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- New Dems helped pass the fiscal year 2022 budget resolution this week, an important step towards building back better and securing crucial investments that will support our families, keep the U.S. competitive, create quality jobs, combat climate change, and build on the Affordable Care Act to lower costs and expand health care coverage.
- NDC Chair Suzan DelBene stated, “We have a once in a generation opportunity to deliver for American families with legislation that builds back better from the COVID-19 crisis with long-term, robust, well-executed investments in our most critical, urgent, and transformative priorities.”
- The Coalition is laser focused on working with our Members and relevant committees to ensure the reconciliation bill advances under regular order and prioritizes doing fewer things well and for longer, rather than many things for short periods with near-term cliffs or significant delays. It is critical that the legislation maximizes investments in the most critical, urgent, and impactful policies in a way that can be implemented quickly, executed well, and provide longer-term certainty to families, workers, and our communities.
- The Coalition believes the reconciliation bill needs to: extend the enhanced child tax credit, invest in place-based economic development in distressed communities, go big on climate, and build on the ACA to lower health care costs and expand coverage.
- ICYMI: Last week, NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released a statement urging the House to approve the budget resolution to begin the reconciliation process and set forth a process for the House to consider the bipartisan Infrastructure investment and Jobs Act before September 30th.
- Earlier this week, the New Democrat Coalition announced its endorsement of H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, introduced by Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07). The bill, which would address the most egregious forms of voter suppression and restore federal oversight to prevent voter discrimination, passed the House with the support of every Member of the Coalition.
- Of the endorsement, Rep. Sewell said, “I’m so proud that the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has earned the endorsement of the New Democrat Coalition. The Right to vote is the most sacred and fundamental right we enjoy as American citizens and one that the Foot Soldiers fought, bled, and died for in my hometown of Selma, Alabama.”
- The NDC is committed to protecting voting rights and protecting American elections, and previously endorsed H.R. 1, the For the People Act earlier this year and H.R. 4 last Congress.
- August is National Black Business Month (NBBM), and the NDC – led by New Dem Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) – is celebrating by supporting and highlighting Black businesses, which play a vital role in their communities and have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- New Dem Members are continuing to hold events and meetings with Black business leaders in their districts. Look out for a recap of these events and important conversations next month, and check out our blog post on New Dem Member events from National Black Business Month last year.
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Davids Champions Bold Investments in Infrastructure
NDC Vice Chair for Member Services Sharice Davids (KS-03) talks about investing in innovative infrastructure that creates good-paying jobs, combats climate change, and provides opportunities for current and future generations.
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NDC Member Legislation
Axne, Kind, and Sewell Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Medicare Reimbursement for Health Care
- Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Ron Kind (WI-03), and Terri Sewell (AL-07) introduced the bipartisan Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act to ensure that health care providers receive fair and adequate reimbursement for the care they provide. This legislation would mandate that the geographic practice cost indices used by Medicare for physician reimbursement rates are calculated with accurate and up-to-date data.
Allred, Veasey, Escobar, and Slotkin Introduce Bicameral Bill to Protect U.S. Elections from Partisan Attacks
- Reps. Colin Allred (TX-32), Mark Veasey (TX-33), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) introduced the Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act. This bill would expand existing protections against election interference to include the vote counting and certification process, as well as create stronger standards for preserving election records.
Fletcher Introduces Bill to Help Communities Expand Broadband Infrastructure
- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act to help communities upgrade and expand their broadband infrastructure. This legislation would create a grant program that helps local and state governments navigate the process of securing federal investment for broadband infrastructure and additional projects.
Horsford Introduces Bill to Improve Nursing Home Care for Seniors
- Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act which would strengthen wages and benefits for long-term care workers. Offering competitive wages and stronger benefits for long-term care workers would retain quality caretakers for seniors in the workforce.
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NDC Member Action
Houlahan Leads Bipartisan Effort to Help Afghan Allies
- Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) led 75 Members in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, calling for their respective Departments to take immediate steps to help as many of our Afghan allies as possible relocate quickly and efficiently to the United States.
Davids: I’m a breakthrough covid case. This is why everyone should get the vaccine via The Washington Post
- NDC Vice Chair for Member Services Sharice Davids (KA-03) penned an op-ed in The Washington Post on her experience becoming a “breakthrough” covid case and how the vaccine kept her safe from a more serious outcome.
Strickland Calls for Examination of Toxic Chemical Endangering Coho Salmon
- Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging the agencies to investigate the effects of 6PPD-quinone, a highly toxic degradation product that is affecting salmon, other aquatic species, and watersheds in Washington state.
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