NDC Weekly Wrap 11/01/2019

Weekly Wrap 11/01/2019

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.

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.

More on what Members have been up to below.

Do you know someone who is interested in receiving the Weekly Wrap? Have them sign-up here. Follow along daily on Facebook and Twitter.

NDC Releases National Security Principles
The NDC, led by the National Security Task Force 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 and the full principles. Watch the National Security Task Force Co-Chairs video release on Facebook and Twitter.

More Than 160 Members Urge House Democratic Leadership to Prioritize Clean Energy Tax Policies
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. Read more in E&E News, Environment America, and POLITICO.

NDC Applauds House Passage of Drug Pricing Legislation
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, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which includes provisions the Real-Time Benefits Act from Rep. Elissa Slotkin. 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 and Rep. Slotkin.

NDC Emphasizes Importance of Open Enrollment in 2019
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.