President Donald J. Trump welcomed Angel Families to the White House for an emotional ceremony honoring American lives tragically taken by criminal illegal aliens who never should have been in our country. Paying solemn tribute to the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, President Trump signed a Proclamation designating February 22 as National Angel Family Day — a day of remembrance for victims and their grieving loved ones devastated by the consequences of open border policies.
With America’s border now the most secure in history, the Trump Administration remains unwavering in its commitment to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our communities, ensure accountability, and make sure not one more American family has to endure this pain.
Congressman Van Drew called for immediate action to pass legislation ensuring federal workers and service members are paid during any government shutdown, while calling for members of Congress to forgo their own pay.
“Using members of the Coast Guard at Training Center Cape May, TSA agents, FEMA personnel, and law enforcement officers as leverage in funding disputes is completely unacceptable,” said Congressman Van Drew. “These are the people who keep our country safe every day. They should not lose a paycheck because of disagreements over spending. Members of Congress should be the ones who are not receiving pay during a shutdown. We need to pass legislation now so federal workers are never again caught in the middle of funding fights.”
Please note that City offices will be closed today, Monday February 23rd due to the weather. Police, Fire and Public Works will be working and our Water Department will be on call for emergencies.
Council meeting will be on Zoom at 7pm, please check our website for updated information.
On National Angel Family Day, we remember and honor the thousands of American lives stolen from us by criminal illegal aliens and the deadly drugs they bring across our borders. We stand with the Angel Families, many of whom continue to be left without justice. And we recommit to carrying out the largest mass-deportation effort in our Nation’s history, getting the worst of the worst out of our country, and putting a stop to the violence targeting the brave men and women of law enforcement.
Every year, thousands of American citizens are victimized by dangerous and criminal illegal aliens, often sent here by their home countries to get them out of their prisons or off their own streets. After returning to office, I received a letter from a New York City police officer that filled the First Lady and me with tremendous sadness and anger. He wrote to the White House about one of the most unconscionable of these derelictions in recent memory — the murder of Laken Riley.
In 2022, a Venezuelan man named Jose Ibarra was caught crossing the Southern Border illegally and released into our country by the Biden Administration. A year later, this NYPD officer personally witnessed Ibarra endanger a child on the streets of New York and arrested him. The officer was shocked to learn that, shortly thereafter, New York City — a so-called “sanctuary” jurisdiction — released Ibarra back into the community before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could issue a detainer for his removal. Ibarra then fled to Georgia and, just a few months later, brutally murdered a beautiful young American named Laken Riley.
Advocates came out in force in Trenton today, testifying on a package of bills sponsored by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz that would strengthen protections for children online and increase accountability for social media platforms. Together, the bills would strengthen default privacy protections for minors, require clear warnings about potential mental health risks associated with prolonged social media use, and support research to guide future policy decisions.
Following the testimony, the Assembly Science, Technology and Innovation Committee advanced the New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), which would require online service providers to implement measures to protect minors’ online privacy. The committee also advanced legislation that would require mental health warning labels on certain social media platforms (A4013), and a measure that would establish a Social Media Research Center (A4014).
Prior to the committee hearing, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin joined Assemblywoman Katz and other lawmakers at a press conference to explain the need to take proactive steps to ensure that as technology continues to evolve, the safety and well-being of children remain a top priority.
“While these social media apps can offer meaningful opportunities to connect and learn, we know they can expose young people to the kinds of pressures that affect their well-being,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “New Jersey has always stepped forward when new challenges demand thoughtful leadership, and our being here today reflects a commitment to creating a healthier and safer environment for the next generation.”
“Social media can be a powerful way for young people to connect, but we cannot ignore the growing evidence that it can also expose children to serious risks,” said Assemblywoman Katz (D-Atlantic, Burlington). “As a mom, I believe we have a responsibility to put commonsense safeguards in place that protect kids’ mental health, give families better information, and ensure platforms are doing their part to create safer online spaces.”
“Technology is evolving quickly, and our policies need to keep pace to ensure innovation happens responsibly,” said Assemblyman Chris Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (D-Bergen). “This legislation takes thoughtful steps to protect young people online while promoting transparency and accountability from the platforms they use every day.”
Advocates applauded the legislation during the press conference.
“By passing critical social media protections including the New Jersey Kids Code, New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the way, hold Big Tech companies accountable, and stand up for our kids,” said parent advocate Erin Popolo, whose daughter Emily died by suicide in 2021 after intense cyberbullying on Snapchat and Instagram.
“Parents across New Jersey are fed up with social media companies knowingly exploiting our children’s attention and mental health for profit and are demanding that state lawmakers take action,” said Julie Scelfo, Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). “This package of legislation would take critical steps to shield minors from addictive design features, protect our children’s privacy and safety, warn families about social media’s mental health risks, and force Big Tech to make their products safe by design. MAMA is grateful to Assemblywoman Katz, her fellow lawmakers, and our partners across the state for championing these essential policies to keep our kids safe online, and we urge the Legislature to quickly pass them into law.”
“The landmark federal social media trial is making it crystal clear: Big Tech companies have known for years about the harms their platforms inflict on our kids but have chosen profit over safety at every turn. Today, New Jersey has the opportunity to act on that evidence. Governor Sherrill has shown real leadership by making kids’ online safety a priority from day one, and this legislative package delivers on that commitment with exactly the kind of bold, design-centered approach that holds companies accountable and puts kids’ safety first. We applaud Assemblywoman Katz and Governor Sherrill for championing these bills, and we urge the Legislature to move swiftly to pass them,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director, The Tech Oversight Project.
“I have seen classmates develop eating disorders due to the content they’ve seen on social media, and I’ve seen friends become obsessed with their follower counts and how they look on their profiles to the point where they were missing out on schoolwork and events,” saidHanzla Ahmad, 18, from West Windsor with Design It For Us. “New Jersey has stayed at the forefront of innovation and progress. I ask you today to continue this legacy and pass the New Jersey Kids Code.”
“I have an immense sense of pride being from New Jersey. The state embodies being at the forefront of responsible technology policy, as we’ve seen with the strong package of bills the Committee is considering here, and now New Jersey has the opportunity to continue this legacy as it assists in leading the country into a future where kids and teens are receiving much-needed protection by immediately enacting the New Jersey Kids Code Act,” saidSaahir Vazirani, 17, from South Amboy with Design It For Us.
“We are thrilled to see lawmakers stepping up again in New Jersey and around the country to introduce and push age-appropriate design legislation that holds Big Tech accountable for its design features and business model. We’ve backed this approach in states like California, Maryland, and Vermont, and are proud to do so here in New Jersey as well,” saidSebastian Mahal, Co-Chair of Design It For Us.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) would have to maintain a waiting list for people applying to the State’s child care assistance program (CCAP) under legislation advanced in committee today. The Assembly Aging and Human Services approved Bill A2247, sponsored by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight.
CCAP helps income eligible families afford care. When assistance is unavailable, parents – particularly single parents and those working hourly or nontraditional schedules – are often forced to reduce work hours, leave the workforce altogether, or rely on unstable informal care arrangements. Last summer, DHS announced that the program would stop accepting new applications due to funding shortfalls. The agency resumed accepting applications on a limited basis in December.
“Child care is a critical part of New Jersey’s infrastructure. It allows parents to work, supports healthy child development, and strengthens our economy,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson), Chair of the Aging and Human Services Committee. “Last year’s freezing of new CCAP applications underscored the fragility of New Jersey’s child care system. Establishing a waitlist is a critical step toward understanding the scope of need and providing data necessary to make informed decisions about the program at the state level.”
Currently, families whose applications for CCAP are not processed due to funding limitations may receive little clarity regarding their status, future eligibility, or when they might reasonably expect assistance to become available. This lack of transparency increases uncertainty for families and can discourage reapplication.
Under the bill, the Division of Family Development (the Division) within DHS would be required to maintain a list of presumptively eligible applicants who apply for assistance through the CCAP but are notified that their applications cannot be processed due to limited funding.
The legislation would also require the Division to designate contracted child care resource and referral agencies as access points to assist applicants in completing and submitting applications, as well as standardized self-attestation forms used to establish program eligibility. The Division would also be required to publish, at least semi-annually, a report containing aggregate data on eligible applicants who qualify for and apply to receive assistance through the State’s child care assistance program.
Assemblywoman Shama Haider also sponsored the legislation.
Today, Congressman Van Drew released a list highlighting some of the federal funding he has secured for South Jersey over the past year through the federal budget, competitive grants, and targeted infrastructure investments. In total, hundreds of millions of dollars are being brought back to New Jersey’s Second Congressional District.
“South Jersey will not be forgotten,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Our communities deserve their share, and I will keep fighting to make sure we get it. What we secured this past year is real money, for real projects, delivering real results, and we are not done yet. There are even more exciting funding announcements coming in the months ahead, and people across South Jersey are going to continue to see this funding take shape and transform their communities.”
Examples of Projects Funded and Receiving Funding:
$ Tens of Millions, Beach Replenishment: Commitment from the Army Corps of Engineers to fast-track funding for beach replenishment along the Jersey Shore.
$425,000,000, U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May: Provides funding for a new state-of-the-art indoor training center that consolidates seamanship training, firefighting training, physical fitness, classrooms, and graduation spaces into a single structure. Other major components include a new small-arms firing range, gallery cafeteria, and pier. The funding also provides for the total recapitalization of the barracks system.
$43,000,000, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Improvements: Provides funding for sustainment and infrastructure improvements at the Tech Center, including upgrades to electrical systems and resiliency projects.
$2,100,000, National Aviation Research and Technology Park (NARTP) Advanced Aviation Testing Corridor: Establishes a civilian/military drone testing corridor in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA to improve our ability to detect and manage drones in national airspace.
$10,508,000, Infrastructure Projects Across South Jersey: Provides funding for various projects, including Atlantic Avenue resurfacing and traffic light synchronization.
$37,800,000, Dredging and Erosion Mitigation: Provides funding for dredging and erosion mitigation across South Jersey, including dredging the Absecon Inlet, Cold Spring Inlet, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, and Maurice River, as well as building outfall pipes and mitigating erosion in Atlantic City.
$24,300,000, Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project: Provides funding to build a protective seawall in Cape May.
$3,000,000, Atlantic Cape Community College Capital Fund: Supports the creation of a dental hygiene school, expanding access to healthcare education and local career opportunities.
$8,298,000, Airports Across South Jersey: Provides funding to improve and expand the infrastructure at Atlantic City International Airport, Woodbine Airport, Millville Airport, Cape May Airport, and Ocean City Airport.
$13,300,000, Head Start Programs: Provides funding for Head Start early childhood education projects across the district.
$1,000,000 ($500,000 each), Maurice River and Salem River: Historic “New Start” funding to study increasing the depth of the Maurice River and Salem River.
$2,625,000, Corbin City K9 Training Facility: For the construction of a modern K9 law enforcement training facility in Corbin City.
$2,000,000, Salem Town Bank Pump Station: To support the design and construction of flood mitigation infrastructure in Salem City.
$500,000, HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers: Supports a national expansion of the South Jersey-based HERO Campaign’s designated-driver/traffic safety programming.
$1,000,000, Swedesboro Lead Pipe Abatement: Replaces lead pipes and improves drinking water safety in the Borough of Swedesboro in support of their objective to be “lead free”.
$500,000, Cape May Desalination Plant: Brings in the United States Army Corps of Engineers to support the construction of a water desalination plant which serves Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, Cape May City, Cape May Point, West Cape May, and part of Lower Township.
$600,000, Gandy’s Beach: Funds an Army Corps investigation to design shore protection features at Gandy’s Beach in Cumberland County, which suffered a disaster in early 2024.
$750,000, Long Beach Township Sewer Main Replacement: Funds replacement of aging sewer main infrastructure to reduce failures/overflows and improve service reliability.
$1,000,000, Aviation Maintenance Training Academy: Establishes an Aviation Maintenance Training Academy at the Atlantic City International Airport in conjunction with the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, the U.S. Air Force, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the National Aviation Research and Technology Park, and aviation businesses. This will create a pipeline for workers and former military personnel to gain skills and access job opportunities in lucrative private sector aircraft maintenance positions.
$1,624,000, Emergency Shelter Water Supply for the City of Vineland: Supports the design and construction of additional sewer and water capacity to support the FEMA-designated emergency shelter at St. Augustine’s in Richland.
Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a coalition of 21 other states and the District of Columbia asked a U.S. District Court today to enforce its December 2025 order prohibiting the Trump Administration from terminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which provides New Jersey communities with critical resources to fortify their infrastructure against natural disasters.
As today’s filing explains, the multistate coalition won a December 2025 order from the U.S. District Court barring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from terminating the BRIC program, but the Trump Administration has not yet signaled that it has any intention of complying with the court order, and FEMA regional offices appear to be delaying implementation of the court’s order.
The motion filed today seeks immediate action from the court to ensure that the Trump Administration does not continue to deprive states of the essential funding provided through the BRIC program. For 30 years, the BRIC program has provided communities with resources that have saved lives, reduced injury, protected property, and saved money that otherwise would been spent on post-disaster costs. Every dollar FEMA spends on mitigation—primarily through the BRIC program—saves an average of six dollars in post-disaster costs. In New Jersey alone, federally funded grants for disaster mitigation have saved New Jerseyans more than $10 billion in post-disaster costs.
“New Jersey is no stranger to natural disasters that have devastated our state. Instead of working with us to prepare for the next major natural disaster and reduce the massive costs these catastrophic storms impose, the Trump Administration is doing everything in its power—now even going so far as to ignore court orders—to keep New Jerseyans from accessing critical federal resources for disaster preparedness,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “The Trump Administration’s actions are as unconscionable as they are unlawful, and they will dramatically increase the costs that hard-working New Jerseyans will bear when the next natural disaster strikes. Make no mistake: We will do everything in our power to protect these critical programs from unlawful attacks out of Washington.”
“By funding innovative and proactive flooding resilience projects, the BRIC program is critical to reducing the cost of post-disaster relief,” said Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “We stand firmly with our partners from across the nation in fighting to ensure the continuation of this program. I commend Acting Attorney General Davenport and her team for helping us to protect lives and property while delivering on Governor Sherrill’s promise of efficiency and affordability for the people of New Jersey.”
As outlined in today’s motion, the states have seen no signs that the Trump Administration has reversed the unlawful termination of the BRIC program. Projects that are ready to move forward remain stalled, and FEMA has been unable to provide any information or guidance. States have been unable to obtain any grant information or to move their projects from planning phases to construction phases.
Some communications from FEMA regional offices appear to indicate that the agency may have unilaterally decided it can delay its implementation of the court’s order. In one instance, regional FEMA staff said they had no information to share because of “ongoing litigation.” In another instance, an acting director told a state “that the situation is ‘wait and see’” and that there was a “litigation hold.” Today’s filing argues that these examples demonstrate that FEMA is actively delaying compliance with the court’s order.
The December 2025 order issued by the District Court affirmed the states’ position that FEMA’s decision to abruptly terminate the BRIC program contravenes Congress’s decision to fund it, and that the Executive Branch has no lawful authority to unilaterally refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress. The order also concluded that FEMA’s actions violate the separation of powers, the Appropriations and Spending Clauses, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The states now ask the court to enforce the December 11 order by requiring the federal government to make pre-disaster mitigation funds available as required by statute, communicate the status and next steps for current BRIC projects to the states, communicate the reversal of the BRIC termination to all relevant stakeholders, and file status reports with the court outlining any actions taken or planned to comply with the order.
The BRIC program supports often difficult-to-fund projects, such as constructing evacuation shelters and flood walls, safeguarding utility grids against wildfires, protecting wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and fortifying bridges, roadways, and culverts. Over the past four years, FEMA has selected nearly 2,000 projects to receive roughly $4.5 billion in BRIC funding nationwide.
Joining Acting Attorney General Davenport in filing this motion are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Washington, and the governors of the Commonwealths of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz will hold a press conference to discuss her legislative package aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis by strengthening online protections for children. The package includes a bill to enact a New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), which would require online service providers to implement measures to protect minors’ online privacy; legislation that would require mental health warning labels on certain social media platforms (A4013); and a measure that would establish a social media research center (A4014). These bills will be heard in the Assembly Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee immediately following the press conference.
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Room L-109, New Jersey State House, 125 West State Street, Trenton, NJ
Invited Guests:
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin
Assemblyman Christopher Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz
Erin Popolo – Parent advocate, whose daughter Emily died by suicide in 2021 after intense cyberbullying on Snapchat and Instagram.
Julie Scelfo – Founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Laura Miranda-Browne – Co-founder of Roots To Results, a women-owned business in New Jersey, mother of three children, school board member, and member of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA).
Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Rosy Bagolie, Shanique Speight, and Carmen Morales would allow continuation of health benefits coverage for young adults with physical or intellectual disabilities who are chiefly dependent on a parent or guardian for support and maintenance. The bill, A2550, cleared the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee last week.
Under current New Jersey law, coverage may continue for a dependent adult child after age 26 while the parent remains with the same employer; however, if the parent changes employers, the new employer is not required to offer continued coverage for that dependent adult child over age 26. Bill A2550 would require health insurers and group health plans that provide dependent coverage to continue to make that coverage available.
“Turning 26 should not mean losing access to critical care for individuals who cannot live or work independently,” said Assemblywoman Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic). “This bill is about protecting residents. It would close a dangerous gap in our law and would give families the stability and peace-of-mind they deserve.”
Currently, many adults with disabilities rely on NJ FamilyCare, the State’s Medicaid program, for health coverage. Yet not all physicians and specialists who accept private insurance accept Medicaid, leaving many individuals without access to care.
Recent federal Medicaid funding reductions enacted under the federal 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act have placed additional financial strain on states, putting hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents at risk of losing coverage.
“Families with individuals with disabilities are already navigating complex medical and financial realities,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “With uncertainty surrounding federal Medicaid funding, we must ensure there is a reliable safety net in place so individuals with disabilities are not left without care.”
“This legislation is about protecting access to care and preserving dignity,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “New Jersey has long been committed to supporting residents with disabilities, and this bill would reinforce that commitment by ensuring coverage does not disappear because of a job change or shifting federal policies.”
