New Dem Chair DelBene and Vice Chair Peters Call for Swift Negotiations to Pass Legislation to Tackle Inflation  

• New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Vice Chair for Policy Scott Peters (CA-52) released statements following the conclusion of the first meeting of the Bipartisan Innovation Act conference committee on the work that New Dems have done to address inflation.  

• Chair DelBene said, “Since last year, New Dems have led the charge to pass a Bipartisan Innovation Act that strengthens U.S. supply chains, creates jobs, invests in scientific research, and ensures America leads the global 21st century innovation economy. I’m proud to serve on the conference committee along with 18 other New Dems, and our Members are ready to swiftly negotiate a strong final bill.”   

• Vice Chair Peters said, “Global inflation and rising prices have hit Americans hard. That’s why New Dems formed a first of its kind Inflation Working Group to develop and advance policy solutions that lower costs for American families, strengthen supply chains, and fight inflationary pressures over the short- and long-term...But there is more we need to do. As key members of the conference committee, New Dems will work to swiftly negotiate a strong Bipartisan Innovation Act to take further action”   

• Read the full statements here.  

ICYMI: New Dem Chair DelBene Delivers Opening Statement at First Meeting of Bipartisan Innovation Act Conference Committee  

• On Thursday, Chair DelBene delivered her opening statement at the first meeting of the conference committee on the Bipartisan Innovation Act. This legislation is a top priority for New Dems and will be essential to tackling long-term inflation.  

• She stated, “We have a unique opportunity to work together, not just as Democrats and Republicans, but as one Congress, to deliver for workers, for families, and for the American economy.   As the Chair of the 98-member New Democrat Coalition, I’m also very laser-focused on reaching an agreement that invests in American jobs, growth, and resilient supply chains that will address the real concerns that Americans have about inflation and our economic future… The American people want governance to work again and that’s our charge in this committee.” 

• Watch video of her remarks here and read the full transcript here.  

New Dems Urge President to Support Rural Communities By Lowering Barriers to Federal Resources and Ensuring Equitable Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

• The NDC led by Rural Reinvestment Task Force Co-Chairs Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Cindy Axne (IA-03) and NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06) wrote to President Joe Biden with recommendations to ensure rural America can access the resources, opportunities, and economic benefits of federal investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

• The letter reads in part, “New Dems recognize the unique challenges and barriers to accessing federal resources faced by rural communities, which is why we established the Rural Reinvestment Task Force last year. We write not only to shed light on issues in our communities and in rural areas across the nation, but to offer solutions the administration can take to lower barriers to federal resources and better coordinate infrastructure implementation in the rural districts we represent.” 

• Read statements from Bustos, Axne, and Kilmer and the full letter to the President here.   
  
                  

New Dems Meet with Secretary Becerra and Larry Summers 

• This week New Dems met with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra at our weekly Member Meeting. Secretary Becerra spoke with members about the work that Health and Human Services is doing, especially on protecting reproductive care, expanding access to quality and affordable health care, addressing the mental health crisis, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

• The New Dem Inflation Working Group also met with Larry Summers, President Emeritus of Harvard University and Former Treasury Secretary, to discuss solutions for easing inflation and lower costs for Americans. 

New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on Draft Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade  

• Last week following the reported draft Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Chair DelBene released a statement reiterating New Dems commitment to upholding the landmark decision and urging the Senate to pass the House-passed Women’s Health Protection Act.  

• The statement reads in part, “New Dems remain more committed than ever to protecting the freedom of every woman to make decisions about her own body and her own future. If this draft decision were to be released by the Court, American women everywhere would lose this critical constitutional right.” 

More on what New Dems have been up to below.