United States House of Representatives

Third Congressional District of New Jersey includes large sections of Burlington and Ocean counties and a small section of northern Camden County.   Notable towns include Mount Holly, Toms River, Moorestown, Mount Laurel and Cherry Hill. The most familiar landmarks within the Third District are Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force Base, Long Beach Island, about 400,000-plus acres of the 1.1 million-acre National Pinelands Reserve and Barnegat Bay.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS - Congressman Saxton has chosen committee assignments that have specifically served his diverse district:

Armed Services Committee - Mr. Saxton is currently the Chairman of the committee's Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, which oversees all U.S. military special forces such as Navy Seals, Army Green Berets, and Air Force and Marine Special Operations, as well as the Dept. of Defense's information technology program and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).   He has worked not only to improve Fort Dix and McGuire AFB, but to improve housing and infrastructure for all U.S. military personnel.   He is expected to become the third most senior congressman of 60 members of the committee.

Resources Committee - Congressman Saxton chaired the committee's Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee from 1994-2000.   He has used the post to promote the clean-up of estuaries like Barnegat and Delaware Bays, improve the nation's fisheries and fight run-off pollution.   He is currently Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee, and the third highest-ranking member on the full committee.

Joint Economic Committee - Congressman Saxton is the Chairman of this committee, comprised of members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.   He is the highest-ranking member from the House of Representatives.   The committee examines tax and economic policy. Mr. Saxton has directed the committee to promote expanded savings among U.S. workers, primarily through IRA and 401(k) reforms, and a more sensible tax policy.

Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee - Congressman Saxton has been closely involved with protecting the nation's fisheries and ocean resources. He has also been actively involved in promoting clean water and clean air, as well as conservation, wildlife habitat and marine life programs. The subcommittee is an extension of the House Resources Committee. The Congressman served as chairman from 1994-2000.

The Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee - Part of the House Armed Services Committee, Mr. Saxton was instrumental in creating the subcommittee, which oversees all Special Operation Forces, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and military information technology. In the War on Terrorism, the special operation forces- such as Navy SEALS and Army Rangers, have been at the forefront of much of the fighting. He has served as chairman from 2002-2006.

Key Saxton Legislation & Provisions Now Law:

Saving South Jersey Bases & Jobs:

•  2005 Base Realignment and Closure Law, which not only preserved Fort Dix, McGuire AFB and Lakehurst Navy Base, but merged them into a single "Joint Base" and added over 2,500 jobs and $150 million in new construction.

•  Military Construction Act of 2002 that brings $100 million in construction funds to South Jersey for projects completed just prior to BRAC 2005.

•  1995 BRAC Law to REVERSE Pentagon's decision to close Lakehurst, saving 3,000 jobs.

•  1993 BRAC Law to REVERSE decision to close McGuire AFB, expand base operations, modernize planes, saving 8,000 jobs.

• 1991 BRAC Law to REVERSE decision to close Fort Dix, transforming post to a Army Reserve training center serving all of the Northeast, saving 3,000 jobs.

Jim's Clean Water, Air & Wildlife Bills that Are Now Law:

•  Beach Act of 2000 to increase federal funding for beach testing.

•  Ocean Act of 2000, resulting in the creation of the first U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy in three decades.

•  The Wildlife Refuge Centennial Act of 2000 to expand, improve and protect the National Wildlife Refuge System.

•  Clean Air Act of 1990, which strengthened national air quality standards and enhanced pollution prevention regulations.

•  NY-NJ Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 to track medical waste dumped off New Jersey's shores.

•  1989 Amendment to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to prohibit burning wood at sea.

•  Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1999 to create a grant fund for the rescue of stranded marine mammals.

•  Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act of 2000 to help bring the once-threatened fish called "stripers" or "rock fish" back from the brink of extinction.

•  An amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act setting aside $50 million annually for a National Estuary Program; and

• Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act providing $10 million annually for East Coast fisheries.

Misc. Bills Now law:

• The IRA and Pension Reform Act of 2001 to increase annual contribution limit from $2,000 to $5,000, the first increase in 20 years.

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