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Benjamin Hulac

@bhulac.bsky.social
328 followers 123 following 223 posts

reporter roaming the halls of Congress for NJ Spotlight News Westerner, Shoupista, defender of democracy contact: hulacb(at)njspotlightnews(dot)org OR Signal @bhulac.17

PostsRepliesMedia
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
My friend @samjmintz.bsky.social has done yeoman's work in local journalism with Brookline.News. A model to follow!
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
NEW: There's a plan to protect the water supply in Passaic County, New Jersey. Can you wait until 2054? www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/nj-w... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
NJ water customers may have 28-year wait for safety upgrades | NJ Spotlight News
Court proposal would shield Passaic Valley commission from liability if any customers get sick from supplies stored in open reservoirs
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Reposted by Benjamin Hulac
ANJEC @anjec.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The Passaic Valley Water Commission provides water to about 800k people has 3 open-air reservoirs in violation of a federal safety regulation. A proposal in NJ federal court would shield it from any liability if customers get sick from tainted water. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/nj-w...
njspotlightnews.org
NJ water customers may have 28-year wait for safety upgrades | NJ Spotlight News
Court proposal would shield Passaic Valley commission from liability if any customers get sick from supplies stored in open reservoirs
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
NEWS: Scientists have worried for decades the North Atlantic right whale could go extinct. Congress just voted to pass an "extinction bill" for the species, as one advocate put it. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/hous... @newenglandaquarium.bsky.social @oceana.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
House votes to delay North Atlantic right whale protections | NJ Spotlight News
Fewer than 400 of the animals are believed to exist, and researchers say entanglements with fishing gear may wipe them out
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Reposted by Benjamin Hulac
Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
NEWS: Federal auditors found a New Jersey electric utility committed a series of financial errors, including "overbilling" of transmission customers. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/powe... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Electric utility overbilled customers, erred on tax law, audit finds | NJ Spotlight News
Refunds potentially due after five years of Atlantic City Electric Co. documents show areas of noncompliance while rates soared
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
NEWS: Federal auditors found a New Jersey electric utility committed a series of financial errors, including "overbilling" of transmission customers. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/powe... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Electric utility overbilled customers, erred on tax law, audit finds | NJ Spotlight News
Refunds potentially due after five years of Atlantic City Electric Co. documents show areas of noncompliance while rates soared
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Thank you, John!
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
NEW: Regulators are considering what is likely the biggest railroad merger in U.S. history. If it goes through, it could really mess up passenger rail service in New Jersey. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/08/nj-t... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #NYC #rail
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Transit warns: Commuters at risk in proposed freight rail merger | NJ Spotlight News
Two of the nation's biggest haulers, working together, would run more trains and disrupt passenger lines, critics say
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
NEW: Two top federal lawyer probing New Jersey's voter registration errors have ties to election conspiracy theorists. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/07/trum...
njspotlightnews.org
Trump attorneys in NJ voting probe hold ties to election deniers | NJ Spotlight News
One lawyer on the team defended president, staffers after Jan. 6 attack, while another represented a prominent Biden foe
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
NEWS: The Department of Justice is investigating New Jersey over an elections voter glitch. “This is a real oversight issue," said a New Jersey Republican. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/07/fede... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ
njspotlightnews.org
Federal investigators launch probe in NJ voter registration errors | NJ Spotlight News
House members say they plan hearings into system that allowed thousands of noncitizens to register, even if they opted out
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Reposted by Benjamin Hulac
NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 23/07/2026
The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the voting system problem that registered more than 6,000 noncitizens to vote in New Jersey, according to Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd).
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FinTwitter @fintwitter.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
U.S. FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY HITS 7-YEAR HIGH U.S. HOUSING STRESS BUILDS AS FORECLOSURES SURGE
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
NEW: A bipartisan housing bill was about to become federal law. Then Donald Trump got involved. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/bipa... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #housing🏡🏠
njspotlightnews.org
Bipartisan housing effort in limbo after Trump sinks popular bill | NJ Spotlight News
President insists that Congress must give him voter-restriction legislation that Senate and House are unlikely to pass
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
NEWS: Congress scrapped all earmarks last year, a move that cost New Jersey more than $200 million. Now, earmarks are back, and New Jersey is poised to reap the benefits. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/afte... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #Congress
njspotlightnews.org
After a year without, more than $250 million in earmarks for NJ | NJ Spotlight News
From military aircraft control tower design to 'not real sexy' recycling bins for Camden, lawmakers in Congress hail federal funding
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The Trump administration bought a Morris County warehouse for $130 million dollars -- double the market value. They wanted to make it an ICE detention center. Now, they are backpedalling... www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/trum... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJ
njspotlightnews.org
Trump administration looks to back off Roxbury detention center | NJ Spotlight News
ICE warehouse planned for Morris County among several to be sold or transferred, report says
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
NEWS: New Jersey's missing congressman may soon be missing no more. BUT...we still have no idea why Tom Kean Jr. has been out for more than 3 months. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/kean... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Kean returning to Congress on June 30 after treatment for illnessNJ Spotlight News
Republican congressman from New Jersey's 7th District, running for reelection, will talk about nature of his absence, spokesman says
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
The ICE site in Roxbury, New Jersey, is on this list, according to the NYT. The U.S. government -- in other words, the public -- paid nearly double the market rate for that site in Morris County. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/prev... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJ
njspotlightnews.org
‘Prevent public contact’: ICE deportation network comes into focus | NJ Spotlight News
Immigration enforcement expanding in Jersey and elsewhere on East Coast, adding holding sites, guards with guns
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A safety complaint drew OSHA inspectors to an ICE detention site in New Jersey. It's unclear at this point what inspectors found. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/safe... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJ #DelaneyHall
njspotlightnews.org
Safety complaint draws federal inspectors to Delaney Hall | NJ Spotlight News
Any of eight conditions can lead to on-site review by U.S. regulators, and case of Newark detention center remains open
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
An immigrant detention site in New Jersey has become a Republican tool. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/repu... @njspotlightnews.org #DelaneyHall #Newark #ICE
njspotlightnews.org
Republicans use Delaney Hall protests as Exhibit A for ICE funding | NJ Spotlight News
'These men and women are running out of money,' U.S. senator says as he presses for $70 billion for immigration forces
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
NEW: To push their hardline immigration bill, national Republicans are looking to New Jersey. Just not in the way you might think. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/repu... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Republicans use Delaney Hall protests as Exhibit A for ICE funding | NJ Spotlight News
'These men and women are running out of money,' U.S. senator says as he presses for $70 billion for immigration forces
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
NEW: If you're missing from Congress, can you still give a speech in the House chamber? Weirdly, yes. Sort of... www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/the-... @njspotlightnews.org #Kean #NewJersey
njspotlightnews.org
The missing Rep. Tom Kean Jr. finally speaks … sort of | NJ Spotlight News
The Republican congressman hasn't been seen in months -- though his office has found multiple ways to puff up his public 'presence'
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Reposted by Benjamin Hulac
Dan Kennedy @dankennedy.net · 29/05/2026
A Penn State photojournalism student has been documenting the ICE-created chaos at the Delaney Hall protests. @njspotlightnews.org is publishing his work. “I’ve covered hard news before, but this is the first time I’ve ever had tear gas and pepper spray directed toward me.”
njspotlightnews.org
Clashing night and day: a tense 24 hours outside Delaney HallNJ Spotlight News
A photojournalism student knows how to shoot hard news. This was something else. 'It was definitely scary,' he says
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in New Jersey, has been on the national radar this week. Great new great photos here of the protesters, ICE agents & violent clashes ---> www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/clas... @njspotlightnews.org #DelaneyHall #ICE #Newark
njspotlightnews.org
Clashing night and day: a tense 24 hours outside Delaney HallNJ Spotlight News
A photojournalism student knows how to shoot hard news. This was something else. 'It was definitely scary,' he says
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Trump is bulldozing buildings, planning archways and slapping his name on buildings in the nation's capital city. The latest victim of the Trump-led push to remake Washington? A women's museum. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/wome... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Women's museum is latest divide in Trump bid to mold capital | NJ Spotlight News
NJ Democrats vote against bill to build a Smithsonian space Republicans add an amendment to block inclusion of transgender people
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
The clearout of Delaney Hall in New Jersey continues. Detainees are on food and labor strike inside. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/fres... @njspotlightnews.org @eliseondeadline.bsky.social #Delaney #ICE
njspotlightnews.org
Fresh funding round set to supercharge ICE as Delaney Hall erupts | NJ Spotlight News
'We are being tortured physically and psychologically due to the poor food resources provided,' say those held in Newark
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Sure looks like ICE is moving out detainees from Delaney Hall, where there is an ongoing hunger strike. The next location logged for this plane is Alexandria, La., a massive ICE deportation hub. www.flightaware.com/live/flight/...
flightaware.com
N966AD Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware
Flight status, tracking, and historical data for N966AD including scheduled, estimated, and actual departure and arrival times.
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
NEW: During the Biden administration, Congress created a national broadband program. New Jersey has yet to see a single new internet connection because of it. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/trum... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Trump broadband delays stall $264 million in NJ internet funding | NJ Spotlight News
The state gets high marks for digital network, though communities of color -- particularly in Newark, Trenton and Camden -- lack same access
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Reposted by Benjamin Hulac
NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 22/05/2026
On Thursday, the nonpartisan election analysis newsletter Inside Elections shifted its outlook for NJ's 7th District race from Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and toward Democrats. The Cook Political Report, another nonpartisan handicapper, moved Kean’s race in November to “toss up.” via @bhulac.bsky.social
njspotlightnews.org
Campaign edge shifts toward Democrats in Kean's 7th District | NJ Spotlight News
Congressman will return to Washington in June, national Republican official says, as two political reports call the race a toss-up
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Jennifer Shutt @jennifershutt.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
US House votes to launch process to provide billions for Trump mass deportations www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-h...
newsfromthestates.com
US House votes to launch process to provide billions for Trump mass deportations
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans adopted their budget resolution Wednesday night, clearing the way for the party to pass a bill in the coming weeks that will provide tens of billions in additional ...
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Stars and Stripes @starsandstripes.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
The Pentagon is asking Congress to codify the Department of War name. A Defense Dept. legislative proposal sent to Capitol Hill estimates the name change to date has cost about $50 million. But the CBO estimated the change could cost as much as $125 million: www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
A photo of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, wearing a blue dress shirt, navy dress pants, a brown belt, and a red and navy striped tie, gives a thumbs up outside the Pentagon. A plaque next to him reads "Department of War." (DoD photo) White text: Pentagon seeks to codify Department of War; renaming costs total of $50 million; black Stars and Stripes logo
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
NEW: A massive week awaits in Congress: Farm Bill, budget bill, vote on spying law and more. One New Jersey lawmaker remains missing and we do not know why. www.njspotlightnews.org/podcast/wher... @njspotlightnews.org @maddiference.bsky.social
njspotlightnews.org
Where’s Tom Kean Jr. — and what’s going on with NJ’s missing congressman? - NJ Spotlight News
Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac breaks down what we know
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NEWS: A New Jersey congressman has gone off the radar during a busy stretch on Capitol Hill. “They’re keeping this really tight-lipped," said one lawmaker. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radi... @njspotlightnews.org @genesisobando.bsky.social
njspotlightnews.org
Concerns over congressman’s health during lengthy absence | NJ Spotlight News
Calls and text messages to a missing New Jersey congressman have gone unanswered
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
This is what Sen. Kim is talking about: Republicans yesterday started a process that could lead to tens of billions more in funding for ICE & CBP. There is a lot that could change. But for starters, I wrote about it here at @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/immi... #ICE #CBP
njspotlightnews.org
Immigration agencies have funding for years; GOP seeks more | NJ Spotlight News
Infusion of $140 billion in budget outline would be enough to 'carry us through the Trump presidency,' Graham says
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NEWS: Members of Congress are worried about Tom Kean. He is not replying to texts or calls and has not voted in the House since early March. "We just haven’t heard a word." www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radi... @njspotlightnews.org @genesisobando.bsky.social @maddiference.bsky.social
njspotlightnews.org
Concerns over congressman’s health during lengthy absence | NJ Spotlight News
Calls and text messages to a missing New Jersey congressman have gone unanswered
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
NEW: ICE and CBP have tens of billions of dollars in reserve. Republicans in Congress want to give them more money -- enough at least to "carry us through the Trump presidency." www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/immi... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #CBP
njspotlightnews.org
Immigration agencies have funding for years; GOP seeks more | NJ Spotlight News
Infusion of $140 billion in budget outline would be enough to 'carry us through the Trump presidency,' Graham says
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
NEW: Tom Kean has not voted in Congress since March 5. Why has he been out of Washington? His office has offered zero specifics. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/kean... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Kean out with ‘health matter’ on eve of busy season in Congress | NJ Spotlight News
Outcomes of crucial bills sometimes rest on NJ representatives , and Republican from 7th District hasn't cast one in more than a month
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John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Inflation is straining the personal finances of many government retirees living in New Jersey. Gov. Sherrill wants the state to make another full pension contribution in FY2027. But COLAs for retirees would stay frozen for at least another year. @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Sherrill wants full pension funding, with retiree COLAs still on hold | NJ Spotlight News
Treasurer cites $6 billion 'penalty' -- roughly one-tenth of the proposed state budget -- for past skimping on retirement payments
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Maddi Ference @maddiference.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
we're back and allegedly better than ever: www.njspotlightnews.org/podcast/deco...
njspotlightnews.org
Decoding New Jersey's $60.7B budget: Politics, property taxes and the 'deficit' | Hey, NJ - NJ Spotlight News
Budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer joins to discuss the political process behind budget negotiations
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
NEWS: This tax year is going to be more complicated than usual. The IRS is doing it with about 75% the staff it had before Trump. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/mark... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
‘Markedly different’: IRS tax landscape fits Trump deregulation jag | NJ Spotlight News
Enforcement, including audits, a lesser priority as shrunken staff turns to mastering code changes ushered by Republicans in Congress
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
The Supreme Court heard one of the biggest cases of the Trump era. It could rewrite what it means to be an American. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/expl... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Explainer: Trump's birthright citizenship case and American identity | NJ Spotlight News
Attorney general for NJ, where one in four is foreign-born, signs statement: Order violates Constitution, statutes, 150 years of rule
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Ryan (Ry) Warner @ryanhasaquestion.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
SCOTUS: “Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy, as applied to Ms. Chiles’s talk therapy, regulates speech based on viewpoint, and the lower courts erred by failing to apply sufficiently rigorous First Amendment scrutiny.” www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
NEW: Most Democrats in the Senate would like to change or eliminate the filibuster. Now, it's the one thing blocking the Trump administration from "supercharged" deportations & more. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/in-f... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
In federal funding fight, filibuster a bulwark against ‘supercharged’ deportation and more | NJ Spotlight News
Senate rule remains pivotal in GOP fight to boost funding for ICE as Democrats cling to power they once sought to kill
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
NEWS: Federal prosecutors put a deal on the table to pay for clean up at a long-contaminated New Jersey site. The public has 60 days to weigh in on the agreement. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/ford... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
Ford would pay for Ringwood toxic cleanup, gain legal protection | NJ Spotlight News
Department of Justice estimates $3.4 million to remove residual pollution from former iron mines that became dump for chemicals, heavy metals
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
NEW: The North Atlantic Right Whale is near obliteration. Things may soon get worse for the species, if the Trump administration alters a key ocean safety rule. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/noaa... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
NOAA mulls weakening rule that protects whale species on brink of extinction | NJ Spotlight News
Administration is considering changes to a mandatory speed rule for boats and ships 65 feet or longer
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The Trump administration is building a national detention and deportation machine, including in New Jersey. My colleagues (like Colleen) and I at @njspotlightnews.org are all over this topic ---> #ICE #deportation
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
NEW: Two private prison firms are making a financial killing through their contracts with ICE. One is about to get an extended contract to run a detention site in New Jersey. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/ice-... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
ICE plans contract extension for Elizabeth detention center | NJ Spotlight News
'No other service or provider will satisfy the agency requirement,' Homeland Security says of facility housing more than 300 people
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
First Venezuela. Then Iran. Next Cuba? Trump openly musing of toppling the Cuban government. “I do believe I will be having the honor of taking Cuba," Trump said today. GIFT LINK ---> www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/w...
nytimes.com
Trump Says He Will Have the ‘Honor’ of ‘Taking Cuba’
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
NEW: Democrats want congressional hearings on the Iran war. “The Trump administration must answer questions publicly under oath in front of the American people, not just behind closed doors," said New Jersey senator Cory Booker. @njspotlightnews.org @booker.senate.gov
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
NEWS: Congress is close to passing what could be a massive new bipartisan housing law with a lot of support. Obstacles? Trump and a hard-right faction of Republicans. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/in-r... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
In rare bipartisan burst, Congress close to historic housing law | NJ Spotlight News
With the nation short millions of residential units, bill may stall because Trump says he'll sign nothing unless voting curbs are passed
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
NEW: After gutting Medicaid funding last summer, Republicans cut a private deal with rural senators to create a rural healthcare fund. In the first year of that fund, New Jersey will get the least $$$ of any state. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/nj-t... @njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
NJ to receive least funding from new national health program | NJ Spotlight News
It’s one of many budget holes for the Sherrill administration
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