November 19, 2021

New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 11/19/2021

New Dems Secure Historic Wins in the House-passed Build Back Better Act  

Andy Flick Joins New Dems as the New Executive Director  

ICYMI: New Dems Unanimously Vote for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 

Build Back Better Act: Today, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Members unanimously voted to pass the Build Back Better Act in the House and send the bill to the Senate for swift action. The Coalition celebrated the House passage of this once-in-a-generation legislation this morning and the inclusion of our top priorities, including extending the enhanced Child Tax Credit, building on the Affordable Care Act, tackling the climate crisis, and empowering communities to create lasting economic development and jobs.  

NEW Executive Director Andy Flick: Also this week, the NDC welcomed Andy Flick to the team as our new Executive Director. Flick brings more than twelve years of policy and political experience to the Coalition and most recently served as Chief of Staff to New Dem Rep. David Trone (MD-06).  

ICYMI Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Becomes Law: New Dem Members also unanimously voted to advance the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to the President’s desk and the President signed the historic infrastructure legislation into law this week. The Coalition secured provisions in IIJA that reflect 15 NDC-endorsed bills. 

More on what New Dems have been up to below.

New Dems in the News 

“We are very focused on the economic issues that families are facing right now”: NDC Chair Suzan DelBene on MSNBC 

WW 11/19

NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) appeared on MSNBC with Garrett Haake earlier this week to discuss the need to vote on the Build Back Better Act as soon as possible and help working American families.

Coalition Highlights 

New Democrat Coalition Secures Historic Wins for Americans in the House-passed Build Back Better Act  

  • Today, New Dems unanimously voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which will improve Americans’ lives in both the short-term and long-term. The once-in-a-generation legislation creates jobs and lowers costs for Americans.  

  • Throughout the reconciliation process, New Dems worked with President Biden, Congressional leaders, and Committees to secure the Coalition’s top policy priorities of extending the enhanced Child Tax Credit, building on the Affordable Care Act, tackling the climate crisis, and empowering communities to create economic development and jobs in the final legislation.  

  • Following the House passage of the Build Back Better Act, NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) said in part: “The New Democrat Coalition worked tirelessly to ensure that the final bill achieves robust, immediate, and long-term results for our constituents. Democrats ran on strengthening the middle class, expanding access to health care, growing the economy, and protecting our planet. With the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and House passage of the Build Back Better Act, we are delivering on those promises.” 

Andy Flick Joins New Democrat Coalition as Executive Director  

  • The NDC is excited to announce that Andy Flick has joined the team as the Coalition’s new Executive Director. He brings more than a dozen years of experience to the Coalition and has served in New Dem offices throughout his career. Together, we will continue to advance the New Dem agenda of pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible polices to build a strong middle class.  

Member Bill Action 

Slotkin’s Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act Passes House 

  • The House of Representatives passed Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act with bipartisan support. This legislation will reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources for critical medical supplies needed to fight COVID-19 and any future health crises. 

Member New Legislation 

Kuster Introduces Veteran and Beginning Farmer Assistance Act 

  • NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced the bipartisan Veteran and Beginning Farmer Assistance Act, which would reauthorize the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program. This program provides practical educational resources, training, individualized technical assistance, and farmer-to-farmer learning networks. 

Torres Introduces the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act  

  • Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act, which authorizes $10 million annually for the next four years to the Department of Energy to carry out a program to help develop new safety technologies for responding to electric grid emergencies that occur as a result of wildfires.  

Strickland and Slotkin Introduce the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act  

  • Reps. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) reintroduced the bicameral Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act. This legislation takes important steps to prevent workplace harassment and ensure workers can seek accountability and justice.  

Moulton Introduces The Sgt. Issac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox G.I. Bill Restoration Act  

  • In honor of Veterans Day, Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced The Sgt. Issac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox G.I. Bill Restoration Act of 2021. This legislation would provide the families of Black veterans of World War II a transferable benefit that their descendants can use to attend college, secure housing, start businesses, and build generational wealth.  

DelBene, Kilmer, Larsen, Schrier, and Strickland Introduce the Protecting Our Marine Mammals Act 

  • NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Kim Schrier (WA-08), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Our Marine Mammals Act. This legislation expands federal protections to protect and conserve marine mammals.

Member Action

Harder Demands USPS Reverse Newest Wave of Mail Delays and Price Hikes  

  • Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10) sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis Dejoy demanding he reverse the service delays and price hikes he recently implemented at the United States Postal Service (USPS).  

  • The letter reads in part: “A well run postal service is critical for Valley residents–from seniors relying on mailed prescription medications to our small businesses getting their products to customers. These delays have plagued the USPS and carry real consequences.” 

Kuster and Pappas Call on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to Use PFAS-Free 

  • NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) penned a letter to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration urging the agency to ensure airports are able to use firefighting foam free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  

  • The letter reads in part: “As Members of Congress who represent communities impacted by PFAS pollution from airports, we are urging the FAA to act swiftly to address this urgent issue. Any delay in updating the current performance requirements and authorizing a PFAS-free alternative will continue to exacerbate the potential contamination of ground and drinking water supplies by PFAS, endangering in the health of those who reside in communities near airports. 

Horsford in Las Vegas Sun: “The big winners in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to Nevada workers” 

  • Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) penned an op-ed in The Las Vegas Sun about the historic investments in clean energy, broad band, and jobs that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is bringing to Nevada.  

  • The op-ed reads in part: “Together, the Build Back Better Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make long-overdue investments to strengthen our nation and protect Nevada’s continued growth. With good-paying jobs and a strong economy, Nevada’s future will be bright.”

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