June 07, 2019

Weekly Wrap

World leaders gathered in France this week to remember the heroes who landed on the beaches of Normandy by sea and air to liberate Western Europe from German occupiers. We remember these brave heroes, whose selfless service helped win that war and establish America’s place on the world stage.

An America that leads the world towards a safer, more prosperous, more democratic future is a worthy tribute to the heroes of D-Day. As we remember the sacrifices and bravery of the heroes of D-Day, the Co-Chairs of the New Democrat Coalition’s National Security Task Force reflected on what we owe their memory, and the role of American global leadership.

This week, the Coalition released priorities for modernizing NAFTA; the Housing Task Force hosted a public forum on housing affordability; the NDC Climate Change Task Force expressed support for the House passage of bills to help protect our oceans, and released a statement celebrating the House passage of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act.

Coalition Highlights

Kondracke: ‘New Democrats’ Outnumber Liberals, but Need Pizazz via Real Clear Politics

  • NDC was featured in an op-ed in Real Clear Politics, highlighting the work of the Coalition faces: “The media perpetually mesmerized by ideologues and charisma, have anointed…Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez as the future of the Democratic Party. In fact, it should focus on Rep. Derek Kilmer and the New Democrat Coalition he chairs.”

NDC Lays Out NAFTA 2.0 Priorities

  • NDC released priorities for updating NAFTA, which were developed by the Trade Task Force and approved by the full Coalition. The NDC supports an updated, modernized North American trade agreement to support a 21st century global economy. As the NDC looks to work constructively with the Administration and our colleagues in Congress on updating NAFTA, the priorities lay out key areas of focus.

NDC Climate Change Task Force Statement on Passage of Legislation to Address Ocean Acidification

  • The New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force expressed support for the House passage of H.R. 1921 – the Ocean Acidification Innovation Act (Rep. Kilmer), H.R. 1237 – the COAST Research Act (Rep. Bonamici), and H.R. 1716 – the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act (Rep. Pingree). These pieces of legislation expand research and innovation to understand and address ocean acidification and coastal community vulnerabilities, which are driven in large part by climate change.

NDC Hosts a Housing Task Force Forum with Experts and Stakeholders

  • The New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force Co-Chairs Denny Heck, Katie Hill and Ben McAdams held a Housing Forum to discuss the increasingly serious housing crisis in the United States, as well as potential solutions to the issue. Panelists represented the Urban Institute, Ivory Homes, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Up for Growth National Coalition, National Multifamily Housing Coalition, and Metro West Housing Solutions. Watch the first panel here and watch the second panel here.

NDC National Security Task Force Issues Op-Ed on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day  

  • NDC National Security Task Force Co-Chairs Brad Schneider, Abigail Spanberger, Anthony Brown and Brendan Boyle penned an op-ed on the 75th anniversary of D-Day discussing the heroism of the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy seventy-five years ago, the day’s impact on American leadership on a global scale, and the need for bold and thoughtful leadership today.

NDC Chair Statement on House Passage of the Dream and Promise Act

  • NDC Chair Derek Kilmer issued a statement following the House passage of the Dream and Promise Act. This legislation would provide Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients permanent status and a pathway to citizenship.

NDC Statement on Trump’s Tariff Announcement

  • NDC Chair Derek Kilmer, Vice-Chair for Policy Suzan DelBene, and the Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Ron Kind, Rick Larsen, Greg Meeks, and Lizzie Fletcher issued a statement in response to President Trump’s threat to impose a blanket tariff on all Mexican imports.

Member Highlights

Bill Introductions

Casten Introduced Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Improve Nation’s Energy Storage Capabilities

  • Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019, which would boost research and development of cutting-edge technologies to increase energy storage capabilities for America’s electric grid and enable the expanded use of clean energy.

Moulton Introduced the CAPABILITY Act of 2019

  • Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced the Customized Approaches to Providing and Building Independent Lives of Inclusion for Transition-Aged Youth Act of 2019. The legislation would fund grants that help Americans with intellectual and development disabilities or autism transition from school to the workforce through the creation of customized work opportunities.

Vargas Introduced the Homeowners for Dreamers Act

  • Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced the Homeowners for Dreamers Act to clarify that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries are eligible for Federal Housing Authority home loans, home loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and Rural Housing home loans.

Cisneros Introduces the TALENT Act

  • Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-39) introduced the Training Acquisition Leaders and Elevating New Talent (TALENT) Act, which would create a two-way workforce exchange program that addresses obstacles that hindered previous participation between the private sector and the Department of Defense to promote innovation.

Schneider Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

  • Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the Teachers Are Leaders Act to expand Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grants by making “teacher leader” programs focused on professional development for established teachers eligible for funding. These programs would focus on peer coaching, family and community engagement, curriculum development, and other ways to make full use of their experience as educators and leaders in their communities.

McBath Introduces Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act

  • Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, common-sense gun violence prevention legislation to empower law enforcement to ensure that those who pose a threat to themselves or others do not have access to firearms.

Member Happenings

NDC Members: D-Day’s 75th Anniversary Reminds Us of the Importance of Our Alliances via The Hill

  • Reps. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Jason Crow (CO-06), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) authored an op-ed addressing the importance of global alliances while remembering the 75th anniversary of D-Day. 

Bustos: My View – U.S. House Works to Bring Down Health Care Costs via Rockford Register Star  

  • Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) published an op-ed in the Rockford Register Star addressing the widespread need for an improvement in American health care and what House Democrats are doing to provide solutions to the American people.

Spanberger Urges Senate to Vote on the Campaign Finance and Ethics Reforms Resolutions Passed by the House

  • Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) co-wrote and circulated a letter to Senator McConnell asking him to bring the campaign finance and ethics reforms passed by the House to the Senate floor.

Lawson: North Florida Needs Federal Aid for Hurricane Michael Now via Tallahassee Democrat

  • Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) penned an op-ed discussing the critical impacts of Hurricane Michael on northern Floridians and the essential need for a disaster relief assistance package moving forward.

Cisneros Infrastructure and Business Tours Recap

  • Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-39) toured CJ-Foods, Suzuki Motor of America Inc., the Prado Dam, and the Orange County Water District to highlight the 39th congressional district’s burgeoning business community and the importance of maintaining and improving southern California infrastructure.

Phillips Works to Fund Local Infrastructure Projects

  • Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) concluded a tour of all 36 cities in his congressional district. In every single city, infrastructure was named as a top priority. Phillips returned to Congress to support infrastructure investment and a funding formula for Local Government Aid that would better support smaller Minnesota communities.
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