Op-Eds
Here's Why I Call New Democrat Coalition the 'Can Do Caucus'
by NDC Chair Annie Kuster
In the 2022 Midterm election, voters were clear: they rejected far-right extremism and embraced mainstream Democrats focused on bipartisanship and delivering real results for the American people. The vast majority of these Democrats are part of the nearly 100 Member, center-left New Democrat Coalition in the House. As the Chair of the Coalition, I know firsthand how hard our Members are working to break through the gridlock in Washington to make a difference in Americans’ lives. … Continue Reading
October 31, 2022
Democrats are Better for our Country and Economy
by NDC Chair Suzan DelBene
"As voters head to the polls next Tuesday, they'll look at what Congress has accomplished, andthe economy will be top of mind. Republicans often claim their party is better for the economy, but if we look at what Democratic majorities have done in just two short years - including recently passing the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act - it's clear the Democratic party is the one setting our country and economy up for long-term success. In fact, history has shown that … Continue Reading
May 18, 2022
Meet the New Dems - the Moderate Members Defending Our Democracy
by NDC Chair Suzan DelBene
Over the last 25 years, polarization, extremism, and support for political violence have drastically increased in the U.S., while trust in government and democratic institutions has eroded. These troubling trends led to President Trump's 2016 election and the deadly January 6 insurrection. And today, far-right forces are campaigning on the Big Lie, with at least 57 insurrectionists running for office across the country as of January 2022. The threat to our democracy is real, and the stakes … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Congress must pass an innovation bill to fight inflation, boost national security
by Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Jim Himes
Reps. Jim Himes and Mikie Sherrill are Democrats from Connecticut and New Jersey, respectively, and members of the New Democrat Coalition. The U.S. economy is rebounding from Covid, showing strength and resiliency, but real economic challenges remain. Due to the global pandemic and weak supply chains for critical goods like microchips and semiconductors, American consumers are feeling the stress of inflation at the supermarket and used car lots. The good news is that Congress is working … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
American Competitiveness Legislation is the Key to Tackling Today’s Economic Challenges, Creating Tomorrow’s Opportunities
by NDC Chair Suzan DelBene
Under the leadership of President Biden and Democratic majorities in Congress, our economy is roaring. In the last year, the unemployment rate has dropped to a record 3.9%, 6.4 million jobs have been created, wages have increased, child poverty has decreased, and America is leading the world in a strong recovery - a Biden Boom! But despite this historic growth, real challenges remain. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and decades of underinvestment in U.S. … Continue Reading
May 01, 2021
The American Independent: It’s Time to Take Child Poverty Seriously and Make the Child Tax Credit Permanent
by NDC Chair Suzan DelBene
Child poverty has been a pervasive issue in the United States as nearly 11 million children are considered poor. That's one in seven children. Rising costs of living - from basic necessities, like rent and groceries, to transportation and childcare - coupled with stagnating wages are putting more children and their families below the poverty line. COVID-19 has made it worse as families deal with record levels of unemployment. When schools transitioned fully to remote learning, many parents … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
The American Independent: Decisions on Reopening Schools Must Be Based on Evidence
by Rep. Kim Schrier
The question on every parent's mind right now is whether children can safely go back to school this fall. It is a difficult one because there is still so much we don't know about this illness and its transmissibility in children. As a mom, a pediatrician, a person at higher risk for severe illness from the coronavirus, and the daughter of a schoolteacher, I look at this issue from all of these perspectives. Let me say first there is no doubt in my mind that, on the whole, children are far … Continue Reading
May 12, 2020
Roll Call: To Get Through the Pandemic, We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
by Reps. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Don Beyer (VA-08)
Most of us remember that terrifying scene from "Jaws." Brody, played by Roy Scheider, leans over the boat and sees the shark that's terrorizing the local summer resort town for the first time, and is blown away by its size. In shock, he staggers back to the boat's cabin and reports to the skipper, "You're gonna need a bigger boat." As we've seen the massive disruptions to the lives of workers, families and health care providers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's hard not to think of that … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
The American Independent: 'Action is Urgently Needed': How Congress Can Help Workers During the Pandemic
by NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06)
'There is no time to waste.' As Americans grapple with the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis and communities take significant measures to contain its spread, we are already seeing serious disruptions in everyday life and significant economic impacts. Now is the time for Congress to take bold, bipartisan action to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the American people. Two weeks ago, Congress passed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to support the response to … Continue Reading
November 25, 2019
The Hill: How Congress can take action on climate change today
by REP. DON BEYER (D-VA.)
© Getty Images The president's recent decision to pull out of the Paris agreement, the international climate agreement by which each nation voluntarily commits to addressing climate change in their own country, is an intentional choice to bury his head in the sand. We can't ignore reality, and we don't have the luxury of just sitting this one out. From wildfires in California to hurricanes like Harvey, Americans are already seeing and facing the costly impacts of a changing climate. … Continue Reading
November 15, 2019
Roll Call: Climate change solutions can’t wait for the politics to catch up
by Rep. Derek Kilmer
Climate change youth activists demonstrate at the Supreme Court on Sept. 18. Solutions to the climate crisis must not get caught up in partisan battles, New Democrat Coalition Chairman Derek Kilmer writes. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo) OPINION - In the Pacific Northwest, we have a sense of urgency about addressing climate change. That urgency is driven, in part, by the fact that we are already seeing its impacts. Where I'm from, we have four coastal tribes that are trying to move to … Continue Reading
August 21, 2019
Congressional Startup Day 2019
by New Democrat Coalition
Vice Chair Scott Peters at Wildcat Discovery Technologies in San Diego, CA Startups are an integral component of our nation's robust economy, accounting for nearly two million new jobs last year alone. The entrepreneurs who start them drive innovation and advancement, increase our global competitiveness, and help everyone become more prosperous. Congressional Startup Day, previously known as Startup Day Across America, began in 2013 with former New Dem Vice-Chair Jared Polis, now the … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
How the Housing Supply Is (Not) Meeting Demand
by New Democrat Coalition
The high cost of housing is the single biggest squeeze on household budgets and a significant drag on the economy. It is forcing Americans to live on the street, reducing GDP by trillions of dollars, substantially reducing Americans' retirement savings, and undermining growth in a post-recession era. The New Democrat Coalition knows affordable housing is paramount to the economic security of American families. That's why the New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Denny … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
The Ecosystem of the Housing Market Today
by New Democrat Coalition
America faces a housing shortage that totals millions of housing units across the country. Home prices and rents are rising faster than wages, and construction is not keeping up with demand. Recently, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Housing Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Denny Heck, Katie Hill and Ben McAdams held a forum with two panels to address various challenges that contribute to America's housing crisis. The first panel included Dr. Corianne Payton Scally, the Principal Research Associate in … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
New Dems Launch Infrastructure Listening Tour Across America
by New Democrat Coalition
Across the country, our transportation infrastructure is in dire need of modernization. As one of the most immediate ways Americans interact with their government on a daily basis, the health of our roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, and airports is key to serving the public well. In order to grow our economy, keep Americans safe, and build stronger communities, we need to work across the aisle to rebuild, repair, and expand our nation's infrastructure. In building on the Coalition's work from … Continue Reading
June 12, 2018
New Dems Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month
by New Democrat Coalition
America was built by immigrants, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Every day, all over the country, immigrants are growing businesses, innovating, strengthening our economy, and creating American jobs. Unfortunately their contributions to our nation are too often overlooked and undervalued. New Democrat Coalition Members are proud to come together to celebrate immigrants, especially during Immigrant Heritage Month. Most Americans have immigrant … Continue Reading
May 17, 2018
New Democrat Coalition Lays Out New Economic Opportunity Agenda: A Future that Works
by New Democrat Coalition
New Democrat Coalition announces policy priorities that will help make sure our workers are prepared for the jobs of the future Today, the New Democrat Coalition announced the Economic Opportunity Agenda: A Future that Works, which lays out policy priorities that will help make sure our workers are prepared for the jobs of the future. The report announced today, Closing the Skills and Opportunity Gaps, is the first in a series focused on expanding opportunities in the changing … Continue Reading
May 04, 2018
On Anniversary of the House Passing Republican’s Health Care Repeal Bill, New Dems Highlight Efforts to Improve ACA
by New Democrat Coalition
Today is the one-year anniversary of House Republicans passing a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and jeopardize millions of American's health care. The New Democrat Coalition strongly opposed any effort to repeal the ACA. Instead, we remain committed to working to improve the ACA in a bipartisan way to lower costs, expand access and address the kitchen table anxieties families across the political spectrum experience. On May 4, 2017 the Republican health care repeal legislation … Continue Reading
December 22, 2017
New Democrat Coalition: 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW
by New Democrat Coalition
2017 has been a year unlike any in recent political history. His inaugural address notwithstanding, we hoped that President Trump would bring the country together behind shared priorities such as increased infrastructure investment, bipartisan tax reform, and lowering the costs of healthcare. Instead, Republicans took a much more divisive approach and pursued a go-it-alone strategy. I remain concerned about the direction of the country, but as we conclude 2017, I am excited by the work of the … Continue Reading
November 17, 2017
New Democrats Urge Investment in Apprenticeship and Training Programs
by New Democrat Coalition
Our economy is changing, and we must prepare our current and future workforce for the jobs of the 21st century. Members of the New Democrat Coalition have long-focused on job growth and workforce development, and this week many came together to recognize the importance of investing in apprenticeships and other training programs. To celebrate, Rep. Kathleen Rice reintroduced a resolution supporting the designation of this week as "National Apprenticeship Week" to recognize the important role … Continue Reading