Op-Eds
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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … Continue Reading
August 28, 2017
New Democrats Fight to Expand Economic Opportunity to All Hard-Working American Families
by New Democrat Coalition
#NewDem Chair Jim Himes delivered the Weekly Democratic Address. In this week’s address, Rep. Himes highlighted New Democrats’ fight to expand economic opportunity to all hard-working American families. “Today, we are distracted by a Tweeter-in-Chief who deepens our divisions, sows seeds of discord and fans the flames of violence. Our country needs and deserves leaders who will encourage us to be our better selves and who will champion the ideas that we know … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
How Congress Can Help Americans Succeed in the Economy of the Future
by New Democrat Coalition
Today some Americans struggle to find jobs despite employers reporting millions of open positions. In certain sectors, the skills pipeline needs modernizing to give everyone opportunities to succeed in the changing economy. Federal policy needs to catch up with the changes in our workforce in the 21st century economy to ensure that Americans can succeed. It will take coordinated action as a country, both in the public and private sector, to meet that challenge. To better understand the … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
New Dems Celebrate Startups Across America
by New Democrat Coalition
Our country’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative minds are the lifeblood of the American economy. Startups are behind the technologies and services now a part of the daily lives of many Americans. And these companies no longer exist solely within Silicon Valley, so New Democrat Coalition Members across the nation are exploring and learning about the startups in their own districts. Starting in 2013, New Dem Vice-Chair Rep. Jared … Continue Reading
June 21, 2017
Portable Benefits in the 21st Century Workplace
by New Democrat Coalition
The rapid acceleration of technology, social changes, and flexibility in the work place - especially among millennials - has created new challenges in public policy. The conventional model as we know it is changing. Many Americans no longer hold the same job for several decades and, along with that, do not have access to employer-sponsored health or retirement benefits. As New Democrats, we care deeply about benefits for all workers, regardless of their employment status, and how they put … Continue Reading
June 12, 2017
New Dems Tackle the Future of Work
by New Democrat Coalition
What can the history of economic change tell us about our future? How will automation and robots affect jobs? The New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives is taking steps to address these questions about the future of work, so we can make sure all Americans are prepared to succeed. New Democrats believe that innovation has yielded immense benefits to all Americans in their everyday lives; however, Americans are increasingly concerned about how the economy is changing and … Continue Reading
June 09, 2017
Rep. Jim Himes Urges Bipartisanship on Infrastructure
by New Democrat Coalition
“In an alternate reality, we might have had a President who tried to bind us together after a divisive election through a bold plan to rebuild and repair our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Sadly, that was not the case. But, there is still time to get this work done on behalf of the American people in a bipartisan way.” — Rep. Jim Himes, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition Rep. Jim Himes, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, spoke about the importance of … Continue Reading
June 09, 2017
Rep. Jim Himes Urges Bipartisanship on Infrastructure
by New Democrat Coalition
“In an alternate reality, we might have had a President who tried to bind us together after a divisive election through a bold plan to rebuild and repair our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Sadly, that was not the case. But, there is still time to get this work done on behalf of the American people in a bipartisan way.” — Rep. Jim Himes, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition Rep. Jim Himes, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, spoke about the importance of … Continue Reading