About Us

Founded in 1997, the center-left New Democrat Coalition is made up of 115 pragmatic House Democrats who work across the aisle and across the Capitol to advance innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking policies. Representing over half the Democratic Caucus, New Dems are united behind a mission to build an economy that works for every American.

New Dems work to bridge the partisan divide with a solutions-oriented approach to politics. The Coalition’s primary goal is to find workable solutions to the most pressing issues facing our nation—from ensuring every American has access to quality health care to increasing affordable housing in every community. New Dems have shown time and again how lawmakers can make real progress in Congress. And real progress is what’s truly progressive. That’s why New Dems are the ‘Can Do Caucus.’

The New Dem vision is built on three pillars: economic growth and opportunity, healthy and safe communities, and strong national security and defense. Our Members are ready to work with both Democrats and Republicans to find common ground, and will stand up to anyone who seeks to undermine our Constitution, weaken our democracy, or diminish our nation’s and our children’s future.

  • Economic Growth and Opportunity: Work, Wages, and Wealth
    • Helping Americans achieve financial freedom — not just making ends meet but getting ahead.
    • Lowering costs and raising the standard of living for hardworking American families.
    • Creating an abundance of new, well-paying jobs at all skill levels, including more union jobs.
    • Keeping the promise of a secure and dignified retirement for all Americans.
    • Protecting and expanding the United States leadership in innovation and technology.
    • Supporting American small businesses and entrepreneurs.
    • Revitalizing rural America to lead the world for the 21st Century.
    • Maintaining American energy independence and development and expansion of new energy sources.
    • Responsibly addressing deficits and debts to leave our children a prosperous future.
  • Healthy and Safe Communities
    • Relieving the housing crisis by expanding the supply of quality, affordable homes.
    • Helping people feel safe and secure in their homes and on their way to work, school and play by keeping their communities free from crime, violence, and decay.
    • Ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare from providers people trust, where and when they need care.
    • Providing every American child with the skills and lessons they need to succeed in the 21st century economy.
    • Ensuring every American has clean and safe air, water, and food.
  • Strong National Security and Defense
    • Modernizing our defense, diplomatic, and development (3D) capabilities to protect and advance American interests at home and abroad.
    • Fixing our outdated and broken immigration laws and border security to protect all American citizens, while still welcoming through legal channels individuals and families from around the world who are interested in pursuing the American Dream to help grow our economy and build our future.
    • Responding to a changing climate with investments in new, clean energy and emission reducing/carbon capture technologies, as well as advancements in infrastructure and community resilience, and modernization of our permitting processes.

For more than a quarter century, under both Democratic and Republican administrations and in both the House minority and the majority, New Dems have consistently delivered for the American people.

This Congress, the NDC is led by a 10 Member Leadership Team:

  • Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Chair
  • Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), Vice Chair for Member Services 
  • Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Vice Chair for Policy  
  • Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33), Vice Chair for Communications   
  • Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Vice Chair for Outreach  
  • Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11), Vice Chair at Large
  • Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Whip
  • Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Freshman Leadership Representative
  • Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Leadership Member At Large 
  • Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Leadership Member At Large