>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, FUNDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATE ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

LET'S BE HEALTHIER TOGETHER.

THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLY, CLEAN ENERGY STATE FOR NEW JERSEY.

[ MUSIC ] >> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

>>> THE FIGHT WAS ON FOR ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES, WHO RALLIED TODAY OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE.

CHANTING AND CARRYING SIGNS WITH FAMILIAR MESSAGES ABOUT FREEDOM AND CHOICE.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF ROUGHLY HALF THE STATES WERE PORTION ABORTIONS REMAIN LEGAL, AFTER THE COURT'S DECISION TO TURN OVER THE HALF-CENTURY ROE VS. WADE RULING.

IT'S NO TIME TO BACK DOWN, ACCORDING TO ACTIVISTS.

THEY CHEER THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR MOVING BILLS THAT HAVE PROTECTIONS FOR PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS TRAVELING FROM OUT OF STATE.

THEY STRENGTHEN ACCESS TO ABORTION PROCEDURES.

>> TODAY, WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT NEW JERSEY HAS SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A NATIONAL LEADER.

A BEACON OF HOPE FOR STATES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

THEY ARE INVESTING IN SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES, AND FUNDING ACCESS TO A FULL RANGE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGH THE STATE BUDGET.

>> THE ISSUE IS GALVANIZING.

ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ABORTION DEBATE, ARE EXPECTED TO RATTLE VOTERS AHEAD OF NOVEMBER'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

POTENTIALLY, SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION, TO THESE SO-CALLED CULTURE WARS.

EITHER WAY, ANALYSTS SAY IT'S AMMUNITION FOR BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, WITH THIS ISSUE NOW ON THE BALLOT.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, REPORTS.

>> CONSTITUTION, DOES NOT CONFORM THE RIGHT TO ABORTION.

[ APPLAUSE ].

>> WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THAT ACCESS TO ABORTION IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, OR WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THAT ABORTION IS MURDER, THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON ROE VS. WADE, HAS TURNED UP A PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO CRUCIAL MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

BOTH MAJOR PARTIES SAY THAT THEY WELCOME THE DEBATE.

>> AMERICA IS WITH US.

AS LAWMAKERS, ASPIRING LAWMAKERS, WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WINNING ISSUE AS WELL AS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ONLY RIGHT, BUT IT'S A WINNING ISSUE AS WELL.

>> EMAILS ARE COMING TO ME DIRECTLY, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE STATE PARTY, PEOPLE WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH MY CAMPAIGN.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUE, THE PARTIES NO THAT IN THE MONTHS BEFORE THE RACE IS REALLY HATE UP, ABORTION IS AN ISSUE THAT IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

PATRICK MURRAY, WHOSE MOM TOOK A POLL THIS WEEK ON ABORTION, PRETTY MUCH WAS UNCHANGED HERE.

ABORTION MAY NOT BE THE ISSUE.

THE VOTERS ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS, COME FALL.

>> MY CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO HELP RAISE MONEY.

IT MIGHT HELP GET THE VOLUNTEERS GOING.

MAYBE THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE ROAD.

GETTING A FEW VOLUNTEERS MIGHT GET A FEW PEOPLE OUT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT OF PEOPLE SUDDENLY TURNING OUT BECAUSE OF THIS DECISION.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

YOU HAVE TO KNOCK OFF THE NEWS.

YOU HAVE NEWS ABOUT THE FARMER PRESIDENT THROWING CATCH UP AGAINST THE WALL.

>> WE NEED MONEY.

IT VERY SIMPLE.

AS FAR AS PEOPLE AND VOLUNTEERS, WE ARE BUILDING BACK UP TO WHAT WE HAD IN 2018.

WE HAVE CANVASES ALREADY.

EVERY WEEKEND, WE ARE STARTING CAMPUSES THIS COMING WEEK.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS, TENDED TO DOWNPLAY THE ISSUE.

IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK FOR THEM HERE.

SEVERAL PROMINENT LAWMAKERS ARE OPEN ABOUT SUPPORTING ABORTION RIGHTS.

WE HAD A TARRED TIME GETTING GOP CANDIDATES TO OPEN UP ABOUT IT.

THEY SENT US A STATEMENT THAT READ IN PART, I STAND WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF NEW JERSEYANS, WHO BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE WITH REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS.

NOT QUITE THE HOT RHETORIC YOU'RE GOING TO GET FROM CHRIS SMITH THIS ELECTION SEASON.

THE SEVENTH DISTRICT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE PURPLE THAN SMITH'S IS RED.

WHILE THE NATIONAL GOP MAY THINK ABORTION IS AN ISSUE THAT HOLDS WELL FOR THEM, IN NEW JERSEY, IT'S MORE LIKELY TO BE THE ECONOMY.

WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE?

FOR NOW, IT'S DEMOCRATS HERE WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE THE MOST ADVANTAGE OF THE ISSUE, HANDED DOWN BY THE HIGH COURT LAST WEEK.

DAVID KRUSE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> YESTERDAY'S TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, LOOKING AT THE JANUARY 6th RESURRECTION, HAS THE STUNNING NEW DETAILS ABOUT TODAY'S EVENTS, AND PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ACTIONS.

CASSIDY, THE CHIEF AIDE TO MARK MEADOWS, KNEW THAT THE DONALD TRUMP SUPPORTERS WERE CARRYING WEAPONS, AND HAD POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE.

HE INSISTED ON LEADING THEM TO THE CAPITOL.

WAS INCITING THE INSURRECTION AS TO BLOCK THE TRANSFER OF POWER.

HIS TOP ADVISERS WARNED HIM THE MOVEMENT WAS ILLEGAL.

WITH SIX HEARINGS UNDERWAY, MANY ARE LEFT WONDERING WHAT HAPPENS NEXT READ IF ANY OF THE TESTIMONY CAN CREATE A CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST A FORMER PRESIDENT.

FORMER NEW JERSEY STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SCOTT FORMER, IS HERE FOR MORE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOUR BIG QUESTION AS A PROSECUTOR, IS THERE EVIDENCE HERE FOR THE DOJ TO BRING A CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST A FORMER PRESIDENT?

>> THE COMMITTEE, ALTHOUGH LOPSIDED LEE, WAS IN FAVOR OF DEMOCRATS, IS MAKING ITS CASE THROUGH REPUBLICAN WITNESSES.

THAT WAS THE LATEST OF THEM.

IF YOU ADD THE LIST TOGETHER, THE FORMING COMMITTEE, AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES WHO WERE ALL-STAR PUBLICANS, THE PRESIDENT WAS BEING LIED TO BY REPUBLICAN WITNESSES, AND OF THE ONES WHO HAD A CAREER OF REPUBLICANS.

ARE THERE POTENTIAL REPUBLICAN CHARGES THAT COULD BE BROUGHT ABOUT?

I THINK SO.

THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS ARE OVER, AND THE REPORT IS OUT.

CERTAINLY, YOU CAN MAKE CASES IN A NUMBER OF RESPECTS.

OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, THAT'S ONE.

OBSTRUCTION OF POWER, IT EXTENDS TO THE FRAUD, AND IT STOPS THE LIES THAT WERE PRETTY PRINTED ON, AND IT WAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

CRIMINAL CASES EXIST.

>> Reporter: OUT OF THESE SIX HEARINGS, WAS YESTERDAY THE MOST SURPRISING?

>> IN SOME RESPECTS, IT WAS.

A VERY YOUNG WOMAN, EARLIER IN HER CAREER.

A REAL INNOCENT, AS FAR AS POLITICAL INCARCERATIONS GO.

SHE WAS ALMOST A PASSIVE WITNESS TO THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE GOING ON.

SHE TESTIFIED TO YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: IF NOT THE PRESIDENT, WHO ELSE MIGHT PROSECUTORS BRING CHARGES AGAINST?

SEVERAL OF THE TOP MEMBERS OF THE INNER CIRCLE ASKED FOR PARDONS.

DOES THAT LEND ITSELF TO THIS?

IS THAT AN AVENUE?

>> CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T ASK FOR A PART IN THE LIST YOU MIGHT HAVE CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

I THINK THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WOULD BE IN CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

THEY WERE ASKING FOR PARDONS IN THE WAKE OF JANUARY 6th.

IT'S THEIR OWN DEGREE OF EXPOSURE FOR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CHARGES.

>> IF YOU HAD A CRYSTAL BALL, WHICH WE ALL WISH WE HAD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS PERHAPS WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES?

AS SOMEONE WHO IS A PROSECUTOR, THEY KNOW HOW THESE CASES ARE BUILT.

WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING?

I DON'T WANT YOU TO SPECULATE.

I GUESS I AM ASKING YOU TO SPECULATE.

WHAT WOULD THEY BE DOING WITH ALL OF THIS GATHERED EVIDENCE AT THIS POINT?

>> I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS GOING TO HAVE A VERY TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO WEIGH THE STRENGTH OF THE EVIDENCE OF OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT, AGAINST THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.

WHEN YOU ARE DOING A POLITICAL PROSTITUTION CAMPAIGN, AND YOU'RE TRYING TO PROSECUTE THEM, YOU DON'T WANT TO BRING UP A CASE THAT YOU MIGHT LOSE.

FRANKLY, YOU DON'T WANT TO CAUSE HIS ALLIES, WHO MAY BE SURROUNDING HIM, ANY LEVERAGE.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT.

>> THINK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WITH 24 HOURS TO SPARE, THEY VOTED ON THE $56.6 BILLION ANNUAL BUDGET.

NOT WITHOUT PROTEST, FROM REPUBLICAN MEMBERS.

THEY ARGUE THAT THE BILL REPRESENTS A 46% INCREASE IN SPENDING DURING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S TERMINAL.

JUMPING 9% FROM LAST YEAR.

GOP POLICYMAKERS, RAILED AGAINST THE DEMOCRATS AND THE ADMINISTRATION, FOR WHAT THEY CALLED A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN DRAFTING THE BUDGET.

AND, FOR FAILING TO CONSIDER THEIR $8 MILLION TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

THAT INCLUDED A PAIR OF TAX REBATES, THAT WOULD HAVE AMOUNTED TO ROUGHLY $1500 FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES.

ALONG WITH HELP FROM BUSINESS OWNERS, AND MORE OVERSIGHT ON SPENDING FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS.

>> THIS BUDGET IS AN ANCHOR THAT'S GOING TO HELP A LOT OF FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.

WE COULD HAVE HAD A REAL REFORM.

WE WENT IN AS REPUBLICANS.

WE HAD REAL IDEAS.

WE HAD REAL TAX CUTS AND SAVINGS.

THEY CAME OUT WITH REAL GIMMICKS, AND A MASSIVE INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT.

>> THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IS THE LARGEST SPENDING PLAN IN NEW JERSEY HISTORY.

SUPPORTED BY AN UNPRECEDENTED SURGE IN TAX COLLECTIONS.

DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS CONTROLLING THE LEGISLATURE, PRAISED THE FINAL PLAN.

GROUPS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, SAYS THERE'S 20 OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

A PROCESS WHERE LAWMAKERS VOTED ON THE BILL JUST MINUTES AFTER READING A 277 PAGE DOCUMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, IS HERE WITH ALL THE LATEST DETAILS FOR THE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT.

INCLUDING, A LOOK BEHIND THE NUMBERS IN THIS MASSIVE BUDGET.

NOW, WE HAVE A FINAL BUDGET PLAN THAT WILL HEAD TO GOVERNOR MURPHY.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHS AND LOWS HERE IN THE SPENDING BILL?

>> FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S THE INCREASED FUNDING FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF UP TO A LEVEL OF A DECADE IN NEW JERSEY.

AT THE DOESN'T COME UNTIL MAY 2023, BUT WITH THE PROPERTY TAXES WE ARE SEEING, THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

AS THE STATE GETS OVER $50 BILLION IN SPENDING, IS NOT COMING AT THE EXPENSE OF THINGS THAT ARE USUALLY NEGLECTED.

INCLUDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUND.

THE STATE BUDGET SURPLUS IS RIGHT THERE.

IS KEY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ECONOMIC INDICATORS TALKING ABOUT THE INDICATOR FOR RECESSIONS.

THIS IS AGAINST THE LOSSES THAT WE WERE SITTING IN A RECESSION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU OFTEN TOUCH ON, IT'S THE IDEA OF RESPONSIBLE SPENDING.

OF COURSE, PEOPLE SEE THIS BIG PRICE TAG.

IT IS OVER $50 BILLION.

THE STATE DOESN'T NECESSARILY GET TO THEM IN THESE YEARS.

THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE SURPLUS OF CASH TO PLAY WITH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF SPENDING THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN TO IN THE BUDGET.

IT'S INCREASING 9% YEAR-OVER- YEAR.

>> IT NEVER GOES DOWN.

WE SHOULD NOTE.

>> HOWEVER, SOME OF THIS FUNDING IS WITH CAPITAL PROJECTS.

IT'S GOING TO BE ON A PAY-AS- YOU-GO BASIS.

THINGS LIKE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, THEY HAVE MASS TRANSIT STATIONS.

IT'S ALREADY ONE OF THE NATIONS MOST INDEBTED STATES.

THESE PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED WITH THE PAY-AS-YOU-GO.

IT REDUCES THAT BURDEN ON THE CREDIT CARD.

SIGNIFICANT SERVICES ARE THERE.

THAT'S ONE AREA WHERE YOU ARE SEEING A LITTLE BIT MORE RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF NEW PROGRAMS THAT WILL REQUIRE YEAR- OVER-YEAR COMMITMENTS TO FUND A BIG SHARE OF FEDERAL DOLLARS.

IT'S IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET.

WE SEE A LOT OF CAPITAL SPENDING, AND IT'S ON ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS, INSTEAD OF YOUR COMMITMENTS THAT RAISE BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO SUSTAIN THEM ONCE THIS MONEY GOES AWAY.

>> DEBT IS A LONG-STANDING ISSUE HERE.

ONE OF THE MOST INDEBTED RATES IN THE NATION.

WHAT DO YOU SET ASIDE FOR PREVENTION?

>> WE HAVE AROUND $3 BILLION IN TOTAL.

MAYBE MORE.

WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IT IS USED.

IN THE PAST, THE STATE HAD DIFFERENT BONDING RESOURCES.

NOW, IT'S LOOKING TO DO MORE PAY-AS-YOU-GO FINANCING.

AGAIN, IT REDUCES THE LONG-TERM BORROWING COSTS.

IT STOPS THE DIGGING OF THE HOLE, SO TO SPEAK.

NEW JERSEY, ALREADY DEEP IN THE HOLE WHEN IT COMES TO BONDED AND NON-BONDED OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS PENSION SYSTEM.

IT >> VERY QUICKLY, ARE YOU ANTICIPATING ANY SURPRISES?

GOVERNOR MURPHY, IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THIS TOMORROW.

ANY SURPRISES?

>> NOT RIGHT NOW.

IT WASN'T IN NEGOTIATED BUDGET.

THEY WERE IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE ANY MAJOR CHANGES.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN MAYER FOR US.

HE HAS BEEN ON THE BUDGET THIS WHOLE WEEK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT >> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> AMONG THOSE BILLS, WE HAVE A LARGE POT OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO THE TUNE OF $300 MILLION.

LAWMAKERS HAVE SET ASIDE $100 MILLION TO HELP FUND RENOVATIONS IN THE SCHOOL'S BASKETBALL ARENA, AND BUILD A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INDOOR FOOTBALL PRACTICE FACILITY.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE NJ ADVANCED MEDIA, $150 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING IS LOCATED TO RECORDS MEDICAL SCHOOLS, ALONG WITH $50 MILLION TO BUILD A RESEARCH COMPLEX IN DOWNTOWN NEW BRUNSWICK.

THEY BROKE A DEAL AFTER MEETING WITH UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS DURING THE FINAL PHASE OF BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

THE DECISION IS FACING SHARP CRITICISM FROM SOME LAWMAKERS.

THEY POINT TO THE HEFTY DEFICIT THAT THE WRECKERS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT RAN UP LAST YEAR.

RECENTLY RAISED TUITION AND STUDENT FEES FOR NEXT YEAR.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

>> THIS IS PROVIDED BY ESTE MAGAZINE.

ONLINE, AT SJ MAGAZINE.NET.

[ MUSIC ] >>> THE FBI IS WARNING ASIAN BUSINESS OWNERS TO FOLLOW A RISE IN TARGETED BURGLARIES IN THEIR HOMES.

ACCORDING TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS, SOPHISTICATED FEDERAL GROUPS ARE TRACKING ASIAN OWNED BUSINESSES, TO LEARN THE OPENING AND CLOSING ROUTINES.

BURGLARS MAY EVEN RUB AND THROUGH THEIR CARS TO GET INFORMATION ON WHERE THEY LIVE.

OTHER TIMES, THEY FOLLOW THE BUSINESS OWNER HOME, PERFORMING SURVEILLANCE ON THEIR TARGETS, MUCH LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

RETURNING TO RUB THE HOME ONCE THE OWNER RETURNS TO WORK.

THE FBI, SAYS ASIAN BUSINESS OWNERS ARE BEING TARGETED LARGELY BECAUSE OF A STEREOTYPE THAT THEY HAVE EXPENSIVE ITEMS IN THEIR HOMES.

THEY ARE URGING THOSE RESIDENTS TO BE AWARE OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS.

KEEP THEIR CARS LOCKED, AND TO CONSIDER INSTALLING ALARM SYSTEMS BOTH AT HOME AND WORK.

THE WARNING COMES AS BIAS AND HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE.

UP UNTIL 12 YEARS AGO, MILITARY BURN PITS WERE USED IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, AND OTHER MILITARY BASES.

IT USED TO DISPOSE OF WASTE, INCLUDING MANY ITEMS PRODUCING TOXIC SMOKE.

IN SOME LOCATIONS, THE BURN PITS WERE MASSIVE OPERATIONS.

COVERING ACRES OF LAND, MAKING THE HAZARDOUS SMOKE INESCAPABLE.

TED GOLDBERG, REPORTS ON THIS NEW LEGISLATION, THAT HELPS MILITARY VICTIMS WHO WERE EXPOSED.

THEY GET THE BENEFITS THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR.

>> AMERICANS WHO SERVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAD ONE SECURE WAY TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH.

SET IT ON FIRE, IN BURN PITS.

>> YOU DEPLOY, YOU HAVE TO DESTROY.

IT'S SURVIVAL, RIGHT?

YOU CAN'T LEAVE ANYTHING BEHIND.

IT >> EVERY BASE, YOU WOULD BURN STUFF TO GET RID OF IT.

GARBAGE, CHEMICALS, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THESE ARE YOUNG MARINES.

SOLDIERS.

THEY ARE THROWING ANYTHING IN THE GARBAGE.

NOT THINKING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

THE REPERCUSSIONS WOULD BE AROUND IT YEARS LATER.

>> HE FOUGHT DURING THE GULF WAR.

HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AROUND BURN PITS.

PERSONAL SAFETY WASN'T HIS TOP PRIORITY.

>> FIRST THING IS ON YOUR MIND, PROTECTING EACH OTHER AND YOUR FAMILY.

IT'S YOUR MILITARY FAMILY THAT YOU ARE WITH EVERY DAY.

THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, COMES SECOND TO EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> Reporter: THE PITS WERE USED TO BURN EVERYTHING FROM GARBAGE, TO ELECTRONICS, TO USE THAT MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

EXPOSING SERVICEMEMBERS TO TOXIC FUMES THROUGHOUT THE TORS.

HIS HEALTH GOT WORST WHEN HE WAS EXPOSED TO THEM.

IT >> I NEVER HAD ALLERGIES.

I HAD SINUS PROBLEMS.

I WAKE UP EVERY MORNING, AND I'M CLEARING MY SINUSES OUT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR IT IS.

>> THE VA, ESTIMATES THAT MORE THAN 3 MILLION VETERANS NEED HEALTHCARE AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO THESE BURN PITS.

FROM THE FIRST GULF WAR, TO OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, VETERANS HAVE STRUGGLED TO RECOVER.

IT >> I'M WAITING IN LINE JUST TO REGISTER.

>> IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THESE PEOPLE TO GET HELP.

MOST OF THEM, LOSE HOPE.

SOME OF THEM EVEN DIE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SUPPORT THEY GET.

IT'S SAD THAT THESE PEOPLE GO OVERSEAS TO FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY.

THEY GO HOME, AND THEY DON'T GET THE CARE THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO.

>> A NEW LAW COULD HELP THAT.

A NEW PACT AT THE HOUSE, IT'S SIGNED INTO LAW.

IT WOULD PROVIDE AROUND $280 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS TO HELP VETERANS AFFECTED BY IT ORDER TO BURN PITS.

REPRESENTATIVE, JOSH GOT HEIMER, IS A VETERAN IN THIS.

>> WE KNOW SO MANY WHO ARE SICK.

MANY HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO THE EFFECT OF THESE BURN PITS.

THOSE WHO GET OUR BACKS, PROTECT THE DEMOCRACY, NOT ONLY WISH WE LOOK AFTER THEM FOR A JOB, BUT THEIR WELL-BEING, AND OVERALL, THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

IT'S A KEY PART OF THAT.

AS WE KNOW, SO MANY VETERANS COME BACK, AND HAVE COME BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, AND OTHER AREAS WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> THEY HAVE REJECTED CLAIMS FOR MORE THAN 70% OF VETERANS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE BURN PIT REGISTRY.

THEY ALSO ADDED A PROVISION TO THE BILL, THAT IT MUST ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS FROM EXPOSURE.

>> PART OF THIS IS FUNDING.

PART OF THEM THOUGHT THAT THE VA DIDN'T QUALIFY.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT CAUSATION RIGHT HERE.

IT >> SOMETHING LIKE THIS BILL, THIS HOUSE, AND EVERYTHING, THEY WERE TRYING TO DO IT VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE AFTER ME.

AS WELL AS THE GUYS AND WOMEN IN BETWEEN ME.

>> THEY EXPECT THIS BILL TO BECOME LAW OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>> AS DOZENS ARE LOOKING INTO THAT, LET'S MOVE ON.

>>> THEY ARE LOOKING FOR BABY FORMULA.

THE WHITE HOUSE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE BABY FORMULA SUPPLY.

IT THE SITUATION IS GROWING WORSE BY MANY ACCOUNTS.

THE SHORTAGES ARE LIKELY TO DRAG ON FOR MONTHS.

WHAT ARE FAMILIES TO DO?

RAYMOND SANTANA, REPORTS.

>> Reporter: WE ARE STILL IN PURGATORY.

THEY ARE STARTING TO HAVE MORE AVAILABILITY.

IT'S A SPECIALTY FORMULA.

STILL NOTHING.

MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF A NATION WAS SHORTENED WITH THE FORMULA FOR BABIES.

THE MOTHER OF A THREE MONTH OLD WAS EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE NEW FORMULA, WHEN IT OPENED THE MICHIGAN PLANT ON JUNE 4th.

IT >> I WAS EXCITED.

I KNEW THAT IT WAS GOING TO LESSEN THE PANIC.

EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO GO FOR THE SAME FORMULA.

THERE WAS GOING TO BE ANOTHER OPTION.

>> Reporter: AFTER BEING OPENED FOR LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, THE MANUFACTURING FACILITY STOPPED PRODUCTION DO TO FACILITY FLOODING INSIDE JUNE 15.

THE COMPANY WAS A EXPLAINING TO CUSTOMERS ON THE WEBSITE, THIS WILL LIKELY DELAY PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEW PRODUCT FOR A FEW WEEKS.

>> NOT A WEEK OR TWO LATER, THAT'S WHERE THEY REALLY STARTED TO GET INTO FULL GEAR.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO FEED HER SIX MONTHS OLD DAUGHTER, AND THEY WERE FORCED TO CLOSE AGAIN.

THIS IS A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT PARTNERS WITH OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS, TO FLY IN SHIPMENT OF FORMULA THAT MEETS YOUR SAFETY STANDARDS.

TWO SHIPMENTS ARISE, AS WELL AS A BATCH OF FORMULA ON JULY 1st.

>> I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE IMPORTED VERSION OF MY DAUGHTERS FORMULA.

THERE'S JUST AN ABUNDANCE OF IT RIGHT NOW.

IT JUST FILLS MY HEART.

I'M SO EXCITED.

IT'S BEEN A BIG RELIEF.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE AGREES.

HER SAVING GRACE HAS BEEN OTHER MOMS.

SHE BELIEVES THE CRISIS IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> MY SON, HE NEEDS HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA.

HE CAN ONLY TOLERATE THE READY TO FEED.

EVERYTHING THAT CAME OVER FROM THE OPERATION, IT WAS ALL POWDER.

THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER MOMS THAT ARE SAYING THAT MY SON OR DAUGHTER CAN ONLY TAKE READY TO FEED.

THAT'S NOT HELPING THE MASS MAJORITY OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, BY JULY 30, OPERATION FLY FORMULA, WILL HAVE OPERATED THE EQUIVALENT OF 37.8 MILLION BOTTLES OF FORMULA.

>> COMPANIES WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH, LIKE NESTLE, THEY ARE MAKING PRODUCTS INTERNATIONALLY.

THOSE ARE TRUSTED AND THAT WE KNOW.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH.

AS LONG AS IT IS SOLD ON THE STORES OF U.S.

SHELVES, FAMILIES CAN FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE THAT THIS IS AS GOOD FOR THEIR INFANTS THAT THE ONE THEY WERE USING.

>> Reporter: THE PEDIATRICS OF NEW JERSEY HEALTH SYSTEM, SAYS THE U.S.

STAMP OF APPROVAL ON INTERNATIONAL FORMULA HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST GAME CHANGER FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE USING THESE FORMULAS TO FILL IN THE GAP, DOCTORS SAY IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT.

>> READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.

THERE ARE SOME FORMULAS THAT ARE USED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, WHERE THE RATIO OF WATER TO POWDER IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

NIKKI SURE THAT FAMILIES ARE EDUCATED ON THAT, AND DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS WITH THEIR PEDIATRICIAN.

IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE FORMULA SHORTAGE WILL END.

DOMESTIC PRODUCTION NEEDS TO GET UP TO SPEED.

THAT COULD TAKE A LAG TIME OF ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAYMOND SANTANA.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG, AND GO TO THE SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RIHANNA, AND FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK TOMORROW.

>> HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT LICENSING OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.