William Pascrell

William J. Pascrell, Jr., a Democrat has represented the Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1991.

Iraq War
Pascrell voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Reauthorization of sewage grants
On March 7, 2007, the House passed H.R.569 - To amend the Clean Water Pollution Act to reauthorize sewage grants, sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), which would reauthorize federal grants to municipalities and states to control sanitary sewer overflows. At the time of the bill's passage, many U.S. communities had inadequate sewer systems in need of redesign. Billions of dollars in local and state funds had been spent across the U.S. on the problem, and the federal funding was expected to ease that burden somewhat.

On March 7, 2007, the bill passed the House in a vote of 367-58.

Support for gun control
Pascrell cosponsored H.R 1022 (Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2007) on March 13, 2007.

Bio
Pascrell was born January 25, 1937 in Paterson, New Jersey. He graduated from Fordham University. Pascrell was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1988. He was also elected as Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey's third largest city, in 1990.

Pascrell is Italian-American and has been outspoken about the representation of Italians-Americans in the media regarding what he sees as negative stereotypes in shows such as HBO's The Sopranos.

Congressional career
Pascrell gave up his seat as Mayor after he was elected to the House in 1996, defeating one-term Republican Bill Martini. He has been reelected four times, usually by a large margin.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Jose M. Sandoval to face Pascrell in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Pascrell retained his seat.

Money in politics
cid=N00000751&cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Trade
 * Subcommittee on Oversight

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness Science and Technology - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Investigations
 * Subcommittee Management Integration and Oversight
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Passaic County Democratic Chair, 1982-1990
 * Congressional Ad Hoc Committee for Irish Affairs
 * Co-Founder, Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
 * Congressional Friends of Animals
 * Democratic Homeland Security Task Force
 * Co-Chair, Democratic Livable Communities Task Force
 * Italian-American Leadership Council

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Board of Trustees, Passaic County Community College, 1975-1982.

Resources

 * Official website
 * Bill Pascrell's Colbert Report interview. (Other Colbert Report interviews with members of Congress)
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Blue Jersey