Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Chair Himes Statement on the CHOICE Act
Today the House passed the Financial CHOICE Act, a bill that will dismantle the most important aspects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Dodd-Frank is a pro-growth, pro-market oriented policy that has improved accountability in the financial system and protected consumers, investors, and the economy from abusive practices. If the CHOICE Act becomes law, financial institutions will once again be able to undertake risky practices and could trigger another … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on President Trump’s 's Decision to Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement: "Pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement is a terrible decision that leads us down a path to rising sea levels and destructive weather that will wreak havoc on our planet. Drought, climate refugees and competition over dwindling resources will destabilize global security. Without a coordinated global effort to combat climate change, the … Continue Reading
May 26, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Vice-Chair Leads Bicameral Portable Benefits Pilot Legislation
Yesterday New Democrat Coalition Vice-Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced bicameral legislation with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to test and evaluate innovative portable benefit designs for the growing independent workforce. New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) and New Democrat Coalition Future of Work Task Force Co-Chairs Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Jared Polis (CO-02) also signed onto the legislation. Earlier this week, the Future of Work Task Force held a forum to discuss the … Continue Reading
May 23, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Trump’s Budget
The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on President Trump’s proposed budget: “A budget proposal should be a visionary document, nothing like the extremist hit list we received today which serves no purpose other than to further divide us. President Trump’s budget shows that he and his administration are not taking the tremendous responsibility of governing seriously. It spends billions more dollars on defense while ransacking America’s … Continue Reading
May 19, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair and Trade Taskforce Co-Chairs Statement on NAFTA Renegotiation Letter
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) and New Dem Trade Taskforce Co-Chairs Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Gregory Meeks (NY-05) issued the following statement in response to the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) notification to Congress on its intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): “We look forward to working with USTR on updating NAFTA. New Democrats support a strong rules-based trade system and see the value global engagement brings to the … Continue Reading
May 17, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Members Propose Bipartisan Infrastructure and Tax Reform Package
Today, 46 New Democrat Coalition Members sent a letter to President Trump on the opportunity to move a big infrastructure package tied with tax reform. For too long, Congress has relied on irresponsible, stop-gap measures that hinder economic growth and make it more difficult to revitalize our outdated infrastructure and Byzantine tax code. New Dems are willing to work with anyone to revitalize our nation’s infrastructure and provide the necessary foundation for robust growth and new jobs. … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Speaks Out Against the GOP Health Care Bill
The New Democrat Coalition Members, including several Members on the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees, spoke out against the health care bill House Republicans passed that is dead on arrival in the Senate. Reps. Suzan DelBene, Ron Kind, and Terri Sewell sit on the Ways and Means Committee and Reps. Tony Cardenas, Eliot Engel, Scott Peters, and Kurt Schrader sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee. “Today, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and President … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Members Urge OPM to Improve Cybersecurity Hiring Process
This week Co-Chairs of the New Democrat Coalition Cybersecurity Task Force sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) inquiring about the federal cybersecurity hiring and training process. Currently our country faces unprecedented cybersecurity challenges, yet the federal government struggles to recruit and retain qualified cyber professionals. New Dems encourage OPM to explore ways to adjust their requirements and streamline the hiring process for federal cybersecurity jobs, … Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Passage of Omnibus Appropriations Bill
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the omnibus appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017: “While the process led to unnecessary suspense, today’s passage of the omnibus appropriations bill prevented a government shutdown and funded many key priorities. The bill included a historic $2 billion increase for medical research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), did not defund Planned Parenthood, which … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Members Demand Fiscal Responsibility in Congressional Budget
While Congress works to pass a Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill this week, Members of the New Democrat Coalition sent a letter to Speaker Ryan and Budget Committee Chair Diane Black outlining priorities for the Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution. Specifically, New Dems implore that the following key policy areas are addresses in the budget: Rebuild our Infrastructure and Responsibly Reform our Tax Code Strengthen Cutting-Edge Research Invest in Live-Saving Cures Secure the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Passage of Continuing Resolution
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government: “Today, we were able to pass a funding bill to keep the government open without any poison pills like money for the President’s border wall or defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides vital health services to millions of women each year. “As Congress moves forward, we should learn a lesson from the passage of this … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Himes on Trump’s Tax Plan
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes issued the following statement on the outline of a tax plan President Trump put forward today: “We have to reform our uncompetitive and Byzantine tax code. Our country is in dire need of a modern tax code that supports middle class families, fosters business development and innovation, and creates opportunities for Americans to prosper in a 21st century economy. The current tax code is a complicated collection of outdated provisions riddled with … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Members Demand More Funding for Disease Research
Today, New Democrat Coalition Members Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) and Rep. André Carson (IN-07) led a letter to the Committee on Appropriations requesting increased funding for the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) research into diseases that affect millions of Americans. Specifically, the letter calls for funding of at least $2 billion above the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 enacted level for NIH. More than 50 New Dems signed on to the letter. The New Democrat Coalition has been a champion of … Continue Reading
March 27, 2017
New Democrat Coalition on the Cancelled Vote for the GOP Health Care Bill
The New Democrat Coalition Members, including several Members on the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees, spoke out after the health care bill was pulled from the House Floor last week. Reps. Suzan DelBene, Ron Kind, and Terri Sewell sit on the Ways and Means Committee and Reps. Tony Cardenas, Eliot Engel, Scott Peters, and Kurt Schrader sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee. “It’s no surprise that the Republican health care bill was pulled from the House Floor by Speaker … Continue Reading
March 24, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Himes Statement on the GOP Health Care Bill
The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on the health care bill that was pulled from the House Floor today: “It’s no surprise that the Republican health care bill was pulled from the House Floor by Speaker Ryan. Members on both sides of the aisle agree that we cannot deny Americans access to affordable health care. As the non-partisan CBO revealed, this bill would have taken away health care from millions of hard-working Americans,” said New … Continue Reading
March 22, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Inducts New Members
Today, by a unanimous vote, the New Democrat Coalition was proud to induct seven new Members to join the Coalition in the 115th Congress. This diverse group of new Members brings forward-looking ideas to the Coalition and is dedicated to advancing the New Democrat vision of growing our economy and increasing opportunity for all Americans. “The New Democrat Coalition is proud to induct these seven new Members at a pivotal time in our nation’s history. They will help the Coalition continue … Continue Reading
March 16, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes Statement on Trump's Skinny Budget
The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on President Trump’s Skinny Budget: “While longer than 140 characters, President Trump's skinny budget is thin on details and lacks a vision for how to grow the economy across the country, create good paying jobs, promote opportunity for all, and keep America safe. This budget demonstrates once again that President Trump and his administration are not taking the tremendous responsibility of governing … Continue Reading
March 10, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Urges President to Prioritize Cybersecurity
New Democrat Coalition Members sent a letter to President Trump urging him to prioritize cybersecurity issues in the budget, including building the cyber workforce, strengthening public-private partnerships, and investing in cyber infrastructure. New Democrat Coalition Cybersecurity Task Force Co-Chairs Derek Kilmer, Kathleen Rice and Josh Gottheimer led the letter to President Trump which includes over 30 signatories. “As Members of the New Democrat Coalition, we believe the future of our … Continue Reading
March 09, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Speaks Out Against the GOP AHCA Bill
The New Democrat Coalition Members, including several Members on the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees, spoke out against the fiscally irresponsible GOP American Health Care Act (AHCA) bill. Reps. Suzan DelBene, Ron Kind, and Terri Sewell sit on the Ways and Means Committee and Reps. Tony Cardenas, Eliot Engel, Scott Peters, and Kurt Schrader sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee. “It’s absurd that fiscally conservative House Republicans are putting forward a major … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair’s Statement on President Trump’s Travel Ban 2.0
The New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on President Trump’s updated National Security Executive Order: “President Trump’s newest iteration of a travel ban on citizens from six majority-Muslim countries presents a serious threat to our national security by undermining our counter-terrorism work with Muslim partners in the region. The intelligence community and Department of Homeland Security have concluded that targeting these specific countries … Continue Reading