Op-Eds

March 05, 2024

Republicans neglect the border, but can’t ignore national security

by NDC National Security Task Force Chair Marilyn Strickland

Earlier this year, I traveled to Tokyo and Okinawa with a bi-partisan delegation to meet with government officials, industry leaders, and academics to discuss a number of issues including elections, trade, defense and the economy. Yet one specific issue was raised by our hosts in nearly every meeting - the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and whether the U.S. will abandon our allies when they need us most.a The world is watching how America responds. In Europe, the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East … Continue Reading


February 14, 2024

America Is Facing a Workforce Crisis. Immigration Is the Answer | Opinion

by NDC Border Security Task Force Chair Greg Stanton and Vice Chair Salud Carbajal

For years, the immigration conversation in Washington has centered around border security. A strong and secure border is essential, there's no disagreement. But if Congress doesn't act to fix our broken immigration system, we're putting the American economy at a disadvantage for decades to come. America is facing a workforce crisis. Our economy added an unprecedented 7.5 million jobs over the last two years, but across critical sectors, from agriculture to healthcare to small businesses, … Continue Reading


January 18, 2024

Freedom is On the Ballot in 2024

by New Dem Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan

With another election year upon us, it is time for Americans to decide which candidates best represent their values.  As leaders of the nearly 100 member New Democrat Coalition, one of the largest blocs of House Democrats, and NewDEAL Leaders, a group of nearly 200 forward-looking state and locally elected Democrats, we recognize the stark differences between our pragmatic approach to politics and the chaotic, backward tenets of the GOP.  As we look to November 2024, we urge Democrats to … Continue Reading


January 05, 2024

On January 6, All That Separated Me From the Rioters Was 30 Seconds | Opinion

by New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster

Three years ago this week, our democracy almost failed.  Since the attempted insurrection, the Congressional Committee on January 6th and courtrooms across America have produced thousands of pages of testimony, countless depositions, and miles of video and security footage detailing the events of that day.  But, I have a story that has never been told about how close our country came — and we came pretty damn close to an angry mob overthrowing our election and our Constitution. I was one of … Continue Reading


December 18, 2023

At COP 28, New Dems Chart the Path Forward to a Clean Energy Economy by New Dem Chair Kuster and NDC Climate and Clean Energy Task Force Chair Peters

by NDC Chair Annie Kuster and NDC Climate Change and Clean Energy Task Force Chair Scott Peters

Last week, we represented the United States at COP 28 in Dubai — the annual summit convened by the United Nations where diplomats and leaders from nearly 200 countries gather to address the climate crisis and accelerate the global transition to clean energy. As Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the body responsible for steering U.S. climate policy, this was an opportunity to bring American priorities to the world stage and hear from other nations about how they’re tackling … Continue Reading


December 06, 2023

We Won't Let Far Right Hijack America's Security Priorities

by NDC National Security Task Force Chair Marilyn Strickland

The United States and our allies around the world face security threats at a level not seen since World War II. Ukraine continues its fight against Russia for the freedom and sovereignty of its people. Israel is defending itself in response to the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7. Tensions continue to rise as authoritarian aggression threatens our allies in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. Now more than ever, America must demonstrate strong global leadership to protect our … Continue Reading


October 17, 2023

The GOP-led House is in chaos. Bipartisanship is the only path forward.

by New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02)

As the world faces new and ongoing threats to peace and democracy — from the war in Ukraine to the violent terrorist attacks on Israel — the United States should stand as a beacon of hope and freedom. Yet, Republican chaos in the House of Representatives is threatening our global standing. The American people and U.S. allies deserve better than the chaos of House Republican leadership. Over the last two weeks, the House has convened for less than 20 minutes. Without a Speaker, we cannot vote … Continue Reading


September 22, 2023

Why the Republican Chaos Caucus and Its Government Shutdown Should Make You Mad

by New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02)

One of the most basic duties of Congress is to fund the government and keep it open, serving the American people. That's why the House is dubbed as having the "power of the purse." Unfortunately, this most basic responsibility seems to be too much for Speaker Kevin McCarthy to manage. His unwillingness to negotiate in good faith with Democrats, as he promised to do earlier this year, is pushing our country toward a government shutdown. That's unacceptable. The American people look to Congress … Continue Reading


July 25, 2023

I’m a New Democrat and we have the key to a strong economy

by NDC Economic Growth and Fiscal Responsibility Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its June consumer price index (CPI) report, which measures inflation. The report showed that year-over-year inflation slowed for the 12th straight month to just 3%, the lowest figure in over two years. Let me be clear, this doesn’t mean inflation is no longer an issue, but it does mean the trends are absolutely headed in the right direction.   To me, a lawmaker who has worked tirelessly to accelerate the recovery of our nation’s economy since … Continue Reading


June 21, 2023

One Year After Dobbs, Women and Families Are Bearing the Consequences

by NDC Chair Annie Kuster

In the year since the Supreme Court overturned the nearly 50-year precedent of Roe v. Wade, ending a woman's fundamental right to reproductive freedom, we have seen the devastating physical, mental, and economic impact the decision has had on women and their families across the country. Pregnancy is complex, and it can be incredibly emotional, sometimes heartbreaking. As a mother and an adoption attorney for 25 years, I have seen this firsthand. In Texas, Amanda Zurawski was denied a … Continue Reading


April 20, 2023

I Flipped My Seat Blue. I Know Congress Can Pursue Bipartisan Goals,

by NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Nikki Budzinski

On November 8th, I became the first Democrat elected to represent my area of Illinois in nearly a decade. As I reach 100 days serving in Congress, I've been reflecting on why I ran for office, my mission, and the work that Democratic freshmen have already accomplished so far. I was able to flip my seat from red to blue because I ran a campaign focused on reaching across the aisle to find common-sense solutions to the issues facing working families. When I came to Congress, I was glad to find … Continue Reading


March 28, 2023

Enough Republican Misinformation. Democrats Are the Real Job Creators

by NDC Vice Chair for Communications Brad Schneider

Despite Republicans' continued efforts to paint Democrats as socialists, the truth is, we are actually really good at capitalism. In fact, under Democratic Administrations since John F. Kennedy, the American economy has created 74.2 million jobs, compared to 29.8 million with a Republican in the White House. Here are some more facts: Under President Biden's leadership, the U.S. added more than 500,000 jobs in January of this year, and 300,000 more in February. Unemployment hit its lowest … Continue Reading


January 19, 2023

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

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