Weekly Wrap
This week, the New Democrat Coalition was proud to add Reps. Donna Shalala (FL-27) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) to join the Coalition in the 116th Congress. Over 100 strong, NDC makes up over forty percent of the Democratic Caucus and is the largest ideological caucus in the House. NDC Members also celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month and began consideration of FY2020 appropriations.
The House passed several amendments to H.R. 2740 led by New Dem Members, including a NDC Future of Work Task Force-led amendment to modernize how the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures labor trends and alternative workers. A full list of amendments can be found here.
Coalition Highlights
NDC Inducts Two Additional Members
- NDC was proud to announce the addition of Reps. Donna Shalala (FL-27) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20). NDC Chair Derek Kilmer released the following statement about the Members: “The strength of the New Democrat Coalition is its extraordinary members, and we’re excited to offer two new ones who will continue our efforts to push Congress to look at old problems through a new lens. Donna and Jimmy – like the rest of our coalition – are laser-focused on getting things done. The New Democrat Coalition is committed to progress and governing and believe leaders should work together so everyone has an opportunity to succeed in the changing economy. Together the New Democrat Coalition can help ensure Congress creates more economic opportunities for more people in more places.”
The House Passes New Democrat Coalition-Led Amendment to Modernize Workforce Trend Data Collection
- The House passed the Future of Work Task Force’s amendment to modernize how the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures labor trends and conducts the Contingent Worker Survey, which measure people in non-traditional work arrangements. The amendment was led by Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) and co-sponsored by Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Haley Stevens (MI-11).
NDC Celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month
- NDC Members celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month, recognizing the vital roles immigrants play in our nation and embracing all immigrants in America - the employees, colleagues, constituents, neighbors, family and friends in our lives. See more from NDC Members on Twitter.
Member Highlights
Bill Introductions
Craig Introduces Bill to Address Forage Shortages in Disaster Years
- Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the bipartisan Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters Act (FEEDD Act). The FEEDD Act will provide farmers and ranchers with additional emergency flexibility to help alleviate feed shortages during planting seasons with high levels of moisture, flooding, and drought.
Stanton Introduces Resolution to Oppose Trump’s Tariff Threats
- Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-09) introduced a House Resolution that stresses the economic importance of the US trade relationship with Mexico and opposes President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on goods from Mexico. Stanton’s resolution responds directly to President Trump’s repeated claims that imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico is a viable economic strategy.
Phillips Introduces Bill to Make Federal Home Loans More Affordable
- Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) introduced legislation to make home loans from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) more affordable by ending the requirement that borrowers pay mortgage insurance premiums for the life of their loans.
McBath introduces Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act & Speaks on the House Floor
- Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. This bill is the only piece of legislation that empowers law enforcement nationwide to ensure that those who pose a threat to themselves do not have access to firearms.
Rouda Introduces Bipartisan Expanding Access to Retirement Savings for Caregivers Act
- Rep. Harley Rouda (CA-48) introduced the Expanding Access to Retirement Savings for Caregivers Act. This bill would allow individuals that took at least one year out of the workforce, without receiving an earned income for the purposes of caring for a family member, to make catch-up contributions in years prior to age 50 to their 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other eligible retirement accounts.
Wild Introduces Bill to Provide Legal Services to Women Veterans
- Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) introduced the Improving Legal Services for Female Veterans Act to require the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to provide legal assistance to women veterans in the hopes of addressing some of their unique, unmet needs. The bill requires the VA to establish a partnership with an NGO that would help women veterans access services such as childcare and dental care and assist them with legal issues such as child support and eviction and foreclosure.
Mucarsel-Powell Introduces Legislation to:
- Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) introduced the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act to ensure that the gun industry – including manufacturers, distributors, and sellers – is not shielded from liability when it acts with negligence and disregards public safety. The bill would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and allow victims of gun violence to pursue legal action.
- Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) introduced the Coast Guard Infrastructure Improvement Act, legislation to help reduce and better manage the serious maintenance backlog for Coast Guard shore infrastructure. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that 45% of Coast Guard shoreside assets have exceeded their services lives, and the Coast Guard has at least $2.6 billion in project backlog costs. This legislation would direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to develop a plan to standardize Coast Guard facility assessments, establish baseline measurements to track effectiveness of maintenance and repair investments, and implement the GAO’s recommendations to better manage its maintenance projects.
Norcross Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Mental Health Parity Compliance
- Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) introduced the Mental Health Parity Compliance Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation which would improve health plans’ and insurers’ compliance with mental health parity laws.
Member Happenings
Peters Calls on Congress to Act on Bipartisan Climate Measures
- Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) called attention to the cost of climate change and its risks to the federal budget during a meeting of the House Budget Committee which covered budgetary consequences of delaying action on climate change. The hearing included testimony from climate scientists, public policy experts, and budget specialists. The meeting follows reports on the catastrophic cost of climate – both in loss of biodiversity and increased disaster-related spending.
McEachin Leads Letter Urging Medicare to Pay for All Colonoscopy Screenings
- Rep. A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) led a letter signed by 80+ of his colleagues urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use its existing statutory authority to eliminate coinsurance costs for preventive colonoscopies for Medicare beneficiaries, even in cases when a polyp is removed.
- Reps. Anthony Brown (MD-04) and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) sent a letter co-signed by a bipartisan group of 128 Members of Congress to the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, pushing back on the department’s anti-labor policies in its collective bargaining with AFGE, the union representing 260,000 of its frontline employees.
McBath Leads Moment of Silence for Gun Violence Awareness Month
- Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) led a moment of silence for Gun Violence Awareness Month on the House floor, committing to continue putting forth common-sense solutions and taking meaningful action to save lives.
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