NW Bergen News

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, representing New Jersey's 5th district in the U.S. Congress, has taken to social media to voice his legislative priorities amid rising energy costs. His comments target recent actions by the Trump Administration affecting energy assistance programs. Gottheimer, who has been in office since 2017, is advocating for legislative responses to ensure support for vulnerable populations.

On April 21, 2025, Gottheimer stated, "I won’t let the Trump Administration stick it to children and seniors, which is why I’m introducing legislation to ensure LIHEAP is fully staffed and equipped to deliver the assistance families rely on — especially as energy costs rise."

Gottheimer further addressed the issue on the same day, adding, "Third, I’m fighting back against the Trump Administration for slashing the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Jersey families who rely on the program to keep the heat on in the winter & the AC in the summer."

In another legislative initiative, Gottheimer announced, "My Know Your Rates Act will also require utility companies to directly notify customers if their energy usage rises above their monthly average — so they can adjust before it’s too late." This bill aims to empower consumers by providing better transparency regarding their energy consumption.

Josh Gottheimer, 48, was born in Livingston, New Jersey, and now resides in Wyckoff. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University, he replaced Scott Garrett in Congress in 2017.