February 08, 2019
Weekly Wrap
We mourn the loss of Congressman John D. Dingell Jr., the longest serving Member of Congress. His legacy lives on through his leadership on policies to improve access to health care, protect our seniors, safeguard our environment, and ensure economic opportunity for all Americans. His tireless commitment to service paved the way for historic legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee that improved the lives of millions of Americans.
More on what NDC Members have been up to below.
Coalition Highlights
New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on the Passing of Congressman John D. Dingell Jr.
- NDC Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the passing of the longest serving Member of Congress, Representative John D. Dingell Jr. of Michigan:
- “It was a great honor to serve with Chairman John Dingell. His legacy lives on through his leadership on policies to improve access to health care, protect our seniors, safeguard our environment, and ensure economic opportunity for all Americans. His tireless commitment to service paved the way for historic legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee that improved the lives of millions of Americans.
- “I learned so much from him and continue to learn from his wife Congresswoman Debbie Dingell who serves with such distinction. I’m so sorry to learn of his passing. I ask everyone to keep the Dingell family and Michigan communities that John served in their prayers.”
New Democrat Coalition Chair State of the Union Response
- NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement following President Trump’s State of the Union Address:
- “In his address, the President expressed a desire for unity. This is welcome news and requires a willingness to back away from the administration’s most divisive and destructive policies. For the last two years, we have seen too little interest in the details of governing, and far too much distraction from the essential work to address American families’ kitchen table anxieties. It’s time to turn the page.
- “I am looking to find common ground, but will stand my ground when advocating for the priorities and values important to the American people. I am committed to finding ways to stabilize the Affordable Care Act and expand affordable access to health care. I am eager to provide all Americans an opportunity to earn a good life and to invest in 21st century infrastructure system.
- “All Americans agree these are some of our nation’s greatest challenges. We must rebuild trust and work together on areas of common agreement. As the President said, we need to ‘rebuild unity.’ That ‘unity’ is jeopardized with the threat of a shutdown or taking unilateral actions not authorized by Congress. I urge the President to put action behind his message of unity after tonight’s address.”
Kuster 'raises the roof' in celebration of women in Congress at State of the Union
- NDC Vice Chair for Communications Annie Kuster (NH-03) drew a bipartisan standing ovation when she “raised the roof” during the State of the Union.
Member Highlights
New Dems Appointed to Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Democratic Members to serve on the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Reps. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Sean Casten (IL-06), and A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) will all serve on the Committee in the 116th Congress.
House Passes Brownley Bill to Expand Child Care Program to Improve Veterans’ Access to Healthcare
- The House of Representatives passed Rep. Julia Brownley’s (CA-26), Chairwoman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. This bill would break down barriers for veterans to access healthcare by making permanent the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program and expanding it so that veterans across the nation who are parents, grandparents, or other caretakers of young children have a convenient, cost-free child care option when they have VA medical appointments.
- Reps. Ron Kind (WI-03) and Terri Sewell (AL-07) introduced the Trade Security Act, a bill that would reassert Congressional authority over trade and tariff policy by reforming Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The bipartisan, bicameral bill would also redesignate national security threat assessments (in regards to Section 232 tariffs) to the Department of Defense.
Kind Introduces the Bipartisan Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019
- Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03) introduced the Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation to require the president to submit to Congress any proposal to adjust imports in the interest of national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Address Rising Student Loan Debt
- Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) led a bipartisan group of 99 Members of Congress to reintroduce H.R. 1043, the Employer Participation in Repayment Act, which would incentivize employers to offer student loan assistance to help their employees pay off student loan debt. The bill would provide financial assistance to Americans struggling to pay off college debt by making employer-provided student loan payments tax-exempt up to $5,250 a year—similar to tax exemptions for tuition assistance programs.
Connolly Reintroduce FAIR Act to Give Feds a 3.6% Pay Raise in 2020
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) reintroduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, a bill that would provide federal employees with a 3.6 percent pay increase in 2020.
Foster Introduces Legislation to Protect Immigrant Rights
- Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) introduced legislation to require immigration detention centers to inform immigrant detainees of their legal rights within five days of their arrival at the facilities. Not only would this legislation provide fundamental legal protection to vulnerable individuals, studies show that for every $2 million we invest in legal orientation programs, we save $20 million due to expedited court proceedings and better coordination of legal services.
Soto, Murphy Announce $7.8M Affordable Housing Grant
- Reps. Darren Soto (FL-09) and Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) announce nearly $8 million in funding in order to battle homelessness in Central Florida. These grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will improve access to housing in an area where rents have risen tremendously. More than $2 million will be put toward programs in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties that offer housing for people with mental and physical disabilities.
- Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the bipartisan “Parental Bereavement Act of 2019” or the “Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act” which would add “death of a child” as a life event that would qualify for unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allowing a grieving parent up to 12 weeks to mourn a child’s loss and then return to work.
Blunt Rochester, McBath Introduce the MORE Health Education Act
- Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Marketing and Outreach Restoration to Empower (MORE) Health Education Act. This legislation would reverse funding cuts to Affordable Care Act (ACA) education, marketing, and outreach efforts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This increase in funding will assist providers and navigators in educating Americans about open enrollment dates, coverage options, and financial support available to the public.
Meeks Introduce Corporate Diversity Bill
- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Chairman of the Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions Subcommittee, introduced the Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2019, which would require public companies to annually disclose the gender, race, ethnicity and veteran status of their board directors, nominees, and senior executive officers.
Crist Leads Bipartisan Push to Tackle Spam Calls
- Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13) introduced the Spam Calls Task Force Act, a bipartisan bill creating an interagency task force to find a collective solution to this growing problem.
Veasey, Boyle Introduce Patriot Employer Act
- Reps. Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Brendan Boyle (PA-08) introduced the Patriot Employer Act on Jan 30th, which would provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers.
Larsen Joins Brookings to Talk Trade
- Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) sat down with Brookings Senior Fellow David Dollar for an episode of Dollar & Sense, the Brookings Trade Podcast to discuss a wide variety of trade issues including the U.S.-China trade relationship, Japan and the renegotiated NAFTA agreement. You can listen to the full episode here.
Craig: Federal government must deliver on its special education funding obligation via Star Tribune
- Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) authored an Op-Ed with Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08) highlighting their commitment to work across the aisle to ensure the federal government upholds its commitment to funding special education, because all of our students and school communities depend on it.
McAdams: What I'm listening for in President Trump's State of the Union via Deseret News
- Rep. Ben McAdams (UT-04) penned an op-ed in the Deseret News on his expectations for the State of the Union. "I was elected by Utahns to roll up my sleeves and work to fix a broken Washington. As a mayor, I learned that reaching across the aisle is how consensus is forged,” writes McAdams.
Next Article Previous Article