Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Statement on Camp Tax Reform Proposal
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) issued the following statement in response to the release of Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Dave Camp (MI-04)'s plan to overhaul the nation's tax code for the first time since 1986: "I applaud any effort to start a productive discussion on how we can reform our tax code to make it simpler, fairer and more competitive," the statement read. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to work in a bipartisan fashion to fix our broken … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Readout of Meeting Between U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and House New Democrat Coalition
Today, the New Democrat Coalition hosted a meeting with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to discuss the Obama Administration’s efforts to create jobs and expand economic opportunities for all Americans. Secretary Pritzker expressed the Administration’s commitment to securing new trade agreements that will support economic growth and help create good, high-paying jobs in the U.S. The leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a robust trade policy to ensure that products shipped around … Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Statement on Debt Limit Increase
The leadership of the New Democrat Coalition and the Coalition's Tax Reform and Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released the following statement after the House passed a clean debt limit increase today: "America's families and business owners know that failing to pay the bills on time can result in disaster," the statement read. "That's why we're grateful that Congress has chosen to uphold its duty to extend the nation's borrowing authority and avoid the specter of an unprecedented, … Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Applauds Record U.S. Exports in 2013
The leaders of the New Democrat Coalition's Trade Task Force released the following statement following the Department of Commerce's announcement that 2013 exports from the U.S. set a new record: "We're pleased with the Commerce Department's announcement that, at $2.3 trillion, U.S. exports have set a record for the fourth straight year," the statement read. "At a time when 95 percent of the world's consumers live beyond our borders, it's critical that we aggressively pursue opening markets … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Immigration Leaders Respond to Release of House GOP Immigration Reform Principles
The leaders of the New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Task Force, Representatives Jared Polis (CO-02), Joe Garcia (FL-26), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and New Democrat Coalition tech leader Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01)-all original cosponsors of H.R. 15-issued the following statement in response to the release of the House GOP's immigration principles. "We are hopeful that the long awaited release of the House Republicans' immigration principles means that they are finally ready to bring … Continue Reading
January 29, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Respond to State of the Union Address
The leaders of the 53-member pro-growth New Democrat Coalition issued the following statement following President Obama's annual State of the Union Address last night: "It's clear that the American people want their leaders to focus on creating jobs and expanding opportunities here at home," the statement said. "2013 was a year of partisan bickering, costly government shutdowns, and little progress on the issues middle-class families truly care about. 2014 is an opportunity to turn the page … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind Statement on Retirement of Rep. Jim Moran
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that Rep. Jim Moran (VA-08) will retire from Congress at the close of the 113th: "When Jim Moran joined a group of moderate Democrats to form the New Democrat Coalition in 1997, he did it because he knew that the American people needed leaders willing to bridge the gap between the two parties in Washington. Jim's tireless commitment to the values that all New Democrats share … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Members' Statement on Introduction of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014
Upon introduction of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, the New Democrat Coalition Members released the following statement: "As New Democrats, we believe in trade that is fair for America's businesses and workers. Trade must level the playing field with our partners and eliminate unfair barriers for Americans trying to sell their goods and services overseas and strengthen international worker and environmental protections. "We are encouraged by the introduction of a bipartisan, … Continue Reading
December 17, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Tackle ‘Hour of Code’
In celebration of Computer Science Education Week (CSEDWeek), several leaders from the New Democrat Coalition joined with students, teachers, business leaders and celebrities across the country to participate in the Hour of Code. "As Members of a pro-innovation, pro-technology Coalition of Democrats, we are committed to ensuring that all of America's young people can benefit from the job training and skill building they gain from computer science programs," the Members said in a statement. … Continue Reading
December 09, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Hails Groundbreaking World Trade Organization Agreement
The New Democrat Coalition released the following statement in response to the World Trade Organization reaching the Trade Facilitation Agreement on Saturday. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement will require Member countries to take steps to reduce customs and border procedures that are barriers to international trade. This is the first successful WTO multilateral trade agreement reached in the 20-year history of the organization: "As New Democrats, we support President Obama's goal to … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Applauds Passage of Innovation Act
Following the passage of H.R. 3309, the New Democrat Coalition's leaders issued the following statement: "We commend leaders in both parties who set partisanship aside today to pass legislation to protect small business owners and entrepreneurs from the burdens of illegitimate patent claims while also protecting the rights of legitimate patent holders to enforce their patents," the statement said. "For too long, 'patent trolls' have placed an unmanageable burden on our job creators and … Continue Reading
December 03, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Calls for Action to Curb ‘Patent Troll’ Abuses
In advance of a scheduled Rules Committee meeting on H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act, the New Democrat Coalition's tech and innovation leaders released the following statement urging their colleagues to act on patent reform and cut down on the abuses of 'patent trolls.' "We are pleased that the House will consider this important patent reform bill that passed with broad, bipartisan support in the Judiciary Committee. We believe it is essential for Congress to move forward to provide our small … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Statement on Judiciary Committee Passage of Innovation Act
New Democrat Coalition leaders released the following statement in response to the House Judiciary Committee's passage of the Innovation Act. "The New Democrat Coalition believes strongly in harnessing the industriousness, creativity, and risk-taking ability of our nation's small business owners. We believe that our patent system must maintain a balance between protecting the rights of legitimate patent holders to enforce their patents and protecting consumer and businesses against … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Urges Sequester Replacement
Following a meeting with Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall, the New Democrat Coalition's Task Force on National Security co-chairs, Rep. Jim Moran (VA-08), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), and Rep. Ron Barber (AZ-02) as well as House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member and New Democrat Coalition Member Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement: "Undersecretary Kendall's presentation underscored, yet again, the consequences of … Continue Reading
November 19, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Launch Bipartisan Effort to Create National Entrepreneurs’ Day
New Democrat Coalition Members Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (FL-18), joined by all five Members of the New Democrat Coalition's leadership and 14 other Members of the New Democrat Coalition unveiled H. Res 401, a resolution to create a National Entrepreneurs' Day this morning. H. Res 401 would designate the third Tuesday of November as "National Entrepreneurs' Day." The resolution notes the fact that "more than half-a-million new businesses are created in the United … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Urges Action on Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment Assistance
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) issued the following statement urging action on Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment assistance, which he called "vital tools" to help America compete in the global economy. "Since 1934, Congress has passed 18 Trade Promotion Authority bills and this year must be no different. Trade Promotion Authority gives the United States a vital tool to pursue modern trade agreements that create good-paying American jobs, boost manufacturing … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Unveils COMPETES Act Reauthorization Agenda
As hearings on the first reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act since 2010 commenced this week, the New Democrat Coalition unveiled its comprehensive agenda for COMPETES. The Coalition's leaders on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee - the committee of jurisdiction for COMPETES - spearheaded the effort, convening for several months in informal talks and briefings to build support for the tech-friendly agenda. First passed in 2007, the America COMPETES Act provides support … Continue Reading
October 16, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Back Deal to Avert Default, End Government Shutdown
The leadership of the New Democrat Coalition formally endorsed the deal to raise the debt limit and end the government shutdown reached by Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today. The leaders released the following statement in response to the announcement of the deal: "We refuse to believe that Washington must be trapped in a never-ending cycle of high-stakes brinkmanship and partisan finger-pointing. The American people are exhausted with the constant gridlock in this town … Continue Reading
October 02, 2013
New Democrat Coalition to Join Democratic Leaders to Introduce Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Today
The leaders of the New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Task Force, long seen as key leaders within the House Democratic Caucus on a comprehensive measure to reform our immigration system and continuing our economic recovery, issued the following statement today to announce that the Coalition would lead the way on a comprehensive immigration reform bill. "As Members of the New Democrat Coalition, we've been working hard to fix our badly broken immigration system in a way that will include a … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
New Democrat Coalition Leaders Offer Common-Sense Solutions on Debt Limit
As the House majority inches closer to a dangerous strategy of using the full faith and credit of the United States as a bargaining chip in high-stakes budget negotiations, New Democrat Coalition Members have stepped forward to offer key solutions that Members believe will help to break the gridlock. "I am pleased to see my New Democrat Coalition colleagues taking an active role in finding workable solutions to ensure that Congress responsibly raises the debt limit," said New Democrat … Continue Reading