New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 9/12/25
Weekly Highlight
New Dem Leaders Hold Press Conference on Policy Agenda Ahead of Government Funding Deadline
This week, New Democrat Coalition leaders – including New Dem Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10), Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Immigration & Border Security Working Group Chair Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Secure Borders Task Force Chair Laura Gillen (NY-04), Global Competitiveness Task Force Chair Greg Stanton (AZ-04), and Housing Task Force Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13) – led a press conference to lay out the details of the New Dem policy agenda and provide updates on the most recent policy initiatives released by the Coalition.
Press Releases
New Dem Housing Task Force Releases Affordability Agenda to Build More Homes and Lower Costs
The New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force, led by Task Force Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13), unveiled its Housing Affordability Agenda, which lays out a path forward for bipartisan legislation in Congress to ensure every American has access to safe, decent, affordable housing and the amenities they need to thrive.
Through the Housing Affordability Agenda, the Coalition endorses fourteen bills led by New Dem members that aim to lower housing costs by increasing the supply of housing, growing the number of innovative financial products available to buyers and renters, and improving housing data and transparency to ensure resources are dedicated to the areas of highest need.
“At a time when the cost of living is already too high, so many families in Ohio and across the country are struggling to afford high-quality, safe, and affordable housing – and losing hope in their ability to achieve the American dream,” said Housing Task Force Chair Emilia Sykes. “Congress can and must take concrete steps to build more homes and make it easier for working families to live and thrive in their communities. I’m proud of the work my New Dem colleagues have done to offer innovative legislation to address this critical problem. Through the bills endorsed in this Agenda, we are moving the ball forward and working to advance real solutions that deliver for the American people.”
The Housing Affordability Agenda builds on the Coalition’s work over the past several years to tackle the ongoing housing crisis, including the 2024 Housing Action Plan, 2023 Economic Opportunity Agenda, and 2022 Action Plan to Fight Inflation. The fourteen endorsed bills fall under three guiding principles, including building more homes and getting them to the market quicker, making it easier for consumers to buy and rent homes, and improving federal data collection and transparency.
The Agenda also lays out next steps to advance legislative solutions through Congress, including plans to develop legislative proposals that increase the supply of manufactured housing, address red tape associated with environmental review, and lowering the price of materials impacted by tariffs and supply chain barriers.
You can read the full New Dem Housing Affordability Agenda here and below:
New on Substack
New Dems Offer a Path Forward for the Party
This week, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) led a press conference on the New Dem policy agenda alongside Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Immigration & Border Security Working Group Chair Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Secure Borders Task Force Chair Laura Gillen (NY-04), Global Competitiveness Task Force Chair Greg Stanton (AZ-04), and Housing Task Force Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13).
Together, they discussed the recently-unveiled Immigration & Border Security Framework and Housing Affordability Agenda.
While Congressional Republicans ignore the needs of working families and barrel Congress toward the government funding deadline with no plan, no vision, and no willingness to work with our Democratic leadership, New Dems are laying out policy roadmaps with real solutions that tackle our nation’s biggest challenges.
New Dems Present Episode 16, "No Fly List" with New Dem Leadership Member Jennifer McClellan
In Episode 16, “No Fly List” Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) are joined by New Democrat Coalition Leadership Member Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) to discuss the recent clash between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, the abysmal August jobs report and the damage Republicans are causing to the economy, the upcoming government funding deadline, and more. The members also react to a clip from Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr.’s recent Senate hearing and Trump’s personalized birthday letter to Jeffery Epstein, recently released by the House Oversight Committee.
Member Highlights
Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) joined the New Democrat Coalition this week. Rep. Walkinshaw, who was elected in a special election earlier this week on September 9th, previously served as Rep. Gerry Connolly's chief of staff and was a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since 2020.
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) held a press conference to announce the introduction of a resolution designating the second Tuesday in September, September 9, 2025, as National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day. This day raises awareness about the growing firearm suicide crisis and underscores the lifesaving importance of safe firearm storage.
Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31), held a House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure hearing titled “Leveling the Playing Field: Fostering Opportunities for Small Business Contractors.” The hearing explored the decline in small business participation in the federal procurement system and the risks that Trump administration changes to federal acquisition rules pose to small firms.
Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) led a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, following the Trump Administration's decision to terminate a grant for the Central Oregon Disability Support Network, Inc. (CODSN). Her the letter, she demanded the reinstatement of the federal funding. CODSN is an organization that has provided essential support to families in rural Oregon raising children with disabilities for decades.
Member Legislation
Rep. Craig Introduces Bill to Require Social Media Companies to Keep Students off Their Platforms During School Hours
Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced legislation to require social media companies to block access to their platforms on K-12 campuses during school hours. Her No Social Media at School Act (H.R. 5173) gives states’ attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the power to enforce the law in the case that the companies fail to comply. The bill also provides exemptions for public safety, nonprofits and educational purposes, allowing teachers to use educational platforms in their curricula.
Rep. Johnson Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Elections from Deceptice Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32), a member of the Subcommittee on Elections under the House Administration Committee, introduced the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act (H.R. 5272), a bipartisan bill to safeguard American democracy from the growing threat of artificial intelligence–generated election disinformation.
Rep. Peters Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Protect Seniors’ Access to Laboratory Testing
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) introduced the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act (H.R. 5269), which would protect seniors’ access to essential laboratory tests and medical services. Without reform to the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, deep cuts under that payment system are set to begin in January 2026, which will threaten access to common lab tests for America’s seniors.
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