New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 12/15/2023
Press Releases
New Dem Climate and Clean Energy Task Force Endorses Slate of Bills to Enhance Energy Deployment
This endorsement follows the Task Force’s efforts throughout the 118th Congress to streamline clean energy deployment
The New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Climate Change and Clean Energy Task Force endorsed 14 bills led or co-led by New Dem Members that address barriers to energy deployment and innovation. The endorsement slate builds on the Coalition’s ongoing efforts to work with the Administration to implement the historic investments of the Inflation Reduction Act. The majority of these endorsed bills have bipartisan support. Learn More
New Dem Chair and National Security Task Force Chair Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan NDAA
New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and National Security Task Force Chair Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released a statement applauding the passage of a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) through the House. The bill passed by a vote of 310-118, including 92 New Dems in favor. Read more
New Dem Health Care Task Force Statement on Support for the Reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act
New Democrat Coalition Health Care, Substance Use, and Mental Health Task Force Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Vice Chairs Yadira Caraveo (CO-08) and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released a statement in favor of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. This legislation, led by New Dem Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02), expands access to critical resources and treatments to aid those in recovery from opioid addiction and mental health issues. Read more
Member Highlights
McClellan Speaks on House Floor before Vote to Pass Wexton's National Plan to End Parkinson's Act
Following her Parkinson's diagnosis, Rep. Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) has turned her pain into action–– working to build a national plan to prevent, treat, and cure Parkinson's Disease. Yesterday, the House voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 2365, the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act, to bring key federal agency stakeholders together along with nonfederal experts, patients, and caregivers to build a national plan in pursuit of that goal. Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) spoke on Rep. Wexton's behalf on the House floor in support of this legislation. Watch the speech
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Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined company officials for a tour of Cook Medical in Canton to highlight his work to strengthen manufacturing and create good-paying, sustainable jobs in Central Illinois.
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined KOMO News' Holly Menino to discuss how recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments are helping to build higher speed rail and create more jobs in the Pacific Northwest.
Reps. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) held a press conference in support of the rule of law and democracy in Guatemala. The speakers called for a peaceful transition of power to the rightfully elected President-elect Arévalo.
Member Legislation
House Passes Kuster’s Bipartisan Legislation To Address Substance Use Disorder Crisis
Rep. Annie Kuster’s (NH-02) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4531, passed the House this week. The Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act is a comprehensive, bipartisan package focused on ensuring local communities have the tools to address substance use disorder at the local level.
House Passes Two Lee Bills to Strengthen Health Care
Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03)’s bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4822 and H.R. 5598, passed the House this week as part of the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act. The first bill, the Health Insurance Price Transparency Act, would empower and protect patients by expanding transparency in health care charges and rates, mandating price transparency requirements via a patient-specific transparency tool, and making machine readable files including negotiated rates and drug prices publicly available so consumers can easily compare.The second bill, the TREAT Youth Act, would support youth struggling with substance abuse by reauthorizing an expired program under the Department of Health and Human Services through fiscal year 2028.
Budzinski Introduces Bill to Secure Food Supply Chain, Support Food Workers
Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced H.R. 6720, the Grocery, Farm and Food Worker Stabilization Act. This legislation would protect food supply chains and prevent disruptions during disasters by providing support to cover disaster-related costs for farm, grocery and meatpacking workers.
Connolly’s Bipartisan Legislation Passes out of Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (VA-11) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4016, passed out of committee. The Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act makes it easier for veterans with disabilities to be made financially whole in the event they are defrauded of their benefits by allowing the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to reimburse victims of fraud without first meeting unnecessary bureaucratic requirements.
McBath’s Legislative Priorities Included in Legislation Approved by Education and Workforce Committee
Rep. Lucy McBath’s (GA-07) legislative priorities were included in H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act. This bipartisan legislation includes H.R. 6601, the Training, Retention, and Investment Now (TRAIN) Act; H.R. 5987, the Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success (WORKS) Act; and H.R. 6704, the CREATES Act.
Norcross ‘Buy American’ requirement makes it into compromise NDAA
Rep. Donald Norcross’ (NJ-01) language was adopted by NDAA negotiators that would codify into law an executive order by President Joe Biden on domestic content requirements and state explicitly that those requirements cover major defense programs.
New Dems in Action
New Dem Artificial Intelligence Working Group Holds Roundtable on Government Use of AI
This week, Members of the New Dem AI Working Group met with representatives from the U.S. Digital Service and Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer to discuss how the federal government is leveraging technology and AI to better serve the American people.
New Dems Convene ESG Investing Roundtable
This week, New Dem Reps. Scott Peters (CA-50) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) hosted a roundtable with stakeholder groups on sustainable investment, commonly known as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. Members discussed issues relating to sustainable investing and learned more about ESG from the perspectives of labor, investment firms, and experts.
New Dems Hold Farm Bill Labor Roundtable
This week, New Dem Farm Bill Task Force Chair Kim Schrier (WA-08) and New Dem Freshman Leadership Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) held a roundtable with labor stakeholders on the Farm Bill. Members engaged in a robust discussion with stakeholders on issues relevant to the reauthorization of Farm Bill programs from the perspective of organized labor.
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