHugh said.

McHugh also acknowledged the strong support of the area's Congressional delegation, and state and local government.

"This facility and its mission have benefitted from our partnership with …Representative  (Rodney) Frelinghuysen, as well as the state and local community," he said.  "We're grateful for their continued leadership and support."

The third largest employer in Northwestern New Jersey, Picatinny employs more than 4,800 federal and another 1,200 contractor employees.

The arsenal contributes more than $1.3 billion to New Jersey’s economy and supports more than 10,500 New Jersey jobs in the private sector.

See more about Secretary McHugh’s visit to Picatinny here.

Recommended Reading: Jackson Diehl, writing in today’s Washington Post, “Obama’s myopic worldview.”

Community Support for Frelinghuysen Veterans Fair

A wide range of community, commercial, corporate and veterans organizations are providing support to Rodney’s Veterans Fair tomorrow in Verona.  The event is designed to provide veterans – men and women - with assistance in finding jobs, health care and housing, as well as making decisions about their future in a challenging economy.

Co-hosted by the Township of Verona and the Cedar Grove Elks Veterans Service Committee, the Veterans Fair will be held:

Saturday, September 28

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Verona Community Center

880 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044

The Kearfott Corporation, Comfort Keepers, New Jersey Fallen Soldiers Foundation, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,  Veterans Crisis Line, Bloomfield Veterans Center, Halos for Angels, VA Transportation Network Foundation, Marotta Controls, Passaic County Office of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Montclair State University Veterans Association, Carpenters Local 254, Honeywell International, Real Estate Mortgage Network, Community Food Bank and other groups will also participate. 

“So many of our veterans are having difficulties re-adjusting to life as a civilian, making decisions about their future, and finding jobs and housing,” said Frelinghuysen, a veteran of the Vietnam conflict.  “What better way for us to thank them for their service and sacrifices than by helping them in their transition?”

For more information about the event, please contact Jon Donado in Frelinghuysen’s Morristown office at (973) 984-0711.

Transportation to the Veterans Fair:

Two daily NJ TRANSIT bus routes serve Verona.

• The #29 bus travels along Bloomfield Avenue through West Caldwell, Caldwell, Verona, Montclair, Glen Ridge & Bloomfield to Newark Penn Station.
• The #11 bus travels between Newark Penn Station and Willow brook Mall via Bloomfield & Pompton Aves.

Both buses operate seven days a week.

NJ TRANSIT buses are accessible: they “kneel” to lower the height of the first step and have lifts for riders who cannot use steps. Ask the bus driver for both services.

Recommended Reading: Charles Krauthammer, writing in today’s Washington Post, “The Real Rouhani, The president and centrifuges are still spinning.”

Salute: Thank you to Dave Baker, owner of the Postmark in Morristown, a Vietnam veteran (like Rodney) for his decade of extraordinary work helping Vietnamese families with building health clinics and housing with fellow veterans from New Jersey!