Weekly Wrap
This week, the New Democrat Coalition was proud to add 9 new Members to join the Coalition in the 116th Congress. There are now 40 Freshman Members in the Coalition. With the addition, the New Democrat Coalition is the largest ideological caucus in the House.
Before today’s vote on a three-week funding bill, the House had passed 10 bills in the 116th Congress to reopen all or part of the federal government. The shutdown has hurt our economy, and, now after 35 days, it was the longest federal government shutdown in American history. It caused 800,000 Americans to go without pay for over a month.
After President Trump signs the most recent legislative deal to reopen the government, we must work to craft a long-term funding bill and work together on smart, effective solutions for border security while staying true to our values as Americans.
More on what NDC Members have been up to below.
Coalition Highlights
New Democrat Coalition Inducts 9 Additional Members
- The New Democrat Coalition was proud to add 9 new Members to join the Coalition in the 116th Congress. These new Members bring an abundance of real-world experience and innovative ideas to the Coalition, and are dedicated to advancing the New Dem vision of keeping our economy competitive and our nation secure.
- There are now 40 Freshman Members in the Coalition. With the addition, the New Democrat Coalition is the largest ideological caucus in the House.
- Additional Members Inducted into the Coalition for the 116th Congress:
- Cindy Axne (IA-03)
- Gil Cisneros (CA-39)
- Joe Cunningham (SC-01)
- Madeleine Dean (PA-04)
- Kendra Horn (OK-05)
- Steven Horsford (NV-04)
- Lucy McBath (GA-06)
- Lori Trahan (MA-03)
- David Trone (MD-06)
New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on Deal to End Longest Federal Government Shutdown in History
- The President and Congressional leaders announced they would pass a bill to re-open the federal government for three weeks, ending the longest federal government shutdown in history.
- New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) made the following statement:
- “Shutting down the government is damaging and dumb. Federal workers, Coast Guard members and local communities shouldn’t be asked to pay the price for a failure of leadership in Washington, DC. This isn’t a game and our neighbors aren’t pawns in a negotiation. It’s time to restore people’s faith and get back to the ideas that make our nation exceptional—that we can solve our problems through reasoned debate and bipartisan consensus building. The government should never have closed over a policy disagreement, and it’s on every member of Congress and the President to ensure this doesn’t happen again in three weeks—or, frankly, ever.” Read more.
NDC Members Appointed to Key Committees
- This week the Democratic Steering & Policy Committee met to appoint Members to key House Committees. NDC Members, of all the newly appointed Members, listed below:
- Homeland Security Committee (4/11): Reps. Val Demings, Max Rose, Elissa Slotkin, and Xochitl Torres Small.
- Oversight and Reform Committee (5/15): Reps. Katie Hill, Brenda Lawrence, Stacey Plaskett, Harley Rouda, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz
- Science, Space and Technology Committee (12/15): Reps. Don Beyer, Sean Casten, Charlie Crist, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Katie Hill, Kendra Horn, Ben McAdams, Ed Perlmutter, Mikie Sherrill, Haley Stevens, and Jennifer Wexton.
- Education and Labor Committee (Additional Appointments 2/3): Reps. Joaquín Castro and Lori Trahan.
- Budget Committee (2/15): Brendan Boyle and Steven Horsford.
- Small Business Committee (5/12): Reps. Jason Crow, Sharice Davids, Chrissy Houlahan, Brad Schneider, and Marc Veasey.
- Natural Resources Committee (6/16): Reps. Anthony Brown, Ed Case, Joe Cunningham, Steven Horsford, Donald McEachin, and Darren Soto
Member Highlights
Members Speak Out Against Government Shutdown
- Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) met with survivors of sexual assault to discuss the impact the partial government shutdown is having on federal funding. "Everybody's lives are in jeopardy. It's scary," said one survivor who did not want to be identified. More from Kuster. Listen to Kuster talk about the shutdown’s impacts on Fox and on WCAX3.
- Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13) joined federal workers at Tampa International Airport (TPA) to highlight the negative impact of the shutdown locally and called for government to re-open before more damage is done. TPA employs around 700 federal employees impacted by the shutdown.
House Passes Schneider’s Small Business Bill
- The House passed Rep. Brad Schneider’s (IL-10) bipartisan legislation to help small businesses acquire federal contracts. The Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 makes improvements to the sole source contracting process so more small businesses owned by women, service-disabled veterans, or operating in historically underserved communities can access the opportunity of federal contracts.
Schrader Calls for Unemployment Insurance for All Federal Employees
- Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05) sent a letter this week to the Department of Labor asking to make clear that federal employees deemed “essential” or “excepted” may be eligible for unemployment insurance. Roughly 9,600 federal employees in Oregon are being impacted by the current shutdown. Those without “essential” or “excepted” status are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance which can bridge the lapse in their paychecks and help them to keep up with their bills, while those with the status must continue to work full-time without a paycheck.
Brown Introduces Bill to Ensure Essential Personnel Can Get Unemployment Benefits
- Rep. Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) introduced a bill that would allow federal employees working without pay to collect unemployment benefits during the government shutdown. The bill would reverse guidance from the Trump administration that says only employees who are prevented from working until the federal government reopens are eligible for unemployment compensation.
- Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide relief for student loan borrowers affected by the partial government shutdown. The Student Loan Relief for Feds Act, would allow affected federal, state, and D.C. employees and contractors to apply for deferment on their students loan payments during a federal appropriations lapse.
Norcross, DelBene Introduce Legislation to Repeal Excise Tax, Protect Workers’ Health Benefits
- Reps. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Susan DelBene (WA-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to repeal a 40% excise tax on certain employer sponsored health insurance plans known as the “Cadillac Tax.”
Schneider, Sewell Introduce Legislation to Aid Survivors of Human Trafficking
- Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Terri Sewell (AL-07) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to amend the tax code to make civil damages, restitution, and any other monetary award given to human trafficking survivors exempt from federal income taxes.
Soto Introduces Protect Patriot Spouses Act & Alejandra Juarez Private Bill
- Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) introduced the Protect Patriot Spouses Act in support of the Juarez family and military spouses facing deportation by allowing for adjustment of immigration status. Once passed, a Private Bill for the Relief of Alejandra Juarez, would allow Mrs. Juarez to return to the United States.
Harder: I came home to listen, and here’s what I heard via Modesto Bee
- Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10) authored an op-ed in the Modesto Bee providing highlights of his listening tour in his Central Valley district.
Connolly Discusses Potential Oversight Committee Plans on MSNBC
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11), House Oversight and Reform Committee member, discusses Michael Cohen's delayed testimony on MSNBC. “Of course Trump’s comments towards Cohen are witness intimidation,” said Connolly.
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