Politics in NJ is facing a real crossroads right now between elite control and power of people. The same leaders who gain political control through the county line on ballots are flexing to ram through a bill gutting OPRA and transparency. These problems are interconnected THREAD Of all the things to fast track...leaders are spending time and capital reducing transparency. We have affordability, environmental, infrastructure challenges. It's a real prioritization problem to have a politics more interested in preserving/expanding their own control. 2/10

The broken politics in New Jersey needs to end once and for all. Today I am filing suit and seeking an injunction to stop the corrupt county line system for this June 4 primary and to abolish it permanently going forward. 49 states use fair ballots; it’s time NJ does too. THREAD Right now NJ allows a handful of party elites to give their handpicked candidates preferential placement on the ballot. This is a deeply unfair advantage that disenfranchises voters by applying undue influence and suppressing choice of candidates.

Last week I was proud to be endorsed by College Democrats of NJ, but I found out the terrible backstory that shows how Jersey politics is broken. The college students were pressured and threatened to not endorse me. Good thing they recorded the call. Here’s what happened…THREAD Prior to the endorsement announcement, someone who works for the state Democratic Party told student leaders that endorsing me could affect their future job prospects and their org’s funding. The student leaders felt threatened and recorded the call. 2/9
nytimes.com/2024/01/14/nyr…

With today being Korean American Day I’m asked what it means to be Korean American. When I look at my boys wearing traditional Hanbok and besides the fact that they are unbelievably cute, it raises a lot of complex emotions that I’ve struggled with over my life…THREAD My parents moved here 50 yrs ago. They didn’t know anyone else in the entire western hemisphere of Earth. My sister and I were born here with no other relatives living within about 7000 miles of us. 2/16

After the photo of me cleaning the Capitol went viral, people kept saying to me the phrase “Look For The Helpers.” I grew up with Mister Rogers and felt comfort in those words. But now, 3 yrs after Jan 6, I have come to learn an entirely different lesson from this phrase… THREAD

This photo is 1st night I got home to my family after Jan 6. My 5 yr old asked me how I was doing and if something bad happened at work. My wife and I hadn’t told them anything yet but he must have heard something at school. So I turned to Mister Rogers: Look for the Helpers.2/11

I just heard about a NJ family grieving the loss of multiple family members in Gaza. I heard a woman at a vigil recount the pain of losing relatives in a kibbutz. Hamas’ attack set off a war and humanitarian crisis that will have decades-long ramifications. THREAD The human toll breaks my heart. As we wait for the President to address the nation tonight, we mourn every innocent life lost in Israel, Gaza and West Bank. Hamas must face the consequences of their brutality; murdering Israeli families and repressing Palestinians in Gaza. 2/18

SHARE INFO: I’m getting many calls from US citizens visiting Israel trying to get home. Here is what we know so far.

1.Any US citizen in need of help please fill this out:

2.This is best place I’ve found for flight info:

More…cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
flightradar24.com/airport/tlv/de… EL AL airline has most number of flights in and out of Tel Aviv

They set up crisis hotline — Phone: +972-3-9404040. or via Facebook, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp: +972-3-9771111

The more we learn about the attacks in Israel, the more we see the extent to the horror. It is vitally important to unequivocally condemn Hamas for this brutal violence that has taken the lives of over a hundred people with that number likely to rise much higher. THREAD I’m getting updates from people on the ground. People who were preparing to celebrate Simchat Torah but instead they are in hiding, uncertain whether their loved ones are safe or not. The scope of this tragedy is immense and we mourn for those lost. 2/6

I feel overwhelmed by emotion right now as I wake up after celebrating lunar new years with my family only to learn of this mass shooting in California where at least 10 were killed at lunar new year celebration. I woke to a flurry of calls/texts…THREAD. cnbc.com/amp/2023/01/22… AAPI communities around nation were planning festivities today and have been planning for months. They are now are waking up feeling shattered and scared. I’m getting frantic texts from people all over the nation. Common phrase I hear is “I don’t know how to process this” 2/5

On Jan6 anniversary as we gather in the House chamber to elect a speaker, let’s remember what Kevin McCarthy said during and immediately after the attack. I kept track:

“President bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters” (Jan 13) THREAD McCarthy (Jan 6): “The violence, destruction, and chaos we saw earlier was unacceptable undemocratic and unamerican. It was the saddest day I’ve ever had as serving as a member of this institution…We saw the worst of America this afternoon…” 2/14

The first time I got home after Jan 6, my then 5 yr old son hugged me and asked “Dada, are you ok?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Did something happen at your work?” I didn’t know what to say and never followed up.2yrs later I think I’m ready to talk to him. Here’s what I plan to say.THREAD I took him home that night and read Thomas the tank engine books, as if all was normal. I kept wondering how he found out. My wife didn’t say anything. I’m guessing his teacher/classmates. It hurt my heart to think of the terrible example our broken politics sets for our kids2/17

927 words. That’s the Respect for Marriage Act just signed into law. Inspiring how so few words can codify rights for so many people. 927 words that say love is love. 927 words that protect these rights from Justice Thomas and others who seek to pull us backwards. THREAD 927 words to preserve freedom to marry who we love. 7 yrs ago I remember when Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage a constitutional right. I worked at the White House and a number of us stepped out that night to watch the building in rainbow lights. That moment felt profound.2/5

It’s a humbling experience as the boat crosses Pearl Harbor and approaches the USS Arizona memorial honoring the resting place of many of those lost 81 yrs ago. I recently visited and on this anniversary wanted to share this beautiful memorial with you if you haven’t been.THREAD The white curve of the memorial stands out above the waves and prepares you for the solemn experience. Your mind begins to try and imagine what it was like that day. The planes above with armor piercing shells, the explosions as the Arizona began to sink.2/9

Something amazing occurred in Florida last night, but not what’s leading the news. While political leaders seek to divide us, #Artemis launch pulls us together in new era of discovery. Someone asked me if returning to moon can still inspire. Here’s what I wish I said back. THREAD I can understand their skepticism. In some ways we have become a generation accustomed to seeing it all. The bombardment of Hollywood CGI dulled our capacity to be shocked. And current societal divisions leave us often in a state of fatigue and malaise. 2/14

My wife and I have a tradition on ElectionDay where we just take the day and drive around just the two of us. We see so many beautiful places and fun stores in our district and meet wonderful people. Here are some of our adventures today.THREAD We started this tradition in 2018. We keep each other calm and relaxed on an otherwise stressful day. Driving around reminds us just how beautiful this slice of America is and helps us discover new places. Loved our breakfast in Lawrence. @wildflourNJ @thegingerdpeach 2/7

If you’ve ever been to the Hamilton train station, you’ve likely seen huge sculptures of dancers based on Renoir paintings. This week, I learned those are called “escapees” from Grounds for Sculpture (@gfsnj), the most incredible sculpture garden. Let me show you around. THREAD Seward Johnson, of Johnson and Johnson, got his start painting. After discovering his love of sculpture, he wanted to create a public park to share it. He bought what used to be the Hamilton Fair Grounds – that was perfect for a new project. 2/8

Little story for you as I just learned something amazing. Everyone knows Brooklyn Bridge, but few know that it was built by Roebling family from my district who had simple yet revolutionary invention that changed our nation from Golden Gate Bridge to 1st Wright Bros plane.THREAD I stopped at the museum in town of Roebling. They told me the story of how John Roebling was working the NY canals back in mid 1800s and saw boats pulled by hemp rope that kept breaking. It sparked a revolutionary idea - creating rope from wire. 2/8

I got a fortune cookie last night at a Chinese restaurant that told me to invest in stocks. I told the server the cookie was wrong because I’m a member of Congress that shouldn’t own and trade individual stocks because of conflict of interest/insider trading. Here’s why…THREAD There are a lot of reasons Americans have lost trust in government. They see members of Congress investing in stocks of corporations that have business in Congress. They see Members selling stocks before the pandemic or before legislation passes. 2/6 nytimes.com/interactive/20…

Sometimes you come across a town that leaves such an impression. That’s how I felt a few yrs ago when I first drove through Allentown NJ. Stopped in this week at The Moth cafe. There’s nothing like it. Nothing in this town is cookie cutter. Let me show you around. THREAD Allentown’s mayor, Mayor Fritts, Council President John Elder, and several community members met me at The Moth. I sensed the deep love each of them had for their community. They were fiercely protective of preserving what made this 1,800 person village what it is. 2/6

We passed it! To all of you who kept fighting for years to compel action on climate change and prescription drugs, thank you. This vote is because of you. I met with young advocates outside the Capitol. They said it felt good to get this done. I said remember this feeling.THREAD Remember this feeling of progress, especially when we face tough moments to come. And we will face tough times as we have before. Today marks 5 yrs since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, one of the dark days. Neo-nazis on our streets. Heather Heyer killed.2/9

Today I had a profound moment at the opening of Korean War Wall of Remembrance. The MC asked those who served in the war to stand. I saw a man a few seats away rise and a few more around. Here I was, a KoreanAmerican realizing I would not be here today were it not for them.THREAD These Americans around me saved the lives of my grandparents and gave my parents a future. My parents told me the first Americans they ever met were servicemembers. My parents loved America from a young age because of them and sparked their dream of one day going to America.2/7