Donald M. Payne Jr., 1958-2024

Donald M. Payne Jr. (Photo from the Congressional Office of Donald M. Payne Jr.)

U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. of New Jersey, who served as Senior Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Rail Subcommittee, died April 24. He was 65.

Payne, a Newark, N.J., native, began representing the state’s 10th Congressional District in 2012, filling, by special election, the vacancy left by the death of his father, Donald M. (Milford) Payne, at age 77.

According to The New York Times, Donald Payne Sr. in 1988 “fulfilled a dream he had publicly proclaimed 14 years earlier: being elected to the House as the first Black member of his state’s congressional delegation.”

During Rep. Payne Jr.’s time on the T&I’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, he “introduced the INVEST in America Act, which became the bipartisan, $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to provide funds for critical road and rail projects, such as New Jersey’s Portal North Bridge and Hudson River Tunnel in the Gateway Program,” according to a statement released by Payne’s office. “Thanks to his efforts, the new law included $66 billion for passenger rail, the largest federal investment in rail in 50 years, and $55 billion to replace lead water pipes nationwide. In addition, the law included $8 billion for New Jersey’s highways, $4.5 billion for the state’s public transit, and $42 billion to improve New Jersey’s traffic safety.”

Rep. Payne Jr. also served on the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. He introduced two bills that were signed into law by President Barack Obama, including the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act of 2015, according to his office. Rep. Payne Jr. also introduced a bill to secure public areas of transportation facilities, such as airports, which was incorporated into the FAA Reauthorization Act and signed into law in October 2018.

Before the 2022 election, when Democrats controlled the House, Rep. Payne Jr. served as Chairman of both the Rail Subcommittee and Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Outside of committee work, Rep. Payne Jr. was “a strong leader on health care. His bill, Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, provided full Medicare coverage to patients who have cancerous polyps removed during routine colonoscopies and it was signed into law in 2020,” according to his office. “Additionally, as a diabetic, Rep. Payne Jr. fought to lower the price of insulin and improve treatments for Americans with diabetes and kidney-related diseases.” He also founded the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus to increase awareness of men’s health care and the Congressional PAD Caucus to increase awareness of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

Rep. Payne Jr. had been “a strong advocate for children, gun violence prevention, American currency, small businesses, environmental issues, voting rights, racial justice, and the underprivileged to create more equality nationwide,” his office reported. “His bill, the Homeland Security for Children Act, guaranteed that children’s needs are included in future emergency preparation planning and became public law on June 6, 2022.”

Additionally, he worked to establish a disadvantaged business enterprise program (DBE) in the Federal Railroad Administration “to increase the participation of women and minority-owned businesses in national rail infrastructure projects,” according to his office. 

Rep. Payne Jr. served as a member of the New Jersey highway authority from 1990-1996; a member of the Essex County, N.J., Educational Services Commission; Freeholder-at-Large, Essex County, Board of Freeholders, from 2005-2012; and At-Large Representative, Newark, City Council, from 2006-2012, and President from 2010-2012.

He began his public service career founding the Newark South Ward Junior Democrats. He also served as an advisor to the YMCA Youth in Government program. After graduating from Hillside High School (Hillside, N.J.) in 1976, Rep. Payne Jr. attended Kean College (now Kean University) in Union, N.J., where he studied graphic arts. 

According to Rep. Payne Jr.’s office, he had been hospitalized since April 6 and sustained a heart attack due to complications from diabetes and high blood pressure.

He leaves behind his wife, Beatrice, and their triplets, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne.

Industry, Government Response

“With his signature bowtie, big heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the very best of public service,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement. “As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working families face, and he fought valiantly to serve their needs, every single day. That purpose was the light that guided him through his early years as Newark City Council President and during his tenure on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. And it guided him still through his more than a decade of service in Congress.”

“We are saddened to hear about the passing of Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., a true champion of Amtrak and passenger rail in New Jersey and around the country,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said in a statement. “His leadership, including in his position as Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Rail Subcommittee, was essential to helping Amtrak secure the investments needed to improve our infrastructure, stations, trains and service. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”

“We are saddened today [April 24] by the loss of Rep. Don Payne, Jr.,” the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association said in statement released on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “We knew him as a leader and champion of solution-minded efforts to strengthen the rail network, keep all stakeholders in mind, and benefit all communities served by rail. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

“Congressman Donald Payne was a valued Member of Congress and of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and our bipartisan work at T&I always benefited from his leadership and willingness to work across the aisle to get things done for America’s infrastructure,” House T&I Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) said in a statement. “In particular, he most recently led T&I Democrats in our ongoing work to reauthorize the federal pipeline safety programs—a bill we passed out of committee overwhelmingly, thanks in no small part to his efforts. He was also a champion this Congress for a bipartisan effort to improve passenger rail access for persons with disabilities. Congressman Payne was a strong advocate for infrastructure for his own constituents and for the country, and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

“Jill and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Ranking Member Donald Payne, Jr.,” Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chair Troy Nehls (R-Tex.) said in a statement. “It was a pleasure to work with Ranking Member Payne in a bipartisan fashion on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Jill and I’s prayers are with the Payne family as they go through this incredibly difficult time.”

Senior Democrat of the House T&I Committee Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my colleague and friend, Donald M. Payne, Jr. His dedication and work helped advance key legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the PIPES Act of 2020, which have improved the safe and reliable transportation of people and goods, benefiting the lives of every American. During his time as Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Donald fought for investment in our infrastructure with an emphasis on increasing transportation accessibility, and laid the groundwork for strong rail funding in the BIL as well as advancing the PIPES Act of 2023 through Committee. Thanks to his leadership, this record funding has already left an indelible mark on working families, communities across the country and the economy. Donald was a fierce friend and advocate for rail workers, supporting their bid for sick leave, higher wages, and improved working conditions. His efforts helped support a historic agreement that would strengthen the safety and quality of life for our essential rail workers. His work to advance rail safety legislation, especially in the wake of the derailment in East Palestine, will remain an important part of his legacy that Congress must continue to realize.”

What’s Next?

According to an April 24 report from NorthJersey.com, Rep. Payne Jr. was “running unopposed in this year’s Democratic primary, set for June 4 … Since ballots have already gone out, his name will remain in place and after the primary is certified, the county committees in the district will decide who will be the candidate in November. Murphy has two options as to when voters in the district will be able to fill the seat for the remainder of this term though. There must be a special election since there are more than six months left on the term. The governor can call a special primary election, which must be held 70 to 76 days after he announces his decision and then a special general election must be held 64 to 70 days after the special primary election. The other option is a special election on November 5, so voters in that district would pick who finishes this term as well as who fills the seat for the next term at the same time.”