Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Members’ Statement on Introduction of Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Members of the New Democrat Coalition released the following statement in reaction to the release of the 'Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015:" "A big question we must answer is whether the United States will continue to lead in the global economy. We will carefully examine and weigh the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act to ensure that it reflects a better, smarter approach to 21st century global trade-one that is strong on … Continue Reading
April 09, 2015
New Democrat Coalition: ESEA Compromise a Step Forward
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), two leaders of the New Democrat Coalition's 21st Century Education, Immigration, and Workforce Task Force, released the following statement on the compromise reached between Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for the first time in over a decade: "We applaud the efforts of Sen. Murray and Sen. Alexander to work across the aisle and produce compromise legislation … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Chairman, Health Care Task Force Co-Chairs Issue Statement on Bipartisan SGR/CHIP Package
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Health Care Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) issued the following statement on the bipartisan SGR/CHIP legislative package before the House: "As we made clear in the Coalition's American Prosperity Agenda, Congress must prioritize policies that give everyone a shot at the American dream by preserving quality health care options for every American. A key component of that is finally … Continue Reading
March 23, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind Recognizes 5th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
La Crosse, WI - New Democrat Coalition Chairman U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) made the following statement recognizing the fifth anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act: "Five years in, we continue to see the positive impacts the ACA is having on America's health system" said Rep. Kind. "With over 16 million uninsured Americans gaining health insurance, the latest reduction in the cost projection, and the roughly 1 trillion dollars saved on Medicare spending, we're making great … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Unveils American Prosperity Agenda
New Democrat Coalition American Prosperity Agenda Tomorrow’s middle-class prosperity depends on what we do today. America’s promise has always been the possibility of opportunity and a better life. Here, any of us can dare to start a small business and watch it thrive. Here, our children can study hard, attend college, and achieve their goals. In America, all of us should have the opportunity to earn a living, own a home, put away something for retirement, and pursue dreams big and … Continue Reading
March 01, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Works to Bring Innovative, Common-Sense Solutions to Nation’s Schools
New Democrat Coalition Members worked across the aisle this week to find bipartisan, common-sense ideas to improve America's schools and extend opportunity to every American. The pragmatic lawmakers' strategy contrasted sharply with the hyperpartisan Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) pulled from the floor this week. "We need an approach to education that uses high-quality, proven models of education to put students first," said Co-Chair of the New Dem Task Force on 21st Century … Continue Reading
January 21, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Statement on the President’s State of the Union Address
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Chairman of the House New Democrat Coalition, issued the following statement on the State of the Union Address this evening: "There are many bold, bipartisan ideas that President Obama and Speaker Boehner can agree on in this address. I share many of the goals outlined in the agenda, such as investing in next-generation infrastructure, expanded trade that raises standards for workers and businesses, and comprehensive immigration reform. These efforts are a wise next step … Continue Reading
January 07, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Urge Passage of TRIA Reauthorization
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), a Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, and Rep. John Carney (D-DE), the New Democrat Coalition's Whip and Co-Chair of the Coalition's Financial Services Taskforce, released the following statement urging the passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization (TRIA): "It is unfortunate that the Senate was unable to reauthorize TRIA following the House's bipartisan action in December. More than a decade after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, terrorism … Continue Reading
January 06, 2015
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Congratulates New Members on Swearing-In
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Chairman of the New Democrat Coalition, released the following statement following the swearing-in of Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Rep. Brad Ashford (D-NE), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL), and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) to the 114th Congress today: "I congratulate Pete, Brad, Don, Gwen and Kathleen on being sworn in to the House of Representatives," Chairman Kind said in a statement. "As proud New Democrat Coalition Members, we will work with our colleagues … Continue Reading
December 12, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leaders React to Passage of CRomnibus Measure
The leadership of the House New Democrat Coalition released the following statement in response to the passage of the "CRomnibus" measure to keep the government open: "When we work together on shared, bipartisan priorities instead of riders designed to appeal to a narrow, ideologically-driven base, we can achieve real results for the American people," the statement read. "There's as much to like about this bill as there is cause for concern. We are pleased, for example, that the Majority is … Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Supported Passage of TRIA Reauthorization
The pro-growth House New Democrat Coalition's Financial Services Task Force Co-Chairs released the following statement in response to the passage of a reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) this afternoon: "It is more important than ever, at a time when private market solutions do not exist to protect innovators and job creators from the threat of terrorist attacks, that the federal government step in and fill this crucial role," the leaders said in a joint statement. … Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leaders React to FCC Proposal to Expand E-Rate, Increase Access to 21st Century Internet Connectivity
New Democrat Coalition leaders working to modernize and improve E-Rate issued the following statement in reaction to the Federal Communication Commission's vote to permanently increase the funding cap for the E-Rate program: "This vote from the FCC brings us closer to an America where all of us - rich and poor, urban and rural alike - have access to the high-speed Internet connectivity we need in our public schools and our community libraries to learn, grow and thrive," the statement read. … Continue Reading
November 21, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Immigration Leaders React to President’s Planned Executive Actions on Immigration Reform
The New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Task Force Co-Chairs, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Rep. Joe Garcia (D-FL) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), along with Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) issued the following statement on the President's planned announcement of executive actions to reform the nation's immigration system: "Comprehensive immigration reform that creates jobs, lowers deficits and reunites families torn apart by a broken system is an urgent moral and economic imperative for our … Continue Reading
November 19, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Elects 114th Congress Leadership, Inducts Five New Members
The pro-growth House New Democrat Coalition unanimously elected its new leadership team for the 114th Congress this afternoon. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) was re-elected Chairman of the Coalition, while Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Jim Himes (D-CT) and Jared Polis (D-CO) were elected to serve as Vice-Chairs. In addition, the Coalition elected Rep. John Carney (D-DE) as its Whip for the 114th Congress. "As leaders of the New Democrat Coalition, we pledge to work together on a … Continue Reading
October 15, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Asks National Academy of Sciences for Study on Digital Literacy
Led by Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), 43 New Democrat Coalition Members sent a letter to Dr. Ralph Cicerone, President of the National Academy of Sciences, requesting a report on the state of digital literacy in America's education system. The Coalition argued that "in a more connected and technologically-advanced economy, digital literacy is fundamental." In a similar letter, Coalition leaders received the bipartisan … Continue Reading
October 08, 2014
New Democrat Coalition National Security Leaders Release Recommendations to Reform Department of Defense’s Acquisition Process
Responding to a request of House Armed Services Committee Vice-Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) for proposals from Committee members to improve the Department of Defense's acquisition process, the New Democrat Coalition's National Security Task Force Co-Chairs, Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Ron Barber (D-AZ) and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) joined several of their Coalition colleagues to release a series of recommendations to "streamline and … Continue Reading
October 01, 2014
ICYMI: Garcia, Polis, Castro Urge President Obama to Use Executive Action to Help American Businesses
Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Joe Garcia (D-FL) were joined by dozens of their colleagues from across the House Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to President Obama today urging him to address the problems faced by American businesses as he considers executive action to help immigrant families and ensure our borders remain secure. The three representatives are Co-Chairs of the New Democrat Coalition’s Immigration Taskforce and leaders within the House … Continue Reading
September 18, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Trade Leaders Respond to USTR’s Efforts to Ensure Strong Enforcement of International Trade Rules
Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Chairman of the pro-growth New Democrat Coalition, issued the following joint statement with Coalition Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) in response to the announcement that the United States is proceeding with a labor enforcement case against Guatemala under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR): "Today's announcement by U.S. Trade Representative … Continue Reading
September 16, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Laud New Report of American Academy of Arts & Sciences Calling for National Commitment to R&D Investment
The New Democrat Coalition's Technology, Education, and Entrepreneurship Task Force Co-Chairs, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), and Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), along with the Coalition's leaders who are working to strengthen our R&D infrastructure through the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) released the following statement commending the American Academy of … Continue Reading
August 15, 2014
New Democrat Coalition National Security Leaders Send Letter to HASC Vice-Chairman, Ranking Member Announcing Intent to Develop Acquisition Reform Proposals
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) and Rep. Ron Barber (D-AZ) - the three Co-Chairs of the New Democrat Coalition's National Security Task Force - sent a letter to House Armed Services Committee Vice-Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), also a New Democrat, announcing their intent to develop proposals to reform the Department of Defense's outdated and cumbersome acquisitions process. Vice-Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith … Continue Reading