New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 07/02/2021
This week the House passed the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act, which included multiple provisions based on fifteen New Democrat Coalition (NDC) endorsed bills. House passage of the INVEST in America Act charts the path forward for President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure framework in Congress.
NDC Leadership Members met with senior White House officials earlier this week to discuss NDC priorities for the bipartisan infrastructure framework moving forward, including modernizing our infrastructure, combatting climate change, creating jobs across the nation, and building on the Affordable Care Act toward universal access to affordable coverage and care. The NDC will continue to engage with Congressional leadership, committees, and the Biden-Harris administration as the House continues its work on a final infrastructure bill and additional legislative packages to build back better.
In Case You Missed It: The NDC endorsed our first slate of bills to combat climate change last week. The slate of eleven bills includes the resolution to curb dangerous methane emissions, which President Biden signed into law this week.
More on what New Dems have been up to below.
NDC Highlights
New Dems Secure Wins in Bipartisan INVEST in America Act
- NDC Members joined their colleagues in passing the INVEST in America Act, which reauthorizes our nation’s surface transportation programs and makes transformative investments to update our nation’s roads, bridges, public transit, rail, water infrastructure, and more.
- New Dems secured several priorities in the House infrastructure bill, including provisions that incorporate fifteen NDC-endorsed bills to build funding and financing to last; build resilient, innovative infrastructure for the future; and build with smart and inclusive planning, zoning, and development.
- The Coalition will continue to advocate for NDC-endorsed priorities to be included in the final bipartisan infrastructure package.
- This week, NDC Leadership Members met with senior White House officials to discuss priorities for President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure framework. Members also discussed an additional bill to create jobs, modernize infrastructure, combat climate change, and build on the ACA.
Featured Video
Casten on How Climate-Forward Infrastructure Investments are Good for the Earth & Economy
- NDC Climate Change Task Force Co-Chair Sean Casten (IL-06) talks about how transitioning towards a cleaner, stronger economy will create better job opportunities, combat climate change, and provide everyone with opportunities.
Bill Action
President Biden Signs Peters Legislation to Curb Dangerous Methane Emissions into Law
NDC Vice Chair for Policy Scott Peters (CA-52) attended a signing ceremony at the White House as his methane resolution to reinstate crucial Obama-era rules on methane emissions became law. The NDC-endorsed resolution is one of the most significant actions taken during the Biden-Harris administration to combat the climate crisis and is a victory for public health advocates and U.S. industry.
Davids Joins President Biden for Pulse National Memorial Signing
NDC Vice Chair for Member Services and Co-Chair of the House Equality Caucus Sharice Davids (KS-03) joined President Biden in the White House as he officially designated Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub as a national memorial, honoring the 49 lives lost in the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in modern history.
The President signed Rep. Cindy Axne’s (IA-03) bipartisan legislation honoring Iowa Veteran Brandon Ketchum and expanding mental health care for rural veterans into law. The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans’ Mental Health Act establishes new Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) programs through the VA and supports additional research on rural veteran mental health care needs.
McBath Bill to Provide Lower-Cost Health Care Plans for Unemployed Workers Launches
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) announced that starting Thursday, July 1st, 2021, Americans who receive unemployment benefits during this public health crisis may have access to more affordable plans through HealthCare.gov. Through their bill included in the American Rescue Plan, Americans who received or were approved for unemployment compensation in 2021 can apply for lower-cost plans.
Kilmer and Strickland Secure Over 30% Funding Increase for Key Puget Sound Recovery Program
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment voted to approve $50 million in federal funding in fiscal year 2022 for the Puget Sound Geographic Program, which provides critical grant support to state, local, and tribal governments to implement projects to improve water quality, protect shorelines, and enhance fish passage and salmon habitat. Puget Sound Recovery Caucus Co-Chairs, NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) fought to secure this increase of funding.
NDC Member Legislation
Connolly Reintroduces Bill to Ensure Transparency and Accountability in the Judicial Branch
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) reintroduced the bicameral Cameras in the Courtroom Act, which would ensure transparency and accountability in the judicial branch by televising open proceedings before the United States Supreme Court.
Schneider, Wasserman Schultz, and Demings Reintroduce Bill to Ban 3D Printed Guns
Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Val Demings (FL-10) reintroduced the bicameral 3D Printed Gun Safety Act, which prohibits the online distribution of blueprints and instructions that allow for the three-dimensional (3D) printing of firearms. Currently, 3D printed plastic guns may be able to evade detection by metal detectors at security checkpoints.
Jacobs Files Bill to Ensure U.S. Pays Share of UN Peacekeeping Dues
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-53) filed The United States Commitment to Peacekeeping Act to ensure the United States pays its share for United Nations Peacekeeping missions, bolster U.S. credibility and influence at the UN, and boost efforts to strengthen and reform peacekeeping operations. This legislation permanently repeals the cap on U.S. contributions to the UN’s Peacekeeping operations, which was established by Congress in 1994, and requires the State Department to report to Congress on its efforts to advocate for reforms at the UN and how UN Peacekeeping operations can be improved.
NDC Member Action
Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) sent a letter to Congressional Leadership to express strong support for the water infrastructure investments in the American Jobs Plan and urge for the provisions to be included in the final infrastructure legislation to address our nation’s water crisis, including our drinking water, wastewater, and sewage systems. Read the letter here.
Rep. Susan Lee (NV-03) led 16 bipartisan House members in sending a letter to President Biden urging immediate action to address the extreme drought and threatened drinking water supply and energy generation capacity currently in the Western region of the United States. New Dem Reps. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Jim Costa (CA-20), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-2), Tom O’Halleran (AZ-1), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Greg Stanton (AZ-9) have also signed onto the letter.
NDC Whip Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) penned an op-ed in USA Today to caution her Republicans colleagues in Congress about their verbal attacks on our military. She writes, “My colleagues in Congress are actively undermining our national security, aiding and abetting the enemies we swore to defend Americans against.”
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