It is an honor and privilege to serve as a member of the 116th  Congress. Today I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution. That commitment will be my north star as I work to meet the needs of New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.

Our people need significant investments in bridges, tunnels and roads. Funds for the Portal Bridge have been held up by this Administration and Gateway Tunnel funding is long overdue. In this new Congress, we have a chance to make investment in infrastructure a national priority again. These projects are critical to the economic and national security of our country and we can no longer allow them to be used as political pawns by a spiteful president.

Our people need their SALT deduction back. New Jersey taxpayers already shoulder too much of the burden for other states. Punishing them to pay for corporate stock buy backs was a mockery of tax reform I will fight to correct.

Our people need healthcare. Protecting those with pre-existing conditions was one of the greatest health care reforms in our country’s history and must be protected at all costs. I pledge to the more than 300,000 residents in my district with pre-existing conditions that we are not going back.

Our people also want leaders who earn their respect again. I pledge to put patriotism over party, and commit to the hard work of real reform over cheap political wins, quick fixes, and empty promises. That sort of policy making is slower, more deliberate, but brings the kind of lasting, sustainable change our country needs.

Tom Malinowski is the Congressman serving the 7th District.