Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Inducts Two Additional Members
Over 100 strong, New Dems make up over forty percent of the Democratic Caucus Today, by a unanimous vote, the New Democrat Coalition was proud to add Reps. Donna Shalala (FL-27) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) to join the Coalition in the 116th Congress. These new Members bring an abundance of real-world experience and are dedicated to advancing the New Dem priorities that focus on growing the economy, embracing innovation, and promoting smart and fiscally responsible government. The New Democrat … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force Statement on Passage of Legislation to Address Ocean Acidification
The New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force expressed support for the House passage of H.R. 1921 - the Ocean Acidification Innovation Act (Rep. Kilmer), H.R. 1237 - the COAST Research Act (Rep. Bonamici), and H.R. 1716 - the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act (Rep. Pingree). These pieces of legislation expand research and innovation to understand and address ocean acidification and coastal community vulnerabilities, which are driven in large part by climate change. The bills … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Lays Out NAFTA 2.0 Priorities
Washington, DC - Today, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) released NAFTA 2.0 priorities. These priorities were developed by our Trade Task Force and approved by the full Coalition. "The New Democrat Coalition looks forward to working constructively with the Administration and our colleagues in Congress as we consider the path forward for an updated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico," the priorities note. NDC Members support updating NAFTA to reflect the modern trade issues of the 21st … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on House Passage of the Dream and Promise Act
Washington, DC - Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement following the House passage of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, which provides permanent status and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients. "Dreamers and TPS holders are valuable, contributing members of our communities and the US economy. They are our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. They strengthen … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Statement on Trump’s Tariff Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Chair Derek Kilmer, NDC Vice-Chair for Policy Suzan DelBene, and New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind, Rick Larsen, Greg Meeks, and Lizzie Fletcher released a statement in response to President Trump's threat to impose a blanket tariff on all Mexican imports: "There is bipartisan agreement that President Trump has abused trade authorities granted to him by Congress. His announcement last week that he intends to … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on House Passage of SECURE Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1994, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act which would help more Americans-including seniors, home health-care workers, and students-to save more for a secure retirement and delivers an urgently needed fix for Gold Star military families facing drastic tax hikes following the GOP tax bill: "Too many American … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Releases Technology Task Force Goals for the 116th Congress
Washington, DC - Today, the New Democrat Coalition Technology Task Force Co-Chairs Darren Soto, Sharice Davids, Kendra Horn, and Harley Rouda released their goals for the 116th Congress. The Technology Task Force will meet with stakeholders and develop policy positions for the Coalition to advance in both the near term and long term. Technology Task Force Mission Statement for the 116th Congress: The New Democrat Coalition Technology Task Force will work to ensure that America leads the way … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Releases Housing Task Force Goals for the 116th Congress
Today, the New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force Co-Chairs Denny Heck, Katie Hill, and Ben McAdams released their goals for the 116th Congress. The Housing Task Force will meet with stakeholders and develop policy positions for the Coalition to advance in both the near term and long term. Housing Task Force Mission Statement for the 116th Congress: America faces a housing shortage that totals millions of housing units across the country. Home prices and rents are rising faster than … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
New Democrat Coalition National Security Task Force Statement on Iran
Today, co-chairs of the New Democrat Coalition National Security Task Force, Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Anthony Brown (MD-04), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's recent actions toward Iran, ahead of a Tuesday congressional briefing on the topic by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford and Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan: "We are deeply concerned by … Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
House Passes New Democrat Coalition-Supported Legislation Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act
Washington, DC - Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R.987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. NDC is committed to strengthening the ACA, and this package of bills will not only strengthen the ACA but also fight efforts to undermine the ACA and look for ways to make the ACA work better for all Americans. Included in this package are New Dem-led bills to strengthen the ACA. The bills included in this package are: H.R. 1386 ENROLL Act of 2019 … Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Statement on Trump’s Tariff Announcement
Washington, DC - Today, the NDC Chair Derek Kilmer, NDC Vice-Chair for Policy Suzan DelBene, and New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind, Rick Larsen, Greg Meeks, and Lizzie Fletcher released a statement in response to President Trump announcing his intent to lift steel and aluminum tariffs from Canada and Mexico. "We are encouraged by the announcement that President Trump is removing the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. These … Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
House Passes New Dem-Endorsed HR 5, The Equality Act
Washington, DC - Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, The Equality Act, a bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in arenas such as housing, employment, federal funding, education, credit, and jury service. "Every American deserves to have access to the same basic civil rights, regardless of who they are or whom they love. I'm proud to represent a state that provides protections to … Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Endorses Prescription Drug Legislation
Washington, DC - Today, the New Democrat Coalition announced its endorsement of prescription drug bills that would will help promote transparency in pricing and protect and improve access to lower cost generic drugs. H.R. 1781, the bipartisan "Payment Commission Data Act of 2019," introduced by Reps. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), provides the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) with access to drug … Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
House Passes New Dem-Led Bill to Protect Americans with Preexisting Conditions
Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019. This legislation, led by NDC Vice Chair for Communications Annie Kuster and co-sponsored by Rep. Don Beyer, would revoke Section 1332 guidance released by the Trump Administration in October of 2018, which weakened protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. This legislation pushes back on the Trump Administration's repeated and ongoing attack of the Affordable … Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Statement on Section 301 Tariffs Announcement
Today, the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind, Rick Larsen, Greg Meeks, and Lizzie Fletcher released a statement after the announcement that President Trump may raise tariffs on China, continuing to harm American businesses, farmers, and families: "We urge the administration to reverse their plans to increase taxes by over double on a quarter of goods purchased from China by U.S. consumers or used as input parts for goods manufactured in the U.S. We believe further … Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Endorses H.R. 5, The Equality Act
Washington, DC - The House New Democrat Coalition announced its endorsement of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, a bill to ban discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in arenas such as housing, employment, federal funding, education, credit, and jury service. The Equality Act will amend the Civil Rights Act to illegalize discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. New Democrat Coalition Members have long pushed for equal rights legislation to … Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer Statement on the House Passage of Broad Legislation to Fight Climate Change
Washington, DC - Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act: "There's no denying it: climate change is real, and it's already posing a real threat to communities across the Pacific Northwest, our nation, and our world. The American people are not just demanding action - but leadership - to counter the impacts of climate change. Today, Congress took an important step and passed … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Endorses Broad Legislation to Fight Climate Change
Washington, DC - Today, the House New Democrat Coalition announced its endorsement of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. The bill would prevent the United States from withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change, and require the President to develop a plan for the country to meet its emissions reduction targets under the accords. New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer, Vice Chair for Policy Suzan DelBene, and Climate Change Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Sean Casten, … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on the Passing of Former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher
Washington, DC - Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the passing of former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, a founding Member of the New Democrat Coalition: "On behalf of my colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition, we are saddened to learn about Ellen Tauscher's passing. Ellen was a founding member of the New Democrat Coalition when she came to the Congress in 1997 and served as the Coalition's Chair in the 109th and 110th Congress. "As … Continue Reading
April 22, 2019
New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force Co-Chairs Statement on Earth Day
Washington, DC - Today, Co-Chairs of the New Democrat Climate Change Task Force, Reps. Don Beyer, Sean Casten, Elaine Luria, and Susan Wild, released the following statement on Earth Day: "As we mark Earth Day, the planet faces environmental hazards which are already having significant impacts on the country. Recent scientific reports have made it clear that climate change is an existential threat to Americans' health, national security, and economic prosperity. The New Democrat Coalition is … Continue Reading