House passes Gottheimer bill to rename Sussex County VA clinic for veteran Tony Gallopo
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to rename the Sussex County Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Newton in honor of the late Navy veteran Anthony J. “Tony” Gallopo.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and co-led by Air Force veteran Rep. Herb Conaway, D-N.J., passed by voice vote Wednesday with support from the entire New Jersey congressional delegation. The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate, where Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., plans to introduce companion legislation.
If enacted, the facility will be renamed the Anthony J. “Tony” Gallopo Veterans Affairs Clinic.
“Today, the House passed our bill to enshrine the late Tony Gallopo’s legacy at the clinic he fought so hard to open,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Tony’s memory reminds us that it is our duty as Americans to not only honor all soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen, but also to do everything we can to fight for them when they return. With this bill now heading to the Senate, we are one step closer to reaffirming our enduring promise: to fight for our veterans the same way Tony did.”
Gallopo, a U.S. Navy veteran, served as vice commander of the New Jersey Department of the American Legion and commander of American Legion Post 86 in Newton. He played a key role in the effort to establish the Newton VA clinic, which opened in 2017, and died in 2020.
According to Gottheimer’s office, Gallopo spent much of his early life in Bergen County before moving to Sussex County. Before enlisting in the Navy, he served with the Saddle Brook Fire Department. After his military service, he worked as a corrections officer and was active with the Paramus Elks.
Gottheimer’s office said the congressman and Gallopo worked together to expand healthcare access for veterans in Sussex and Warren counties, including securing local healthcare referrals to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and ImageCare Centers and expanding access to in-person mental health and psychiatric care for veterans.
Gottheimer first introduced the legislation in November 2025 alongside Gallopo’s family and members of the American Legion.
The measure is endorsed by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
According to Gottheimer’s office, the bill is part of a broader legislative effort to expand healthcare access and benefits for veterans, including measures related to spinal cord injury treatment, veterans’ benefits appeals, oversight of state veterans homes, suicide prevention, childcare access and cost-of-living adjustments for veterans’ benefits.
