New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 2/6
Press Releases
ICYMI: NDC Chair Schneider Demands Noem’s Removal, DHS Reforms at Caucus Chair Press Conference
New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) joined Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Yvette Clark (NY-09), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Grace Meng (NY-06), and Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Chair Greg Casar (TX-35) alongside more than 50 Members of the House Democratic Caucus to call for the firing of Secretary Kristi Noem outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In his remarks, Chair Schneider outlined the systemic abuse and constitutional violations of DHS under Noem and demanded her immediate removal from office. Schneider also called for comprehensive DHS reform, laying out the list of demands announced last week alongside CPC Chair Casar.
You can watch Chair Schneider’s full remarks here, and read them below:
I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues from across the House Democratic Caucus to defend the rights and freedoms of the American people, and the foundational principles that have defined our nation and determined our character.
We’re here today to deliver one, unified message: Kristi Noem has got to go.
New on Substack
New Dems Release a New Episode of the Fly-In: What's Happening in Minneapolis & What's Next with Rep. Angie Craig
In this episode, host Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) and guest host Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-06) are joined by Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02) for a wide-ranging conversation about the occupation of Minneapolis by DHS agents, what’s really happening on the ground since the killing of Alex Pretti and Renée Nicole Good, and the path forward for DHS reforms in Congress.
Congresswoman Craig gives her first-person accounts of the incredible resilience of the Minneapolis community and shares harrowing stories of ICE and CBP abuses, then the group discusses the ongoing debate in Congress about reining in DHS operations through government funding legislation.
The three members then react to a clip of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) bashing Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller and talk through the need for accountability at the top of the Administration. To wrap the episode, the group shines a light on some of the biggest stories that haven’t been covered enough: the struggles of American farmers and Trump’s threats of election interference.
Member Highlights
Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) questioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the strength of the dollar during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.
Congresswoman Julia Brownley's (CA-26) bill, the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act (H.R. 658), was passed in the House this week. Her bill eliminates current barriers to promoting Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), helping the VA recruit and retain highly qualified therapists and ensuring veterans and their families have greater access to the care they need.
Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-01) held the first meeting of his Agriculture Advisory Council, which convenes local leaders to discuss the challenges facing farmers’ operations, businesses, and livelihoods in Northwest Indiana. The goal of the advisory council will be to meet twice a year to discuss current issues, help guide the Congressman’s legislative priorities, and ensure the voices of Indiana farmers are heard in Washington.
Congressman John Mannion (NY-22) announced $358,000 in federal Community Project Funding to support critical infrastructure improvements at Oneida Health, helping ensure reliable hospital operations and continued access to care for patients across Madison County and the Mohawk Valley. The funding will be used to support essential electrical infrastructure upgrades at Oneida Health.
Member Legislation
Rep. Elfreth Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Partisan National Park Passes
Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the top Democrat overseeing funding for the National Park Service, introduced the Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act (H.R. 7251). The bill is straightforward legislation that would explicitly prohibit the National Park Service from issuing America the Beautiful Passes – physical or digital – with the image or likeness of any living political figures. The legislation is in response to the Trump Administration placing President Trump’s face on America the Beautiful Passes in January of this year.
Rep. Brownley Introduces Joint Resolution of Disapproval to Block Harmful VA Abortion Rule
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a joint resolution (H.J. Res. 144) of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), to formally overturn the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) recently finalized abortion rule. The rule, first proposed in August of 2025, rescinds a Biden-era VA reproductive healthcare regulation that provided veterans access to abortion care in instances of rape, incest, and threat to life or health, and that allowed VA providers to discuss abortion with patients who were experiencing unwanted or high-risk pregnancies and pregnancy complications.
Rep. Larsen Introduces Bill to Expand Mammogram Access to Woman Veterans in All 50 States
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Mammography Access for Veterans Act (H.R. __) which would require VA to provide mammography services in every state and expand access to preventative screening for breast cancer. Only 78 of the 150 VA medical centers in the U.S. offer in-house mammography services, and this legislation would widen options for women veterans to receive mammograms.
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