State of New Jersey Archives: on Homeland Security


Phil Murphy: Focus Veterans agency on mental health & employment support

DMAVA should be divided into two separate agencies--one with responsibility for the National Guard and another responsible for veterans. At a minimum, the new Department of Veterans Affairs should consist of the following divisions:
Source: 2017 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, Murphy4NJ.com Jun 6, 2017

Steve Fulop: Signed up for Marine Corps after Sept. 11

Steven attended Binghamton University, spent time studying at Oxford University in England, and graduated in 1999. After starting a career at Goldman Sachs in Chicago, he transferred back to New Jersey and bought a home in Jersey City.

When he witnessed the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, Steve made the life-altering decision to leave his job at Goldman Sachs and enlist in the United States Marine Corps. As a member of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, he was deployed to Iraq. Steven and his unit were awarded the Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Masts, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Steve came home a profoundly changed person to a profoundly changed nation, but his need to serve remained. He focused it on his own community, where he became president of both the Historic Paulus Hook Association and the Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations.

Source: 2017 N.J. Gubernatorial website, SteveFulopForGovernor.com Mar 1, 2016

Steve Fulop: End veteran homelessness

Every night in New Jersey, roughly 3,000 veterans go to sleep on the streets or in a shelter, including about 45 homeless veterans in Hudson County. During the week of Veterans Day, we announced the construction of nearly 30 homes that will be dedicated for homeless vets and their families. [Our supporters were] early signers of First Lady Michele Obama's pledge to "End Veteran Homelessness." They believe that what they were taught in the Marines should apply everywhere: We leave no one behind.
Source: 2016-17 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, StevenFulop.com Nov 1, 2015

Tom MacArthur: Opposes Obama's deep cuts to military spending

Tom strongly opposes the deep cuts to military spending favored by President Obama that will put the future of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) at risk of closure. Tom recognizes that JBMDL is critical to our national security, while also supporting more than 40,000 jobs and pumping $7 billion into the regional economy. Tom [will] secure the future military mission and economic vitality of JBMDL and the surrounding communities.
Source: 2014 N.J. House campaign website, TMac4congress.com Nov 4, 2014

Tom MacArthur: NSA should not be spying on American citizens

Tom is appalled by the Obama Administration's selective targeting of conservative groups through the IRS, and the shameful deception and mismanagement under the failed leadership President Obama's IRS appointee Lois Lerner. In regard to the NSA, Tom believes the role of the NSA should be protecting our homeland and citizens from terrorists and criminals, not spying on American citizens who have no role whatsoever in illegal activities.
Source: 2014 N.J. House campaign website, TMac4congress.com Nov 4, 2014

Jeff Bell: Expand the military

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Expand the military"?

A: Strongly support.

Source: Email interview for 2014 N.J. Senate race with OnTheIssues Jul 1, 2014

Murray Sabrin: Defend against massive surveillance of emails & phone calls

I will unequivocally and passionately defend America's Bill of Rights while Cory Booker defends the massive surveillance of our emails and phone calls begun under President George W. Bush and expanded by President Barack Obama.
Source: Sabrin Op-Ed in PolitickerNJ: on 2014 N.J. Senate race Feb 23, 2014

Steve Lonegan: No NSA wiretapping; stop gathering data on Americans

The pair [of GOP candidates] agreed on drawing the line against NSA wiretapping. "We don't have to gather data on every single American," Lonegan said. "NSA can go into our email. They're gathering data on each of us under the claim of protecting us against terrorism. That's unbelievable. Government--as Patrick Henry said--is at best a necessary evil."
Source: State Street Wire on 2013 N.J. Senate debate Jul 31, 2013

Chris Christie: Fund Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program

Reinforcing his commitment to New Jersey's veterans, National Guard members and their families, Governor Chris Christie today signed legislation that creates and enhances assistance tools that provide financial support and peer counseling services throug the NJ National Guard State Family Readiness Council Fund and the Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program telephone helpline.

"I'm pleased to sign S-1731, establishing the telephone helpline," said Governor Christie. "Serving in a combat zone puts overwhelming stress on the mind and body that the average New Jerseyan will never know. So, this program is a critical component of the healing process in the long-term mental health of our service members."

Funds donated by the public will be collecte through the state Division of Taxation and then distributed to the New Jersey National Guard Family Readiness Council, a non-profit organization. Through S-1731, an annual appropriation will be designated for the Veteran to Veteran telephone helpline.

Source: Press release, "Assist N.J.'s Military Veterans" Aug 19, 2011

Robert Menendez: Combat terrorism within court oversight to protect rights

Q: Do you support more government surveillance of bank accounts, telephone records, and other personal data to combat terrorism?

KEAN: Yes, I support the use of surveillance techniques to win the war on terror while protecting civil liberties and staying within the law.

MENENDEZ: We must do all we can to combat terrorism, but we must also enforce the current system of court oversight to protect individuals’ privacy rights.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean) Sep 24, 2006

Robert Menendez: Punish terrorists within Geneva Convention

Q: Do you believe the standards for treating prisoners of war as delineated in the Geneva Code should be changed to allow for stronger interrogation procedures?

KEAN: I supported the Senate compromise legislation. It was tailored to respect the Geneva Convention, while providing the flexibility to prosecute the war against terrorism.

MENENDEZ: We must protect innocent people from terrorists, punish those who attack Americans, and do both in a humane manner consistent with the Geneva Convention.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean) Sep 24, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Surveillance of personal data ok to win War on Terror

Q: Do you support more government surveillance of bank accounts, telephone records, and other personal data to combat terrorism?

KEAN: Yes, I support the use of surveillance techniques to win the war on terror while protecting civil liberties and staying within the law.

MENENDEZ: We must do all we can to combat terrorism, but we must also enforce the current system of court oversight to protect individuals’ privacy rights.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 24, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Respect Geneva Conv. but be flexible in prosecuting terror

Q: Do you believe the standards for treating prisoners of war as delineated in the Geneva Code should be changed to allow for stronger interrogation procedures?

KEAN: I supported the Senate compromise legislation. It was tailored to respect the Geneva Convention, while providing the flexibility to prosecute the war against terrorism.

MENENDEZ: We must protect innocent people from terrorists, punish those who attack Americans, and do both in a humane manner consistent with the Geneva Convention.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 24, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Deploy missile defense system against North Korean threat

Q: How should the US respond to the potential threat from North Korea?

KEAN: While the best means of engaging Kim Jung Il is an aggressive diplomatic effort with international partners, the reality of North Korea acquiring the capability to launch a nuclear missile strike against the United States justifies the deployment of a high-tech missile defense system. North Korea can never be permitted to threaten the United States the way it threatens other nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 2, 2006

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2020 Presidential contenders on Homeland Security:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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