New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 4/17
Press Releases
New Dem Leadership Slams Republicans’ Blank Check for Trump’s War
New Democrat Coalition Leadership issued a statement after the House Republicans once again killed a resolution directing the President to end ongoing military actions against Iran unless authorized by Congress, as required by Article I of the Constitution.
“The American people did not want this war, still do not understand the purpose of this war, and are the ones hurting because of this war of choice. Yet today, House Republicans made it clear that they support wasting more taxpayer money and putting servicemembers and our national security at risk, all while the cost of gas and groceries keeps skyrocketing.
“Instead of serving as a check on this out-of-control president, House Republicans are falling back on the one thing they know how to do, proposing billions more in cuts to healthcare for working Americans to pay for an unnecessary military campaign. Whatever happened to ‘America First’ and ending the forever wars?
“Our thoughts are with the troops, and we are praying for their success and safe return. New Dems will continue fighting to rein in this out-of-control President, uphold the Constitution and demand the transparency and clarity the American people deserve.”
New on Substack
New Dems Release a New Episode of the Fly-In: Top Intel Dem Rep. Jim Himes on the War in Iran
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This week, Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) is joined by special guest Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), who is the Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee and an avid apiarist.
After sharing some of his knowledge on beekeeping, Rep. Himes gives an update on where things stand on Trump’s war with Iran, more than six weeks since its start and one week into a temporary ceasefire. He also shares the current state of negotiations, what his constituents are saying about the rising cost of gas, and more.
The members then react to a clip of Vice President JD Vance stumping for Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election over the weekend, ending his 16-year rule as Prime Minister of Hungary.
New Dems in Action
New Dems Host Energy Roundtable
New Dem Vice Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and New Dem Member Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) met with energy policy experts and stakeholders to discuss to rising cost of energy for working families across the country and learned more about how energy markets work and energy prices are set. They were also joined by New Dem Vice Chair for Communications Marc Veasey (TX-33) and New Dem Members Mike Levin (CA-49), Kelly Morrison (MN-02), and Julia Brownley (CA-26).
Member Highlights
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) wrote an Op-Ed for the Lake Oswego Review on the New Dem Affordability Agenda. In it, she writes, "My New Democrat colleagues and I have put forward real solutions to the affordability crisis. The New Dem Affordability Agenda is a set of specific, achievable policies that would start putting money back in people’s pockets now."
Congresswoman Sharice Davids’ (KS-03) bipartisan bill to strengthen aviation safety passed U.S. House. The ALERT Act (H.R. 7613) would modernize aviation safety systems, strengthen air traffic controller training, and reduce the risk of future tragedies. The bill was written in response to the tragic plane collision at DCA in 2025 that took 67 lives.
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMVRR) President Rob Himoto conducted a walking tour at SMVRR to connect with community members about local economic shifts following Trump's war against Iran, specifically the significant spike in diesel prices.
Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) passed the first bill she introduced in Congress (H.R. 1689), bipartisan legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 350,000 Haitians on Long Island and across the country for three years. The bill’s passage by a bipartisan vote follows Rep. Gillen’s ongoing fight to push back on the Administration’s attempts to terminate the program.
Member Legislation
Rep. McDonald Rivet Introduces Bill to Cut Taxes for Working Families by Thousands of Dollars Per Year
Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) introduced the Working Parents Tax Relief Act (H.R. 8305), a game-changing tax cut that would return to working parents up to an additional $5,500 per child under age four and lift hundreds of thousands of families out of poverty.
Rep. Hayes Introduces Bill to Address Students Emotional, Mental, and Physical Health
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026 (H.R. 8263) which would create an application-based grant program administered by the Department of Education over the next ten years to accelerate academic progress and address social, emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs. These funds will specifically target the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reps. Davids, Scanlon Introduce Bill to Stop Social Security Cuts for Seniors, People with Disabilities
Congresswomen Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) introduced new legislation (H.R. 8298) to change a longstanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rule that can reduce benefits for seniors and people with disabilities simply because they receive basic help like food or housing from family, friends, or caregivers.
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