Office of Federal Relations
About the Office
Located just steps from the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, the Rutgers Office of Federal Relations works closely with the New Jersey congressional delegation and the national associations of higher education—especially the Association of American Universities and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities—to represent the university's federal policy and funding interests to national policymakers.
Advocating for Rutgers
The Office of Federal Relations works closely with administrators, faculty, staff, and students across Rutgers to build relationships with key federal policymakers and advance campus priorities. The Office of Federal Relations serves as a key conduit of information between federal lawmakers and Rutgers, working year-round to elevate the university’s profile in Washington, DC.
Academic Year 2023-2024
Academic Year 2023-2024
Fiscal Year 2024
Federal Investments
Advocating for robust federal investment in the university, primarily in:
- Student aid, including
- Pell Grants
- Federal Work-Study
- Graduate student support
- University-based research supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and many other federal agencies
Policy Advocacy
Providing input on federal policy and regulatory matters of interest to the university on a wide range of subjects, such as:
- Higher Education Act
- Campus safety
- Research and innovation
- Health care and the health workforce
- Immigration
- Agriculture and environmental research
- Taxation
- Transportation and infrastructure
Access
Working with federal lawmakers to increase access to higher education by:
- Advocating for increased investments in federal student aid
- Safeguarding protections for international and undocumented students and faculty
- Enhancing opportunities for underserved populations, including first-generation, veteran, and formerly incarcerated students
Engagement
Advancing university priorities and regularly engaging federal lawmakers and agency officials by:
- Conducting issue-specific advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill
- Connecting policymakers with Rutgers experts to advise on legislation
- Facilitating visits to campus by Members of Congress and other federal officials
- Hosting congressional briefings and supporting expert witnesses
For Students
Rutgers Advocacy Corps (RAC)
The Office of Federal Relations hosts the Rutgers Advocacy Corps, an experiential-learning program where students learn about federal lobbying and travel to Washington, DC to meet with Members of Congress to advocate for university priorities, including increased investments in federal financial aid.
Federal Relations Summer Internship
The Office of Federal Relations sponsors a nine-week, paid undergraduate internship each summer. The internship offers a unique government affairs experience in Washington, DC.
Rutgers Scarlet Service in Washington, DC (RSS-DC)
RSS-DC provides meaningful summer internship experiences to Rutgers University undergraduate students at government offices and public service-orientated nonprofit organizations while expanding their knowledge and skills to be engaged citizens.
Accordion Content
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The Honorable Cory Booker (D)
717 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3224
Newark: 973-639-8700
Camden: 856-338-8922
https://www.booker.senate.govThe Honorable George Helmy (D)
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4744
Jersey City: 973-645-3030
Barrington: 856-757-5353
https://www.helmy.senate.govThe Honorable Donald Norcross (D-01)
2427 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-6501
Cherry Hill: 856-427-7000
Camden: 856-427-7000
https://norcross.house.govThe Honorable Jeff Van Drew (R-02)
2447 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-6572
Northfield: 609-625-5008
https://vandrew.house.govThe Honorable Andy Kim (D-03)
2444 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4765
Willingboro: 856-703-2700
Hamilton: 609-438-6290
https://kim.house.govThe Honorable Chris Smith (R-04)
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3765
Toms River: 732-504-0567
Middletown: 732-780-3035
https://chrissmith.house.govThe Honorable Josh Gottheimer (D-05)
203 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4465
Glen Rock: 201-389-1100
Newton: 973-940-1117
https://gottheimer.house.govThe Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-06)
2107 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4671
Long Branch: 732-571-1140
New Brunswick: 732-249-8892
https://pallone.house.govThe Honorable Tom Kean, Jr. (R-07)
251 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5361
Bernardsville: 908-547-3307
https://kean.house.govThe Honorable Rob Menendez (D-08)
1007 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-7919
Jersey City: 201-309-0301
https://menendez.house.govVacant
2409 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5751
Paterson: 973-523-5152The Honorable LaMonica McIver (D-10)
106 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3436
Newark: 973-645-3213
Jersey City: 201-369-0392
https://mciver.house.govThe Honorable Mikie Sherrill (D-11)
1427 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5034
Livingston: 973-526-5668
https://sherrill.house.govThe Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12)
168 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5801
Ewing: 609-883-0026
https://watsoncoleman.house.gov
Contact Information
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Office of Federal Relations
400 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 351
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-220-1336