New Dem Weekly Wrap 12/9/2022
New Democrat Coalition Announces Vice Chair Roles for 118th Congress
Following last week’s New Democrat Coaliton (NDC) leadership elections, the Coalition announced the roles each of the four Vice Chairs-elect will assume for the 118th Congress. The four NDC Vice Chair-elects will have the following roles:
- Vice Chair for Member Services: Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03)
- Vice Chair for Policy: Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06)
- Vice Chair for Communications: Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10)
- Vice Chair for Outreach: Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
“As the incoming Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, I could not be more thrilled to have Rep. Sharice Davids, Rep. Derek Kilmer, Rep. Brad Schneider and Rep. Salud Carbajal by my side on the leadership team,” said NDC Chair-elect Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02). “Each of these Vice Chairs-elect will play a critical role in guiding our Coalition through the upcoming closely divided Congress. As the ‘can do caucus,’ I look forward to working together to make progress on the issues that matter most to the American people.”
“A commitment to finding common ground and addressing everyday issues is how we got so much done this session, from the bipartisan infrastructure law to lowering health care costs to boosting domestic manufacturing. New Dems have been at the table and leading the charge on all of those efforts,” said NDC Vice Chair-elect for Member Services Sharice Davids. “I’m honored to have the support of this pragmatic group of lawmakers, and I look forward to continuing that progress in the next session.”
“In the next two years, our coalition can make clear both inside the Capitol and outside the beltway that there’s a big, diverse coalition of Democrats who believe that it’s time to govern and legislate and make people’s lives better,” NDC Vice Chair-elect for Policy Derek Kilmer. “Our members know that the best antidote to chaos and cynicism is competence and results. New Democrats are positioned to have a real impact in the 118th Congress, and I believe we can get stuff done.”
“For more than 25 years, The New Democrat Coalition has been a driving force for crafting smart legislation and advancing the interests of the American People,” said NDC Vice Chair-elect for Communications Brad Schneider. “As Vice Chair, I am excited to help lead the New Dems as we continue our work to grow our economy, tackle climate change, and move our country forward by reaching across our Democratic Caucus and across the aisle. As we continue to deliver for the American people, I’m confident that the New Dems will help shape the future of both our party and our country.”
“I am humbled and honored to have earned the votes of my New Dem colleagues to become one of our Vice Chairs in the next Congress," said NDC Vice Chair-elect for Outreach Salud Carbajal. "After one of the most productive Congresses in decades, New Dems face the important task of implementing the landmark laws that we've gotten signed, including the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS and Science Act. As the Vice Chair for Outreach, I look forward to helping our New Dems work with the Biden Administration and other stakeholders to ensure we maximize the benefits of these laws and find pathways to new policies that will improve the lives of our constituents across the country."
In the coming weeks, Chair-elect Kuster will appoint additional Members to join the leadership team for the 118th Congress.
New Dems Congratulate Abigail Spanberger on Becoming Battleground Leadership Representative
This week, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the below statement celebrating New Dem Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s (VA-07) election as Battleground Leadership Representative.
New Dem Leadership previously endorsed New Dem Rep. Susie Lee’s (NV-03) caucus rules amendment to create a Battleground Leadership Representative within Democratic Leadership and endorsed Rep. Spanberger for the position.
“New Dems are incredibly proud of New Dem Rep. Abigail Spanberger on her election to House Democratic Leadership as the Battleground Leadership Representative. She will be a much needed and powerful voice at the leadership table for Battleground Members.
“New Dems applaud both Rep. Spanberger and Rep. Susie Lee for stepping up to ensure our Battleground Members are heard and supported in Congress. The vast majority of Battleground Members are New Dems, who represent diverse communities across the country. Most importantly, they know how to protect, flip, and win seats that will help us regain the Democratic Majority. This new position will only make our Caucus stronger, and we are looking forward to working closely with Rep. Spanberger and House Democratic Leadership as we work to take back the House.”
New Democrat Coalition Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Dreamers Before End of the Year
NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and New Dem Immigration Task Force Co-Chairs Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Greg Stanton (AZ-09)released a statement on Wednesday calling for urgent action to pass legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers before the end of the year.
New Democrat Coalition Health Care Task Force Pushes for Inclusion of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act in End-of-Year Package
NDC Health Care Task Force Co-Chairs Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Kim Schrier (WA-08) sent a letter on Thursday urging Congressional Leadership to include H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, in an end-of-year package.
New Democrat Coalition Chair-elect Kuster Applauds 16 Key New Dem Appointments in the House Democratic Caucus
Today, New Dem Chair-elect Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the appointment of 16 New Dems to key leadership positions on the Steering and Policy Committee and as Chief Deputy Whips within the House Democratic Caucus.
New Democrat Coalition Congratulates Rep. Brendan Boyle on Election to Lead Democrats on the House Budget Committee
On Tuesday, New Dems congratulated Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-02) on his election to serve as the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee in the 118th Congress. New Dems look forward to working with Rep. Boyle in the next Congress to advance our shared priorities that build on the progress we’ve made during the first two years of the Biden administration.
New Democrat Coalition Celebrates House Passage of Respect for Marriage Act
On Thursday, New Dems voted unanimously to pass H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, to codify federal protection for marriages of same-sex and interracial couples. This legislation is necessary to safeguard Americans’ fundamental freedoms following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the concurring opinion issued by Justice Thomas that opened the door to overturning Loving, which guarantees the right to interracial marriage and Obergefell, which guarantees the right to same-sex marriage.
House Passes Pappas Bill to Safeguard Marriage Equality
The House passed Rep. Chris Pappas' (NH-01) bipartisan bill, H.R. 8404, Respect for Marriage Act, which will ensure strong federal protections for marriage equality, repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, and provide additional legal protections from individuals seeking to undermine marriage equality while acting under color of state law.
House Passes Kilmer, Strickland Legislation to Bolster Puget Sound Restoration and Recovery Efforts as part of National Defense Authorization Act
The House passed Reps. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland's (WA-10) bill, the Puget SOS Act, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. This bill, originally H.R. 1144, aims to enhance the federal government's role and investment in Puget Sound, the nation's largest estuary by volume and the heart of Washington State's identity and economic engine.
House Passes Carbajal Bill to Prevent Deportation of U.S. Servicemembers' Parents
The House passed Rep. Salud Carbajal's (CA-24) bill, H.R. 454, the Protect Patriot Patients Act. This measure would make parents of U.S. military service members eligible to adjust for Lawful Permanent Resident Status, preventing potential deportations or separations of military families.
House Passes Larsen Bill to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales, Marine Mammals
The House passed Rep. Rick Larsen's (WA-02) bipartisan legislation, the Protecting Our Marine Mammals (POMM) Act, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. This bill, originally H.R. 5957, expands federal protections for marine mammals to include near-real time monitoring of whales, monitoring of underwater soundscapes to reduce noise impacts on marine mammals and grants for seaports to make investments to reduce vessel collisions. New Dem Reps. Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) signed on as original cosponsors of this bill.
Biden Signs Kuster Legislation to Protect Surivivors of Domestic Abuse into Law
President Joe Biden signed Rep. Annie Kuster’s (NH-02) bipartisan bill, H.R. 7132, the Safe Connections Act, into law to protect survivors of domestic abuse and violence. This new law will help survivors of domestic violence and other crimes cut ties with their abusers by separating from shared wireless service plans, which can be exploited to monitor, stalk, or control victims. Rep. Kuster is a founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence.
Strickland Elected to Black Caucus Leadership, First Member of Congress from PNW to Serve in CBC Leadership
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) was elected by her Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) colleagues to serve as CBC Whip in the 118th Congress. Strickland is the first member from Washington state and the Pacific Northwest to serve on the CBC Executive Committee.
McBath Elected Secretary of Congressional Black Caucus
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) was elected by her Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) colleagues to serve as CBC Secretary in the 118th Congress.
Kilmer Unveils Historic Legislation to Address Chronic Underfunding and Barriers to Sovereignty in Indian Country
Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), historic legislation to address chronic underfunding and barriers to sovereignty faced by Indian Country as a result of the federal government’s failures to meet its trust and treaty responsibilities. The legislation would hold the federal government accountable for honoring the country’s legal promises to Native peoples.
Larsen Introduces Bill to Boost Federal Response to Flu
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2022 to bolster the federal response to seasonal and pandemic influenza as seasonal flu rates continue to rise in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. The CDC estimates there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from flu this season. New Dem Reps. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Ami Bera (CA-07), and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) signed on as original cosponsors of the bill.
This week, the House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, led by former NDC Chair Jim Himes (CT-04), released a groundbreaking report urging Congress to adopt policy recommendations that invest in individuals and communities and knock down barriers that hinder Americans' opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.
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