New Democrat Coalition Weekly Wrap 12/13/2019

Weekly Wrap 12/13/2019

This week, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen the nation’s military and bolster its national security both at home and abroad. The NDAA puts the NDC’s National Security Principles into action through historic investments in our military, alliances, and our uniformed men and women and their families.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that House Democrats have reached agreement on USMCA with the U.S. Trade Representative on transformative and historic improvements to the original USMCA, which were developed by the Speaker and the NAFTA Working Group. The NDC endorsed the updated USMCA and looks forward to its consideration next week.

Finally, the House passed H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, to ensure Americans have more affordable access to the quality care and treatments they need. The bill caps out-of-pocket expenses, allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to directly negotiate drug prices for Medicare, reinvests billions in innovation and research for new treatments and cures, and expands Medicare coverage to include vision, hearing, and dental, to improve overall health outcomes for seniors.

More on what Members have been up to below.

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NDC Endorses USMCA
The NDC announced its endorsement of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) following the transformative improvements of the December 10 Agreement. The NDC supports modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to reflect the 21^st century economy and advances the United States has made in trade policy. The updated USMCA makes critical improvements to a 25-year-old trade agreement, building off of the progress made by the Obama administration. The updated agreement and many of the 21^st century economy provisions in USMCA represent a paradigm shift in U.S. trade agreements and should serve as a template for bipartisan consensus in future agreements.

New Democrat Coalition National Security Task Force Statement on NDAA
The NDC, led by National Security Task Force Co-Chairs Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Anthony Brown (MD-04), Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), issued a statement following House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was navigated through conference by NDC Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09): “This NDAA builds a modern military ready to address challenges abroad and bolster our national security here at home. By embracing new technology, training the next generation and honoring the sacred commitments we make to support our troops and their families, we create a safer future for all Americans.”

New Democrat Coalition Health Care Task Force Statement on Drug Pricing
The NDC, led by Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Vice Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Leadership Member Ami Bera (CA-07), and Health Care Task Force Co-Chairs Angie Craig (MN-02), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Kim Schrier (WA-08), and Greg Stanton (AZ-09), released a statement following House passage of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, landmark legislation drive down the costs of prescription drugs, reinvest in innovation and research for new cures, and expand Medicare benefits to its recipients. Full list of New Dem-led bills and provisions.

ICYMI: Beyer on the Damage to Planet’s Oceans
In case you missed it – NDC Climate Change Task Force Co-Chair Don Beyer (VA-08) spoke up about the impacts of large energy companies on the planet’s degrading ocean conditions. “Ocean acidification is a serious problem which threatens coral reefs, key species, and also jobs in the United States and around the world,” said New Dem Climate Change Task Force Co-Chair Don Beyer. In June, the House passed Chair Derek Kilmer’s (WA-06) legislation to fight ocean acidification through research and prize competitions.