Congressman cites millions he has secured for projects
NORTHFIELD — With the imminent loss of millions in federal funding that has supported New Jersey’s beach restoration since 1996, congressional candidate Terri Reese of Northfield called on U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R–2nd) to stop dodging responsibility and start delivering for the people of coastal communities.
“Beach replenishment is not a luxury; it’s essential infrastructure for our economy, our environment and our safety,” Reese said. “And Jeff Van Drew has let us down as he allowed this necessary funding slip through the cracks, putting this all back on our state.”
Reese said it will be the first time since 1996 — when Van Drew was still a Democrat — that the funding has not been allocated.
“New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District includes some of the most vulnerable and economically vital beach communities in the state — Ocean City, Wildwood, Cape May, Brigantine, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor and more. Yet Van Drew has responded with vague claims that funding will return in 2026, a political promise, not a federal commitment,” Reese said.
Van Drew said he expects the funding to be restored next year.
“I will always protect our Jersey shore. I’m fully aware of the situation, and frankly, it did not come as a surprise. I’ve been working closely with our towns, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the administration to ensure that beach replenishment projects along our coast are fully funded in FY26, and we fully expect that to happen,” he told the Star and Wave via email. “It’s important to clear up some misinformation: no federal funding has been lost or cancelled. In fact, this budget includes $16.5 million for resilience infrastructure on the Atlantic City beach, along with historic studies to increase the depth of the Maurice and Salem rivers, plus an additional $10 million dedicated to dredging activities.”
Reese said Van Drew already has voted against infrastructure investments that would have directly supported southern New Jersey’s shore towns. In 2021, he was the only New Jersey member of Congress to vote against the INVEST in America Act, which included earmarked projects for the region such as:
— $4 million for improvements to Ocean City’s stormwater and flood management systems
— $2 million for flood-prone roads in Woodbine
— $1 million for Cape May’s sanitary sewer infrastructure
“Van Drew had the chance to secure these investments, and he said no,” Reese said. “He voted against the very projects that would have made our coastline stronger and our communities safer.”
The congressman said his record speaks for itself.
“We’ve delivered record federal dollars for our shore communities in the past. Since 2022, I have personally secured $39 million in replenishment funds for Long Beach Island, $24 million for Avalon and Stone Harbor, $12.5 million for Brigantine, among many other projects,” Van Drew said. “Just this year, I secured $16.5 million for resilience infrastructure on the Atlantic City beach, including funds to implement my hot spot erosion mitigation legislation to make beach replenishment more sustainable. I expect this success to continue into FY26.”
Although Van Drew later voted for the broader Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that law did not include specific, district-targeted earmarks like those he rejected, Reese said.
“To clarify, the INVEST Act was a partisan, Green New Deal infrastructure bill that never came close to becoming law. However, the Infrastructure Law did pass and has brought over $800 million to New Jersey, including more than $100 million specifically for beaches,” Van Drew said. “That funding helped keep sand on our beaches for years. Although those funds have now been expended, we are actively working with the administration to find a new funding arrangement moving forward.”
Reese claims what she called a pattern of symbolic support without concrete follow-through is part of a larger trend.
“He flip-flopped on offshore drilling protections. He supported corporate subsidies while opposing the infrastructure our towns actually need. And now he’s shrugging as shoreline protection is left to chance,” Reese said.
Reese’s plan to protect the shore includes restoring and safeguarding federal funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA’s Pre-disaster Mitigation Program, which have long supported beach replenishment and dune defense.
She also plans to push to create a permanent Coastal Resilience Fund, ensuring New Jersey’s beach towns have reliable, year-over-year funding without political games.
Reese’s strategy emphasizes natural dune restoration, environmentally sound sand reuse programs and green infrastructure that protects the coastline while creating local jobs.
“Even if funding does return in 2026, as Van Drew claims, it may be too late to undo the damage from this year’s storms. Our towns can’t wait while the shoreline washes away,” Reese said. “That’s not leadership, it’s negligence.”
Van Drew said he always will support shore communities.
“No matter what, we always find a way to deliver for our coastal communities. I’m fully committed to ensuring our beach nourishment program continues and that our shoreline remains strong and protected,” he said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
