Overview

Frank Joseph Pallone, Jr., was born October 30, 1951, in Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He graduated from Long Branch High School in 1969 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College in 1973. Pallone received a Master of Arts in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden in 1978.

Pallone began his political career in Long Branch, where he was elected to the city council in 1982. In 1983, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate representing the 11th legislative district along the Monmouth County coastline. He was re-elected to the State Senate in 1987.

On November 8, 1988, Pallone was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative James J. Howard. The district was numbered as the 3rd district from 1988 to 1992. Following redistricting in 1992, Pallone was elected to represent the 6th district, which encompasses most of Middlesex County and the Bayshore and oceanfront areas of Monmouth County. He has been re-elected to 18 subsequent Congresses.

Pallone served as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee during the 116th and 117th Congresses (2019-2023). He currently serves as the ranking member of the committee. He previously chaired the Health Subcommittee during the 111th Congress and played a key role in authoring and passing the Affordable Care Act.

Political Career

Long Branch City Council (1982-1988)

New Jersey State Senate, 11th district (1984-1988)

U.S. Representative, NJ-03/NJ-06 (1988-present)

Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee (2019-2023)

Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee (2015-2019, 2023-present)

Candidate for Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate (2013, unsuccessful)

Key Policy Areas

Health care policy (Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act implementation)

Environmental protection and coastal resiliency (offshore drilling opposition)

Consumer protection and telecommunications (robocalls, data privacy)

Fisheries management and marine conservation

Infrastructure and energy policy

Prescription drug pricing and pharmaceutical manufacturing

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Primary sponsor of the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act (enacted 2019), which established consumer protections against unwanted telephone solicitations

Primary sponsor of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (enacted 2019), addressing telecommunications supply chain security

Led Democratic efforts on the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) as Energy and Commerce Chairman, including Medicare prescription drug negotiation provisions and climate investments

Instrumental in passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021), securing funding for New Jersey drinking water, broadband and brownfield remediation

Authored provisions in the Affordable Care Act (2010) while serving as Health Subcommittee Chairman

Education

Long Branch High School (1969)

B.A., Middlebury College (1973)

M.A., Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (1974)

J.D., Rutgers University School of Law-Camden (1978)

Personal

Birth date: October 30, 1951

Residence: Long Branch, New Jersey