WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) released the following statement marking two years since Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack on October 7^th, 2023: 

“Two years ago, nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 250 hostages taken during Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack on October 7th. I continue to mourn with the families and communities of those murdered and cannot imagine the excruciating pain of having a child, parent, or sibling held captive for all this time. I think of Edan Alexander from New Jersey and what he and his family endured for 584 days. Too many families will never be reunited, but I hope that we are closer than ever to a diplomatic agreement that can return hostages home, end the violence, and hopefully lead to the elusive durable peace that all deserve.” 

Congressman Van Drew released the following statement after Democrats forced a government shutdown.

“Let’s be clear: House Republicans did our job,” said Congressman Van Drew. “We passed a clean bill to responsibly keep the government open, protect our veterans and seniors, and give Congress time to finish full-year funding bills. Democrats refused. They demanded $1.5 trillion in partisan spending, cuts to rural hospitals, and taxpayer dollars for illegal immigrants. These are the very same people who used to say shutdowns were dangerous and hurt families, but here we are.

“I am not going to stand by and let our servicemembers and frontline workers get caught in the middle. That is why I have introduced bills to make sure the Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees keep getting paid, and also why I am cosponsoring legislation to protect pay for our troops and border patrol in the case of a shutdown. The men and women who serve this country should never have to worry about a paycheck because of Washington’s dysfunction. It is time for Democrats to do what is right and put the American people first.”