Menendez, NJ House Members, Palmer Hail Lautenberg's Progressive Record, Effectiveness in Senate
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and Reps. Frank Pallone, Donald Payne, Bill Pascrell, Steve Rothman, Rush Holt and Albio Sires joined together with Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer to highlight the contrasts between Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg's strong record of effectiveness and leadership on progressive issues and drew sharp contrasts with his primary opponent, Rep. Rob Andrews and Andrews's 18-year record of ineffectiveness and voting with Republicans.

"We know the people of New Jersey want a major change in direction from the Bush years.  New Jersey needs a proven, effective progressive Democrat who consistently stands up to the Bush Republicans.  That Senator is Frank Lautenberg.  I work with Frank every day and know he is exactly who working families in New Jersey need in the U.S. Senate," said Sen. Menendez.
 
"Frank Lautenberg has shown the guts to stand up to President Bush and the Republicans on issue after issue while Rob Andrews sides with Republicans too often.  The one thing that is clear is that only one candidate in this primary is a progressive Democrat who delivers for New Jersey families.  That Democrat is Senator Frank Lautenberg," said Rep. Pallone.

"Frank Lautenberg has been a strong and consistent leader against the Iraq war.  As soon as he got back into the Senate and saw the way that Bush misled us into the war, he spoke up.  That's why anti-war groups like the Council for a Livable World endorsed Senator Lautenberg over Rob Andrews," said Rep. Payne.

"Frank Lautenberg fights for the little guy and for those who need it -- not the big companies and corporations.  Last year, when Republicans in the Senate offered an amendment to take heath insurance away from over 3,000 New Jersey kids, Frank Lautenberg defeated them.  Senator Lautenberg is an effective, progressive fighter for New Jersey families.  We must keep him in the Senate," said Rep. Pascrell.

"Frank Lautenberg fights for New Jersey and he is incredibly effective. Rob Andrews, on the other hand, has few accomplishments to show for his 18 years in Congress. We need Sen. Lautenberg's strong and effective leadership," said Rep. Rothman.

"On fundamental civil rights, Frank Lautenberg is a true champion.  He was the first Senator to introduce a bill on racial profiling.  He is a leader on women's rights and the right to choose. On gay rights, he has been on the right side of history. For those who understand that the fight for civil rights is not a subject for the history books, but an ideal we struggle to achieve even today, Frank Lautenberg is someone we want on our side," said Rep. Holt.

"Frank Lautenberg is the son of immigrants.  He believes in hope and opportunity.  He lived the American Dream and I know he wants every new American to have a chance at that dream.  George Bush has made things worse for everyone, especially new Americans.  If we want a real change in direction, we need Frank Lautenberg in the Senate," said Rep. Sires.

"Frank Lautenberg is a champion for our cities in New Jersey.  His leadership in Congress is essential for New Jersey's communities.  He has brought critical funding to my city as well as other cities, townships and boroughs across the state.  When it comes to fighting for working families in New Jersey, Frank Lautenberg always leads the way," said Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, who also was on hand to discuss Sen. Lautenberg's progressive record in Congress.

Sen. Lautenberg has been endorsed by a litany of progressive groups in this campaign while Congressman Rob Andrews has few, if any progressive endorsements.  These endorsements, over just the last couple of weeks, include:
 
* The Sierra Club
* Planned Parenthood
* Democracy for America
* Garden State Equality
* The Human Rights Campaign
* NARAL
* The Humane Society
* Council for a Livable World (anti-war)
* League of Conservation Voters, and
* Unions totaling more than 135,000 New Jerseyans with more on the way nearly every day.

###