Press Releases

Republican Candidate Calls U.S. Economy "Basically Strong" Even As Jobless Rate Soars

325,000 People Lose Jobs Since Start Of 2008; Nearly 50,000 in May Alone

(Mount Laurel, NJ) – Democratic congressional candidate John Adler today slammed his Republican opponent in the Third District as a "Bush apologist" for continuing to insist that the U.S. economy is sound even as unemployment figures skyrocket and millions of Americans get hammered by the soaring costs of gasoline, groceries, and other consumer goods.

For Immediate Release: May 29th, 2008
Contact: Raiyan Syed (856) 366-7505

(Mount Laurel, NJ) – Vowing to reduce America's addiction to foreign oil and lower gas prices, John Adler, the Democratic congressional candidate in New Jersey's 3rd district was joined by the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Congressman Rahm Emanuel (IL-4) today to outline a bold, innovative energy plan that will invest in clean, alternative energy sources and strengthen America as a leader in the world economy.

"It's time to pass an independent and self sufficient energy plan that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, bring down the price of gas, and help create new jobs and businesses," said Adler. "New Jersey families cannot afford to wait any longer as the price of a gallon of gas skyrockets while oil company profits hit record highs. It's time we stopped giving oil companies billions of dollars in tax subsidies, and started investing in clean, alternative energy sources. Investing in clean energy like wind, solar, and bio-fuels will bolster the American economy, and help create thousands of new jobs and businesses." Adler also said he supports measures to prosecute oil companies for price gouging and additional measures to give the Justice Department authority to take action against OPEC state-controlled entities that collude to limit the supply, or fix the price of oil.

American families are spending 6.1% of their family income on gas prices, an all time high since 1985. Under the failed leadership of the Bush administration oil companies have profited nearly $600 billion, while the cost for a gallon of gas has exceeded $4 and barrel of oil $130. Big oil companies continue to receive billions in taxpayer subsidies each year.

"President Bush once famously acknowledged that America was addicted to oil. But over the last seven years, President Bush and the Republican Congress have refused to help end that addiction. When the Democratic Congress took decisive action to invest in alternative energy sources, President Bush and his Republican rubberstamps tried to block our progress every step of the way," said Chairman Emanuel. "President Bush and Congressional Republicans have made it clear that their priority is subsidizing the big oil companies with billions in taxpayer dollars instead of bringing down energy prices for New Jersey families. We need more leaders like John Adler in Congress who will put middle class families first, invest in America, and make us energy independent."

Adler said the federal government needs to stop providing billions of dollars in tax subsidies to big oil companies and supports efforts underway to give middle class families relief at the pump by:

• Prosecuting oil companies that practice price gouging
• Temporarily halting shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
• Enforcing the Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act that gives the Justice Department ability to investigate price gouging, and authority to take legal action against OPEC state-controlled entities that collude to limit the supply, or fix the price of oil
• Eliminating billions of dollars in tax subsidies to big oil companies

A proponent of green technology, Adler has a strong record of making alternative energy a priority for New Jersey, including sponsorship of bills to increase the use of renewable energy by providing tax incentives to home owners and small businesses that use solar technology. In Congress, Adler will fight for a long term independent and self sufficient clean energy plan to lower gas prices, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create new jobs and businesses:

ENERGY PLAN

• Invest in wind, solar, bio-diesel, geothermal, and other sources of renewable energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and fossil fuels.
• Renewable electricity standard—25 percent renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2025
• Provide tax incentives for energy efficient buildings and appliances.
• Provide incentives to people who use clean, alternative energy and companies that produce it.
• New mileage standards for all cars—40 miles per gallon
• Carbon Neutral federal offices: Half of the energy used by the federal government goes towards powering over 500,000 federal buildings around the country. The cost to taxpayers is over $5 billion dollars.

For Immediate Release: May 5th, 2008
Contact: Raiyan Syed (856) 366-7505

(Willingboro, NJ) – Democratic congressional candidate John Adler today announced the formation of the 'Veterans for Adler' advisory committee, saying he can think of no better way to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans than to fight for programs in Washington that benefit them. Standing with veterans and military families at the Veterans Memorial in Mill Creek Park, Adler said the committee will keep him informed on veterans' concerns and recommend legislation that would benefit our war heroes and their families.

"Our brave veterans have sacrificed their careers and their lives to protect the security and freedom of our nation," Adler said.

"We owe them more than the lip service they so often get out of Washington. They deserve no less than our full support for their financial, medical and many other needs here at home." Adler, a state senator from Cherry Hill, is seeking the 3rd District congressional seat that covers Burlington, Ocean and parts of Camden Counties.

"Like Congressman Saxton, I will continue to be a strong advocate for our veterans and their families by making sure they have access to affordable health care coverage, tuition assistance, adequate housing, home health care, disability funding and programs vital to the well being of our veteran population," Adler said.

"There will be no stronger advocate for veterans than John Adler in Congress," said Tom Farrell, Commander of a local VFW . "He cares deeply about our issues and feels passionately about honoring the sacrifices that our veterans have made. I know that John will fight to fully fund the VA and make sure that our needs are met."

Assemblyman Jack Conners, the Chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and recipient of the VFW's "Legislator of the Year" award, said he believes Adler will be an outstanding advocate for veterans because of his work on behalf of veterans in the state Senate.

"John Adler has been a champion for veterans' issues in the state Senate, and if elected to Congress he will continue to be a strong voice for our men and women in uniform," Conners said. "John understands the challenges that our vets face today and he has worked with leaders in the veterans' community to help tackle those issues."

Adler said that keeping military bases open and safe will be one of his legislative priorities as a congressman. "I will work on a bi-partisan basis to ensure that Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force base and Lakehurst Navy bases are kept safe and are successfully transformed into a mega base that generates jobs and opportunities for our region," Adler said. "Serving the interests of our service men and women will be at the top of my legislative agenda."

The 'Veterans for Adler' committee will advise the campaign, provide assistance on legislative matters, and keep the campaign informed on all issues concerning veterans programs.

Among the issues at the top of Adler's veterans agenda in Congress are:

• Fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget; and make sure that its passed on time. "We must fully fund the Veterans Health Care Administration in order to meet the growing challenges faced by our veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We must deal with a backlog of more than 890,000 claims for pension, compensation and education, as well as claims on appeal. We must also provide our veterans with the necessary health care for their physical and mental needs."

• A 21st Century GI Bill. "Our country must continue its long tradition of providing educational assistance and benefits to our veterans. At a time when our brave men and women in uniform are making so many sacrifices for our country, it is imperative that we update and expand the Montgomery GI Bill to increase benefits for National Guard and Reserve members."
• Transition Assistance Program (TAP). TAP plays an important role in helping veterans transition into civilian life. "I support measures to create a standardized, comprehensive TAP program under the supervision of the Department of Labor. We must ensure that our National Guard and Reserve members are given adequate time, information and TAP briefings."
• Homeless Veterans. "We must fully fund homeless veterans programs to help the estimated 200,000 homeless veterans find adequate housing.

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Steering committee members:

• Brigadier General Preston Taylor, Retired
• R. Louis Gallagher, Master Chief (SEAL) USN, Retired
• Rudy Gray, Chief Master Sgt., Retired
• Colonel G. Bruce Eveland, United States Army, Retired
• Rich Sexton, Lt. Commander, Navy, Retired
• K. Welsh, 1st Sgt. USMC, Retired
• Charlie Shakespeare, 1st Lt. Air Force, Retired
• Arthur Seltzer, WWII Veteran
• Bernard P. Epworth, Korean War Veteran
• William F. Mead, Vietnam combat veteran and former Sergeant United States Marine Corps
• Tom Farrell, Commander of a local VFW (personal endorsement)
• Frederick Hayes, Incoming Commander of a local VFW
• Robert Richter, Veteran of the Korean War Era
• Richard Locklear, Navy Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Cheryl Betten, Wife and mother NJ National Guard soldiers, also works with SupportOurTroopEffort.com
• Heather Altman, MA - Clinical therapist specializing in working with military families and veterans, also works with
  SupportOurTroopEffort.com

For Immediate Release: May 1st, 2008
Contact: Raiyan Syed (856) 222-9707

(Cherry Hill, NJ) - State Senator John Adler, the Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 3rd District released the following statement today on the fifth anniversary of President Bush's declaration that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" while standing under a banner that read "Mission Accomplished".

"Nearly five years ago, President Bush stood on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and declared that our mission in Iraq was accomplished. But since the President's declaration, the war in Iraq has claimed over 3,900 American lives and cost taxpayers nearly $12 billion a month."

"Now it is time for President Bush to put an end to our involvement in Iraq in a responsible and honorable way. The war in Iraq has distracted us from the greater goal of eradicating terrorism and safeguarding the lives of the American people. As a member of Congress, I will take our country in a new direction, reverse the costly mistakes of the Bush administration, and turn our focus to helping Americans economically and keeping them safe here at home."

For Immediate Release: April 19th, 2008
Contact: Raiyan Syed (856) 366-7505

(Toms River, NJ) – State Senator John Adler, the Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 3rd District today joined local residents and members of the Sierra Club for the 3rd Annual "Earth Day Clean Up" in Toms River. Senator Adler spoke about the importance of tackling the environmental challenges of the 21st century, including the preservation of our drinking water, streams and beaches, and the role local communities can play in protecting our most natural resources.

"I'm proud to be here today with members of the Sierra Club and others in the community who have made it their top priority to protect and preserve our environment. I believe that we must work together on a local, regional, and global level to tackle the challenges posed by global warming, and reduce our independence on foreign oil. We face a serious threat from global warming. We need to make every day Earth Day," said Adler.

"It is critical that we protect our streams, beaches, and waterways to ensure that our children will have the benefits of enjoying our most precious natural resources and the outdoors. That's why if I am elected to Congress, I will continue to work with communities locally, statewide, nationally, and globally to deal with the challenges of global warming, and make protecting our environment a top priority."