Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Advances Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Coastal Flood Resilience Along New Jersey Shoreline
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Congressman Tom Kean Jr., representing New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening coastal flood resilience for communities along the Jersey Shore. The proposed bill, titled the Coastal Flood Resilience Act, was unveiled on Monday and seeks to authorize federal grants for infrastructure upgrades, including elevated seawalls and improved drainage systems, in response to escalating storm surge threats driven by climate change. Congressman Tom Kean Jr., a Republican, collaborated with Democratic colleagues to draft the measure, which now awaits committee review in the House of Representatives. According to the bill's text, eligible municipalities could receive up to ten million dollars in funding, contingent on matching state contributions, to implement flood mitigation projects. Why this matters: The initiative directly addresses the increasing frequency of destructive nor'easters and hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast, where property damage has exceeded twenty billion dollars over the past decade. The formal introduction occurred at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, where Kean was joined by local mayors and environmental advocates, who emphasized the need for proactive federal investment.