Congressman Cites 'Uncertainty' for Slow Job Growth

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance addresses banking reform, immigration at Warren town hall meeting.

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance burnished his reputation as a fiscal conservative in Congress during a town hall meeting in Warren Wednesday, with about 50 residents on hand. In response to questions from residents, Lance said he still opposes the Federal Reserve Bank's quantitative easing program, and said he believes the biggest impediment to economic growth is the malaise of uncertainty hanging over the nation. "Seven of 10 jobs that will be created in this country will be created by small business—and small business is waiting on the sidelines in so many ways because it does not know what is going to happen with regard to tax policy, and it does not know what's going to happen with the president's health care legislation," Lance said, in …

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Fiscal Restraint Top Priority, Congressman Lance Promises

Crowd of 50 shows up to interact with 7th District representative.

Too much spending, underfunding for mental health, and high suicide rates among war veterans were just some of the issues and concerns lobbed at Congressman Leonard Lance Monday night at a town hall meeting in Washington Township. Lance, representing the 7th Congressional District in New Jersey, spent just more than an hour speaking with a group of 50 residents from Washington Township, Mount Olive and Flemington, many of whom wanted answers on sequestration and social security. Some $3.6 trillion will be spent to keep the government paying its bills through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 31, Lance said, and nearly $1 trillion of that is borrowed. “These numbers boggle the mind and imagination,” the congressman said. “We’re borrowing …

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Karen Egert

9:02 am on Monday, May 6, 2013

M Tanner -- write a letter to your local paper asking about gun control. His office reads everything --- There is currently a bi-partisan bill in the House for background checks sponsored by NY Peter King and CA Mike Thompson that is IDENTICAL to the Manchin--Toomey bill. He needs to get on board !!   more ›

Lance Introducing Legislation on Mental Health

The legislation will increase mental health services.

Lance to Introduce Legislation on Mental Health Services

It is expected to provide more access to these services.

Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7, held a press conference Monday at the Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center in Bridgewater about legislation he will be introducing concerning mental health services. According to a release from Lance's office, the legislation is called the "Excellence in Mental Health Act," and is designed to strengthen the nation's mental health services. "Although many gun-control proposals remain contentious, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle agree that improving mental health care must be a part of any broader effort to reduce gun violence," Lance said, according to the release. "So today I join colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate in introducing the Excellence in Mental Health Act aimed at expanding …

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Steeplechase Celebrates Passage of Recalcitrant Cancer Law

The bill to develop better treatments was co-authored by Rep. Leonard Lance.

Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7, and members of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network joined together at the Steeplechase Cancer Center Wednesday to celebrate the passing of a new law to help develop better treatments and possible cures for the deadliest cancers. Lance was one of the main sponsors of the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, along with California Representative Anna Eshoo, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama Jan. 2. Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, said the bill received 295 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 59 in the Senate. "The law is aimed at developing better treatments and hopefully cures for recalcitrant cancers," Lance said. "It was these advocates [from …

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Somerset GOP Celebrates Wins, Leads

With some races still too close to call, county Republicans got together at the Somerville Elks Club.

Somerset County Republicans came together Tuesday night at the Somerville Elks Club to celebrate election day and the end of their campaigns. For some, like District 7 Congressman Leonard Lance (R), the vote margin by the end of the night was large enough for multiple reports to call the election in his favor. For others, like incumbent Freeholders Patrick Scaglione and Mark Caliguire, as well as District 16 Assemblywoman Donna Simon, their slim leads coupled with provisional and fax or email ballots still to be counted, the victories were still not stamped Tuesday evening. However, each candidate celebrated what they believed to be victories with each other at the Elks Club. "We need to work together in a bi-partisan manor to solve our …

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Lance Takes District 7 Again

Defeats Democratic challenger Upendra Chivukula.

Congressman Leonard Lance (R) has once again won the District 7 Congressional election, according to the Associated Press. Lance, who has been in office since 2009, defeated Democratic challenger Upendra Chivukula, with the report calling the election for the incumbent. Lance had held off a primary charge from David Larsen to appear on the ballot. The report called the race for Lance early, who had a large lead throughout Tuesday evening.

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Redrawn 7th District Favors GOP, Report Says

Numbers cited show redistricting has helped incumbent Leonard Lance.

As October winds down, political races across the state are heating as the Nov. 6 general election approaches. In the 7th Congressional District, incumbent Leonard Lance (R), who has been in office since 2009 and held off a primary charge from David Larsen, takes on Democratic challenger Upendra Chivukula. Redistricting has changed the landscape of the district, with many observers saying the change favors the GOP even more.  However, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has put the 7th District on its national list of 20 “emerging races," according to a report by New Jersey Spotlight. The report says Republicans are calling the move a political ploy, with Chivukula saying the new district is more liberal when it comes to the …

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Body Found, Sikh Temple Vigil, 4-H Fair Top Local News

A look at the week's top stories in Bridgewater.

A person was found dead in a car behind the Best Buy on Commons Way. Police are continuing to investigate the incident, but no foul play is suspected. After the tragic shooting at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, the Bridgewater temple on Washington Valley Road held a candlelight vigil and service to remember the victims. The Somerset County 4-H Fair began, and residents came from far and wide to see the animals, visit many vendors and take part in different activities with the local community. The NJDEP is purchasing two homes on Old York Road because of repetitive flooding, and they will be demolished through FEMA and maintained by the township. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7, spoke before members of the Bridgewater Senior Center, discussing social …

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Lance Talks Social Security, Oil Drilling

Rep. Leonard Lance speaks at the Bridgewater Senior Center.

With questions mostly focusing on Medicare and social security, Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7) spoke before members of the Bridgewater Senior Center Tuesday. Lance spoke about specific constituent concerns, including Medicare, social security and veteran health care, answering questions and focusing on the issues that he said he believes matter most to seniors citizens in the area. "Most important in Washington is the state of the American economy, which is not as strong as any of us would like," he said. "And unemployment is over 9 percent in New Jersey." But, Lance said, he understands those issues that are of particular importance to senior citizens themselves. "My father died at the age of 99, and he was fully possessed of his faculties, but…

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