May 22, 2026

New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 5/22

From the Desk of the Chair

Chair Schneider on Trump’s Corruption Corroding the Republican Coalition

New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued the following statement after news broke that House and Senate Republicans will punt votes on their extreme reconciliation package to after the Memorial Day district work period:

“Americans are now paying more than $4 per gallon of gas, the highest average price since July 2022. But instead of trying to lower costs and put more money in the pockets of hardworking men and women, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are fighting to give $1 billion to a White House ballroom no one asked for and $1.8 billion to a blindingly corrupt Trump slush fund to subsidize convicted criminals pardoned by the President.

“The American people are tired of paying to line the pockets of President Trump’s family and friends. They don’t want a $1 billion ballroom. They don’t want a $1.8 billion Trump slush fund. And they don’t want a $70 billion blank check for agencies that have gunned down American citizens in our streets and terrorized our communities. They want government to give them a hand up and make it easier to afford gas, put food on their table, and get the healthcare they need.”

“Trump’s corrupt, extreme, and extraordinarily unpopular agenda is cracking the Republican party into pieces.

“The upcoming district work period gives every one of our Republican colleagues the opportunity to do some soul-searching and decide whether they will continue to write blank checks for President Trump’s anti-American agenda or actually help lower costs for everyone.”

Press Releases

Transportation Task Force Chair Shomari C. Figures Urges Support of Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

New Democrat Coalition Transportation Task Force Chair Shomari C. Figures (AL-02), Vice Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, released a statement after the Committee advanced a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill through markup. The legislation is now poised to come to the floor ahead of the September 30th deadline to reauthorize infrastructure funding.

“New Dems are fierce advocates for the quick and innovative development of the infrastructure we need to power a 21st-century economy and connect every American from coast to coast.

“This legislation, the product of bipartisan compromise and a shared commitment to strengthening the foundations of America, makes historic investments in revitalizing our roads, bridges, and railways. It incorporates key New Dem initiatives championed by our Members that will help streamline the permitting and zoning process, shore up financing for essential projects, and introduce innovative infrastructure programs to boost safety and resiliency.

“I urge my House colleagues to quickly advance this legislation and for the Senate to follow suit.”

New Dem Leadership Applauds House Passage of Vital Housing Act

New Democrat Coalition Leadership issued a statement after the House of Representatives voted to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. New Dems took a coalition-wide stance in support of the bill yesterday.

Today’s vote is a crucial step towards addressing the nation’s housing crisis and making the American Dream of owning a home a reality for millions of working families.

This legislation delivers on key objectives laid out in the New Democrat Coalition’s Housing Affordability Agenda, such as building more homes and getting them on the market faster, making it easier for families to buy or rent a home, and increasing transparency with housing data so resources can be placed where they are needed.

“Working families are struggling to keep roofs over their heads as the cost of housing and rent skyrocket. They want solutions from Congress, not the same old finger-pointing and politics that have let this crisis of costs spiral out of control. The legislation we passed today will put us back on track to build the millions of homes we desperately need to lower costs and make sure all of our neighbors can find an affordable place to live.

“Last year, New Dems released our Housing Affordability Agenda, which laid out bold recommendations for quickly building more homes and surging resources where they are needed. We are proud to see that this package reflects many of these priorities, including 19 bills led by New Dem Members.

“The Senate must now immediately pass this legislation so we can finally start delivering affordable housing for working families.”

Member Highlights

Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Chair of the New Dem Immigration & Border Security Working Group, was quoted in a Fox News piece, calling for greater order and fairness in the U.S. immigration system following the President’s comments supporting expanded student visas for Chinese students.

Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) successfully added an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill requiring Members of Congress with publicly disclosed House Ethics Committee investigations against them to complete all workplace misconduct trainings in person as opposed to online.

Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) announced he led a group of more than 90 of his colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after the Trump Administration announced plans to roll back dozens of federal gun safety regulations.

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) secured $2.2 million in funding for crucial upgrades at the San Luis Obispo County Airport. The airport welcomed a record number of passengers last year, but the baggage screening system is too outdated to keep up with the growing demand. This funding ensures the airport can continue to provide efficient and reliable service for travelers.

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) announced more than $131 million in federal funding is being awarded for major water infrastructure improvements across the San Joaquin Valley, including upgrades to the Friant-Kern Canal and O’Neill Pumping Plant, two critical components of California’s water delivery system. The funding brings the total federal investment secured for water storage, aging water infrastructure, clean drinking water, and groundwater recharge projects benefiting California’s 21st Congressional District to more than $1.4 billion.

Member Legislation

Rep. McBath and Sen. Warren Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Address Maternal Health Risks During Public Health Emergencies
Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) in leading more than 70 lawmakers to reintroduce the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act (H.R. 8807) to address maternal health risks during public health crises like COVID-19 and the ongoing hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks. In such emergencies, pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women are uniquely vulnerable and face an increased risk for adverse maternal health outcomes.

Rep. Peters Reintroduces Resolution to Commemorate Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) introduced a resolution (H. Res. 1265) to commemorate May 3rd-9th as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and potentially disabling involuntary movement disorder that is associated with taking certain medications prescribed to treat mental illness. It's important to shine a light on this awful disorder and highlight the importance of screening for and treating TD.

Rep. McBath, Sen. Merkley Lead Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Childcare Workforce Shortage
Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act (H.R. 8937). The bipartisan bill would address the childcare workforce shortage by investing in career and technical education (CTE) programs and incentivizing more students to enter the early childhood workforce upon graduation.

Reps. Landsman and DelBene Lead Fight to Overturn AI Model Delaying and Denying Care for Seniors
Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) are leading a Congressional Review Act resolution (H. Res. 187) to end the use of the Trump Administration's WISeR Model for prior authorization decisions for seniors on Medicare.