Weekly Wrap
This week, the House passed the New Democrat Coalition-endorsed (NDC) the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Act (TRIA). The House also passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to avoid another government shutdown through a short-term spending bill, which will keep the government open until December 20th. The CR includes a 3.1% pay raise for men and women in uniform and fully funds the 2020 U.S. Census.
ICYMI: NDC Chair Derek Kilmer published an op-ed in Roll Call addressing the urgent need to combat the climate crisis and highlighting the importance of the New Dem Priorities for U.S. Climate Policy.
More on what Members have been up to below.
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Programming Note: We will not have a New Dem Weekly Wrap next week. We will be back on December 6th. Happy Thanksgiving!
Coalition Highlights
House Passes NDC-Endorsed Bipartisan TRIA Bill
The House passed the NDC-endorsed Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIA). The destruction caused by the September 11th terrorist attacks resulted in the largest insured losses from a non-natural disaster ever, which made terrorism risk insurance unavailable or extremely expensive. The TRIA Act corrects this market failure by creating a federal backstop to ensure that, in the event of another attack, insurance coverage would remain affordable and available.
ICYMI – Kilmer: Climate Change Solutions Can’t Wait for the Politics to Catch Up
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) penned an op-ed in Roll Call outlining NDC’s policy principles and endorsed legislation to combat climate change with the urgency it demands: “The scientific consensus is that we need to achieve the critical goal of economy-wide, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. That means we need to catch up to our global peers and competitors. And it means we need to build a politically resilient roadmap that outlasts election cycles.”
Member Highlights
Floor Action
House Passes McAdams’ Bill Aiding Consumers Hurt by Investment Fraud
The House passed Rep. Ben McAdams’ (UT-04) Investor Protection and Capital Markets Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to improve the likelihood that investors who are defrauded by white collar criminals can recover their hard-earned money.
Committee Action
Natural Resources Committee Passes Carbajal’s Land Protection Bill
The Committee on Natural Resources passed Rep. Salud Carbajal’s (CA-24) Central Coast Heritage Protection Act. This legislation would designate 250,000 acres of land within Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as protected wilderness areas, as well as create a 400-mile long Condor National Recreation trail stretching from Los Angeles to Monterey County.
Energy & Commerce Committee Passes Three of Rep. Annie Kuster’s (NH-02) Bills:
- Protecting Communities from New PFAS Act, which would prevent new PFAS chemicals from being approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ensure increased access to clean water. Watch her speak in support of the legislation here.
- SAFER Pipelines Act, which would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2023 and would require natural gas pipeline operators to install automatic or remote-controlled shutoff valves to prevent explosions in high-risk areas. The SAFER Pipelines Act includes a bipartisan amendment from Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) to create a pilot program to test new pipeline safety technology. Watch her speak in support of the legislation here.
- Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, which would amend the Public Health Services Act to help ensure that pregnant women and new mothers can access the care they need.
Energy & Commerce Committee Passes Fletcher’s Legislation to Protect Health of First Responders
The Energy and Commerce Committee passed Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s (TX-07) legislation to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue guidance to protect the health of first responders when using foam containing PFAS to fight fires.
Bill Introductions
Bustos Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Create Jobs and Improve Infrastructure
Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) introduced the bipartisan Buy America for Drinking Water Extension Act, which would create American jobs and generate revenue by ensuring that all iron and steel products used for projects in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are made entirely in the United States.
Smith Introduces Bill to Empower Individuals Through Education and Workforce Training
Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) introduced the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act to establish a new competitive grant program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), dedicated exclusively to providing support services for individuals receiving workforce training and education.
Panetta Introduces Legislation to Encourage the Development and Deployment of Zero-Emission Buses
Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) introduced The Green Bus Tax Credit Act, which would incentivize manufacturers to produce more electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses through a 10% manufacturer’s tax credit.
Pappas, Rose Introduce Legislation to Reform the VA’s Debt Collection Process
Reps. Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Max Rose (NY-11) introduced the Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-Time for Debts for Veterans Act, or the SHIELD for Veterans Act, to reform the VA’s debt collection process.
Carbajal Introduces Legislation to Enhance Safety Regulations for Cargo Pilots
Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) introduced the Safe Skies Act of 2019. This legislation would fix an aviation safety double standard and ensure cargo pilots, similar to their commercial airline counterparts, are operating under the same regulations to fight fatigue and keep our airspace free from danger.
McEachin Introduces 100% Clean Legislation
Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019, which sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100% clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the United States’ economy.
Schneider Introduces Clean Energy Bill to Support Converting Waste Heat to Electricity
Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced The Waste Heat to Power Investment Tax Credit Act, which would provide a 30% investment tax credit for waste heat to power technologies that begin construction before January 1, 2024, phasing down the credit to 26% and 22% in the subsequent two years.
Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Introduces Two Pieces of Legislation:
- The Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NO PAIN) Act, which would help address barriers to non-opioid pain management for those enrolled in Medicare, thereby helping stem the opioid epidemic across the nation.
- The Carbon Capture and Sequestration Extension Act, which would extend the Section 45Q tax credit to incentivize the use of carbon capture projects and improve their affordability.
NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Better and Robust Screening Today (BRST) Act, which provides U.S. servicemembers and their families improved breast cancer screening options.
Member Happenings
Kilmer Honored for Work to Reform Congress and Reduce the Role of Money in Politics
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) was awarded the inaugural “Teddy Roosevelt Courage Award” by Issue One, a leading cross-partisan political reform organization, for his efforts to fight to fix the broken political system and secure American elections.
Mucarsel-Powell, Escobar Host Panel Discussion on Latina Equal Pay Day
Reps. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) hosted a panel discussion on Latina Equal Pay Day to discuss the wage disparities Latina women face. Statistics indicate Latina women are disproportionately affected by the wage gap, making only 54 cents for every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man makes.
Rice, Suozzi Urge U.S. HUD to Investigate Discriminatory Housing Practices
NDC Leadership Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-04) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) called on U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson to investigate evidence of unequal treatment of minorities by real estate agents on Long Island.
McBath Delivers Letter to McConnell Urging Action on H.R. 8
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) delivered a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging him to take action and bring common-sense, bipartisan background checks to a vote following the string of mass shootings taking place throughout the country this past week.
Kilmer Gives Floor Speech Honoring Native American Heritage Month
NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) delivered a floor speech honoring the history of Native Americans and celebrating their heritage. He also recognized NDC Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), one of the first Native American women in Congress.
Bera: Improving Maternal Health with Data and Care Coordination via The Hill
NDC Leadership Member Ami Bera (CA-07), one of the only medical doctors in Congress, penned an op-ed in The Hill addressing the need to update and improve existing laws to ensure quality maternal health care, especially given the recent rise in maternal deaths over the past two decades: “Armed with the right data, we can begin to make smarter policy recommendations and clinical decisions that will address the gaps in prenatal and postpartum care. In addition, with the right incentives in place, we can improve the delivery of maternal care. Let’s not miss the opportunity to do so.
Bustos: Rural Health Care Must Not Be Overlooked via Journal Star
Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) penned an op-ed in Journal Star to address the importance of rural health care and to emphasize unique challenges rural Americans face: “…on National Rural Health Day, I recommit myself to exploring innovative ways to make quality health care more accessible and affordable for hardworking Illinois families. I hope you’ll join me.
Shalala Calls on Trump Administration to End Coordination with Daniel Ortega on Deportations
Rep. Donna Shalala (FL-27) led a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that the Administration end its deportation agreement with Nicaragua’s Ortega regime and urging the renewal of temporary protected status (TPS) for qualifying Nicaraguans currently living in the United States. Read the full text of the letter here.
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