New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 12/04/2020
The New Democrat Coalition (NDC) hopes everyone had a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break.
This week, the NDC hosted its leadership elections for the 117th Congress. The Coalition applauds NDC Chair-elect Suzan DelBene (WA-01) who currently serves as Vice Chair for Policy Coordination. In addition, NDC Members elected Reps. Ami Bera (CA-07), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Scott Peters (CA-52) to serve as Vice Chairs and Rep.-elect Kathy Manning (NC-06) to serve as Freshman Leadership Representative in the upcoming Congress. Their leadership will help the Coalition continue to advance its ambitious policy agenda and partner with the incoming Biden Administration.
The NDC also inducted five new Members into its ranks: Members-elect Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). These Members-elect bring a wealth of experience and innovative ideas to the Coalition and are united around NDC’s shared priorities to strengthen our economic competitiveness and opportunities through bold, forward-looking policy solutions.
House Democrats also continued hosting virtual elections for key Democratic Caucus leadership and committee chair positions for the 117th Congress. The Coalition congratulates the many NDC Members elected to House leadership and Committee Chair positions. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) was elected as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. David Scott (GA-13) was elected Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) will retain his position as Chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) was also elected to lead the Democratic campaign arm as Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Having NDC Members in these key positions gives our Members and their constituents critical representation at the House Leadership table and strengthens our ability to partner with the Biden-Harris administration and deliver for the American people.
Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn also announced his nominations for Chief Deputy Whips in the 117th Congress, including NDC Vice Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23).
More on what New Dems have been up to below.
NDC Highlights
NDC Elects New Leadership Team and Inducts Five Members-Elect for 117th Congress
The NDC elected Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) to be the next Chair; Reps. Ami Bera (CA-07), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Scott Peters (CA-52) to be the next Vice Chairs; and Rep.-elect Kathy Manning (NC-06) to be the Freshman Leadership Representative. Current Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) will serve as Chair Emeritus next Congress. The NDC also inducted five Members-elect to join the Coalition: Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). Read more from NDC Chair-elect DelBene.
Meeks Elected as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
NDC Trade Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) was elected Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), making history as the first Black Chair of the Committee. Last month, the NDC held forums with all three candidates then running for HFAC Chair, including NDC Reps. Gregory Meeks and Joaquin Castro (TX-20).
Scott Elected as Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
Rep. David Scott (GA-13) was elected Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. Last month, the NDC held forums with the candidates, who are both Members of the NDC: Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) and Rep. David Scott. Rep. Scott will be the first African American Chair of the Committee.
NDC Members Appointed as Chief Deputy Whips in the 117th Congress
Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn (SC-06) appointed NDC Vice Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07), Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) as Chief Deputy Whips. These Members will serve the Democratic Whip team and ensure House Democrats are able to advance its legislative priorities.
Floor Action
House Passes Craig’s Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Small Business Loan Program
The House passed Rep. Angie Craig’s (MN-02) 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act to increase maximum loan amounts, streamline the loan process, and provide additional support to manufacturers who apply for the loan through local nonprofit Certified Development Companies funded by the Small Business Administration. These improvements will make it easier for businesses to access desperately needed loans as small businesses continue to struggle with the COVID-19 economic crisis.
House Passes Quigley’s Legislation to End Private Ownership of Dangerous Big Cats
The House passed Rep. Mike Quigley’s (IL-05) Big Cat Public Safety Act, which prohibits the private ownership of big cats like lions and tigers and curbs the exploitative industry of cub-petting. This spring, the Netflix series “Tiger King” brought increased public attention to the dangers of unaccredited animal parks and led to a surge in support for the Big Cat Public Safety Act.
NDC Member Legislation
Schneider Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Cuts to Hospitals During COVID-19
Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the bipartisan Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act to delay the Medicare sequester, a 2% reduction in Medicare payments, through the duration of the public health emergency, ensuring that providers can stay focused on treating and eradicating COVID-19 instead of worrying about their bottom line. Congress initially delayed the Medicare sequester through December 31, 2020 in the CARES Act. Unfortunately, the pandemic has not waned, and our providers now again face revenue cuts when hospital operating margins are down an estimated 18.7%, according to the American Hospital Association.
NDC Vice Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) introduced the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, legislation to ensure timely Medicare coverage of groundbreaking early cancer detection tests for our nation’s seniors. The bipartisan legislation recognizes emerging advances in our nation’s fight against cancer by ensuring Medicare coverage for new, innovative tests that detect multiple types of cancer before symptoms develop.
Pappas Introduces Legislation to Strengthen the VA and Protect Whistleblowers
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Strengthening VA Whistleblower Protection Act to take critical steps to improve the VA’s ability to protect whistleblowers and better investigate claims of wrongdoing. The legislation will establish independent legal reviews, ensure support for whistleblowers, and strengthen whistleblower protections.
NDC Member Action
DelBene, Strickland Join NewDEAL Leaders Conference
NDC Chair-elect Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Member-elect Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), a NewDEAL alum, virtually joined the NewDEAL’s 10th Annual Leaders Conference to speak on their vision and the pivotal role the NDC will play in the 117th Congress.
NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) led a bipartisan effort, along with Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Susan Wild (PA-07), André Carson (IN-20), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Colin Allred (TX-32), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Jim Costa (CA-16), in sending a letter to the Appropriations Committee urging for the U.S. to increase international nutrition assistance for vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19, especially women and children.
Rice, Meeks, Suozzi Urge Treasury and IRS to Provide Relief to Commuters
NDC Leadership Member Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) sent a letter to the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following up on their September 28 letter to Commissioner Rettig urging the IRS to consider any available options within its regulatory authority to provide targeted relief for individuals who have accumulated unused transportation benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta led a group of bipartisan lawmakers, including 63 NDC Members, in sending a letter to urge the NPRC to implement new policies so that they may resume processing military personnel, health, and medical records requests and address the growing backlog of requests due to the closure of the facility amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter also underscores all Agency policy changes should continue to consider the health and safety of NPRC’s workforce.
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