Weekly Wrap 01/31/2020
This week, President Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law, which updates the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and revitalizes our international relationships with our North American allies. The Coalition has been integral to every major trade initiative since its founding, and USMCA was no different. The NDC applauds the work of NDC Vice Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07) as a member of the Speaker’s Working Group and the NDC Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Ron Kind (WI-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Gregory Meeks (NY-05) for their leadership within the Caucus.
Following the unveiling of House Democrats’ Moving Forward Framework, NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Vice Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Infrastructure Task Force Co-Chairs Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL) discussed how the Coalition’s priorities to modernize infrastructure, spur investment in regional, local, and federal infrastructure projects, and promote innovation and new clean-energy technologies are incorporated into the agenda.
More on what Members have been up to below.
Coalition Highlights
NDC Members Speak Out for Infrastructure
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Vice Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Infrastructure Task Force Co-Chairs Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL) spoke out on the pressing need to update our nation’s crumbling infrastructure through innovative public and private investment, expand the country’s broadband system, and seek more energy efficient and resilient infrastructure to deal with the impacts of climate change. See more from POLITICO, US Virgin Islands CBS, The News Tribune, The Bellingham Herald, and Reps. Carbajal and Plaskett.
NDC Applauds USMCA Being Signed into Law
The President signed the updated, Dem-negotiated USMCA into law, modernizing NAFTA and bringing it into the 21st century. The Coalition was pleased to see the updated agreement included several of the NDC’s NAFTA 2.0 Priorities, which were released earlier this Congress. See more from NDC’s Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind (WI-03) and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07).
Member Highlights
Bill Introductions
Peters Introduces Bill to Limit Non-Compete Agreements, Protect American Workers
NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters (CA-52) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Workforce Mobility Act, which would help American workers by limiting when an employer can force an employee to sign a non-compete agreement. The legislation would narrow the allowable use of non-compete agreements to only include extraordinary cases like the sale of a business or the hiring of senior executives and require employers to explicitly inform their employees of the limitations non-compete agreements impose.
Connolly Introduces FAIR Act to Give Feds a 3.5% Pay Raise in 2021
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) introduced the bicameral Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, which would provide federal employees a 3.5% pay increase in 2021.
Plaskett Introduces Legislation to Expand Broadband to Small Ports
NDC Infrastructure Task Force Co-Chair Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL) introduced the Broadband for Small Ports Act to increase the access for small ports, which are hubs for commerce and tourism, to receive broadband technologies under the USDA Rural Utility Service. The legislation helps small ports nationwide get federal loans and improve their broadband coverage, enabling working waterfronts to order and coordinate deliveries, access real-time weather update, and grow economically.
Member Happenings
Houlahan, Stevens Launches Bipartisan Women in STEM Caucus
NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) launched the bipartisan Women in STEM Caucus, which aims to increase the presence of women and underrepresented minorities across STEM fields.
Stanton: Public Transit Changes Lives via The Hill
Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-09) penned an op-ed in The Hill addressing the crucial need to continue investing in the nation’s infrastructure, expand the existing public transit system, and the role of Congress in supporting these projects: “There’s no doubt: When we invest in transportation infrastructure, we can improve the overall economic health of our community. It’s not just about moving people. Great public transportation has the potential to lift — and connect — everyone.”
Fletcher Holds Prescription Drug Roundtable
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) held a prescription drug roundtable with constituents and advocates to discuss the impacts of federal prescription drug policy.
Stanton Talks Trade, Infrastructure with The Hill’s Editor-in-Chief at “A More Perfect Union” Event
Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-09) spoke with The Hill’s Bob Cusack about the greatest opportunities and challenges facing America and Congress. Stanton applauded the recent passage of the USMCA, which he said will have a major positive impact for Arizonans. He pointed to the trade deal as an example of how to get big policy initiatives done in a bipartisan way--a model he says could work for an infrastructure bill, too.
Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05) penned an op-ed in USA Today emphasizing the need for a bipartisan approach to combat climate change by working together to adopt policies that will make clean energy, climate-forward technologies more resilient and affordable: “We have to end the partisan battle over climate change by building a new framework that is fair to the workers, to communities, and to all American families while protecting our environment. here are other sources of emissions — but it will show the nation that Congress can still come together to meet the great challenges of our time.”
Houlahan Speaks on House Floor on January Jobs Month
NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) delivered a speech on the House floor highlighting January Jobs Month and her efforts in Pennsylvania to ensure the economy is working for everyone, support small businesses, and help the workforce adapt to new technologies and the future of work.
Stevens Speaks on House Floor on the Manufacturing Recession on the House Floor
Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) spoke out on the House floor against the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 to highlight its impact on working Americans and the $1.5 trillion increase in the national deficit, concluding that Congress must do better and must continue working for the American people.
Carson, Beyer Speak Out Against the Administration’s Muslim Ban
On the 3rd anniversary of the Muslim Ban, Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08) and Andre Carson (IN-07) spoke out against the discriminatory policy, highlighting its detrimental impacts and urging for the passage of the No Ban Act to reverse the Administration’s actions.
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