New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 5/15
Weekly Highlight
New Dems Release Our "American Promise"
This week, the New Democrat Coalition Leadership announced the release of a broad, bold, and positive agenda that will guide our work through the rest of the 119th Congress and beyond, laying out how New Dems plan to lower costs, tackle the nation’s most significant challenges, and rebuild confidence in the government’s ability to do big things.
The American people are exhausted by the chaos, cruelty, and incompetence of the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans. Our 114 New Dem Members have traveled across the country and heard the pleas from our constituents for leadership in Washington that finally puts working people and their families first. They want competent public servants who can and will put the country back on track, crack down on rising costs, end the chaos, and take on the rampant corruption that has corroded trust in the federal government.
One-Page Summary
Press Releases
New Dems Host Stakeholder Roundtable on Surface Transportation Reauthorization
This week, New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) hosted a roundtable with stakeholders to discuss upcoming work on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill. At the roundtable New Dem Members were joined by guests from infrastructure, transportation, and labor groups to discuss federal funding for infrastructure projects and ongoing transportation issues as part of New Dems’ engagement on the federal highway bill.
This roundtable is part of the Coalition’s ongoing efforts to develop and advance commonsense infrastructure solutions. In June of 2025, the Coalition penned a letter to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen outlining the Coalition’s priorities for the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization package.
“As Vice Chair of Outreach for New Dems, and as a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I was proud to host today’s discussion on solutions that can get projects completed on time, under budget, and incorporate new features to enhance safety and durability,” said Rep. Salud Carbajal. “I helped write and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was the largest investment in infrastructure in recent U.S. history, but there's still much more we can do to modernize our country's roads, highways, and railroads. I’m looking forward to working with my New Dem colleagues to turn our ideas into reality.”
New Dems Host Discussion on How Congress Can Tackle the Nation’s Mental Health Crisis
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, New Dem Healthcare Working Group Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07), Mental Health Task Force Chair Shontel Brown (OH-11), and New Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06), who Co-Chairs the bipartisan Congressional Mental Health Caucus, hosted a roundtable discussion with mental health organizations on how Congress can tackle the nation’s mental health crisis.
New Dem Reps. Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Don Beyer (VA-08), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) also joined the conversation.
“New Dems take our role seriously in advancing practical, effective health care policy, and mental health must be at the center of that work,” said Healthcare Working Group Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07). “I’m grateful for the important work that these organizations do every day and appreciate the opportunity to hear from them directly about what New Dems can do to ensure every American has access to the support they need.”
As the Trump Administration works to slash crucial funding for mental health programs, guests discussed the urgent need to protect and expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services, including through Medicaid, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, school-based programs, crisis response systems, peer support models, and culturally competent care. Participants also shared the importance of safeguarding the 988 crisis line, addressing workforce shortages and burnout, and ensuring mental health parity laws are fully enforced.
New on Substack
New Dems Release New Episode of The Fly-In: "Voting Rights are Under Attack" with Rep. Andrea Salinas
.png)
This week, co-hosts Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Greg Landsman (OH-01) are joined by Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), New Dem Leadership Member and the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. The Members start the episode with a discussion about the state of mental health in America, and delve into Congresswoman Salinas’s work in Congress to improve care, increase access, and lower costs.
Then, the group transitions to a wide-ranging conversation about the nationwide efforts by Republican lawmakers in the wake of the Supreme Court’s destruction of the Voting Rights Act.
They talk about how Republicans in states like Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and elsewhere are gerrymandering congressional district maps to eliminate majority-minority districts, the implications for the American people, and what must be done to ensure voters have the final say in elections.
They also cover Rep. Salinas’s experience on a non-Jeopardy Alex Trebek-hosted game show in 1989, and react to a clip of President Trump insisting he doesn’t care about the finances of the average American.
New Dems in Action
New Dem Members Discuss The American Promise and a Winning Economic Message at the Effective Governing Coalition Conference
This week, New Democrat Coalition members participated in the inaugural Effective Governing Coalition Solutions Conference in Washington, D.C.. The gathering brought together Democratic lawmakers, thought leaders, and journalists to discuss Congressional Democrats’ economic policy, messaging, and strategy to deliver real solutions for hardworking Americans.
Several New Dem Members were featured as speakers and panelists throughout the day to share stories from their districts, their work to lower costs and grow the economy, and how New Dems are leading the way with commonsense policy solutions. The New Dems’ American Promise, unveiled on Tuesday as the New Dems’ flagship governing agenda, was featured prominently throughout the day’s conversations, as was the Coalition’s Affordability Agenda released earlier this year.
Member Highlights
Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) questioned Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner during a budget hearing for the House Appropriations Committee. Rep. Quigley pushed the Secretary to explain why the Trump Administration wants to eliminate the Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) program — which has received bipartisan support for years — underscoring how critical housing is to ensure people with HIV can manage their disease.
Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, questioned Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. She opened by highlighting cuts to the federal workforce and funding at the National Park Service (NPS) by the Trump Administration. She continued by pressing Secretary Burgum on the unprecedented, partisan decision to issue national park passes with President Trump's face and changes to the grant approval process.
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) secured a military burial and service records for Army veteran Sergeant Michael Stokes of Danbury, Connecticut. Sgt. Stokes was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, having obtained the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Rep. Hayes and her casework team worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to locate and expedite his service records, and Sergeant Stokes has now received full military honors at Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery.
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) presented checks to the City of Camarillo and the City of Oxnard for local infrastructure projects. Rep. Brownley delivered more than $2.2 million in federal funding for Camarillo’s Hybrid Microgrid Standby Power Resiliency Project and Oxnard’s Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Project, which will help protect public safety, improve reliability, and build a stronger future for the residents of Ventura County.
Member Legislation
Reps. Morelle, Raskin, and Garcia Unveil Landmark Legislation to Curb Trump Administration’s Historic Abuses of Power, Profiteering from Public Office
Congressmen Joe Morelle (NY-25), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Robert Garcia (CA-42) introduced legislation to strengthen the legal infrastructure of our democracy against presidents or other officials who abuse their power for personal gain. The Protecting Our Democracy Act (PODA) (H.R. 8831) would oppose executive corruption, promote transparency and accountability, and reassert the principle that no president is above the law.
Reps. Fletcher and Ryan Reintroduce Legislation To Protect Telehealth Access to Abortion Pill
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18) introduced the Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act (H.R. 8734) to reaffirm that mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill, was appropriately approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that this approval preempts any state law seeking to prohibit or restrict access to the abortion pill.
Rep. Larsen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Funding for Local Drug Task Forces to Combat Opioids
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02), Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act (H.R. 8818) to establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country.
Rep. McDonald Rivet Introduces Bill To Prevent Big Oil Companies from Price Gouging
Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) introduced the Lower Prices at the Pump Act (H.R. 8698), which would help prevent Big Oil companies from price gouging to unfairly raise gas prices on consumers amid the war in Iran.
Next Article Previous Article