What Robert Menendez said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor Congressman Frank J. Guarini, who passed away on Saturday, June 20, at the age of 101. As a distinguished World War II veteran, Congressman Guarini's service to our country began at a young age.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with more heartbreaking stories about the victims of the Trump administration's violent and immoral immigration actions. In my visits to Delaney Hall, I have met with fathers, mothers, and even a pastor who pose no threat to the safety of our communities.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have said for months that no one is safe in Trump's America. From New Jersey to Minnesota, mothers, fathers, children--no one is safe. We have seen people like Greg Bovino and his masked paramilitaries come into our communities and cause an immense amount of harm.”

“Mr. Speaker, in the span of 12 weeks, our country was shaken by the tragic killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who lost their lives because of the violent and reckless choices that the Trump administration has made.”

“Mr. Speaker, last week, a mother of three, a U.S. citizen, was killed in broad daylight. You would think in that moment Republicans would find their voice to speak out against the cruelty of this administration.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I could not leave Washington this week without calling out House Republicans for their hypocrisy. They have been silent while DHS agents shoot Americans in broad daylight and then smear them as domestic terrorists.”

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation witnessed the killing of a fellow American in broad daylight, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her name was Renee Nicole Good. She was a concerned citizen and a mother.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Ranking Member Pallone, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans ended 2025 by failing to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits causing healthcare costs to skyrocket for millions of Americans.”

“Not once, at any of the townhalls I have had, has anyone said that their showerhead pressure is their top concern. Housing, yes. Healthcare, yes. Childcare, yes. Not once did they say showerheads was their primary concern.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the new Republican healthcare legislation. Instead of extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and keeping premiums from skyrocketing, House Republicans are pushing a plan that would force more than 20 million Americans to pay, on average, twice as much for the same coverage they have today.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, the late Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., as we commemorate what would have been his 67th birthday. Donald and I were good friends and neighbors both representing the cities of Newark and Jersey City together.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 1949. Mr. Speaker, this bill would force the Department of Energy to rubberstamp every LNG export and strip the Department of its ability to review whether those exports are actually in the public interest.”

“Mr. Speaker, 24 years ago today, our Nation was changed forever. I remember that day as a high school student. Standing along the Hudson River, a cloud of smoke and destruction hung over the New York skyline.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic albums in American music history, Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. Released on August 25, 1975, this landmark album did more than launch a young songwriter from Long Branch, New Jersey into stardom; it became the soundtrack for countless Americans and an anthem for all those blessed to call New Jersey home.”

“House is coming to a standstill because Republicans refuse to address the Epstein files despite Trump's repeated commitments to the American people to do so. However, their inability to deliver on their promises runs much deeper.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1717, the Communications Security Act. One of the many vital functions that the Federal Communications Commission serves is ensuring that our Nation's communications systems are prepared to deal with cybersecurity threats and natural disasters.”

“Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago today, our Nation made a remarkable step toward equality with the legalization of gay marriage. This was a day that came after decades of advocacy by individuals and organizations across the country, including Garden State Equality in my home State of New Jersey.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer as she is honored by Elizabeth's Promise Awards. Dr. Hugelmeyer is a distinguished educator and the Superintendent of Elizabeth Public Schools.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm that sensitive data for millions of Americans is at risk. Many of us have heard of the scams, data breaches, and hacks that have plagued businesses and individuals for years.”

“Mr. Speaker, last month, an air tourism helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City killing six people, including three young children. This tragedy is yet another example of the threat that nonessential helicopters pose to public safety, especially in the congested airspace over New Jersey and New York.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Buddy Baseball in Bayonne. Every year, more than 100 children and young adults with special needs gather for a season of Buddy Baseball, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed, play, and enjoy this incredible game.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the administration's immigration enforcement policies. For months the President and House Republicans have said that they are only targeting violent criminals.”

“Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, the Trump administration and House Republicans have set their sights on the Federal judiciary, calling for unprecedented changes to our courts, attacking the character of dedicated Federal judges, and attempting to undermine the separation of powers that has upheld our democracy for centuries.”

“Mr. Speaker, more than 700,000 New Jerseyans sent me here to be their voice in Congress and to address the challenges they face each and every day. Many of those constituents have sent me messages advocating for what is most important to them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Federal judiciary and the judges who work tirelessly to uphold and defend our democracy. The hypocrisy that we are seeing unfold among our colleagues across the aisle and in this administration is deeply concerning.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated member of our community, Ms. Kim Nesbitt Good. Together with her husband, Ted, Kim owns the Nesbitt Funeral Home in Elizabeth, New Jersey.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible life and legacy of Gary Greenberg, who passed away last week. Gary embodied the meaning of public service, community, and care for others.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my incredible colleague Glenn Ivey for convening us here today and for the opportunity to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with our Nation's Federal workers, including the more than 22,000 who live and work in the great State of New Jersey.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the talented students of Bayonne High School Model United Nations team who returned from Dubai this week where they represented our community and our great State at the Harvard Model United Nations conference.”