New Dem Weekly Wrap 2/4/2022
New Dem Coalition Celebrate House Passage of America COMPETES Act
- Today, the New Democrat Coalition celebrated the House passage of the America COMPETES Act, critical legislation that will tackle many issues weighing heaviest on American families and will set the United States up for long-term economic success.
- Since last year, our members have been leading the push to finalize and pass a robust American competitiveness bill that includes the Coalition’s priorities of securing supply chains, creating jobs and spurring innovation, investing in scientific research, and strengthening American global leadership.
- New Dems are focused on ensuring the final package reflects these priorities and makes it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.
- Read more.
- This morning, New Dem Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Vice Chairs Scott Peters (CA-52) and Ami Bera (CA-07), Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06), New Dem Reps. Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Kim Schrier (WA-08) held a press conference to call for swift Congressional action on the America COMPETES Act.
- Chair DelBene stated, “Americans are hard-working, innovative, and hopeful, and the best thing we can do is get a final bill that reflects these principles and make sure that bill gets across the finish line to show Americans that Democrats deliver and governance can work.”
- You can watch the full press conference here and read Chair DelBene’s remarks here.
New Dem Chair DelBene Pushes for a Final Build Back Better Act with Strong Climate Provisions
- This week, NDC Chair Suzan DelBene joined New Dem Members Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), as well as Reps. Katie Porter (CA-45) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), at a press call hosted by Climate Power and League of Conservation Voters to urge for immediate action on a final Build Back Better Act that includes strong climate provisions.
- Chair DelBene stated at the press call, “There is broad consensus among Democrats on these climate priorities, and we’ll do everything in our power to ensure the Build Back Better Act prioritizes climate and is signed into law. The time to act is now. Failure is not an option.”
- Read the full transcript here and watch the press call here.
More on what New Dems have been up to below.
New Dems in the News
NDC Chair DelBene penned an op-ed in the Hill calling for swift Congressional action on American competitiveness legislation to address the economic challenges families are facing now and create opportunities for Americans to succeed in the 21st century.
The op-ed reads in part: “Right now, Congress can address the challenges facing families and keep the Biden Boom going by taking bipartisan action on American competitiveness legislation to secure our supply chains, cut costs, strengthen American leadership, spur innovation and create good-paying jobs that will set the U.S. up for long-term economic success.”
New Dems know that passing a final America COMPETES Act will improve the livelihoods of Americans and promise a better future. This American competitiveness legislation will create jobs, cut costs, and address long-term inflation.
New Dems are committed to getting things done in Congress and that’s exactly what we plan to do throughout 2022. We unanimously passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and now transformational investments are going to update roads, bridges, and broadband in our neighborhoods. Now we’re focused on a final America COMPETES Act to address higher costs and supply chain blockages.
NDC Member Rep. Luria Speaks About the January 6th Committee’s Work on MSNBC
Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02) speaks to Nicole Wallace on MSNBC about her ongoing work with the January 6thCommittee to bring accountability to the American people and protect against future acts of domestic terrorism.
NDC HIGHLIGHTS:
Bill Action
Williams Bill to Honor John R. Lewis Passes House
Rep. Nikema Williams’s (GA-05) bill, H.R. 5577, to rename Atlanta Main Post Office as the “John Lewis Post Office Building” passed the House this week. The Honorable John Lewis used to visit this main post office, and Rep. Williams’ legislation is intended to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Congressman.
New Member Legislation
Lawrence Introduces Legislation to Promote Wireless EV Charging Projects
Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) introduced H.R. 6546, the Wireless Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Grant Program Act of 2022. This legislation creates a grant program in the U.S. Department of Transportation for small-scale wireless EV charging projects.
Fletcher Introduces Legislation to Reduce Carbon Emissions from Refineries
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced H.R. 6562, the Carbon Limiting Emissions At Refineries (CLEAR) Act bill to support the research and development of projects that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the downstream energy sector. This legislation establishes a new $200 million authorization program at the Department of Energy (DOE) for demonstration projects in promising technologies, like carbon capture, advanced catalysts, energy reduction, hydrogen firing, and electrification of heat and steam generation, that will help reduce emissions at refineries.
Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03) helped introduce H.R. 6520, the Medical and Health Stockpile Accountability Act. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen the Strategic National Stockpile and ensure the U.S. is better prepared for future crises and pandemics by combatting equipment shortages and providing near real-time tracking of medical and health supply inventories nationwide.
Ross Introduces Legislation to End Prison Gerrymandering
Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced H.R. 6550, the End Prison Gerrymandering Act. This legislation will help ensure equal representation for all by requiring the Census Bureau to count incarcerated people at their last place of residence rather than the prison in which they are held at the time of the Census.
Schrier Re-Introduces Bill to Help Students Get Enough Time to Eat Lunch
Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) reintroduced H.R. 6526, the Healthy Meal Time Act. This legislation will provide schools with best practices for scheduling lunch and recess to ensure that students have enough time to eat a balanced, nutritious meal and reduce waste.
Manning Introduces Resolution to Honor Greensboro Four
NDC Leadership Member Kathy Manning (NC-06) introduced a resolution to honor the leaders of the Greensboro Four Sit-In of 1960 and recognize this important moment in the American Civil Rights Movement. The resolution celebrates both the Greensboro Four, but also the many North Carolina A&T University Students who participated in the sit-in movement, and encourages all States to includes this historical account in their educational curriculum.
NDC Member Actions
25 New Dems Urge for Expedited Passage of America COMPETES Act
- Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), and Susan Wild (07) led a group of New Democrat Coalition members in a letter to House Leadership to push for swift passage of the America COMPETES Act last week.
- The letter reads in part, “Now is the time for Congress to strengthen U.S. supply chains, invest in innovative scientific research, and ensure America leads the rules-based international order and global economy well into the future. By passing this important bill, we can deliver for Americans on these important priorities while promoting job creation, reducing long-term inflation, and ensuring America’s workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businesses can compete on a level playing field with China and other nations. “
- Read more.
Larsen Holds the Most Infrastructure Events of Any House Member
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), who is chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation in the 117th Congress, has held the most infrastructure events of any Member of the House of Representatives. Since November, Rep. Larsen has held or participated in more than 70 events celebrating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and highlighting the important investments coming to Americans.
Davids Welcomes Secretary Buttigieg to Kansas
NDC Vice Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03) hosted U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in Kansas City, Kansas last week to discuss Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's investments in the community. Davids and Buttigieg met with local leaders from labor, business, transit, and climate groups before taking a ride on a KCATA electric bus.
Kuster Joins Lebanon City Officials to Announce Critical Broadband Project and Discuss Support for Community Services
Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force, met with Lebanon City officials to announce a new critical broadband project in the city. The new broadband project, which utilizes $60,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds, will extend broadband to the remaining 142 homes in the City that do not have internet service.
Reps. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking him to designate health care visits relating to screening, counseling, insertion, removal, or maintenance of FDA-approved contraceptive devices as “preventive services” and waive their applicable TRICARE copays.
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