WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) achieved a string of successes in Congress during the July work period, from increasing safety on our railroads and at train stations, to protecting students on college campuses and compensating victims of terrorism.

    “We delivered real results for families in New Jersey and across the nation in July,” Sen. Lautenberg said.  “From providing justice to victims of Libyan terror, to making our rail lines more secure and improving campus fire safety for students and their families, this work will have a real impact on our residents.”

    Among the accomplishments:

        •    Holding Libya Accountable for Its Terror: Both the Senate and House pass a bill sponsored by Lautenberg to create a fund for Libya to compensate U.S. victims of Libyan-sponsored terrorism.  This sets up a final settlement agreement for Libya to resolve all outstanding U.S. terrorism claims, including the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people — including 38 from New Jersey—and the 1986 Labelle discotheque bombing in Berlin, Germany.  Earlier this year, Senator Lautenberg wrote a law banning foreign aid to Libya until these victims are repaid.  Lautenberg also has a hold on the appointment of an ambassador to Libya.

        •    Protecting Our Railroads and Train Stations: The Senate passes legislation that Lautenberg wrote to make America’s railroads safer for train passengers and railroad employees, as well as people who drive across or live next to railroad tracks.  Lautenberg’s Railroad Safety Enhancement Act (S.1889), which reauthorizes rail safety programs for the first time since 1994, requires more rest time for train crews, new safety technology on trains and improved visibility for drivers and pedestrians near train crossings.

        •    Cleaning Up the Waste at Rail Stations: The Senate Appropriations Committee approves a Lautenberg provision which extends temporary state regulation of solid waste processing facilities that are located on rail lines.  On August 1, the Senate passes Lautenberg legislation to allow states to permanently regulate these facilities.  The legislation, based on Lautenberg’s Clean Railroads Act (S.719) is included Lautenberg’s Senate-passed rail safety bill (see above).

        •    Making Campus Fire Safety Information Public: The Senate passes a Lautenberg measure to provide students and families with crucial fire safety records of colleges and universities.  The Lautenberg bill (S. 354), was included in a larger higher education reauthorization bill (H.R. 4137), and would require campus fire safety information to be made public for the first time.  The House of Representatives had already passed their version of the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-08).

        •    Compensating our Service Members: Lautenberg introduces a bill with Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH-13) to compensate troops affected by “stop loss,” a policy that involuntarily extends military service beyond an enlistment contract.  The Stop Loss Compensation Act (S. 3060) would require the Pentagon to pay affected troops an additional $1,500 for each month their service is affected.

        •    Securing Funds for New Jersey: The Senate Appropriations Committee approves more than $527 million for transportation, urban development, water, military installation and farming projects in New Jersey.  The projects for New Jersey, which were supported by Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez, include $75 million for the Trans-Hudson Midtown Tunnel, more than $1 million for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, $76 million for Picatinny Arsenal and $10 million for flood control in Bound Brook.

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