Frank Pallone

Frank Pallone
Born	Frank Joseph Pallone Jr. 30 10, 1951
Birthplace	Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
Education	Middlebury College (BA) Tufts University (MA) Rutgers University, Camden (JD)
Children	3
Website	[Official website Official site]

Frank Joseph Pallone Jr. (born October 30, 1951) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 6th congressional district since 1988, making him one of the longest-serving members of the New Jersey congressional delegation. A member of the Democratic Party, Pallone represents a district in the north-central part of the state that includes the communities of New Brunswick, Woodbridge Township, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, Edison, Piscataway, and Asbury Park. The district was numbered as New Jersey's 3rd congressional district from 1988 to 1993 before being redesignated as the 6th district following redistricting. Pallone serves as the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the oldest and most powerful committees in Congress, a position he has held since January 2023. Over the course of his career in Congress spanning more than three decades, Pallone has focused on issues including healthcare policy, environmental protection, consumer safety, telecommunications regulation, and marine mammal conservation.

Early Life

Frank Joseph Pallone Jr. was born on October 30, 1951, in Long Branch, New Jersey, a city on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County. He grew up in the Long Branch area, which would later form part of the congressional district he would go on to represent. Long Branch, a community with a rich history as a seaside resort town, shaped Pallone's early awareness of coastal environmental issues and the economic importance of the shore to New Jersey's identity and livelihood. His upbringing in this working-class and middle-class community along the Jersey Shore would inform much of his later legislative priorities, particularly his focus on environmental protection, ocean conservation, and the needs of coastal communities.

Education

Pallone pursued a rigorous course of higher education across three institutions. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College, a private liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont. He subsequently obtained a Master of Arts degree from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Pallone then earned his Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law–Camden (now part of Rutgers University, Camden), qualifying him for the practice of law in New Jersey. This combination of a liberal arts undergraduate education, graduate studies, and legal training provided the foundation for his career in public service and law.

Career

New Jersey State Senate

Before entering the U.S. Congress, Pallone served in the New Jersey Senate, representing the 11th legislative district. He began his term in the state senate on January 10, 1984, succeeding Brian T. Kennedy. Pallone served in the state legislature until November 8, 1988, when he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was succeeded in the New Jersey Senate by Joseph A. Palaia. His tenure in the state senate provided him with legislative experience and a foundation in state-level policy issues that he would carry into his subsequent service in Washington.

U.S. House of Representatives

Election to Congress

Pallone was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 1988, winning the seat in what was then New Jersey's 3rd congressional district. He succeeded James J. Howard, who had died in office earlier that year. Pallone won a special election to fill the remainder of Howard's term and simultaneously won election to a full term beginning in January 1989. Since that initial victory, Pallone has been reelected consistently, serving without interruption for over three and a half decades.

Following redistricting after the 1990 census, the district was renumbered as New Jersey's 6th congressional district beginning with the 1993 term. Despite the numerical change, the district continued to encompass communities along the Jersey Shore and in the Middlesex County area, maintaining continuity with the constituency Pallone had represented since 1988.

Energy and Commerce Committee

Pallone's most significant committee assignment has been his long service on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over a vast range of policy areas including healthcare, energy, the environment, telecommunications, consumer protection, and commerce. The committee is often described as one of the most powerful and wide-ranging in the House of Representatives.

Pallone served as the ranking Democratic member of the committee from January 3, 2015, to January 3, 2019, succeeding Henry Waxman, who had retired from Congress. During this period, when Republicans held the majority in the House, Pallone served as the committee's senior Democrat, providing opposition oversight and an alternative policy voice on the committee's extensive agenda.

Following the Democratic takeover of the House in the 2018 midterm elections, Pallone ascended to the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee, serving as chair from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023. In this role, he succeeded Republican Greg Walden, who had served as chairman during the preceding Congress. As chairman, Pallone wielded significant influence over legislation related to healthcare, climate and environmental policy, telecommunications and broadband, and consumer protection.

When Republicans regained the House majority following the 2022 elections, Pallone returned to the role of ranking member beginning January 3, 2023, succeeding Cathy McMorris Rodgers in what was essentially a swap of the top positions on the committee. In this capacity, he has continued to advocate for Democratic priorities on the committee's broad portfolio of issues.

In November 2025, Pallone delivered opening remarks at an oversight hearing on artificial intelligence chatbots, reflecting the committee's expanding focus on emerging technology and its implications for consumers and society.

Healthcare Policy

Healthcare has been a central focus of Pallone's congressional career, facilitated by his position on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Among his notable legislative efforts was his sponsorship of and advocacy for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, which directed funding toward pediatric medical research. The legislation, named for a child who died of brain cancer, was signed into law and redirected funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund toward the National Institutes of Health for pediatric research. The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the legislation's fiscal impact as part of the legislative process.

Environmental and Ocean Policy

Representing a coastal New Jersey district, Pallone has been a consistent advocate for environmental protection and marine conservation. He has been particularly involved in efforts to strengthen the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), calling for the act's reauthorization and enhancement. His district's location along the Jersey Shore has made coastal protection, ocean health, and environmental stewardship ongoing priorities throughout his tenure.

Legislative Voting Record

Throughout his congressional career, Pallone has compiled a voting record consistent with the positions of the Democratic Party. The Drum Major Institute evaluated his congressional voting record as part of its assessment of members of Congress on middle-class economic issues. The National Taxpayers Union also rated his record as part of its regular scoring of congressional members on fiscal policy.

Pallone's recorded votes include his positions on major legislation. Roll call records from the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives document his votes on significant measures, including votes in 2005, 2008, and 2017.

2013 U.S. Senate Campaign

In 2013, following the death of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, Pallone announced his candidacy for the special election to fill Lautenberg's seat. He announced his entry into the race, competing in the Democratic primary for the Senate nomination. During the campaign, Pallone received endorsements from labor organizations, including the Sheet Metal Workers State Council. Pallone ultimately lost the Democratic primary to Cory Booker, who went on to win the special election and the seat. Following his unsuccessful Senate bid, Pallone returned to his House seat and continued to serve his district.

Recent Congressional Activities

In his ongoing service in Congress, Pallone has remained active on a range of issues. In early 2026, he announced his 11th Annual Poetry Showcase in honor of National Poetry Month, encouraging young writers in his district to participate in the creative competition. He also launched the 2026 Sixth Congressional District High School Art Competition, inviting young artists to submit their work. In December 2025, he announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for high school students in his district, reflecting his support for technology education and student engagement in STEM fields.

Pallone has been vocal in his criticism of Trump administration policies. In early 2026, he condemned actions by federal immigration agents and opposed an increase in Department of Homeland Security funding. He also joined other members of the New Jersey Democratic delegation in opposing a proposed ICE warehouse facility in Roxbury, New Jersey.

In March 2026, Pallone announced that he would attend President Trump's State of the Union address accompanied by Derrick Healy, a Gateway tunnel project worker who had been forced off the job due to a Trump administration funding freeze, drawing attention to the impact of federal infrastructure spending decisions on New Jersey workers.

Armenian-American Advocacy

Pallone has been a notable advocate for Armenian-American issues during his time in Congress. He has been recognized by Armenian organizations and the Armenian diplomatic community for his work on issues of concern to the Armenian diaspora. The Armenia Fund honored his contributions at a 2003 gala event. The Embassy of Armenia also formally recognized Pallone's efforts on behalf of Armenian causes.

LGBTQ Rights

Pallone has been involved in advocacy related to LGBTQ rights. In 2015, media coverage focused on the statements and positions of New Jersey-area members of Congress regarding gay rights, including Pallone's response to anti-gay statements made by another New Jersey congressman, Chris Smith.

Personal Life

Pallone was born and raised in Long Branch, New Jersey, and has maintained close ties to his home community throughout his political career. He has three children. The New York Times editorial board has commented on Pallone's role and positions in New Jersey politics.

Recognition

Pallone has received recognition from various organizations for his legislative work and advocacy. The Armenia Fund USA honored him at its 2003 gala dinner for his support of Armenian causes and the Armenian-American community. The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia formally recognized Pallone through remarks by the Armenian Ambassador honoring his contributions to U.S.-Armenia relations and his advocacy on issues including the Armenian genocide recognition.

His leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee, first as ranking member and then as chairman before returning to the ranking member position, represents one of the most prominent assignments available to a House member. The committee's broad jurisdiction over healthcare, energy, environmental, telecommunications, and consumer protection policy has placed Pallone at the center of many of the most consequential legislative debates of the past decade.

The Drum Major Institute included Pallone in its evaluations of members of Congress on issues affecting the middle class, assessing his voting record on economic policy matters.

Legacy

Frank Pallone's tenure in Congress, spanning from 1988 to the present, makes him one of the longest-serving members of the New Jersey congressional delegation in modern history. His career has encompassed service under seven different presidents, and his district—whether numbered as the 3rd or the 6th—has consistently returned him to office in each election cycle. His continuity of service has allowed him to accumulate significant institutional knowledge and seniority within the House, culminating in his leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Pallone's legislative focus on healthcare, environmental protection, and consumer safety has shaped policy debates on the committee over multiple congressional sessions. His advocacy for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act directed federal funding toward pediatric medical research, representing a tangible legislative accomplishment with lasting impact on children's health research funding.

His work on behalf of the Armenian-American community and his advocacy for Armenian genocide recognition have earned him recognition from Armenian organizations and the Armenian government, establishing him as one of the most prominent congressional voices on Armenian issues. His community engagement programs, including the annual Poetry Showcase and Congressional Art Competition, have fostered youth participation in the arts across his district for over a decade.

As ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the current Congress, Pallone continues to influence policy on issues ranging from artificial intelligence regulation to infrastructure investment, maintaining an active legislative profile well into his fourth decade of congressional service.