Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on the Republican Short-Term Funding Bill
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on the short-term funding bill that passed the House of Representatives today: “After an entire year squandered on Republicans’ go-it-alone strategy, Congress painted itself into a corner with a huge list of urgent, overdue priorities for the American people that still have not been accomplished. Republicans have put forth another short-term funding bill without a plan to reach a yearlong spending deal and … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Statement on GOP Tax Bill
Today, key Members of the New Democrat Coalition released the following statement on the passage of the harmful tax bill: “By now, we all know the big picture failures of this tax bill. The bill will add roughly $2 trillion dollars to the national debt and lead to 13 million Americans losing their health insurance, driving up health insurance premiums for those with coverage by an additional 10 percent every year. This bill very disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Americans and large … Continue Reading
December 06, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Members Urge Conference Committee to Abandon Partisan Path Forward on Tax Bill
Today, key Members of the New Democrat Coalition sent a letter to the Conference Committee asking them to abandon their partisan approach and instead pursue a true and serious bipartisan effort. The Members outline specific principles, which were endorsed by the full Coalition, that a truly bipartisan tax reform plan should include, and the tax bills passed by the House and Senate do not achieve these fundamental principles. Our country is in dire need of a modern tax code, which is why the … Continue Reading
November 29, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Emeritus Kind and Other Key New Dem Members Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Plan for the Future of Work
Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Emeritus Ron Kind (WI-03) introduced the bipartisan Exploring the Future of Work Act, which would review the workforce challenges that exist due to technological advances. The bill will lead to policy recommendations to help make sure American workers are prepared and trained for jobs in the 21st century economy. New Democrat Coalition Members are focused on finding bipartisan policy solutions to address the opportunities and challenges related to the … Continue Reading
November 16, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Opposes Harmful GOP Tax Bill
Today, New Democrats voted against the harmful, Republican tax bill that passed the House. New Democrats recognize the need for comprehensive tax reform, but this bill explodes the deficit, fails to simplify the tax code, and increases taxes on the middle class. In response, several key Members of the New Democrat Coalition released the following statement: “New Democrats recognize the urgent need for comprehensive tax reform. A good plan would simplify the system, support middle-class … Continue Reading
November 02, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Statement on GOP Tax Plan
House Republicans released their one-sided tax proposal. New Democrats have continued to offer to work with House Republicans on a truly bipartisan tax reform plan, but instead Republican Leaders chose a partisan path that excluded Democrats and many of their own members from the negotiation process. In response, key Members of the New Democrat Coalition released the following statement: “Our country is in dire need of a modern tax code that supports middle-class families, fosters business … Continue Reading
October 27, 2017
What They’re Saying About the New Democrat Coalition Cybersecurity Plan: Safeguarding Our Economy and Our Future
Yesterday, the New Democrat Coalition, through the leadership of New Democrat Coalition Cybersecurity Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Derek Kilmer, Kathleen Rice, Josh Gottheimer, unveiled a robust cyber policy plan. Recent high-profile cyber incidents and the rise of Ransomware have shown the very real consequences of cyber threats. Cyber threats have evolved alongside new innovations so Congress must do more to secure our nation, families and businesses. Think tanks, technology and internet … Continue Reading
October 26, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on the Budget
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on the budget that passed the House of Representatives today, setting the stage for advancing a partisan tax bill in the coming weeks: “The budget passed today sets the table for a multi-trillion dollar explosion in our national debt. True, comprehensive tax reform that helps the middle class and simplifies the tax code to help American businesses compete globally and hire more American workers is desperately … Continue Reading
October 26, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Unveils a Robust Cybersecurity Plan
Today the New Democrat Coalition, through the leadership of New Democrat Coalition Cybersecurity Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Derek Kilmer, Kathleen Rice, Josh Gottheimer, unveiled a robust cyber policy plan. Recent high-profile cyber incidents and the rise of Ransomware have shown the very real consequences of cyber threats. Cyber threats have evolved alongside new innovations so Congress must do more to secure our nation, families and businesses. In this plan, the Task Force focuses on how … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Urges Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to Change its Data Collection
As it stands, the Current Population Survey does not adequately calculate data for the transforming economy Rapid technological innovation is already impacting the American workforce, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data does not fully capture the changes to the workforce. Specifically the standard Current Population Survey (CPS) alone does not accommodate for the independent workforce. Accordingly, BLS should make permanent the Contingent Worker and Alternative Work Arrangement … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
New Dem Health Care Leaders on Senators Reaching a Bipartisan Deal on Healthcare
Reps. Kurt Schrader (OR-5), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) and Annie Kuster (NH-02), co-chairs of the New Democrat Coalition Task Force on Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Task Force, and New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement after Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) came to a bipartisan deal to extend cost-sharing reduction subsidies for two … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Trump Administration Ending Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments
The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement after the White House Press Secretary issued a statement indicating that the Trump Administration will end cost-sharing reduction payments. The "cost-sharing reduction payments" are intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for low-income Americans. “President Trump’s decision to end the payments that are vital to the functioning of the ACA marketplaces is a malicious act of destruction. It takes every virtue … Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
New Dem Health Care Leaders Slam Trump’s Ending of Cost Lowering Payments
Reps. Kurt Schrader (OR-5), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) and Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02), co-chairs of the New Democrat Coalition Task Force on Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Task Force, and New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) slammed the President today for ending cost sharing reduction (CSR) payments to the individual health insurance exchange. In July, the co-chairs led a group of 10 House Democrats from across the political spectrum in a five-part plan, titled Solutions Over … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Releases Infrastructure Principles
The New Democrat Coalition released a set of principles to increase long-term federal investments in infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure projects are consistently evaluated as the best return on government investments, and with all the devastation that many of our cities and towns have faced in recent weeks, infrastructure investment is more important now than ever. With too many roads and bridges crumbling around the country, transit systems in need of significant repair, and a … Continue Reading
September 27, 2017
New Democrat Coalition to GOP: Work Across the Aisle on Bipartisan Tax Reform Plan
House Republicans released their one-sided, regressive tax proposal without bringing any Congressional Democrats to the negotiating table. In response, the New Democrat Coalition released the following statement: “Our country is in dire need of a modern tax code that supports middle-class families, fosters business development, is globally competitive, encourages innovation and creates opportunities for Americans to prosper in a 21st century economy. The last time our tax code was … Continue Reading
September 22, 2017
New Dems Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging President to Honor Korea-U.S. Trade Agreement
New Dem Chair Emeritus Kind, New Dem Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Larsen & Meeks, and other New Democrat Coalition Members led an influential bipartisan coalition in calling on President Trump to continue honoring the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). In recent weeks it has been reported that the Trump Administration is considering withdrawing from the agreement. A withdrawal from the agreement would cause American businesses, farmers and workers to face high barriers to selling their … Continue Reading
September 15, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Sends Letter to Senators Alexander and Murray
While the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee wrapped up their fourth and last hearing on stabilizing premiums in the individual insurance market, New Democrat Coalition Members sent a letter to Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) calling for a path forward on legislative solutions to reduce health care costs. The Committee heard from state insurance commissioners, health care experts, and a bipartisan group of … Continue Reading
September 08, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Government Funding and Harvey Aid Package
Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement after voting to raise the debt ceiling, avoid a government shutdown, and provide Hurricane Harvey relief: “The full faith and credit of the United States should never be used as a bargaining chip - the consequences of failing to raise the debt limit are far too dire. Today, in a glimmer of hope for bipartisanship, I joined my colleagues to increase the debt limit and avoid a government shutdown. “Most … Continue Reading
September 05, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Himes Condemns Trump Ending DACA
Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) condemned the Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The DACA program has allowed nearly 800,000 immigrants who arrived in the United States as young children to live openly and contribute to their communities and the economy without fear of deportation. DREAMers contribute to our communities and boost our economy, create jobs, and raise wages for U.S. citizens. They are brave … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Calls for Pragmatic, Consensus Path Forward
This week, the “skinny repeal” plan failed in the Senate 49-51. In the wake of this partisanship, the New Democrat Coalition Members continue to call for a pragmatic, consensus-driven path forward to stabilize and improve the individual health insurance market while protecting the Affordable Care Act. “Last night, we saw three Republican Senators put country above party. For many Americans, including me, the sense of relief was palpable. For a moment at least, a glimmer of hope has … Continue Reading