Infrastructure, COVID Vaccine: Malinowski’s 2021 Plans | Bridgewater – Patch.com
NEW JERSEY — As the new year gets underway, Congressman Tom Malinowski, who represents the 7th District, outlined his plans for 2021 including fixing and modernizing roads, bridges, and airports in the district.
“It’s been a very interesting and eventful two years,” said Malinowski, who just completed his first term as congressman the 7th District, which includes Somerset, Union, Essex, Hunterdon, and Morris counties. He was first elected to Congress in 2019. “That may sound almost like an understatement. I feel like I have gotten a lot done for my district and country.”
Some of those accomplishments include securing $248 million in Capital Investment Grants (CIG) funding for the Portal North Bridge, which is a key component of the broader Gateway Project. The project is a planned expansion of the Northeast Corridor rail line between Newark and New York City.
Malinowski also advanced $157.4 million for the Raritan River Basin Flood Risk Management Project (Green Brook Sub Basin), which will be used to address the ongoing risk of severe storm-induced flooding in the area.
He added that through the CARES Act and other legislation, Malinowski helped deliver more than $1.7 billion in forgivable loans to more than 15,000 small businesses and non-profits in the 7th district, supporting more than 140,000 jobs.
Malinowski is now entering his second two-year term after defeating Tom Kean Jr. in the election. Looking forward, Malinowski said his big priority for 2021 is to work with the incoming Biden Administration to secure funding and approvals for the remainder of the Gateway Project, including for the Hudson River Tunnel.
“The best way to help our economy recover, the best way to give our economy a shot in the arm —as we are all getting the vaccination shot — is to invest in fixing and modernizing our country’s roads, bridges, and airports,” said Malinowski.
Other items Malinowski plans to work on in his new term include:
- Additional COVID-19 relief, especially for the state and local governments.
- Prioritizing the affordability and accessibility of healthcare for all Americans as we continue to navigate this public health crisis.
- Fighting for the full restoration of State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT).
- Continuing his work to hold large social media platforms accountable for their algorithmic amplification of harmful, radicalizing content that leads to offline violence by reintroducing the Protecting Americans from Dangerous Algorithms Act. As well as advocating for the resources law enforcement require to effectively combat the national rise in domestic terrorism.
- Working with the incoming Biden Administration to defend American democracy at home and rebuild the moral leadership abroad.
Malinowski also plans to get the vaccine and is encouraging residents to do the same.
“I believe everyone should certainly get the vaccine, this was done in record time but there were no shortcuts taken. It went through trials and I am confident this is safe and effective,” said Malinowski. “The widespread vaccination is the only way we can get our economy back and have our normal lives back. We need all of our friends and neighbors and coworkers to get it.”
Malinowski added that President Donald Trump and his family will also be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“This should not be a partisan issue,” said Malinowski. “We need to stop politicizing science and public health.”
On Jan. 13, Malinowski will host a virtual information session to provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccination distribution process in New Jersey. Malinowski will be joined by Dr. David Adinaro, NJ Department Of Health Deputy Commissioner for Public Health and Dr. Geralyn Prosswimmer, Chief Medical Officer at Hunterdon Healthcare Partners. The panel will answer questions from constituents related to vaccine distribution, eligibility, and safety.
RSVP for the virtual briefing here: https://ggle.io/3k43
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