New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 12/8

New Dem Leadership Endorses Slate of Tax Bills to Support Hardworking Families, Incentivize Investment and Innovation

This week, New Democrat Coalition Leadership endorsed 10 taxation bills, the majority of which are bipartisan. Each of these New Dem-led bills is aimed at making targeted improvements to the tax code to benefit families, workers, and small businesses around the country. From expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and making the Child Tax Credit (CTC) permanent to incentivizing large-scale transmission projects and creating a tax credit for hiring apprenticeship employees, these pieces of legislation touch critical sectors of our economy.

READ THE RELEASE

We Won't Let Far Right Hijack America's Security Priorities

By New Dem National Security Task Force Chair Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

The United States and our allies around the world face security threats at a level not seen since World War II. Ukraine continues its fight against Russia for the freedom and sovereignty of its people. Israel is defending itself in response to the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7. Tensions continue to rise as authoritarian aggression threatens our allies in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.

Now more than ever, America must demonstrate strong global leadership to protect our national security and that of our allies. Sound policy must be the basis of this leadership. To respond to ongoing threats, Congress must act to pass the bill that addresses our critical defense needs—the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Through my work as chair of the National Security Task Force of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC)—a group of nearly 100 center-left Democrats committed to breaking through partisan gridlock in Congress—I'm leading my colleagues in the effort to find common ground and get a bipartisan bill across the finish line before the end of the year.

For over six decades, Congress has passed an annual defense bill that fosters American innovation, ensures that our servicemembers' and their families' needs are met, and strengthens our military's readiness.

This year, however, we are in danger of breaking this 60-year streak. Why? Because House Republicans drove a partisan wedge through the NDAA by adding extreme far-right amendments that risk delaying or preventing its passage. And let's not forget that one senator held up 450-plus military promotions for 10 months because he opposes reproductive freedom for those who serve our country.

We must reconcile our differences before the end of 2023 so we can send a bill to President Joe Biden for his signature. Despite partisan tensions in Congress, it is essential that we meet this critical moment in our history by coming together to pass a bicameral and bipartisan bill that answers the global call for American leadership.

READ MARILYN'S FULL OP-ED IN NEWSWEEK

Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) went on MSNBC to discuss the impact of the recent UNLV school shooting on her community and make an urgent call for Congress to pass commonsense gun reforms.

WATCH SUSIE ON MSNBC

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) published an op-ed in the Seattle Times emphasizing the importance of reaffirming and strengthening NATO’s commitment to Ukraine as Putin’s war of aggression grinds through its second year.

READ RICK'S OP-ED IN THE SEATTLE TIMES

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) spoke to MSNBC about the impact Senator Tuberville's months-long hold on military promotions has had on hundreds of servicemembers and their families.

WATCH ABIGAIL ON MSNBC

House Passes Brownley Bill to Expand Home Care Options for Veterans
Rep. Julia Brownley's (CA-26) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 542, passed the House this week. The Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act is the single largest expansion of long-term care services at VA in decades. If enacted, this legislation would significantly improve and expand home- and community-based services for disabled or aging veterans.

House Passes Sorensen Bill to Strengthen NASA and Department of Energy
Rep. Eric Sorensen's (IL-17) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2988, passed the House this week. The DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act would improve collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Energy (DOE) to advance our nation’s leadership in science and exploration.

House Passes Stevens Bill Demonstrating Commitment to Nation’s Research Agenda
Rep. Haley Stevens’ (MI-11) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2980, passed the House this week. The DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act authorizes critical collaborative research between the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation on issues including quantum computing, foundational research, advanced manufacturing, and STEM education.

Kilmer, Manning Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Digital Literacy and Skills Under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Reps. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Kathy Manning (NC-06) introduced H.R. 6631, the Investing in Digital Skills Act. Acknowledging the importance of these skills in the modern workforce, this legislation would integrate digital skills and digital literacy as key elements of adult education and literacy programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Lee, Trone Introduce Legislation to Expand School Wraparound Services and Support Students Beyond the Classroom
Reps. Susie Lee (NV-03) and David Trone (MD-06) introduced H.R. 6576, the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act. This legislation will improve student outcomes by helping public schools and districts bring in wraparound support services. These include medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses. Full-service community schools have a proven track record of producing tangible results for students – including advancing academic achievement and improving attendance.

McBath Introduces Workforce Development Bill to Support Community Colleges
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) introduced H.R. 6601, the Training, Retention, and Investment Now (TRAIN) Act. This legislation expands and makes permanent the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program at the Department of Labor (DOL), which provides funding to community colleges for partnerships with local employers.

Smith, Carbajal Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Streamline TSA Security Clearance Process for Transportation Workers
Reps. Adam Smith (WA-09) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) introduced H.R. 5840, the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act. This bipartisan legislation eliminates redundant fees and background checks for essential transportation workers. Additionally, this bill cuts through red tape to allow workers to apply existing valid background checks to multiple TSA-managed credentialing programs, preventing workers from going through identical processes multiple times.

Torres, Castro Lead Introduction of Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act to Curb U.S. Firearms Trafficking to Latin America and Caribbean
Reps. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced H.R. 6618, the Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act. This legislation would mobilize resources across the federal government to disrupt firearms trafficking from the United States to Latin America and the Caribbean and implement stronger transparency, accountability, and oversight for U.S. arms exports.

New Dems Welcome Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to Weekly Member Meeting

This week, New Dems welcomed Acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su to our weekly Member meeting. Our Members engaged in a robust discussion with Su on workforce development initiatives, strengthening enforcement of child labor laws, ensuring safe workplace conditions for all Americans, & more!

New Dem Workforce and Health Care Task Forces Hold Joint Roundtable to Address Health Care Worker Shortages

This week, New Democrat Coalition Workforce Development Task Force Chair Kathy Manning (NC-06) and New Democrat Coalition Health Care, Substance Use, and Mental Health Task Force Chair Terri Sewell (AL-07) convened a roundtable with health care professionals to discuss needed investments in the health care worker pipeline, address medical staff shortages, and prevent burnout amongst health care workers to ensure that they can continue providing excellent care for their patients.

New Dems Host International Tax Stakeholder Roundtable

This week, New Dem Members on the Ways and Means Committee and the NDC Economic Growth and Fiscal Responsibility Task Force convened a roundtable with stakeholder groups on the current state of international tax policy and opportunities for engagement.

New Dem Chair Kuster Announces Marilyn Strickland as Newest Member of the Coalition's Leadership Team

New Democrat Coalition Chair (NDC) Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) will join the Coalition as a Leadership Member. Following Rep. Lori Trahan’s (MA-03) election to the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), Chair Kuster appointed Rep. Strickland to fill her position on the NDC Leadership team.

Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) secured $8,000,000 in grant funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to reduce vehicle collisions with Central Coast wildlife by connecting the habitat on either side of U.S. Highway 101 through the Gaviota Pass. The funds were awarded through the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which was created by Rep. Carbajal and his colleagues through the landmark infrastructure law in November 2021.

Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) spoke to the House Agriculture Committee on his bipartisan, bicameral bill, the COVER Act. This bill provides a $5/acre crop insurance discount to farmers who plant cover crops. Cover crops are crucial to improving soil health, preventing erosion, & helping farmers mitigate climate-related risk.

WATCH THE CLIP

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) voiced his frustration and anger over the lack of action on the housing affordability crisis in America at a recent House Financial Services committee hearing. Horsford highlighted a shocking 47% increase in national home prices since May 2020 and criticized House Republicans for their delayed response to a growing national emergency.

WATCH THE CLIP

Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) led over 160 Members of Congress in a letter supporting a proposed rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that expands background check requirements for gun sellers not previously classified as a Federal firearm licensee (FFL).

Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17) issued a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to improve workers’ compensation access for federal workers in the Quad Cities area, including Department of Defense (DOD) workers at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03) led 115 of her colleagues in requesting increased funding totaling $1.6 billion for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP helps families at risk of being unable to afford to heat their homes in the winter or cool them in the summer. Last year, more than six million households across the country relied on critical assistance from the LIHEAP program.

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