Last week, I went to Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, NJ, to see it for myself. I'll be honest, what I saw exceeded my expectations.

The facility was clean and well-run. There were doctors, nurses, and dentists on site, plenty of places to exercise, multiple libraries, and meals three times a day with accommodations for allergies, religious needs, and medical restrictions. What I saw was a very different picture from what some people had been saying.

The truth is, the people held there are in this country illegally, many with serious charges or convictions against them. But somehow the focus has been shifted away from public safety and onto attacking ICE. That needs to stop. We should be standing with law enforcement, and our priority must always be protecting American citizens.

Click here to read about my visit.

I recently met with Breeze Airways about their growing commitment to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). They are expanding routes, adding new destinations, and giving New Jersey travelers more affordable and convenient options. That is a big deal for our region. 

At the same time, we secured more than $8.7 million in federal funding to strengthen the airport's infrastructure and help support this growth. This is exactly how we make ACY better than ever.

Click here to read more about the meeting with Breeze Airways.

Click here to read more about the $8.7 million federal funding announcement.

In the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I offered four amendments to the BUILD America 250 Act: House Surface Transportation Reauthorization, and they all were approved by the committee. This is a major transportation bill that invests in America's roads, bridges, transit, rail, and highway safety programs. It is now headed to the full House for a vote. 

Here are the amendments I was proud to get included:

• Horse Transport Amendment- prohibits transporting horses in double-decker vehicles or for slaughter for human consumption and establishes penalties for violations.
• Bridge Protection Act- creates an interdisciplinary bridge safety team within the Department of Transportation to focus on vessel-collision risks and bridge safety. This would bring together agencies like the Federal Highway Administration, Coast Guard, and Army Corps so they can better identify vulnerabilities, share information, and help prevent future bridge disasters.
• Motorcoach Enplanement Pilot Program- Creates a two-year pilot program that allows passengers who clear security at one airport and travel by air carrier-provided motorcoach to another airport to be counted towards airport passenger boarding totals. This is especially for airports like Atlantic City International Airport, where passenger numbers directly affect eligibility for federal airport funding.
• Bus Parity- requires the Federal Highway Administration to publish a public online database of toll rates, terms, and conditions for certain toll facilities. This will help bus and motorcoach operators better understand costs, plan routes, and keep transportation more affordable.

These amendments are practical, commonsense steps that encourage humane treatment for animals and improve safety, transparency, and our infrastructure. I will keep working to make sure they get across the finish line.

Believe it or not, Governor Sherrill's policies are adding another $12 million of taxpayer dollars to New Jersey's deportation defense program, bringing the total to more than $20 million.

At the same time in New Jersey, school budgets are being cut, property taxes are going up, and utility bills have never been higher. And the state found another $12 million for this? All to protect illegal immigrants, many facing criminal charges, who should not be in our country in the first place.

It is truly unbelievable. New Jersey citizens should always come first.

Click here to read my full statement on this announcement.

Recently, I questioned the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center at a House Judiciary hearing about the allegations that millions of dollars were paid to individuals tied to hate groups, including neo-Nazi groups and the Ku Klux Klan. He refused to answer.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has built its reputation by asking Americans to donate their hard-earned dollars to help fight hate and extremism. According to the allegations, they became the very thing they vowed to fight. The American people deserve honesty and accountability from any organization that asks for their trust and their money.

Click here or the image below to watch my remarks.