| Congressman Robert J. Menendez represents the place where he grew up and that he calls home, New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District. The District includes most of Hudson County, the East and North Wards of the City of Newark in Essex County, and the City of Elizabeth in Union County. He was first sworn in on January 3, 2023.
Raised in Union City as the grandson of Cuban immigrants and strong union members, Rob was born to a community leader and a public school educator who instilled in him at an early age the spirit and value of public service and giving back to his community.
Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, Rob served as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He was the first Latino from New Jersey to serve on the Board and the first millennial Port Authority Commissioner. Rob served as Chair of the Governance and Ethics Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee, which exercises oversight over the agency's multi-billion dollar budget. During his time as a Commissioner, the Port Authority - through the leadership of its dedicated staff and employees - completed several critical infrastructure projects, including some of the Port Authority's largest investments benefitting New Jersey commuters, most notably Newark Liberty International Airport's $2.7 billion state-of-the-art Terminal A, expansion of the PATH's capacity with its nine-car train project, planning for a new Midtown Bus Terminal, and record-setting activity at its ports.
An attorney, Rob previously worked at the national law firm of Lowenstein Sandler LLP. At Lowenstein, Rob served as outside counsel to a wide range of companies in the finance and technology spaces, often working with founders and executives of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. His work helped to enable their success and promoted growth in their communities. He also worked with The Lowenstein Sandler Center for the Public Interest to serve communities and clients in need of pro bono representation.
Rob is a strong proponent of increasing affordability, battling climate change, increasing the supply of affordable housing, making neighborhoods safer from senseless gun violence, and investing in mass transit and transportation infrastructure - all issues that impact residents of the Eighth Congressional District on a daily basis.
Rob currently sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. On the Committee, Rob is advocating for the Eighth Congressional District's infrastructure needs - including the Gateway Program - the nation's largest critical infrastructure project, and to improve transportation and infrastructure across the district. He also sits on the Committee on Homeland Security, where he is dedicated to ensuring the security of our nation from both domestic and foreign threats.
As the Freshman Representative of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, works on Committee assignments for Members of the House Democratic Caucus and with House Democratic leadership to determine policy priorities for the Caucus. He also serves as a Regional Whip for the House Democratic Caucus, a position that assists the Democratic Whip operation to track votes and legislation that will move the House Democrats' agenda forward.
In the 118th Congress, Rob has joined several caucuses, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where he is part of the largest CHC freshman class.
- House Pro-Choice Caucus
- LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus; Dads Caucus
- Armenian Caucus
- SALT Caucus
- Cybersecurity Caucus
- Homelessness Caucus
- Mental Health Caucus
- Quiet Skies Caucus
- Ports, Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security Caucus
- Labor Caucus
- 5G and Beyond Caucus
He is also a part of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. at Rutgers Law School. At Rutgers, Rob was President of the Student Bar Association, served as Notes and Comments Editor for Rutgers Race and the Law Review, received the Alumni Senior Prize, and was selected as a Governor's Executive Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.
Rob and his wife, Alex, reside in Jersey City with their two children - Olivia and Robert. |