Press Releases
New Democrat Coalition Members Respond to Vote on House Science Committee R&D Bill
The New Democrat Coalition's leaders on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee issued the following statement in anticipation of the full committee markup of the FIRST Act, a bill to reauthorize federally-supported research and development programs: "When America's leading academics, researchers and engineers called for the United States to double its commitment to research and development over the next seven years in the Rising Above the Gathering Storm report, we took that call … Continue Reading
May 20, 2014
New Dems Join Bipartisan Group to Unveil Major Regulatory Reform Proposal
PPI President Will Marshall highlights the proposal for a Regulatory Improvement Commission at a bipartisan press conference on May 20, 2014. Today, a bipartisan group of House Members led by U.S. Reps. Patrick E. Murphy (D-FL) and Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) unveiled the Regulatory Improvement Act of 2014, a bill to reform the Federal Code of Regulations by creating a commission tasked with eliminating or revising outdated or redundant federal regulations. The National Association of … Continue Reading
May 13, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Trade Leaders Applaud Commerce Department’s NEXT Initiative
The leadership of the New Democrat Coalition's Trade Taskforce released the following statement in response to Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker's announcement of the Commerce Department's new customer service-driven initiative to boost exports and help American businesses sell "Made in America" goods around the globe: "As Members of the New Democrat Coalition, we believe that the global economy offers opportunities for America's workers, growers, manufacturers, small business owners and … Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leadership Statement on R&D Tax Credit
The New Democrat Coalition's leadership issued the following statement in advance of a vote on H.R. 4438, which would extend the R&D tax credit: "Members of the New Democrat Coalition have long supported the permanent extension of the Research and Development Tax Credit. By extending the R&D tax credit, we will give American businesses the predictability and certainty they need to invest in the technologies of tomorrow and create or maintain jobs. The R&D tax credit has a proven … Continue Reading
April 01, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leaders: America Deserves Better than Ryan ‘Budget to Nowhere’
The New Democrat Coalition's leadership issued the following statement in response to the release of the Republican budget spearheaded by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI): "Instead of using a partisan document to whip up the far right, Congress should focus on building on the bipartisan cooperation we saw in the two-year budget deal, the omnibus appropriations, and the debt ceiling," the statement read. "Americans are tired of 'Budgets to Nowhere' that make drastic cuts … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Adds Two Members
The New Democrat Coalition voted unanimously to induct two new members today, Reps. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ). The Coalition, a pro-growth, pro-innovation group of House Democrats today encompasses over one-fourth of the entire Democratic Caucus. "I'm honored to welcome Tony and Ann to the New Democrat Coalition," Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) said in a statement. "Both of them exemplify what it means to be a New Democrat in today's turbulent Washington - they're … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Applauds Introduction of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Discharge Petition
Led by the original sponsor of House Democrats' comprehensive immigration reform measure, H.R. 15 and the leader of House Democrats' discharge petition effort, Rep. Joe Garcia (D-FL), the New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Reform Task Force Co-Chairs, Reps. Garcia, Jared Polis (D-CO) and Joaquin Castro (D-TX) issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a discharge petition to force H.R. 15 to a vote. "We are pleased to see the introduction of a discharge petition that … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Amendments Added to FIRST Act by Unanimous Vote
The New Democrat Coalition's members on the House Science, Space and Technology's Research and Technology Subcommittee successfully offered a series of amendments to the House Majority's FIRST Act to improve workforce development, basic research and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Of the Democrats on the subcommittee, four - Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52), Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Rep. Ami Bera (CA-07) - belong to the New Democrat … Continue Reading
March 06, 2014
29 New Democrat Coalition Members Sponsor Bill to Renew Key Workforce Training Program
Today, 29 Members of the pro-growth New Democrat Coalition sponsored the 'Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014', legislation introduced by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA). The bill would extend the life of key provisions in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act that lapsed on December 31, 2013 for an additional seven years. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), a program managed by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides trade-affected workers with individualized training … Continue Reading
March 05, 2014
New Democrat Coalition Leadership Reacts to President Obama’s FY 2015 Proposed Budget
The leadership of the pro-growth New Democrat Coalition issued the following statement today in response to the President's release of his FY 2015 budget to Congress: "As we review President Obama's proposed budget, the New Democrat Coalition will look for priorities that support economic growth & job creation, foster innovation, and make long term investments to keep the U.S. competitive in the global economy. While it is easy to look at the history of the past few years and the … Continue Reading
February 28, 2014
ICYMI: Vice President Joe Biden Argues for Robust Trade Strategy in Financial Times
Read excerpts from Vice President Joe Biden's op-ed to the Financial Times encouraging lawmakers to back TPP and TTIP: "The global economy is at an inflection point. The choices we make now will determine our role in the world for decades to come. We have an opportunity to shape the path of global commerce to spread our values and benefit our people, and we should seize it..." "...America's economic relations with the rest of the world matter more now than ever before. … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
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