New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 02/26/2021
This week, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) continued its work to advance its First 100 Day Agenda and economic stimulus priorities.
Later today, NDC Members are expected to vote to pass the American Rescue Plan Act, comprehensive legislation to end the pandemic, provide economic relief to workers and families, get children back to school safely, and reopen our economy. The NDC secured many priorities in the House reconciliation package, including several NDC-endorsed provisions.
NDC Members unanimously supported the NDC-endorsed H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act to illegalize discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. NDC Members have long pushed for equal rights legislation to protect LGBTQ Americans, and this legislation would help our country take an important step forward towards protecting their rights.
NDC Members met with House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler and Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chair Zoe Lofgren, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D., and U.S. Citizenship Act sponsor Rep. Linda Sanchez to discuss immigration reform and shared priorities in the 117th Congress. Members discussed the opportunities for a path forward on immigration reform that can draw broad, bipartisan support and become law, including the Dream and Promise Act, Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and pro-business reforms to welcome skilled workers and grow the economy.
More on what New Dems have been up to below.
NDC Highlights
NDC Secures Wins in the American Rescue Plan
Later today, NDC Members plan to vote to pass the American Rescue Plan Act, comprehensive legislation to end the pandemic, provide economic relief to workers and families, get children back to school safely, and reopen our economy. The NDC secured several priorities in the American Rescue Plan, including NDC-endorsed provisions, such as expanded and enhanced Child Tax Credit, an extension of emergency UI provisions, additional funding for testing and vaccine manufacturing and distribution, and funding for mental health and substance abuse prevention programs.
NDC Members unanimously supported the NDC-endorsed H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act to illegalize discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. NDC Members have long pushed for equal rights legislation to protect LGBTQ Americans, and this legislation would help our country take an important step forward towards protecting their rights.
ICYMI: NDC Endorses the For the People Act
In case you missed it: The NDC endorsed H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping campaign finance and election reform bill that will make it easier for Americans to vote, end the dominance of money in politics, and help ensure all elected officials work in the public interest. NDC Members proposed many of the provisions included in the package, ranging from election security measures, ethics reforms, transparent campaign ads, and other voting rights measures.
Featured Video
Davids Joins Morning Joe to Discuss Equality Act and Other House Priorities
NDC Vice Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03) joined Morning Joe to discuss the upcoming legislative agenda in the House, including the COVID-19 relief package and the NDC-endorsed Equality Act.
NDC Member COVID-19 Legislation
Stanton Introduces House Resolution to Establish COVID-19 Victims and Memorial Day
Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-09) introduced a House Resolution commemorating the first Monday in March as “COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day” to memorialize those lost and their loved ones and recognize the suffering of those who still carry unknown health side effects from the virus.
Craig Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Forage Flexibility for Farmers and Ranchers
Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the bipartisan Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters (FEEDD) with Cover Crops Act. The FEEDD Act will provide farmers and ranchers emergency flexibility to help alleviate livestock feed shortages during planting seasons with high levels of prevent plant due to extreme moisture or drought.
NDC Member Legislation
Kilmer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Fix America’s Election Watchdog
NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced the bipartisan Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act to reform the Federal Elections Commission and enable it to more effectively carry out its mission to oversee and enforce campaign finance laws. This bill is a part of H.R. 1, the For the People Act.
NDC Whip Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) introduced the Supporting Technical Experts in Managing (STEM) Diplomacy Act to break down barriers that prevent the State Department from hiring STEM experts who are uniquely qualified to advance policies on issues like nuclear nonproliferation, climate change and pandemic management and mitigation.
McBath, Kuster Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to End Child Exploitation Online
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) and NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced the bipartisan Eliminate Network Distribution (END) Child Exploitation Act to address the troubling prevalence of online child exploitation in communities across the nation.
Connolly Introduces Legislation to Promote Diversity in Federal National Security Offices
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) introduced the National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act to promote diversity in federal national security offices.
McBath Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency for Federal Elections Officials
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Election Official Integrity Act to prevent chief state election officials from participating in federal campaigns and prohibit the use of official authorities to impact elections. This bill is a part of H.R. 1, the For the People Act.
Wexton Introduces Legislation to Ensure Transparency in Federal Agency Relocations
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) introduced the Conducting Oversight to Secure Transparency (COST) of Relocations Act to require a federal agency undergoing a proposed relocation to conduct and make public a cost-benefit analysis of the move before it is carried out. The bill would help safeguard against attempts to force federal employees out of their jobs or stifle inconvenient scientific research through the auspices of agency relocations and ensure accountability to Congress and taxpayers on how exactly those agency relocations would benefit the American people.
NDC Member Action
NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led the Washington congressional delegation, including NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Reps. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Adam Smith (WA-09), in sending a letter to President Joe Biden to work with the Canadian government to create a plan, guided by public health data and science, to safely reopen the Canada-U.S. border.
Schneider National Rifle Association (NRA) Investigation Prompts Report on Tax-Exempt Noncompliance
NDC Leadership Member Brad Schneider’s (IL-10) 2019 investigation into potential abuse of exempt organizations’ tax preference status by the NRA prompted a report to be published by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, which oversees the Internal Revenue Service. The report highlights that large and complex organizations, like the NRA, can relatively easily avoid effective oversight and abuse the tax code to the illicit benefit of donors or executives. The report notes issues of the complexity of the tax code, a shortage of examination resources, and insufficient information on non-profit tax returns.
Strickland Hosts Discussion with Author Merritt Long in Honor of Black History Month
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) hosted a conversation with Olympia-based author, community leader, and distinguished public servant, Merritt Long. Their discussion touched on the importance of education, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, workplace discrimination, the January 6th insurrection, and more.
Boyle Urges VA to Make Changes to Arbitrary COVID-19 Vaccination Rule Hurting Military Veterans
Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-02) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough regarding income driven inequities in how the COVID-19 vaccination is being administered to Veterans nationwide.
Morelle Announces Creation of Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus
Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25) announced the creation of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Optics & Photonics Caucus to promote and advance the use of light-based technologies that are shaping how we communicate, energize our grids, administer healthcare, enhance our national security, and more.
Craig Discusses The Equality Act on MSNBC
Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) joined MSNBC to discuss the NDC-endorsed Equality Act to provide protections for LGBTQ Americans.
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) penned an op-ed in The Washington Times to outline his priorities as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Aviation. These priorities include strengthening aviation safety, bolstering the country’s global aviation leadership, fostering innovation in U.S. airspace, and restoring confidence in air travel: “The future of U.S. aviation is bright, and will be safer, greener, more accessible and innovative. I stand ready to work with the Biden Administration on these goals and other shared priorities to drive the U.S. economy and keep people moving.”
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