New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 07/23/2021
In recent weeks, the New Democrat Coalition has worked to advance our priorities as discussions continue in Congress on the bipartisan infrastructure framework and expected budget reconciliation bill, in concert with the President’s Build Back Better Agenda.
Led by NDC Infrastructure Task Force Co-Chairs Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) and Norma Torres (CA-35), NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and NDC Policy Vice Chair Scott Peters (CA-52), the NDC sent a letter to Senate and House leadership urging for the inclusion of New Dem endorsed priorities in the final bipartisan infrastructure package. This includes provisions from 15 NDC-endorsed bills that were included in the House-passed Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act.
Last week, New Dem Members met with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai to discuss the administration’s trade agenda and ongoing trade concerns, including shortages in the agricultural industry and establishing digital trade agreements. This week, New Dem Members met with House Budget Chair John Yarmuth and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to discuss the budget resolution and reconciliation process as well as the FY22 Appropriations bills.
Yesterday, NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral, NDC-endorsed RECOMPETE Act, which would establish a new Economic Development Agency program to provide persistently distressed communities with flexible, robust ten-year grants to address their unique, local economic development needs and create lasting jobs and economic opportunity.
More on what New Dems have been up to below.
NDC Highlights
- NDC Leadership and Infrastructure Task Force members sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging for the inclusion of NDC priorities in the final infrastructure bill, including 15 NDC-endorsed bills that were included in the House-passed, bipartisan INVEST in America Act. As the Senate works towards a final infrastructure bill, the NDC is working towards a package that promotes innovation, resilience, equity, and inclusion, and creates widely shared economic growth and good jobs. Read the full letter here.
NDC Members Meet with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai
- Ambassador Tai spoke with the Coalition about President Biden’s trade agenda and provided updates on the Office of the United State Trade Representative’s recent actions.
- New Dem Members discussed ongoing domestic and global trade concerns with Ambassador Tai, including a review of trade relations with China, the recently expired Trade Promotion Authority, and shortages in container shipping.
NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer Introduces NDC-Endorsed RECOMPETE Act
- NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral, NDC-endorsed Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel Act (RECOMPETE Act). This legislation would establish a new federal grant program at the Economic Development Agency that would empower persistently distressed communities to develop, implement, and carry out 10-year economic development strategies and create jobs. The RECOMPETE Act is led in the Senate by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). A summary of the bill can be found here.
New Dem Members Highlight Need to Invest in Childcare and Eldercare
- New Dems have been on the ground talking to caregivers and highlighting the need for strong investments in our nation’s childcare and eldercare industries.
- Investing in childcare and eldercare, along with the historic expanded Child Tax Credit that the Coalition helped secure, will support working American families by allowing parents to go back to work, grow our economy, and build better lives for their families. Read more on our Medium blog.
- NDC Infrastructure Task Force Co-Chairs Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) and Norma Torres (CA-53) are helping to lead on innovative, climate-forward, and smart infrastructure investments.
- Watch our Task Force Co-Chairs outline the work the New Dems are doing here.
Featured Video
The NDC Fought for and Secured an Expanded Child Tax Credit, Now Families are Benefiting
- The New Democrat Coalition, led by Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) helped secure the expanded Child Tax Credit as a part of the President’s American Rescue Plan. This week, 90% of American families started receiving this credit, which will help pay for essentials, reduce child poverty, and help Americans to Build Back Better.
Bill Action
- The House voted to pass bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06), to increase the visa cap for Afghan interpreters and other partners and expedite the visa process. The Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs (ALLIES) Act makes important changes to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program to improve visa processing and ensure that the lives of those who served side by side with American troops in Afghanistan are protected.
Fletcher’s Bill to Protect First Responders and Environment from PFAS Passes the House
- The House passed Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s (TX-07) legislation as part of the bipartisan PFAS Action Act. Rep. Fletcher’s bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue guidance for firefighters and other first responders on how to minimize the use of PFAS in firefighting foams.
NDC Member Legislation
Davids Introduces Bill to Give Expecting Parents Choice Over Child Health
- NDC Vice Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced the Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act. The bill is designed to cut insurer red tape, avoid surprise bills, and give parents decision-making power over their infant’s healthcare—not the insurance company.
Peters Introduces Legislation to Re-Assert U.S. Climate Leadership and Support American Workers
- NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters (CA-52) introduced the bicameral FAIR Transition and Competition Act of 2021 to establish a border carbon adjustment (BCA) on polluting imports. Imposing a BCA will protect U.S. jobs, reduce global emissions, and provide enhanced support to communities that suffer the worst effects of climate change. The BCA will incentivize investments in cleaner technologies and account for the cost of complying with U.S. laws and regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) and Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) introduced a resolution calling for federal action to lower maternal mortality and morbidity rates and mitigate stark race-based disparities in maternal health outcomes.
- The resolution seeks to raise awareness of the pervasive issue and promote initiatives that ensure equitable maternal care and health outcomes.
Perlmutter and Crow Introduce Resolution to Designate July 20th as "National Heroes Day"
- Reps. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced a resolution to designate July 20th as “National Heroes Day” to honor the sacrifices of everyday heroes.
- July 20th is the date of the horrific shooting which took place in 2012 in Aurora, Colorado at a movie theater in which twelve lives were taken, seventy were wounded and hundreds suffered emotional trauma.
Horsford Introduced Two Bills to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs
- Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the SPIKE Act and the Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act of 2021 to help people pay less at the pharmacy.
- The SPIKE Act discourages quick price hikes by requiring any company that “spikes” the cost of a drug to report a justification to the Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services.
- The Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act of 2021 would cap out-of-pocket drug costs for people on Medicare Part D, reduce government reinsurance subsidies, and force manufacturers to pay more in both catastrophic and initial coverage tiers.
NDC Member Action
- Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) led a letter to the White House, urging the administration to include a national infrastructure bank in the final bipartisan infrastructure package. Key NDC Leadership and Infrastructure Task Force Members also signed onto the letter.
- The Coalition has long supported the creation of a national infrastructure bank, which would leverage both federal and private funds to better invest in local infrastructure projects and future needs.
Strickland leads Congressional Black Caucus in Call for Equity in American Rail Infrastructure
- Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Vice Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, led a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging him to take the steps necessary to support a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program within the Department’s Federal Railroad Administration. A DBE program helps increase the participation of minority and women-owned businesses in federally funded state and local transportation projects.
- The letter can be found here, and was signed by all of the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Craig: ‘Rural-Urban Gaps Must be Closed’ via The Star Tribune
- Rep. Angie Craig (MI-02) penned an op-ed in the The Star Tribute highlighting the challenges of rural America, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and urging for solutions that create more equitable growth and opportunity across the United States.
Sewell Speaks about the need for Congress to Pass Legislation Protecting the Right to Vote
- Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined her colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus to demand that Congress pass federal legislation to restore and protect the right to vote for everyone.
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