Natural Resources Defense Council Endorses Congressman Payne for Reelection

Payne Receives Endorsement from NRDC, Building on Support from Environmental Movement

NEWARK, NJ – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) is announcing that he has been endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), building on his growing support within the environmental movement. The NRDC is citing Congressman Payne’s success securing funding for climate resilient infrastructure and consistent support of bold climate policy.

“Representative Payne has been a climate champion in Congress and a strong advocate for a clean energy future,” said Kevin S. Curtis, Executive Director of the NRDC Action Fund. “His work securing funding for climate resilient infrastructure and prioritizing green jobs in his district is important, and we look forward to continuing to work with Representative Payne to fight for climate justice in the years to come.”

Congressman Payne, who has already received the endorsement of the Sierra Club, another prominent environmental organization, has been a consistent supporter of bold climate policy. He co-wrote the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which includes billions of dollars for investment in green jobs and climate-resilient infrastructure. He has also been dedicated to addressing the problem of lead contamination in drinking water in his District, and wrote and passed the INVEST in America Act which prioritizes the allocation of lead removal funds to low-income cities, and the Test for Lead Act which requires that public schools test their drinking water for lead contamination.

“The NRDC has been an incredible leader in the fight to protect our natural resources and advocate for effective climate policy,” said Congressman Payne. “I’m so honored to receive their endorsement, and I will continue to be a champion for key environmental priorities in the House of Representatives. I will never stop fighting for safe drinking water for all and will always defend vital environmental protection laws like the Clean Air Act from Republican attacks.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund,  New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey Working Families Party, 32BJ SEIU, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Governor Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

About Congressman Payne:

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.