South Jersey Scoop

Dear Friend,

Here you will find information about the work my team is doing in South Jersey to support you and the latest legislative updates from Washington, D.C. Serving you in Congress is one of my highest honors and is something I take very seriously. Feel free to forward this newsletter to family, friends, and colleagues and encourage them to sign-up for my weekly update.

Sincerely,

Jeff Van Drew
Member of Congress

Rep. Van Drew Celebrates Federal Takeover of the Atlantic City Housing Authority

For years, I have been calling for action to address the unacceptable conditions at Stanley Holmes Village, which is under the management of the Atlantic City Housing Authority (ACHA). Families were forced to live with broken heating systems, pests, and unsafe buildings while millions of dollars were wasted or mismanaged. I have walked through these housing units, spoken directly with residents, and seen the conditions with my own eyes. I made it clear to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to the administration that enough was enough. It was unacceptable, and I promised that I would not stop fighting until real change came.

That is why I am proud to share that after years of pressure, HUD has officially taken over the ACHA. This is truly a historic step. With HUD now in charge, we are finally on the path to accountability and real results. I will keep working with HUD every step of the way to make sure the people of Atlantic City get the safe and dignified housing they deserve.

Click here to read my full statement announcing the takeover.

Rep. Van Drew Demands Action for Rising Utility Bills

For months, I have been hearing from so many families across South Jersey about their skyrocketing utility bills. Some households have seen their bills double, and in some cases, even triple from what they are used to. I recently joined Cheryl Casone on Fox Business to discuss the root causes of the ongoing crisis.

The truth is, New Jersey's energy policy has been poor for years. Groups like PJM Interconnection have been warning that this would happen if we continued to ignore the increasing demand caused by things like AI data centers, while at the same time forcing the early retirement of reliable energy sources like nuclear power plants. Instead of listening, state leaders poured billions into offshore wind projects that were never viable, leaving families with higher bills and no relief in sight.

On top of that, families are being forced to pay outrageous delivery fees every single month. I have been calling on Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to immediately eliminate these fees, which are draining wallets and making an already dire situation even worse.

At the federal level, I am pushing for legislation to protect consumers and make sure something like this can never happen again. I have also asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to investigate potential wrongdoing in billing practices and request rebates for families who were unfairly overcharged. Our families deserve affordable and dependable energy. I will keep fighting until South Jersey gets the relief it deserves.

Click here to read my most recent statement on the issue.

Click here or the image below to watch the full interview.

Rep. Van Drew Celebrates National Night Out

Earlier this month, I joined communities across South Jersey for National Night Out. It is always one of my favorite events of the summer, giving neighbors the chance to spend time with the men and women who protect them every single day.

National Night Out is a great reminder that safe communities are built on strong relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve. Our officers put their lives on the line day in and day out, and they deserve to know that we have their backs.

In Congress, I will always stand with our law enforcement and make sure they have the tools and support they need to do their jobs.

Rep. Van Drew Honors Penny H. Sager-Ross for Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award

Recently, I had the privilege of recognizing Penny H. Sager-Ross, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the CEO Group in Vineland.

Penny is a devoted philanthropist and the founder of the Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund, which she established in 1978 in loving memory of her daughter, Debbie, who tragically passed away at the age of 12. For nearly five decades, Penny has poured her heart into advancing neonatal and pediatric healthcare across South Jersey, working tirelessly to ensure that no other family must endure the same tragedy. Through her efforts, she has helped raise over one million dollars to fund life-saving medical services for infants and children.

Congratulations to Penny for this remarkable achievement, and thank you for your continued service to our children, our families, and our community.

Click here or the image below to watch my full remarks.

Rep. Van Drew Meets with Constituents Across South Jersey

One of the greatest privileges of my job is meeting with constituents across our district—every student, veteran, business owner, and family member reminds me why this work matters.

Over the past month, I have had the chance to connect with so many of you to celebrate your accomplishments and listen to what matters most to you. It is your ideas and your concerns that drive every decision I make in Congress. I will continue to fight every day to make sure your voices are heard.