Weekly Wrap 01/17/2020
This week, the Senate passed the updated U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) implementing bill to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to reflect the 21st century economy and advances made by the U.S. in trade policy. Since its founding, the NDC has been integral to every major trade initiative in Congress, and USMCA was no different. In addition, the House passed several New Dem Member-led bills to expand veteran housing programs, address banking regulation standards, and protect students.
NDC Press Highlights -- In case you missed it:
As the nature of work continues to change, new challenges arise for American workers. Many involved in the gig economy and alternative forms of work do not have access to the benefits, protections, and financial security enjoyed by those in traditional social contracts. The NDC sent a letter to Rep. Bobby Scott, Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, urging him to include the Coalition in discussions around legislative action on these issues. Read more in Morning Consult.
While impeachment continues to dominate the headlines, the NDC has been working to improve Americans’ access to health care by stabilizing the ACA, driving down the costs of prescription drugs, and expanding coverage for more Americans. Read more in Real Clear Politics.
More on what Members have been up to below.
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Coalition Highlights
NDC Celebrates Senate Passage of Updated USMCA
The Coalition applauded the Senate’s passage of the NDC-endorsed implementing bill for the USMCA. The NDC has long pushed for an update to NAFTA that helps our nation’s farmers, workers, and families. The updated agreement contains several of the NDC’s NAFTA 2.0 priorities. Read the full statement from NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06), NDC Vice Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and NDC Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind (WI-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07).
The NDC was featured in an op-ed in Morning Consult addressing the impacts of the changing nature of work on the American economy and its workforce. The op-ed highlights the NDC’s efforts, including a recent letter to the House Education and Labor Committee, to identify new solutions for these emerging challenges: “Collaboration and cooperation is the only way to achieve the pro-worker, pro-innovation solutions we need. The New Democrats are offering a roadmap; now it’s up to all of us to follow it together.”
ICYMI: Impeachment Doesn’t Matter – Health Care Does via Real Clear Politics
Real Clear Politics highlighted the work of the NDC in pushing legislation to improve health care for the American people through the stabilization of the ACA, the reduction of prices for prescription drugs, and the increased coverage of all Americans: “As media pundits and Republicans continue to busy themselves with Nancy Pelosi’s impeachment articles strategy, the House speaker is overseeing some of the most significant health care legislation since the Affordable Care Act was passed. These bills, often originating from members of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, put drug prices and shoring up the ACA front and center.”
Member Highlights
Floor Action
House Passes Peters’ Bill to Reduce Veteran Homelessness
The House passed NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters’ (CA-52) Veteran HOUSE Act of 2020 to help tackle veteran homelessness by expanding the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to ensure chronically homeless veterans discharged under conditions other-than-honorable (OTH), but not dishonorable, are eligible for HUD-VASH housing vouchers and supportive case management.
House Passes Phillips’ Legislation to Increase Transparency and Accountability of Banking Regulators
The House passed Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) legislation to require the prudential banking regulators to provide annual testimony to Congress the House Financial Services Committee, along with semiannual reports on their supervisory and regulatory activities.
House Passes Lee’s Resolution to Protect Students
The House passed Rep. Susie Lee’s (NV-03) resolution overturning the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’s Borrower Defense Rule that gutted essential protections for student borrowers and taxpayers. The resolution protects students from fraudulent and predatory practices by removing the new rule, where the burden of proof on the defrauded student is so absurdly unrealistic, that it would be nearly impossible for them to get relief from their loans. Watch Rep. Lee’s press conference, where she is joined by Reps. Lucy McBath (GA-06), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Haley Stevens (MI-11).
Bill Introductions
Schneider Introduces Legislation to Combat Domestic Terrorism
Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), co-chair of the NDC National Security Task Force, introduced the bicameral Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to address the rising rates of domestic terrorism targeting religious and ethnic minorities and communities of color. The legislation would enhance the federal government’s efforts to prevent domestic terrorism by establishing offices dedicated to combating this threat, requiring federal law enforcement agencies to regularly assess this threat, and providing training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement in addressing it.
Axne Introduces Legislation to Help Protect American Workers and Their Jobs
Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) introduced the Offshoring Notification Act to give assistance to Americans who have lost their jobs to outsourcing more efficiently and to further protect American jobs by holding corporations accountable for sending jobs overseas. Read more in the Des Moine Register.
Heck Introduces Bill to Strengthen Housing Trust Fund
NDC Housing Task Force Co-Chair Denny Heck (WA-10) introduced the Fulfilling the Promise of the Housing Trust Fund Act, which would increase the construction of affordable housing by significantly expanding the National Housing Trust Fund. In order to combat the multi-million home shortage crisis, this legislation dramatically increases Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s contributions to the National Housing Trust Fund.
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) Introduces Two Pieces of Legislation:
- The bipartisan, bicameral Bring Our Heroes Home Act, which would expedite and coordinate the process of collecting, declassifying, and making public records of Prisoners of War and Missing in Action service members.
- H. Res. 797, a resolution calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to maintain and strengthen Clean Water Act protections following the Administration’s relentless attack on the landmark law.
Schrier Introduces Legislation to Help More Americans Access the Care They Need
Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), the only female M.D. in Congress, introduced the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act, which would require private insurance plans to cover three annual primary care visits and three annual outpatient mental health or outpatient substance use disorder treatment visits without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) introduced the bipartisan Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act to provide veteran firefighters with fair compensation, health care, and retirement benefits they’ve earned through their service.
Crist Introduces Legislation to Empower Survivors of Domestic Violence
Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13) introduced the Documents for Continued Safety Act to make it easier for survivors of domestic violence to replace vital documents lost or missing after fleeing their abuser.
Harder Introduces Legislation to Combat Homelessness
Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10) introduced the Homelessness Emergency Declaration Act, which would allow governors to request a federal emergency declaration to obtain federal support. The emergency declaration process would allow states to request federal support for local and state initiatives aimed at combating the problem, including shelter, transportation, food assistance, health care, and job training.
Member Happenings
Kilmer Hosts Local Forum to Discuss Climate Legislation
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) hosted a local forum to speak on the urgency to combat climate change and the progress that has been made. NDC Chair Kilmer highlighted the importance of recommitting to the Paris Climate Accords, reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and transitioning to a climate-forward economy, which will create new, quality jobs for Americans. All of these goals are part of the NDC’s Priorities for U.S. Climate Policy. Read more on Facebook and Twitter.
Beyer Named Vice Chair of Joint Economic Committee
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) named Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) to be Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC). The JEC is tasked with reviewing economic conditions and recommending improvements in economic policy to boost the economy. Read more in The Hill.
Shalala, Murphy Will Join Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Puerto Rico
Reps. Donna Shalala (FL-27) and Stephanie Murphy (FL-09) will join a bipartisan congressional delegation to Puerto Rico to examine the damage caused by recent earthquakes and speak with island residents who have been affected. The delegation will also receive briefings from federal officials, Puerto Rico officials, and local mayors about the ongoing recovery efforts to better understand what Puerto Rico needs from the federal government in order to recover and rebuild.
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