New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 9/19/25
Press Releases
New Dem Leadership Rejects Republicans’ Partisan Proposal to Raise Costs on Working Families
Today, New Democrat Coalition Leadership issued a statement rejecting a Republican proposal that leaves millions of Americans with rising healthcare costs. New Dem Members joined House Democrats in opposing the partisan bill.
“Congressional Republicans are hellbent on making life harder and more expensive for hardworking Americans and their families. They used their One Big Bad Bill to take healthcare from 15 million people, deny food assistance programs to millions of hungry families, and unnecessarily burden our children with $4 trillion-plus in additional debt—all to fund more needless tax breaks for billionaires. Meanwhile, American families are paying President Trump’s tariff taxes on everything from groceries and school supplies to clothing, new cars, and new homes.
“Republicans have full control of the House, the Senate, and the White House. With today’s vote, House Republicans make clear that they would rather shut down the government than work with Democrats to lower costs and protect healthcare for millions of American families.
“New Dems have always sought common ground to keep the government open. Unfortunately, rather than working with Democrats to tackle the healthcare and affordability crisis they’ve created, our Republican colleagues are jamming through a partisan bill that fails to meet the needs of hardworking Americans.
“New Dems will not be complicit with the Republicans’ extreme agenda, nor will we provide a blank check for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to continue raising prices for working people and ripping health care from American families. New Dems reject the idea that Americans need to pay more for groceries, housing, and health care.
“We call on our Senate colleagues to reject this feckless bill and join New Dems in pushing Republicans to finally come to the negotiating table. Congressional Republicans have an easy choice: work with Democrats and create a bipartisan budget that helps working families and lifts up our country, or go it alone to shut down the government and cause even more pain for the American people.”
New Dems Convene Roundtable Discussion on Air Traffic Control Modernization
New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) hosted a roundtable discussion on air traffic control modernization between New Dem Members and stakeholders from across the aviation industry.
Vice Chair Carbajal, who is a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, was joined by several New Dem Members for the discussion, including Transportation & Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), and Jim Costa (CA-21).
“America’s air traffic control systems need an upgrade. More people are flying than ever and the system is under stress – the American people deserve to feel safe and secure every time they fly,” said Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal. “We’ve seen too many recent close calls, and in the wake of January’s tragic and deadly mid-air collision in D.C., Congress must ensure we’re doing everything we can to support America’s airspace and the people who run it. I’m grateful to my colleagues and the stakeholders for this important discussion, which will inform our work to modernize these crucial systems moving forward.”
New on Substack
Rep. Janelle Bynum: "The American Dream can’t leave behind our rural communities"
New Dem Rep. Janelle Bynum (OR-05) reflects on the lessons learned from her rural development roundtable.
Business is in my blood. Before being elected to represent Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District, I owned local restaurants with my husband and served in the State House.
So I know firsthand that small businesses aren’t just a lifeline for our local economies, but they’re the heartbeat of our communities, especially in rural areas. They’re where we connect, where our kids get their first job, and where the future of our towns are built.
When I went home to Oregon this August, I joined forces with Rep. Andrea Salinas and the New Dems to convene a roundtable in Silverton, a rural part of my district, to hear directly from small businesses about what they need. Here’s what I learned:
New Dems Present Episode 17, "Course Correction" with Rep. Ed Case
In Episode 17, “Course Correction” Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-01) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) are joined by New Dem Member Congressman Ed Case (HI-01). Together, they discuss the aftermath of last week’s assassination of Charlie Kirk and how lawmakers must respond to the rise in political violence. Rep. Case – a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee – discusses the latest developments in the effort to fund the government, and what Democratic Members expect over the next few weeks. The Members also talk through the latest in the Epstein files saga, react to a news clip from last week of President Trump telling Republicans: “Don’t even deal with [Democrats]” on government funding, and play a travel-themed game based on Rep. Case’s weekly flights from Hawaii to Washington, D.C.
Member Highlight
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) held a press event with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) to call out President Trump and Congressional Republican’s assault on our health care system that is raising prices, kicking people off their health coverage, and making families sicker.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s (WA-10) proposal, the Pipeline Safety Engagement Act, was included in the current version of the bipartisan Promoting Innovation in Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2025, which passed favorably out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) led three dozen battleground House Democrats in sending a letter to Congressional Leadership calling for the extension of the ACA tax credits.
Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) joined other Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus this week in Washington DC to echo Justice Sotomayor's dissent agains the abhorrent Supreme Court ruling allowing federal agents to use racial profiling in our communities.
Member Legislation
Rep. Strickland Gives New Farmers, Ranchers Early Financing Opportunities
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) reintroduced the bicameral Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act (H.R. 5367). The bill will help new farmers and ranchers address early financial challenges.
Rep. Landsman Reintroduces Bipartisan Public Safety Bill to Provide Recruitment and Retention Bonuses
Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), a longstanding supporter of local law enforcement and public safety professionals, has partnered with Ohio colleagues Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15), Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13), and Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) to reintroduce the bipartisan Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act (H.R. 5403) – legislation to strengthen an existing federal grant program used by local law enforcement agencies.
Reps. McBath, Houchin, Mrvan, Fitzpatrick Re-Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Designating "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week"
Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06), Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-01), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) have introduced a resolution (H.Res. 714) designating September 14th through September 20th of 2025 as “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.” The resolution recognizes the importance of adult education, family literacy, and efforts to support an educated population with the literacy skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. A companion resolution is led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
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