ISSUES

KEEPING OUR MILITARY STRONG

The Fort Dix, McGuire and Lakehurst Navy bases play a vital role in our local economy and in protecting our freedoms in America. Jim has fought to preserve our local bases and was instrumental in bringing brand new Boeing C-17s to McGuire in 2004, a year ahead of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) review. The final BRAC law, not only preserved Dix, McGuire and Lakehurst, but merged them into the nation's first "Mega base." He also saved the 1,500-member 108 th New Jersey National Guard originally slated to be shut down under BRAC 2005. Jim's efforts have expanded the role of our local bases and will bring a bright future of over 1,500 new jobs to the region, and 2,400 new homes for military families.

PRESERVING OUR BEACHES

Our beaches are a critical part of our economy and an important part of the character of our local communities. Jim has worked to secure millions of dollars for beach replenishment and reconstruction, and helped increase federal funding for beach testing. Jim is also sponsoring a bipartisan bill to protect our coastal waters from pollution. He helped pass laws to stop the dumping of medical waste off shore.

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

From the Pinelands to the Jersey Shore, Jim has been a leader in Congress in the fight to protect our environment. Jim sponsored legislation signed into law to improve and protect the National Wildlife Refuge System, and led the fight to pass the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1999 to aid in the rescue and research of stranded seals, turtles and other marine animals. Jim has worked to strengthen national air quality standards and to enhance pollution prevention regulations. He has also helped to preserve thousands of acres of open space and wildlife areas in the Pinelands and along the Jersey Coast.

IMPROVING OUR SCHOOLS

Ensuring that all of our children have access to a high quality education is critical to our nation's future. A former public school teacher himself, Jim supports providing tax incentives to teachers who work in our poorest and most high-risk schools, increasing the maximum Pell Grant award so that disadvantaged students can have access to higher education, and working to ensure that our teachers have the necessary tools to educate our children.

HEALTHCARE

Addressing America's healthcare crisis is a high priority for Jim. Americans need expanded access to affordable healthcare and prescription drugs. Jim supports reforming our medical liability system in an effort to halt skyrocketing insurance premiums, in addition to securing funding for our local community health centers, which provide vital healthcare to our uninsured and underinsured.

RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Jim has supported strengthening pension protections for retired workers and increasing IRA contribution limits, and has fought to repeal the unfair Social Security earnings limit. He believes Social Security reform is needed to ensure the system stays solvent for future generations. While Jim opposes any cuts in benefits, he thinks a bipartisan plan is needed to protect the system for future generations of seniors