NJ, Biden got it done: Sandy aid clawbacks waived; offshore drilling banned

Every now and then, years of persistence and determination finally pay off. This past week, we saw two hard-won victories for New Jersey.

Superstorm Sandy aid clawbacks waived

First, the Biden administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development announced this week that it would waive federal clawbacks of disaster aid for hundreds of eligible New Jersey taxpayers impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Let me explain why this matters. 

After Sandy devastated New Jersey, thousands of homeowners turned to federal programs to rebuild - programs our neighbors were told were designed to help them recover. But years later, many of those same New Jerseyans, through no fault of their own, received bills demanding repayment of tens of thousands of dollars in aid they had already used to repair roofs, replace furniture, and rebuild homes. These outrageous bills have been a bureaucratic nightmare that has devastated real people.

I've spoken with homeowners who have been losing sleep over these unfair demands for years, including Patricia Weber whose house in Keyport flooded during Superstorm Sandy, forcing her and her family to move out and rent another place. With the encouragement of a disaster case management representative, she applied for additional relief that she then used to rebuild her home. Years later, Patricia received a letter stating that she was being ordered to pay over $30,000 back with no explanation. Patricia is one of hundreds of hardworking New Jerseyans who played by the rules and still got stuck with an unthinkable bill.

I've been fighting this injustice for a long time. In 2023, I successfully secured an indefinite pause on efforts to clawback Sandy recovery funds, giving survivors much-needed temporary relief. However, I kept pushing for a permanent fix. Since then, I have worked to halt these cruel clawbacks, pressing the HUD to act, and amplifying the voices of our neighbors who have been harmed. This week, HUD finally agreed to my request to waive these bills for low- and moderate-income households, as well as for those who faced foreclosure or lost loved ones. This long-overdue change means hundreds of families can finally breathe easier knowing they won't be forced to pay back money they do not have. 

This is important progress for New Jersey. But that is not all.

Biden's offshore oil drilling ban is a game changer for the Shore

Now for the second big win: President Biden's decision last week to permanently ban offshore oil and gas drilling along the East Coast. This is a game-changer for New Jersey's coastal communities and can't be undone by future Administrations. Fossil fuel development in our region has long been one of the biggest threats to our way of life. It risks catastrophic oil spills that could devastate our fishing and tourism industries, not to mention the marine ecosystems that make the Jersey Shore one of America's crown jewels.

This isn't just about protecting our beaches for summer vacations. It's about safeguarding the livelihoods of tens of thousands of New Jerseyans. Fishermen and charter boats in Belford and Atlantic Highlands rely on our clean waters for their catch. Small businesses from Seabright to Long Branch to Asbury Park depend on tourists coming back year after year to enjoy our shore. Offshore drilling puts all of that at risk.

For decades, I've worked to keep oil rigs out of our waters. I've introduced legislation like the COAST Anti-Drilling Act, passed amendments, rallied coastal communities, and pushed multiple Presidents to act. Thanks to Biden's leadership, we can finally say with confidence that our coasts are off-limits to drilling - for good.

These victories are about fairness and protecting the things that make New Jersey special. Whether it's ensuring Sandy survivors aren't unfairly punished, or safeguarding our coastal economy for the next generation, these wins matter for real people in tangible ways. 

These positive measures are also a reminder of what's at stake. The progress we made under Biden - on disaster relief, clean energy and climate action - was hard-won, and we cannot take it for granted. I've seen firsthand how quickly important gains can be rolled back when misguided officials prioritize polluters over people. That's why I'm committed to protecting what we've built and fighting to keep that progress in place.

For now, though, I hope you'll join me in celebrating these victories. They're proof that persistence pays off and that when we work together, we can make life better for New Jersey.