Frank Pallone

Frank Pallone, Jr., a Democrat has represented the Sixth Congressional District of New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1988 (the former 3rd district, map).

Iraq War
Pallone voted against 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

Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act
Pallone introduced the Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act to the House in February 2007. The act would undo reporting requirement roll-backs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented in a January 2007 rule change, which allows up to ten times more pollution before requiring detailed reporting. The Act returns the thresholds requiring polluting facilities to provide more complete information about their toxic releases to the earlier lower levels.

Clean Water Protection Act
The Clean Water Protection Act (HR 2169) was introduced in the 110th Congress by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) with principle co-sponsor Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and 60 other co-sponsors on May 4, 2007. It was referred that date to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and ultimately its Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Background
Frank Pallone, Jr. was born October 30, 1951 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Pallone attended Middlebury College, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and Rutgers School of Law. Prior to being elected to the House, Pallone was a member of the Long Branch city council from 1982 to 1988 and the New Jersey Senate (the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature) from 1983 to 1988.

Positions and Views
According to his Democratic House biography, "Pallone is recognized as a leader on such issues as expanding health care access and affordability, protecting the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, ensuring food safety, strengthening the federal Superfund program to clean up toxic waste sites, and strengthening the nation's clean water laws." 

Congressional career
Congressman Pallone served as Vice Chairman of the Native American Caucus during the 107th Congress and remains a caucus member. In this capacity, Congressman Pallone has worked on a bipartisan basis to protect the inherent sovereignty of tribal governments and promote the needs of Indian Country. As a senior member of the House Resources Committee - the committee with jurisdiction over all matters regarding the relations of the United States with American Indians and Alaska Natives - he has been a defender of the sovereign status of Indian Tribal governments.

In 2002, he was awarded India's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan for his contributions as member of the India Caucus in the Congress.

Early in 2005, Pallone announced his intentions to seek the US Senate position held by Jon Corzine. Corzine won the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey in June of 2005, and Pallone was the first NJ politician to officially seek Corzine's senate seat. Pallone launched "Pallone for New Jersey to inform New Jersey citizens of his work in the house and his desire to be New Jersey's next Senator. In January 2006, Pallone announced his endorsement of Robert Menendez for US Senate in the November 2006 Election, ending his bid for the US Senate.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Leigh Ann Bellew to face Pallone in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Pallone retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Natural **Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans

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

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation Wildlife and Oceans - Ranking Minority Member

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
 * Member, Native American Caucus
 * Founder, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans
 * Associate Member, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
 * Congressional Human Rights Caucus
 * Congressional Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus
 * Co-Chair, House Trails Caucus
 * Older Americans Caucus
 * Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
 * Democratic Homeland Security Task Force
 * Vice Chair, Communications, Democratic Policy Committee, 1996-present
 * Co-Chair of the Democratic Task Force on Health Care Reform
 * House Democratic Environmental Task Force
 * Co-Chair, House Democratic Health Care Task Force, 1996-present
 * Regional Representative, House Democratic Steering Committee, 1996-present

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Pallone's Response to the 2006 State of the Union
 * bioguide.congress.gov article on Frank Pallone
 * Biography from House Democrats Official Site
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Blue Jersey

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