New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 2/14/2025
Weekly Highlight
7 years ago today, 17 innocent lives were taken from us at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Congressman Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) shared with MSNBCwhat today means for his alma mater, before flying home to spend time with his community.
New Dems offer support to Rep. Moskowitz and the entire Parkland community, and join them in remembering those we lost. Together, will work to ensure another tragedy like Parkland never happens again.
Press Releases
ICYMI: Chair Schneider on Press Call Condemning House GOP Budget: “Republicans campaigned on lower costs and cutting the deficit, but that just turns out to be another one of their broken promises”
New Dem Chair Brad Schneider laid out how the House Republican budget wages a war on working families already dealing with the Cost of Trump’s Chaos and Musk’s Mess, cutting health care, nutrition, and education funding to give billionaires more tax cuts.
ICYMI: This morning, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) joined a press call hosted by Families Over Billionaires alongside fellow New Dem Members Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33), House Democratic Caucus Chairman, and Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16).
Complete audio of the call is available here, listen to New Dem Chair Schneider’s remarks here, and read his remarks below:
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Headlines from the Real World Costs of Trump’s Chaos
Note from New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Communications Marc Veasey (TX-33):
“Instead of making good on his promises to lower costs for hardworking families, President Trump is wreaking havoc on the lives of millions of Americans. Partnered with Elon Musk, an unelected, self-serving billionaire, they are eliminating jobs, raising prices, and hurting the economy.”
RISING COSTS
Inflation picks up speed after Trump promised to ‘rapidly’ bring down prices
Inflation ticked higher in the US in January as Donald Trump returned to office with a pledge to rapidly reduce prices.
Inflation Rises Unexpectedly, Complicating Picture for the Fed
The Consumer Price Index jumped more than expected, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed on Wednesday, rising 0.5 percent from December in what was the fastest monthly increase since August 2023. Last month, the annual pace was 2.9 percent.
Ford CEO: Trump is creating "costs and chaos" for automakers
President Trump's early tariff moves have one thing in common: No matter the target, they all threaten to "blow a hole" in the auto industry, Ford CEO Jim Farley said Tuesday.
Inflation around breakfast staples like eggs, orange juice, and coffee are hitting shoppers' wallets.
New Dem Chair Rebukes Trump’s 25 Percent Tax on Steel and Aluminum
Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued a statement against the Trump Administration’s announcement of 25 percent tariffs – taxes that are paid by American consumers – on all steel and aluminum imports to the U.S.
“Tariffs, when used strategically, are an important tool in defending U.S. economic interests, however if used like a sledge-hammer rather than a scalpel, tariffs are likely to hurt American consumers, more than they help American companies.
“While the American people are struggling with high prices, President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports will increase the cost of everything from cars to homes, appliances, and electronics. And it’s not just product costs – Americans will soon see their home and auto insurance premiums increase to cover rising costs of replacement.
“Trump’s 25 percent steel and aluminum tariffs have broken longstanding agreements with our partners and escalated an already damaging trade war, which will likely lead to even more price hikes.
“Hardworking families are pleading with their leaders to fight inflation, but once again Trump’s economic policies are raising costs for consumers. Trump’s 25 percent steel and aluminum tax will deal a heavy blow to American manufacturers, raising production costs, putting jobs at risk, and potentially causing critical material shortages. The impact was immediate: Nucor, one of the largest U.S. steel manufacturers, announced price hikes on materials yesterday.
“New Dems are laser-focused on lowering costs, and we’ll fight against any policy that threatens the savings and bank accounts of hardworking families. Through legislation like the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, we’re working to advance commonsense solutions in Congress to stop Trump from threatening the U.S. economy every time he posts on social media.”
New Dems in the News
Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) joined MSNBC from the Munich Security Conference to discuss the importance of maintaining relationships with our allies to ensure strong national security.
Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) spoke to Roll Call about her goals for the 119th Congress, her experience in the Oregon state legislature, and what it means for her to be a "disrupter."
New Dems in Action
New Dems Meet with FWD.US
This week, New Dems welcomed Todd Schulte and Andrea Flores from FWD.US to discuss immigration and ways in which we can work to secure our border and improve the current system.
Member Highlights
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland's (WA-10) annual Valentines for Veterans and First Responders program expanded overseas for the first time. Rep. Strickland visited a local elementary school to make valentines and chat with students about the program and the importance of thanking servicemembers.
Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-AL) laid out the impacts of a federal funding freeze on her state in an op-ed to the state's largest newspaper. McBride said, "Piece by piece, department by department, the Trump Administration is defunding critical federal services, purging employees, consolidating power and gutting programs that Delawareans rely on."
Member Legislation
Rep. Pappas Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Deadly Xylazine
Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined a bipartisan group of Senate and House colleagues in reintroducing the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R.__). This bipartisan legislation would make xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting access for veterinarians.
Rep. Bynum Joins Downing in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Capital for Rural Small Businesses
Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) joined Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) in introducing the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act (H.R.__). This bipartisan legislation would require the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to report on the issues rural small businesses face in accessing capital.
Reps. Trahan, Adams, Murphy Reintroduce Bicameral Fair Play for Women Act to Strengthen Title IX
Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), the only former Division I woman athlete in Congress, partnered with Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-MA) to reintroduce the Fair Play for Women Act (H.R.__), legislation that will strengthen Title IX for college and K-12 sports. Introduction of the bicameral bill comes just hours after the Trump administration rescinded Title IX guidance designed to protect women college athletes in NIL payments and potential revenue sharing.
Reps. Dean, Van Drew Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Address Online Exploitation of Private Images
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), alongside Representatives Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), Troy Nehls (TX-22), and Maria Salazar (FL-27), reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address the distribution of private, sexually explicit images without consent – this conduct is often called “revenge porn.” The Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act (H.R.__) gives prosecutors a critical tool by establishing federal criminal liability for people who engage in image-based sexual abuse by distributing others’ private images without consent.
Rep. Carbajal Helps Introduce Bill to Restore Protections of Immigrants at Schools, Churches, Other Essential Service Locations
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) helped introduce legislation (H.R.__) alongside Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) that would restore and codify longstanding guardrails on federal immigration enforcement activities to protect immigrant communities at sensitive locations amid the increased targeting of immigrant communities.
Rep. Ami Bera Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Measure Scope of Loneliness Epidemic
Congressmen Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) and Mike Flood (NE-01) introduced the Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act (H.R.__). This bill aims to bring uniformity to reporting measurements for loneliness and isolation following the former U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration of loneliness and isolation as a public health epidemic in the United States.
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