U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10), who represents parts of Jersey City, sat down with the Hudson Chamber of Commerce at Saint Peter’s University this morning as part of their Employer Legislative Committee (ELC) series.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Hudson County Chamber of Commerce President Emory Edwards introduced her and noted she succeeded the late U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. in a special election last year. He noted she has been in Congress for 10 months after being serving as council president in Newark.
“It feels like it’s been 20 years,” McIver joked. “… Every day, you see this country is in distress. Everything is in a crisis, our constitution, our democracy,” she declared.
McIver noted several economic issues, such as housing affordability, can only be addressed by Congress.
“I’m there just trying to keep the little pennies we have now, It has been a struggle. Just a couple of weeks ago, Congress passed a big, ugly bill that I voted no on, which has a very, very hard impact that is going to hit this nation, especially New Jersey.”
McIver referred to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” backed by President Donald Trump (R), which will precipitate cuts in New Jersey for many days to come.
“It’s really a bunch of chaos each and every day, and it’s unfortunate … Congress isn’t delivering for people,” she said of the actions of the Republican-controlled House.
The freshman congresswoman continued that it was easier to connect people to essential services on the local level than it is to accomplish much of anything in Washington, D.C.
“The Hudson chamber solidly understands immigration is good for business. Where did you pick up the issue of immigration? How does it resonate with you?” Edwards asked.
“It’s about standing up regardless. This administration feels it can do whatever they want to do. The president has weaponized the DOJ [Department of Justice],” McIver declared, referring to being charged with interfering with federal agents at Delaney Hall in Newark.
She said the Republican-controlled Small Business Committee she sits on doesn’t want to help Democratic cities, which she called “cruel and wrong,” highlighting that over two million immigrants live in New Jersey.
“It looks like the army is here!” she asserted about the way U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is handling deportations. She said these tactics have led to a 40 percent decrease in revenue for businesses in the Ironbound section of the Brick City.
“In this new regime, you can’t do your job. You have oversight. Delaney Hall has been a complete mess since they opened up … Literally, they had a whole riot. People weren’t being fed properly … Four people ended up escaping there through a makeshift wall that was not secure,” she said of the conditions at the detention center.
McIver reiterated that the situation demanded oversight from Congress and that is what led to her being targeted by the Alina Habba-led U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.
“I’m being charged with three federal counts, two assaults, one impending, just for doing my job: It’s terrible, it’s awful, it’s hard to see this happen. But I don’t feel bad for standing up. It’s unfortunate. It puts me in a place where it’s a sad time for our country when congressional members show up to do their jobs and are charged,” she added.
“I don’t apologize for that. I’d do it again. That’s the type of political courage you have to have. I’m fine with fighting that. It’s a headache for sure. We have to stand up to this administration and fight back!” McIver declared to applause.
Edwards noted housing affordability is a significant issue in the county, along with the cost of property and payroll taxes.
“Many people here don’t see government as a true partner,” he noted, to which McIver agreed, noting that the Small Business Administration (SBA) office in New York may close.
She noted the need to incentivize developers to create affordable housing before Edwards expressed that energy rates in New Jersey have nearly doubled.
“How do business owners get a handle on that?” he asked.
“We really need to focus back on renewable energy,” McIver replied.
She also noted that AI data centers need a lot of costly energy, which drives up the price for consumers. McIver further stated that the Trump regime is cutting energy-saving programs and incentives.
Edwards noted transportation is a significant issue for commuters and businesses alike.
“PATH trains are having troubles. How do you see Congress helping?” he questioned.
“We are assisting with federal dollars,” McIver answered.
“PATH definitely has a lot of work that needs to be done. We are looking to meet with them,” she added.
“It’s killing economic activity, especially on the weekends,” Edwards added.
When questioned by a member of the audience, McIver lamented the lack of a national vision for the Democratic party.
“This party doesn’t tend to young people’s needs,” she exclaimed, admitting that significant divisions in the Democratic Party includes having much older congressional leadership.
“We need to get back to kitchen table issues,” McIver argued.
For example, she said that even in affluent suburbs in the 10th Congressional District, childcare affordability remains a significant hardship.
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McIver seems to have forgotten basic rules for propaganda. When you’re making a big public scene to fight for illegal migrants, don’t assault federal law enforcement for your performative art.
Without a shred of irony she offers, “The Hudson chamber solidly understands immigration is good for business.” No doubt, slave labor is always popular with the slaveowners. Less so for the New Jersey citizens impacted by the millions of them in the state costing billions in education, jobs and homes.
She’s not even lucid thinking Americans will stand for any more of this.
How many millions of dollars have been spent in Jersey City on painting Bike lanes over and around pot holed ridden streets and for what purpose and to cater to whom. Don’t know what the traffic engineers use for brains, but on many narrow streets they are a sincere danger to vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians alike.
City hall caters to the rich yuppies and the hand out crowds ( who have fled NYC and now want to make JC like NYC) at the expense of the hard working middle classes.
One day they will turn around and find the people paying the most taxes to the city have all gone. Just like LA, San fran, and NYC.