August 26, 2021

New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 08/26/2021

This week, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Members convened in the House to advance two pieces of important legislation: the fiscal year 2022 budget resolution and H.R. 4 The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. 

Passage of the budget resolution is a key first step to advancing President Biden and New Dem priorities to build back better and create more opportunity for Americans. As the House begins the budget reconciliation process, the NDC is focused on advancing legislation that prioritizes doing a few things well for longer to maximize investments in the future. 

The Coalition was also encouraged by the rule vote’s stipulation of a House vote on the already Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by September 27th. Previously, NDC Chair DelBene urged for swift passage of the budget resolution to begin the budget reconciliation process and pass the bipartisan infrastructure package before current infrastructure authorizations expire.

Earlier this week, the NDC endorsed H.R. 4, New Dem Member Rep. Terri Sewell’s The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The Coalition is committed to protecting the right to vote and previously endorsed H.R. 4 last Congress.  

ICYMI, the Coalition released a statement following the announcement that Rep. Ron Kind – founding member of the NDC, past Chair, and the longest serving member of NDC leadership – will be retiring at the close of the 117thCongress.  

More on what New Dems have been up to below. 

 

NDC Highlights   

New Democrat Coalition Advances Budget Resolution and Charts Path Forward to Build Back Better

  • New Dems helped pass the fiscal year 2022 budget resolution this week, an important step towards building back better and securing crucial investments that will support our families, keep the U.S. competitive, create quality jobs, combat climate change, and build on the Affordable Care Act to expand health care coverage. 
  • The NDC will work with our Members and relevant committees to make sure the reconciliation bill advances under regular order and focuses on doing a few things well for longer, rather than many things for short periods with near-term cliffs or significant delays. 
  • Specifically, the Coalition’s priorities for reconciliation include: extending the enhanced child tax credit to support families, creating more jobs and opportunities everywhere, going big on climate, and building on the ACA to lower health care costs.   

NDC Endorses H.R. 4

  • The New Democrat Coalition announced its endorsement of H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, introduced by Member Terri Sewell (AL-07). The bill would address the most egregious forms of recent voter suppression and restore federal oversight to prevent voter discrimination. 
  • Of the endorsement, Rep. Sewell said, “I’m so proud that the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has earned the endorsement of the New Democrat Coalition. The Right to vote is the most sacred and fundamental right we enjoy as American citizens and one that the Foot Soldiers fought, bled, and died for in my hometown of Selma, Alabama.” 
  • The Coalition has long been an advocate for fair voting rights and protecting American elections, having endorsed H.R 1, the For the People Act, earlier this year and H.R. 4 last Congress. 

NDC Chair Statement on Budget Resolution Vote

  • Last week, ahead of the House Budget Resolution Vote, NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released a statement urging the House to approve the budget resolution to begin the reconciliation process and set forth a process for the House to consider the bipartisan Infrastructure investment and Jobs Act before September 30th. 

New Dems and Rep. Terri Sewell Celebrate National Black Business Month

  • For August, National Black Business Month (NBBM), the New Democrat Coalition and New Dem Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) are partnering up to celebrate NBBM and support Black businesses, which have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
  • New Dem Members are currently holding events and meeting with Black business owners and entrepreneurs in their district, which we will highlight next month. In the meantime, check out our blog post on NBBM Member events from last year. 

Featured Video  

Davids Champions Bold Investments in Infrastructure

WW 8/27

 NDC Vice Chair for Member Services Sharice Davids (KS-03) talks about investing in innovative infrastructure that creates good-paying jobs, combats climate change, and provides opportunties for our generation and the next.   

NDC Member Legislation  

Axne, Kind, and Sewell Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Medicare Reimbursement for Health Care

  • Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Ron Kind (WI-03), and Terri Sewell (AL-07) intrdocued the bipartisan Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act to ensure that health care providers receive fair and adequate reimbursement for the care they provide. This legislation would mandate that the geographic practice cost indices used by Medicare for physician reimbursement rates are calculated with accurate and up-to-date data.  

Allred, Veasey, Escobar, and Slotkin Introduce Bicameral Bill to Protect U.S. Elections from Partisan Attacks

  • Reps. Colin Allred (TX-32), Mark Veasey (TX-33), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) introduced the Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act. This bill would expand existing protections against election interference to include the vote counting and certification process, as well as create stronger standards for preserving election records. 

Fletcher Introduces Bill to Help Communities Expand Broadband Infrastructure

  • Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act to help communities upgrade and expand their broadband infrastructure. This legislation would create a grant program that helps local and state governments navigate the process of securing federal investment for broadband infrastructure and additional projects.   

Horsford Introduces Bill to Improve Nursing Home Care for Seniors

  • Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act which would strengthen wages and benefits for long-term care workers. Offering competitive wages and stronger benefits for long-term care workers would retain quality caretakers for seniors in the workforce.                                                                                                                                      

NDC Member Action   

Houlahan Leads Bipartisan Effort to Help Afghan Allies

  • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) led 75 Members in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, calling for their respective Departments to take immediate steps to help as many of our Afghan allies as possible relocate quickly and efficiently to the United States. 

Davids: I’m a breakthrough covid case. This is why everyone should get the vaccine via The Washington Post

  • NDC Vice Chair for Member Services Sharice Davids (KA-03) penned an op-ed in The Washington Post on her experience becoming a “breakthrough” covid case and how the vaccine kept her safe from a more serious outcome.    

Strickland Calls for Examination of Toxic Chemical Endangering Coho Salmon

  • Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging the agencies to investigate the effects of 6PPD-quinone, a highly toxic degradation product that is affecting salmon, other aquatic species, and watersheds in Washington state. 
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