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** Weekly Wrap 11/01/2019
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This week, the House passed New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Member-led legislation to increase transparency of drug pricing practices and lower costs for Americans. This comes after the NDC’s effort to push bipartisan drug pricing legislation by urging House Leadership to move these and other NDC-endorsed prescription drug affordability and transparency bills forward. The NDC is pleased to see broad support of these bills.

The NDC joined the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) in a show of unity to encourage the inclusion and prioritization of clean energy tax policies in must-pass legislation this year. The letter was signed by 166 members of the House and reinforces the urgent need to pass proactive climate policies. This builds on NDC’s release of policy principles and endorsed legislation to combat climate change ([link removed]) .

The NDC, led by National Security Task Force Co-Chairs Anthony Brown, Brendan Boyle, Brad Schneider, and Abigail Spanberger, also released National Security Principles to develop a smart, comprehensive approach to American national security, incorporating military, diplomatic, foreign aid, and economic priorities. These principles highlight four essential pillars to our nation’s effective national security: 1. Protecting the American People, 2. Prioritizing American Leadership, 3. Promoting American Values and Democracy, and 4. Investing in the American Economy.

On Thursday, the House voted in support of H. Res. 660 which establishes the procedure for the next phase of the House’s impeachment inquiry, including providing rules for the format of open hearings in the House Intelligence Committee. The resolution increases transparency and ensures a continued fair path forward as the House upholds its Constitutional duty. Read more from Chair Derek Kilmer ([link removed]) .

More on what Members have been up to below.

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COALITION HIGHLIGHTS

NDC Releases National Security Principles ([link removed])
The NDC, led by the National Security Task Force ([link removed]) Co-Chairs Anthony Brown, Brendan Boyle, Brad Schneider, and Abigail Spanberger, released National Security Principles, which lay out a comprehensive framework for a smart, effective approach to national security. Check out the one-pager ([link removed]) and the full principles ([link removed]) . Watch the National Security Task Force Co-Chairs video release on Facebook
([link removed]) and Twitter ([link removed]) .

More Than 160 Members Urge House Democratic Leadership to Prioritize Clean Energy Tax Policies ([link removed])
The NDC joined the SEEC and the CPC in a letter to House Leadership encouraging the passage of clean energy tax incentives to help us attain our emissions reductions goal and combat climate change. The letter outlines specific policy incentives that should be included in must-pass legislation, including energy storage, zero emission vehicles, offshore wind, investment tax credit (ITC) extension, and energy efficiency. Read the signed letter here ([link removed]) . Read more in E&E News ([link removed]) , Environment America ([link removed]) , and POLITICO ([link removed]) .

NDC Applauds House Passage of Drug Pricing Legislation ([link removed])
The House passed NDC Member-led legislation to improve transparency into prescription drug pricing and lower costs for all Americans. The House passed the Payment Commission Data Act, introduced by Rep. Tom O’Halleran ([link removed]) , and Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s ([link removed]) the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which includes provisions the Real-Time Benefits Act ([link removed]) from Rep. Elissa Slotkin ([link removed]) . The NDC has been committed to lowering health care and prescription drug costs for Americans, endorsing several pieces of drug pricing legislation and sending letters to House Leadership urging for
the prioritization of these bills. Watch videos from Rep. Spanberger ([link removed]) and Rep. Slotkin ([link removed]) .

NDC Emphasizes Importance of Open Enrollment in 2019 ([link removed])
The NDC highlighted the importance of signing up for quality, affordable health coverage during open enrollment for 2019. The NDC has been a long-time advocate for lowering health care costs for families and seniors, increasing choices for consumers, and encouraging enrollment by the young and healthy through bipartisan approaches to strengthen and improve the ACA.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

FLOOR ACTION
House Passed Phillips, Craig, Fletcher’s Legislation to Pave the Way for Houston or Bloomington World Expo Bid
The House passed Reps. Dean Phillips ([link removed]) (MN-03), Angie Craig ([link removed]) (MN-02) and Lizzie Fletcher's ([link removed]) (TX-07) Expositions Provide Opportunities (EXPO) Act, which authorizes the State Department to use existing funds already appropriated by Congress for the United States pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, and in doing so, pave the way for American cities like Houston or Bloomington to bid for hosting rights at future fairs.

House Passes O’Halleran’s Legislation to Protect the Grand Canyon ([link removed])
The House passed Rep. Tom O’Halleran’s ([link removed]) (AZ-01) Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act to permanently ban uranium mining in and near the Grand Canyon.

House Passes Wild’s Legislation to Reauthorize Funding for Seniors ([link removed])
The House passed Rep. Susan Wild’s (PA-07) the Dignity in Aging Act. This bipartisan proposal reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA) and increases funding for vital programs that help seniors live independently and with dignity. The bill included a provision that added “screening for suicide risk” to the definition of “disease prevention and health promotion services.”

COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation & Infrastructure Passes Stanton’s Legislation to Grow Arizona’s Wastewater Workforce ([link removed])
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed Rep. Greg Stanton’s (AZ-09) legislation to grow the Arizonan wastewater workforce by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to report to Congress on the workforce needs, including the number of positions and the technical skills needed.

Education & Labor Committee Passes McBath’s Legislation to Make Higher Education More Affordable ([link removed])
The Education and Labor Committee passed five of Rep. Lucy McBath’s (GA-06) measures, including four pieces of legislation and one amendment, within the College Affordability Act. This bill aims to reduce the cost of higher education for college students.

BILL INTRODUCTIONS
Bera Introduces Legislation to Change Requirements for Ambassador Appointees ([link removed])
NDC Leadership Member Ami Bera (CA-07) introduced the Strengthening Traditional American Diplomacy Act (STAND Act) to require at least 70% of ambassador appointments come from career foreign service and civil service ranks of the Department of State. Currently, 45% of the Administration’s ambassadors are political appointees, compared to 30% under the Obama Administration, 32% under the Bush Administration, and 28% under the Clinton Administration.

Schneider, Crow Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance Cybersecurity of Small Businesses ([link removed])
Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced the Small Business Cybersecurity Enhancement Act to create a loan guarantee program that would allow small businesses to acquire cybersecurity technology and services.

Kuster Introduces Legislation to Lower Costs of Medicines for Seniors ([link removed])
NDC Vice Chair Annie Kuster ([link removed]) (NH-02) introduced the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act to lower the cost of generic drugs for Americans on Medicare, saving seniors billions of dollars annually.

Craig Introduces Bipartisan Bill Providing Regulatory Relief to Livestock Haulers ([link removed])
Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced The Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination (TREAD) Act to give farmers and ranchers more flexibility when transporting live animals and perishable goods.

Pappas Introduces Legislation to Create Grant Program for Law Enforcement and First Responders ([link removed])
Rep. Chris Pappas ([link removed]) (NH-02) introduced the National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act to establish a federal grant program to provide resources for law enforcement and first responders to connect with local child specialists and professionals to intervene and mitigate the impacts of childhood trauma.

O’Halleran Introduces Bill to Expand Casa Grande Ruins National Monument ([link removed])
Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) introduced the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Boundary Modification Act would create a federal land exchange to expand the Coolidge-based national monument.

Moulton Introduces Legislation to Simplify Government Communications ([link removed])
Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced the Too Long, Didn’t Read (TlDr) Act to simplify government communications by requiring the government to put clear action items and other important information at the top of communications to constituents.

Mucarsel-Powell, Crist, Wasserman Schultz, Shalala Introduce the Cuban Family Reunification Act ([link removed])
Reps. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell ([link removed]) (FL-26), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Donna Shalala (FL-27) introduced the Cuban Family Reunification Act to support Cuban families who have been affected by the suspension of the Cuban Family Reunification Program. This bill would reinstate the CFRP and gives the Department of State 40 days to begin processing the applications and prioritizing those whose applications have been on hold for the past two years.

MEMBER HAPPENINGS
In Remarks to U.S.-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Group, Peters Focuses on Urgent Need to Stop Tijuana Sewage Spills ([link removed])
Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) delivered remarks at the 54th annual meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Group led by Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and attended by Mexican lawmakers and members of Congress representing Texas and California. Rep. Peters opened a section of the meeting on border infrastructure and the environment and chose to focus his remarks on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the urgent need to address cross-border sewage.

Phillips Hosts Community Conversation on Environment Innovation ([link removed])
Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) hosted a panel of experts for a free and open-to-the-public solutions-focused conversation about environmental and climate science innovation happening in Minnesota in the face of congressional inaction.

Fletcher Hosts Veterans Community Conversation ([link removed])
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) held a community conversation and resource fair with representatives from organizations that focus on veterans’ issues.

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