BEACHES

Congressman LoBiondo has been able to secure over $170 million for beach replenishment for the 2nd Congressional District beaches. He has fought the Clinton and Bush administrations at every turn to ensure South Jersey's coastal communities recevied the beach replenishment funding that they have desperately needed. It is also for this reason that the Congressman remains opposed to the drilling for oil and natural gas off New Jersey's coasts and was pleased that the House of Representatives approved my legislation to ensure the public is notified if a sewer overflow occurs on our beaches or in our waterways. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates about 900 billion gallons of untreated sewage enter our waterways each year, sickening nearly 3.5 million people annually. Under the legislation introduced by New Your Rep. Tim Bishop and Congressman LoBiondo, sewage plant operators would have to notify public health officials and the general public of overflows that endanger human health and report to the state or EPA on all overflows. This bipartisan legislation is a critical tool to ensure our beaches and waterways and those enjoy them are protected.

In addition to the cleanliness and safety of our beaches, visitors to the South Jersey Shore have come to expect a diversity of activities and events to entertain their families and fill their days. Eco-tourism is a growing industry in our region, already bringing in $500 million annually in Cape May County. Earlier this year, the public chose which of more that 60 of the state's beaches were the top beach destinations. After nearly 15,000 votes, Cape May County's own coastal community of Wildwood captured the top honor. In fact, seven of the top 10 beaches in the state were located in South Jersey.

DEFENSE

Congressman LoBiondo has consistently taken a personal interest in aiding constituent servicemembers who are deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He has always been a strong advocate for the 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic City. He has consistently worked to secure Military Construction funds (almost $30 million) and newer F-16s for the 177th Fighter Wing. He has supported fighter modernization to the future fighters such as the Joint Striker Fighter (F-35) and the F/A-22 Raptor, but has advocated for fiscal responsibility on these programs. He has remained vocal that we need to maintain our legacy tactical fighter force.

Congressman LoBiondo has focused on Guard and Reserve issues since he was first elected to Congress. He has remained active on issues affecting national Quality of Life and parity concerns for the Guard and Reserve components. He has supported military pay raises and improved benefits for our nation's servicemembers through cosponsoring legislation, votes, signing letters, and his service on the House Armed Services Committee. He also supported keeping the increase in Imminent Danger Pay(combat pay) and Family Separation for servicemembers stationsed in combat zones.

Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo was pleased by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine’s announcement on August 15, 2008 that he would be allowing the National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing to again resume training missions on Warren Grove Gunnery Range. The facility is the primary training range for the 177th Fighter Wing out of Egg Harbor Township. The decision by the Governor is not only the right decision for the National Guard, but for the defense of our nation. As I have repeatedly said, the Warren Grove facility is a critical component of the readiness of 177th Fighter Wing and other units who train there. The indefinite closure of the facility would continue to jeopardize the vital training our servicemen and women need to ensure success in their mission. I am pleased the Governor has finally reviewed and enacted the recommendations of the comprehensive safety plan, and made the decision to allow the 177th to use Warren Grove.

Congressman LoBiondo is happy to announce that the House passed H.R. 5856, the “Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act” by a vote of 384 to 23. Included in the bill is $8.4 million for the 177th Air National Guard Fighter Wing which operates out of the Atlantic City International Airport for the new construction of Phase I of a two phase Operations and Training Facility.   The new facility will house key wing administrative functions, including offices for the wing commander and staff; environmental manager; public affairs; wing safety; support group commander and staff; counseling and family support services. It will also be the location for the new dining facility, honor guard and fitness areas.

In 2007 Congressman LoBiondo secured $440,000 in FY08 Appropriations earmarks and grants for the development of an Aviation Research Park, to be located adjacent to the Tech Center. The Park would house contractors and academia working in cooperation with the Tech Center to research and develop new aviation safety and security technology. He also secured language in the FAA Reauthorization Act to establish a Center of Excellence in the Research and Development of a Next Generation Air Traffic Control System to be located at the Technical Center. The provision would enable the FAA to spend funds to partner with South Jersey industry and academia on research and development project.

ENERGY

Congressman LoBiondo strongly believes we need to develop a consensus plan that partners the federal government with state and local officials, private industry and all interested parties to formulate a real energy strategy. Our national goal must be energy independence, so that future generations do not experience what Americans are dealing with today. To reach that goal, we must cast a wide and diverse net.

First, Congressman LoBiondo believes we must increase fuel efficiency standards beyond their current mandates. In December, Congress passed the first increase in miles per gallon for automobiles in 30 years, but this won’t take full affect until 2020. He supported this bill but believe we can go further, faster. The simple fact is that if Congress had approved greater fuel efficiency standards to 40 miles per gallon in the 1990s, then we would be using half the gasoline we use today. U.S. automakers are already making more fuel efficient vehicles in Europe (average of 43 mpg) and Japan (nearly 50 mpg) – we must also push for those levels here at home.

Second, cleaner energies such as solar, wind and nuclear, which are sustainable and produce no greenhouse gas emissions should be part of the plan. Successful in several European countries, the current proposals to build a significant wind farm off the coasts of Atlantic and Cape May are encouraging steps in the right direction. Already, the five windmills in Atlantic County produce enough electricity to power 2,500 homes for a year or save 11,900 barrels of crude oil annually. These are clear, readily-available alternatives.

Third, he supports accelerating the development of biofuel ethanol made from wood-waste, grasses and other materials that do not divert food from domestic supplies should be part of the plan. The simple fact is that one acre of switch-grass yields 11,500 gallons of ethanol whereas one acre of corn yields 500 gallons per year. This is certainly a more viable and sensible alternative to traditional corn-based ethanol, which is expected to consume up to 35 percent of America’s corn crop this year. If we fail to diversify our ethanol production, we only further contribute to the rise in food prices that are straining South Jersey families and contributing to global food shortages. We must not shift our fuel crisis into a food crisis by merely using corn-based ethanol.

Fourth, we must encourage smarter use of existing options while developing more fuel efficient technology such as hydrogen-based vehicles. Common-sense ideas such as conservation, alternate modes of transportation and mass transit ensure a greater return for consumers. Furthermore, we must seek to provide consumers with additional tax breaks for purchasing hybrid and electric vehicles, which reduce not only gasoline consumption but greenhouse gas emissions.

And finally, as part of our energy independence plan, domestic oil and natural gas production should also be explored though not in environmentally-sensitive locations. Congressman LoBiondo remains opposed to drilling off of New Jersey’s coastline because he does not want to expose our beach-and-tourism-based economy – a $38 billion economy annually - to possible ruin. Rather, he believes we need to look toward the more than 68 million acres across the U.S. – both on land and off-shore - already leased for oil and natural gas exploration that have yet to be explored. At peak production, it is estimated that an additional 4.8 million barrels of oil could possibly be extracted from these leased areas each day.

We must fast-track a broad-based plan with laser-type focus that employs current technology while tapping the ingenuity of researchers and private industry. We need to act with urgency to combat this long-in-the-making crisis. And we need to act in an environmentally conscious manner. The United States has only 3 percent of the world’s oil reserves while it demands a staggering 25 percent of the global supply. This fact alone underscores that we cannot employ a singular approach or simply drill our way out of the energy crisis we now face. There must be a diverse and realistic approach to our nation’s energy policy and that consensus approach must be reached now.

ENVIRONMENT

Congressman LoBiondo spoke on the House floor on July 22, 2008 in support of S. 2766, which codifies an exemption for over 15 million recreational boat owners from being fined $32,000 daily for incidental discharges such as bilge water, rain water runoff and deck wash. A second bill (S. 3298), supported by LoBiondo, will provide fishing vessels and other small commercial boats a two year exemption from costly permits and potential lawsuits. During these two years, the EPA will study the issue of incidental discharges and their effect on the environment before being forced to implement regulations by a court.

In his statement on the House floor, LoBiondo argued that it would be unfair to provide exemptions for 15 million recreational vessels while refusing to extend the same exemption for approximately 30,000 commercial vessels that are of equal, or in many cases, smaller size.  He further pointed out that rain water runoff, bilge water, engine cooling water and other discharges are materially the same regardless of whether they are discharged from a recreational vessel, a fishing vessel or a small tour boat. LoBiondo will use the two year period authorized under S. 3298 to secure a permanent exemption for commercial vessels. Already approved by the Senate, S.2766 and S. 3298 will now be sent to the President for his signature.

FIRST RESPONDERS

Congressman LoBiondo is a member of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. Frank LoBiondo holds yearly workshops for local fire departments to provide assistance so that they can best prepare grant applications and be successful in attaining funding. Since the program began in 2001, the 2nd District has received nearly $12 million.

Congressman LoBiondo is a co-author of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act. In the Fiscal Year 2007 budget, the BVP received $29,616,000 in federal funding and in the Fiscal Year 2008 budget, the BVP received $25,850,000 in federal funding.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Congressman LoBiondo announced that the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations approved the Fiscal Year 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill which included $13 million to construct a new U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) boat station in Cape May, as well as $750,000 for Atlantic County to consolidate its emergency services. The $13 million included in the annual appropriations bill will enable the USCG to replace Boat Station Cape May with a new state of the art facility which will house staff and will include garage space to store and overhaul small boats and aids to navigation.

In 2007, Congressman LoBiondo was able to secure $4,859,966 in funding for NJ State Homeland Security Grant Program.

IMMIGRATION

Congressman LoBiondo would be the first to vote against an amnesty bill should it be presented to the House of Representatives. As he has always said, he firmly believes that any proposed solution must include an effective, fair temporary guest worker program that remains true to its name: those who come to the United States should only be here on a temporary basis and return home through a program that is truly enforceable.

VETERANS

Since his election to Congress, Congressman LoBiondo has made it his personal mission to improve health care for veterans in Southern New Jersey. In 2007, Frank LoBiondo supported the Veterans Administration budget for Fiscal Year 2008. This new legislation increases the VA's funding by $6.6 billion over the 2007 amount, the single largest increase in the 77 year history of the VA. The increased funding builds on previous increases to provide better service and health care for veterans. It includes $124 million to provide 1,800 new claims processors to help reduce the backlog in benefit claims and $480 million for medical and prosthetics research to improve the treatment and care for seriously wounded veterans. The legislation also includes $4.1 billion for the ongoing maintenance and renovation of VA facilities.

Congressman LoBiondo has consistently supported the push for full concurrent receipt of VA disability and military pay for our nation's military retirees as co-sponsor each Congress of H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act.