OPINION: Progressive Democrats On Verge of Destroying Biden Presidency. The threat by Progressive Congressional Caucus and other radical left members of the Democratic Party to withhold their vote on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act set for Sept. 27 will only damage the gains they have made and the priorities of the party they belong to. All Democrats must vote to pass the infrastructure bill this coming Monday while working towards a reconciliation budget that can pass both houses that furthers the Biden Administration’s agenda. If not, they will be in the minority again after the 2022 elections. North-JerseyNews.com
Democratic leaders said they have settled on a variety of options with the Biden Administration to cover its cost of the $3.5 trillion reconciliation budget, but they gave no details on how differences between the party’s wings would be resolved. “The White House, the House and the Senate have reached agreement on a framework that will pay for any final negotiated agreement,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, making an appearance at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)’s weekly press conference. Broadly, Democrats are preparing to raise taxes on companies and high-income households to pay for the spending package, though they are still discussing many of the specifics of the possible increases. The Wall Street Journal
Rep. Mikie Sherrill is urging U.S. House Democratic leaders to ensure expanded childcare provisions are included in the final $3.5 trillion spending bill that moves through Congress. Sherrill wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Sept. 21 highlighting working women’s struggle to pay childcare costs and advocating for bill language aimed at ensuring no family or individual pays more than 7% of their income for childcare. “Millions of Americans, particularly women, are continuing to leave the workforce, hesitating to form small businesses, and forgoing promotions because childcare is unaffordable for most families,” wrote Sherrill. “Businesses cannot effectively recruit because childcare accounts for nearly all of an entry-level employee’s pay…these realities are a big problem for our economy.” North-JerseyNews.com
Every New Jersey representative voted to fund $1 billion towards Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, two days after progressive opposition removed the funding from a larger spending bill. “Thanks to the bill before us, Congress is reaffirming our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself,” Rep. Bill Pascrell said during remarks on the House floor Sept. 23. “Once again: Iron Dome technology keeps people safe and it saves lives.” Rep. Josh Gottheimer was more directly critical of his Democratic colleagues who necessitated the separate vote in his remarks, stating “some of my colleagues recently used support for this defense system as a political football. They threatened to shut down the federal government, put at risk hurricane disaster relief and help for Afghan refugees all because of support of Iron Dome.” New Jersey Globe
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee on Sept. 23 endorsed the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster shot for elderly people, long-term care residents and those who may be at risk of developing severe disease, a move that could allow broad latitude for people to access additional doses. But the panel rejected the notion of offering boosters to healthcare workers and others who may encounter the virus in the course of their jobs or “institutional” settings, such as prisons or homeless shelters. The independent committee said the booster dose should be given at least six months after the initial two-dose vaccination series. PoliticoNJ
After the committee’s decision, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky overruled the decision to ensure workers at high risk of COVID-19 infection are included in those eligible to the Pfizer booster shot. In overruling the committee, Dr. Walensky explained that “as CDC Director, it is my job to recognize where our actions can have the greatest impact…we are tasked with analyzing complex, often imperfect data to make concrete recommendations that optimize health. In a pandemic, even with uncertainty, we must take actions that we anticipate will do the greatest good.” The Wall Street Journal
New Jersey’s 25 Democratic State Senators must be vaccinated by Oct. 18, according to a memo from the Senate Majority Office. The vaccine policy will apply to lawmakers, staffers, and district office employees, with no testing option. Lawmakers must attest to their vaccination in writing by Oct. 18, the same deadline Gov. Phil Murphy put in place for school and state employees. There is currently no vaccine policy in place for Republicans in either chamber, or Democrats in the Assembly. New Jersey Monitor
North Jersey Republicans are hitting back at Gov. Phil Murphy after he signed an executive order that would mandate masks for children over the age of 2 at the state’s childcare facilities, among other stipulations. State Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R-26) minced no words in responding, calling the order “useless and unworkable.” State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-40) said the measure represented big government at its worst as “this overbearing executive order is yet another sign that Governor Murphy is completely out of touch with the needs of children, parents, and childcare providers.” North-JerseyNews.com
The vaccination level for teens eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the Garden State has some of the highest rates in North Jersey. The top county is Hudson at 64.4% of teens receiving are vaccinated, followed by Bergen County at 60.2% and Morris County at 54.9%. Monmouth County trails all major counties with only 38% of teens fully vaccinated. News12 New Jersey
Newark’s youth vaccination rate increased by 25 percentage points in just two months. Now, 55% of 12- to 17-year-olds have gotten at least one shot; among all Newark residents 12 and up, 72% have had at least one dose. City health officials credit outreach programs, including setting up vaccination clinics in schools and neighborhoods across the city, but also listening and responding to residents’ concerns. “It was literally convincing and assuring community residents that it’s safe, it’s effective, and worth doing—not only for one’s individual health, but to protect the community as a whole,” said Dr. Mark Wade, director of the city health department. NJ Spotlight News
Jersey City is expanding its COVID-19 rent relief program with a focus on low-income families. The next application period for the city’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program opens Oct. 4 and runs through Oct. 18. The program will provide eligible low-income Jersey City families—living at or below 50% of Area Median Income—with up to $10,000 in rental assistance. The Jersey Journal
The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol subpoenaed four of President Donald J. Trump’s closest advisers on Sept. 23, ramping up its scrutiny of what the former president was doing before and during the deadly riot. The subpoenas, the first the panel has issued, seek information from Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff; Dan Scavino Jr., who was a deputy chief of staff; Stephen K. Bannon, Mr. Trump’s former adviser; and Kash Patel, the former Pentagon chief of staff. The committee is demanding that the four men turn over documents by Oct. 7 and submit to depositions the following week for their role in the failed insurrection attempt. The New York Times
Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler, the Republican nominee for Bergen County Sheriff, was indicted on corruption charges by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office Sept. 13. In March, Kugler was charged by complaint with official misconduct, conspiracy and corruption of public resources, and was subsequently suspended. Kugler is accused of having Saddle Brook police officers provide police escorts for funerals at Kugler Community Home for Funerals, which he owns. The police escorts, the state says, were done in official vehicles. The state also claims Kugler did not reimburse the township for the processions. The Record
State investigators recently raided Belleville Town Hall after the mayor alleged the town’s construction official improperly withdrew thousands of dollars from an account set aside for developers at a public hearing. Mayor Michael Melham claims he discovered earlier this year that Construction Official Frank DeLorenzo Jr. billed the developers $200 to $750 each time he attended a meeting outside of regular work hours. An attorney for DeLorenzo denied the allegation. NJ.com
Larry Casha is the latest Republican to declare his intentions to run to be the GOP nominee in the 11th Congressional District in a matchup against Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Casha, who serves on the state Republican Committee, has sent letters to county committee members saying he plans to be a candidate for the GOP congressional nomination with a promise of a formal announcement in October. Casha joins businessman Tom Toomey, lawyer Robert Kovic, screenwriter Hillery Brotschol and Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen as candidates who have previously announced plans to run. InsiderNJ
Five hospitals in North Jersey will no longer be accepting the largest health insurer in the country. Prime Healthcare dropped UnitedHealthcare after being underpaid by the insurer “for years,” according to Prime Healthcare New Jersey Regional CEO & Chief Medical Officer Sonia Mehta. Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital, Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital and Saint Clare’s Behavioral Health in Boonton Township will be impacted, as well as Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark and St. Mary’s General Hospital in Passaic. NJ1015.com
Westwood is taking a new step to increase flood mitigation efforts for new developments. The borough recently introduced new flood damage prevention rules that require roads and parking lots to be elevated a foot above base flood elevation for new residential facilities and any new developments provide seepage pits that can collect rainwater. The Record
And finally…Rutgers opens its Big Ten football schedule with a game against Michigan in Ann Arbor. New Jersey Herald
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