Press Releases
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
August 01, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Announces Co-Chairs of 21st Century Job Skills Working Group
The New Democrat Coalition announced that Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH), and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) will lead its new working group on job training and workforce development issues - the 21st Century Job Skills Working Group. The 20-Member working group formed earlier in July with the announcement of its support for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). That bill, which passed the House by a vote of 415-6, received the … Continue Reading
July 17, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Selected for Congressional Trade Leadership Award
Recognizing his steadfast commitment to an international trade policy that lifts standards for American workers and businesses while helping the United States sell products stamped 'Made in the USA' around the globe, the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) honored New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) with the organization's Congressional Leadership Award. The Congressional Leadership Award is presented annually to leaders in both parties who help to facilitate an … Continue Reading
July 11, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Members Respond to E-Rate Order from Federal Communications Commission
The New Democrat Coalition members working on solutions for an E-rate program capable of meeting 21st century learning needs released the following statement in response to the FCC's vote to modernize E-rate this morning: "We are pleased to see that the FCC has taken a critical first step toward bringing the E-rate program into the 21st century," the statement read. "While today's order is not perfect, it will help to ensure that millions of American students have access to the … Continue Reading
July 09, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Announces Rep. Derek Kilmer as New Co-Chair of National Security Task Force
The New Democrat Coalition announced that Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) will serve as a Co-Chair of the Coalition's National Security Task Force. Kilmer, a freshman member of the House Armed Services Committee, represents a Washington state district that is home to Naval Base Kitsap, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and borders Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Rep. Kilmer joins Reps. Ron Barber (D-AZ) and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), who currently serve as leaders of the … Continue Reading
July 08, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Announces Support for Bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Forms Working Group on Workforce Development
Following a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate and in anticipation of an impending vote in the House of Representatives, the New Democrat Coalition applauded the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and announced the formation of a working group to advance next-generation solutions for the development of a strong and stable workforce capable of filling the high-wage jobs of the future. The group plans to meet with stakeholders in labor, industry, education, and workforce … Continue Reading
June 27, 2014
28 New Democrat Coalition Members Send Letter to Commerce Department, U.S. Trade Representative to Urge Strong Trade Enforcement
Led by Chairman Ron Kind, 28 Members of the New Democrat Coalition sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today urging both officials to maintain strict enforcement of trade rules while pursuing a growth-focused trade strategy. "As Members of the New Democrat Coalition, we support a pro-growth and pro-worker trade strategy that exports more 'Made in America' products and services abroad," the letter says. "The further expansion of our … Continue Reading
June 27, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Immigration Task Force Leaders Mark One-Year Anniversary of Passage of Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
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) released the following statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the Senate's passage of a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform measure, the most significant overhaul of the United States' immigration policy in over 25 years: "Today, we should be marking the one-year anniversary of the signing ceremony for a bipartisan, comprehensive … Continue Reading
June 24, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leadership Applauds Heck Bill to Reauthorize U.S. Export-Import Bank
The New Democrat Coalition's leadership, along with New Dem Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA), released the following statement in anticipation of the release of the Protect American Jobs and Exports Act of 2014: "From American Boulevard in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to 112th Avenue in Bellevue, Washington, manufacturers, farmers, entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the country rely on the Export-Import Bank to sell goods and services stamped 'Made in America' around the globe," the statement read. "At a … Continue Reading
June 20, 2014
ICYMI: Inside U.S. Trade: "New Coalition" for Trade Includes New Dems
From an Inside U.S. Trade recap of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)'s meeting with the New Dems this week: "Earlier in the day, Wyden said his focus is on building a new bipartisan coalition for a trade policy that promotes U.S. manufacturing and innovation, not on picking a "date out of the sky" for passing a new TPA bill. "Everybody wants to talk about a timetable. I'm focused on trying to get the policies right," he added. He … Continue Reading
June 12, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Priorities Included in Democratic Whip’s ‘Make it in America’ Plan
The New Democrat Coalition announced some of its key priorities were included in Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer's (D-MD) 'Make it in America' plan. The Coalition applauded this success in the following statement from its leadership: "We are pleased to see Whip Hoyer's efforts to keep America a global leader by promoting exports, supporting STEM education and maintaining our position at the front of the line in the race to lead global technological innovation," the statement read. "As pro-growth … Continue Reading
June 11, 2014
ICYMI: Chairman Kind Selected for TechAmerica Congressional Tech Leader Award
Our Chairman received the prestigious TechAmerica Congressional Tech Leader award today. Read highlights from the TechAmerica release below: "TechAmerica, the public sector and public advocacy department of CompTIA, will present Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) with its 2014 TechAmerica Congressional Tech Leader Award. Congressman Kind is the head of the House New Democrat Coalition, a 55-member group of House Democrats dedicated to advancing issues of core importance to development of … Continue Reading
June 04, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Immigration Task Force Statement on Immigrant Heritage Month
The New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Task Force Co-Chairs released the following statement in response to the start of the first-ever Immigrant Heritage Month: "Immigrant Heritage Month is a time to remember that the hard work of America's immigrants helped to build the greatest economic engine the world has ever known," the statement read. "From what Emma Lazarus famously called 'your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,' came countless entrepreneurs, business … Continue Reading
June 03, 2014
Bipartisan, New Democrat Coalition-Led Group Sends Letter to FCC in Support of Modernizing E-Rate Program
New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Coalition Member Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), as well as Republican Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) led a bipartisan letter to the Federal Communications Commission today asking for the Commission to modernize the E-rate program and help "connect our nation's schools and libraries to high-speed broadband over the next five years." E-rate is a program that helps provide affordable telecommunications services to schools … Continue Reading
May 28, 2014
Report: 12 "Main Street" Businesses Benefit from U.S. Export-Import Bank
The New Democrat Coalition's work on the renewal of the U.S. Export-Import Bank was recently highlighted in the centrist online hub Republic 3.0. Read the article below for more information: At a recent speech before a friendly audience at the conservative Heritage Foundation, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) suggested that gutting the U.S. Export-Import Bank would somehow be a victory for the "Main Street competitive economy." The Congressman's remarks … Continue Reading