March 11, 2022

New Dem Weekly Wrap 3/11/2022

New Dems Celebrate American Rescue Plan One Year Anniversary

  • Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released a statement celebrating the first anniversary of Democrats’ historic American Rescue Plan, which New Dems unanimously voted for. 
  • The statement reads in part, “One year ago today, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, historic legislation that provided direct pandemic relief to Americans, helped us weather the COVID-19 storm, and rescued our economy. Thanks to this legislation and the resilience of the American people, we have turned the page on the COVID-19 pandemic and are entering a new chapter that is guided by science and not fear.”
  • Read more here. 

New Dems Hear from Committee Chairs about American Competitiveness Legislation

  • This week, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone met with the New Democrat Coalition to discuss the need to advance the America COMPETES Act.
  • New Dems are pushing for a final version of the America COMPETES Act that reflects the New Dem priorities of securing U.S. supply chains for critical goods, creating jobs and spurring innovation across the country, increasing investments in scientific and engineering research, and strengthening American global leadership. 

More on what New Dems have been up to below.  

New Dems in the News

“We started an inflation working group just to focus on the needs of our communities”: DelBene on Bloomberg
 New Democrat Coalition Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01)
 
Trone Calls for Collaborative, Urgent Government Action to Tackle Opioid Crisis via Maryland Matters
Rep. David Trone (MD-06) authored an op-ed with Retired Admiral James Winnefeld -- who both served on the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking -- to address how our country can end the opioid crisis once and for all. On the heels of President Biden's Unity Agenda announcement, there couldn't be a better time to come together on this issue and pass a legislative package to reduce demand and supply of opioids in our communities.

Member Highlights

NDC Member Bill Action  

Stanton’s Bill to Support Job Creation and Economic Development Passes in Omnibus
Rep. Greg Stanton’s (AZ-09) bill, H.R. 2901 the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, was passed in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Omnibus Funding Bill. This legislation would reauthorize the EB-5 Regional Center Program, which supports job creation and promotes economic development in rural or high unemployment areas by incentivizing foreign capital investment. 

Blunt Rochester’s Bill to Reduce Senior Fraud and Scams Passes in Omnibus
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s (DE-AL) bill, H.R. 1214 Fraud and Scam Reduction Act, was passed in the FY 2022 Omnibus Funding Bill. By creating the Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group and the Senior Fraud Advisory Office, this legislation improves the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) prevention and response efforts against senior fraud and scams through enhanced coordination with key industries, consumer advocacy groups, appropriate law enforcement agencies, and consumers.
 
Schneider’s Bipartisan Israel Relations Normalization Act Passes in Omnibus
Rep. Brad Schneider’s (IL-10) bill, H.R. 2748 the Israel Relations Normalization Act, was passed in the FY 2022 Omnibus Funding Bill. This legislation, originally introduced last April, would encourage the continued cooperation of the Abraham Accords and urge expansion of these peace and normalization agreements to countries that do not currently have diplomatic ties with Israel.

NDC Member Legislation 

O’Halleran, Craig, and Axne Introduce Legislation to Support Rural Communities
Reps. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Cindy Axne (IA-03) introduced H.R. 7019 the Rural Prosperity Act to improve outcomes for rural families and economies. This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would establish the Office of Rural Prosperity, a permanent office in the White House tasked with coordinating federal efforts to support and connect America’s rural communities to federal programs and resources.
 
Fletcher Introduces Legislation to Expedite U.S. LNG Exports to NATO Allies
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced H.R. 6977 the American Gas for Allies Act to allow U.S. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to receive expedited approval from the Department of Energy to export LNG from the U.S. to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries. Since no free trade agreements currently exist between the U.S. and European nations, European countries must initiate a lengthy application process to import or export LNG with the United States. 

Ross, Stevens, and Williams Introduce Legislation to Deliver Relief for Student Loan Borrowers
Reps. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced H.R. 7000 the Clean Slate Through Consolidation Act. This legislation would remove default records from the credit history of federal student loan borrowers who have consolidated their defaulted loan.

 

NDC Member Action

Morelle Calls for Action to Address Stalled Adoptions of Ukrainian Children
Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25) called for federal action to support the many vulnerable orphans in Ukraine who have been displaced amidst the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Rep. Morelle is calling for the State Department to grant these children new six-month B visas to return to United States to stay with their host families, work closely with existing Ukrainian authorities to ensure the requisite travel authorization are granted, and to implement a system to record the movements and locations of Ukrainian orphans, continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to find ways to expedite the international adoption process without compromising critical safety measures. 
 
Houlahan and Dean Seeks Answers on Small Businesses Administration Loans in Aftermath of Hurricane Ida
Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) sent a bipartisan letter to the Small Business Administration asking why not even one of the 71 Emergency Injury Disaster Loans submitted from Pennsylvania in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida have been approved. Rep. Houlahan said, “I’ve continued to track this issue and speak out on behalf of our community.”
 
Trahan Joined by Local Experts for Facebook Live on PACT Act & Veteran Care in MA-3
Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03) was joined by Vincent Ng, the Director of the VA Boston Healthcare System, Coleman Nee, National 3rd Jr Vice Commander for the Disabled American Veterans and Former Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services, and Michele Marino, Veterans’ Commissioner for the City of Fitchburg, for a live-streamed conversation on the Honoring Our PACT Act. H.R. 3967, the Honoring Our PACT Act, is comprehensive legislation to address the full gamut of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to earned benefits and care.

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