New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 5/1

Press Releases

New Dems Lay Out National Security Approach to Restore America’s Strength, Security, and Status

This week, the New Democrat Coalition National Security Working Group, led by Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31), penned a letter to President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to urge an “immediate course correction” on the Administration’s national security approach

The letter argues that the Administration’s chaotic and reckless approach has endangered both domestic and global security by waging open-ended conflicts without legal justification or clear objectives, alienating our closest allies, emboldening our greatest adversaries, and severely damaging our military readiness.

In contrast to the chaos of the Trump Administration’s current posture, the National Security Working Group Members lay out a new direction for American national security that would instead center the path forward around four commonsense priorities:

1. Reversing the damage caused by the alienation of our allies and strengthening the tools that allow the U.S. to counter adversarial influence.

2. Realigning defense planning to focus on the People’s Republic of China, the most serious strategic threat we face today.

3. Reaffirming the military's apolitical nature and ensuring resources are used to support servicemembers.

4. Requiring the Administration to work in good faith with Congress and commit to respecting and restoring institutional checks and balances, especially in matters of war.

New Dem Leadership on House Republicans Pouring Billions to Out-Of-Control Agencies While Extending DHS Shutdown

New Democrat Coalition Leadership issued a statement condemning House Republicans for voting in the middle of the night to begin the reconciliation process to give a $70 billion blank check to CBP and ICE instead of bringing to the floor legislation to end the DHS shutdown.

“House Republicans are hellbent on pouring billions of dollars into out-of-control agencies terrorizing our communities while slashing funding for desperately needed and widely supported programs that house, heal, and feed the American people. ICE and CBP don’t need any additional funding, much less $70 billion, as they sit on more than $100 billion of unused funds and continue to evade any accountability.

“Instead of ending the 74-day DHS shutdown, Speaker Johnson and his colleagues are stiffing hardworking TSA agents, Coast Guardsmen, and FEMA employees while sending a blank check to the agencies that have harassed, beaten, and killed American citizens with impunity. Even the Trump White House has urged House Republicans to take a responsible stand and finally pass bipartisan legislation to end this record-breaking shutdown.

“New Dems oppose sending any additional funding to ICE and CBP until Congress advances commonsense reforms that hold federal agents to the same standards we expect from local law enforcement across the country."

“The American people overwhelmingly support reforms and oppose this blank check. House Republicans should stop wasting hours whipping votes on harmful, partisan legislation, listen to their constituents, and work across the aisle to deliver real solutions.”

New on Substack

New Dems Release Special Fly-Out Episode Following Crazy Week in the House

This week, Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) discuss a chaotic week on the House floor that saw multiple bills pulled, votes left open for hours at a time, shouting matches between Republicans, and a testing of Mike Johnson’s Speakership. The Members opine on Johnson’s future and which Republican might take the reins of their Conference if he is ousted in the new Congress.

Later, Landsman and Veasey react to the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which effectively gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), creating a number of opportunities for Republican-controlled states to eliminate majority-minority districts and silence minority voices in Congress. Veasey gets into the history of the VRA and how Republican appointed Justices have long worked toward this goal, and Landsman recounts the many strong reactions in the immediate aftermath of the ruling.

Member Highlights

Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) released an episode of his 72 and Sunny podcast with special guest FWD.us President Todd Schulte to discuss the aggressive shift in immigration enforcement. They dive into the "all-of-government" approach that has seen federal agents raiding local San Diego small businesses with tactical gear and flashbangs—not to catch "kingpins," but to arrest dishwashers.

Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) helped pass the Healthy Obtainable Tasty (HOT) Rotisserie Chicken Act through the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote. Congresswoman McDonald Rivet first introduced the HOT Rotisserie Chicken Act alongside Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) on April 21.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) dropped the latest episode of her monthly show "Moments with McClellan," which this month featured a wide-ranging interview with fellow New Dem Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05). Together, they discuss Rep. Hayes' background as a teacher, hot takes on Congress, and her work as a Representative.

New Dems in Action

At this week's New Dem Member lunch meeting, the Coalition hosted Brett McGurk, former United States National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, who provided an overview on the ongoing war with Iran and engaged in a discussion about the path forward.

Member Legislation

Reps. Davids, Goldman Introduce Bill to Protect Native American Culture Amid Administration’s Removal of Historical Content at National Parks
Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03), one of the first two Native American women ever elected to Congress, and Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) introduced the Truth in National Parks Act (H.R. 8539), legislation aimed at stopping the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to erase and rewrite parts of Native American history at National Park Service (NPS) sites.

Rep. Brownley Introduces Bill to Protect Marine Mammals from the Climate Crisis
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) reintroduced the Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act (H.R. 8496), legislation to strengthen protections for marine mammals and the coastal ecosystems they depend on from the growing threat of the climate crisis.

Reps. Salinas, Smith, Sen. Wyden Champion Legislation Supporting U.S. Kombucha Industry
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03), alongside Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced the KOMBUCHA Act (H.R. 8631), which would modernize outdated federal alcohol taxes and regulations on kombucha companies in Oregon and nationwide.

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