Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Leadership Urges President Trump to Do His Job so Lawmakers Can Do Theirs
Today the New Democrat Coalition Leadership team sent a letter to President Trump urging him to do his job so Congressional lawmakers can start doing theirs. The Coalition calls for Trump to stop the inflammatory rhetoric coming from the White House and instead focus on policies that will grow the economy, create more opportunity for all, and make government work better. “Upon your inauguration, despite being in opposition, we were hopeful that you would govern like the "dealmaker" you so … Continue Reading
February 06, 2017
Email Privacy Act Protects Americans in Digital Age
Today, by a voice vote, the House passed the Email Privacy Act, a bipartisan bill led by New Dem Vice-Chairs Jared Polis (CO-02) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01). This bipartisan bill, highlighted in the New Democrat Coalition Prosperity Agenda: Winning the Future, modernizes America’s digital privacy laws by establishing protections against warrantless searches of private emails. All present New Dem Members supported this bill which was co-sponsored New Dem Chair Jim Himes, New Dem Vice-Chair Derek … Continue Reading
February 02, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Launches Policy Task Forces
Today, the New Democrat Coalition launched seven policy task forces which will be led by New Dem issue area experts in order to develop policies to help Americans get ahead in a changing economy and make America more secure. The revamped task forces are charged with meeting with stakeholders and developing policy positions for the Coalition to advance in both the near term and long term. The Coalition will continue to assess the policy challenges that lie ahead and create additional task … Continue Reading
February 02, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair Emeritus Introduces Bill to Boost Economic Growth in Rural and Underserved Communities
Today, Chair Emeritus Ron Kind (WI-03) introduced the Investing in Opportunity Act, which will boost economic growth in communities that have been left behind by incentivizing more private sector investment. The New Democrat Coalition is committed to growing the economy and increasing opportunities for all Americans. New Democrats support solutions to boost private sector investment to help communities across the country grow and thrive so that all Americans feel they are getting a fair shot … Continue Reading
January 23, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair and Trade Taskforce Co-Chairs Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order on the Trans-Pacific Partnership
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 President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): "If the Trump administration wants to promote America First in trade, America must set the rules of the global economy, not withdraw from trade agreements. Hastily withdrawing from agreements like TPP cedes American leadership not only … Continue Reading
January 13, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Members Oppose Speaker Ryan’s Plan to Repeal ACA
Instead, New Democrat Coalition Members are committed to bipartisan cooperation to improve the ACA. Today, 30 New Democrat Coalition Members sent a letter to Speaker Ryan strongly opposing his plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Access to lifesaving health care is not a partisan issue, and any improvements to the ACA will only occur through bipartisan cooperation. Instead of repealing the ACA, New Dems urge Speaker Ryan to work across the aisle to make constructive … Continue Reading
January 10, 2017
The HALOS Act Reduces Regulatory Barriers for Startup Businesses
Today, with a large majority of New Dem Members' support, the House passed Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act introduced by New Dem Rep. Krysten Sinema (AZ-09) and cosponsored by New Dem Reps. John Delaney (MD-06), Scott Peters (CA-52), Jared Polis (CO-02), and Brad Schneider (IL-10). This bipartisan bill, highlighted in the New Democrat Prosperity Agenda: Winning the Future, will reduce regulatory barriers between startup businesses and potential investors during "demo days." The … Continue Reading
January 05, 2017
New Democrat Coalition Chair’s Statement on the REINS Act
Today New Democrats voted against the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The REINS Act undermines the power of agencies set up to enforce governmental regulations by requiring Congressional approval of all major rules. Instead of improving America’s regulatory environment, the bill will paralyze executive branch rule-making leading to inefficiency in government. “The REINS Act is another example of the partisan divide in Congress. New Democrats recognize we … Continue Reading
December 07, 2016
New Democrat Coalition Announces Expanded Leadership Team
Today the New Democrat Coalition announced its expanded leadership team and the specific roles of the four Vice-Chairs. Collectively, the four Vice-Chairs will facilitate Coalition communications, policy work, member services, and outreach. This structure harnesses the unique talent each Member brings to the Coalition and will further the execution of the Coalition’s vision. Additionally, Chair-Elect Himes (CT-04) announced three Members to serve in leadership positions within the Coalition: … Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
New Democrat Coalition Announces New Coalition Leadership
Today the New Democrat Coalition was proud to elect a new leadership team for the 115th Congress. The Coalition voted in support of electing Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04) to succeed Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) as Chair and elected Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Jared Polis (CO-02), and Terri Sewell (AL-07) to serve as Vice-Chairs. Rep. Ron Kind will serve as Chairman Emeritus of the Coalition. "It's been a pleasure to lead New Dems over the last four years. The New Democrat Coalition … Continue Reading
November 30, 2016
21st Century Cures Act Will Provide Critical Funding to Scientific Medical Research
Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, which dedicates more than $6 billion for new investments for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants to combat opioid abuse, and improvements to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This bipartisan bill, which passed the House with an overwhelming majority of support from New Dems, will implement key priorities that will help make a difference in the life of every American. Going forward, members of the … Continue Reading
November 17, 2016
New Democrat Coalition Inducts 10 New Members-Elect
54 strong, New Dems will make up more than one fourth of the House Democratic Caucus in the 115th Congress and will play a pivotal role in forging a bipartisan consensus This week, by a unanimous vote, the New Democrat Coalition was proud to induct 10 new Members-Elect to join the Coalition in the 115th Congress. These new Members-Elect bring an abundance of real-world experience and innovative ideas to the Coalition, and are dedicated to advancing the New Dem vision of keeping our economy … Continue Reading
September 22, 2016
Chairman Kind’s Statement on House Passage Empowering Employees through Stock Ownership Act
Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5719, the Empowering Employees through Stock Ownership Act (EESO). A large majority of New Dems supported this bipartisan bill, which will make it possible for more employees to obtain an ownership stake in the companies they help build and make it easier for startups to attract the talent necessary to grow the economy. "Startups are critical to our nation's economic growth, and stock options are a vital tool for attracting talented employees who … Continue Reading
September 22, 2016
ICYMI: New Democrat Coalition Sends Letter to Committee on Education and the Workforce
Yesterday Co-Chairs Jared Polis (CO-02), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) of the New Democrat Coalition 21st Century Education, Immigration, and Workforce Task Force sent a letter to leadership of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, outlining the New Dem Higher Education Priorities. The priorities represent a set of policy ideas that can bring quality education and training programs to more Americans by making higher education more accessible and innovative. New … Continue Reading
September 15, 2016
New Democrat Coalition Releases Higher Education Priorities
Today, the New Democrat Coalition released Higher Education Priorities detailing how we can ensure Americans have access to one of the most powerful tools for upward mobility. The priorities represent a set of policy ideas that can bring quality education and training programs to more Americans by making higher education more accessible and innovative. New Dems are committed to making higher education more accessible and affordable, fully preparing students for higher education and the … Continue Reading
September 08, 2016
The New Democrat Coalition Updates the American Prosperity Agenda
Today, the New Democrat Coalition released an update of the American Prosperity Agenda: Winning the Future. The agenda, originally released in March 2015, details the work New Dem Members have done to advance legislation that will help hardworking Americans succeed in a 21st century economy. The agenda outlines policy objectives to grow the economy, preserve the American Dream, and make government work better for the middle class. "Americans across our country are looking for their leaders to … Continue Reading
August 04, 2016
Startup Day Across America
The 4th Annual Startup Day Across America is an initiative started and led, in part, by New Dem Members. This bipartisan and bicameral event provides the opportunity for local entrepreneurs to work with their elected officials to discuss the importance of startups to our economy and raise awareness of the entrepreneurial activity happening from across the country. New Dems have been leading advocates in passing and implementing legislation to help entrepreneurs raise capital and start … Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
New Dems Introduce Efficient Nominations Act
Today New Dem Reps. Scott Peters (CA-52) and Jared Polis (CO-02) introduced the Efficient Nominations Act, co-sponsored by six other New Dems. This bill will ensure presidential nominations are heard within a reasonable amount of time, preventing excessive delays and vacancies in executive departments of the federal government which prevent agencies from carrying out the work they need to do. In recent years, the Senate has taken longer and longer to act on nominees, both for high profile … Continue Reading
July 13, 2016
New Dem Chairman Rep. Kind Commends the Obama Administration for Taking Action to Hold China Accountable and Level the Playing Field for American Workers and Businesses
Today, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced that the United States has launched a new trade enforcement action against the People's Republic of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning China's export duties on nine different raw materials. The export duties China imposes provide substantial competitive advantages for Chinese manufacturers by making it more expensive for American manufacturers that rely on these raw materials to produce their goods. "The U.S.-China … Continue Reading
July 06, 2016
New Dems Send Letter to House Appropriations for Increase in Computer Science Funding
Last week, over 20 Members of the New Democrat Coalition (New Dems) sent a letter, led by Reps. Jared Polis (CO-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Tony Cardenas (CA-29), to the House Appropriations Committee seeking new funding for computer science. Specifically, Members of the Coalition request $250 million in funding for Computer Science Development Grants in the Fiscal Year 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. According to the Computer Science Education … Continue Reading