Press Releases
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Antisemitism Awareness Act
Washington, DC (Wednesday, May 1, 2024) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding her vote on the Antisemitism Awareness Act: “Today, my decision to vote against the Antisemitism Awareness Act is rooted in the belief that concrete, bipartisan efforts are essential to combatting the rising threat of antisemitism. I recognize the urgency of addressing hate in all its forms, and for this reason I cannot support legislation that lacks substantive … Continue Reading
May 01, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman, Senator Booker Reintroduce CROWN Act to Fight Racial Discrimination
Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2024) - Today, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Summer Lee (PA-12) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) announced the reintroduction of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair or CROWN Act in the House of Representatives, a bill to outlaw discrimination on the basis of hair texture. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) also announced reintroduction of the CROWN Act in the … Continue Reading
April 26, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Campus Protests
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding anti-war protests on college campuses across the country and in New Jersey's 12th District. “No matter your faith or background, the right to freely practice your religion and the right to protest unite us as Americans. Our Founding Fathers recognized that these rights were essential to a healthy democracy and placed both in the First Amendment. “Agitators who seek to co-opt the recent student-led protests … Continue Reading
April 25, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman, County Executive Benson Announce $4.1 Million Funding for Trenton-Mercer Airport Taxiway
Ewing, NJ (April 25, 2024) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora announced that Trenton-Mercer Airport secured $4,116,279 in the most recent federal appropriations bill. A press conference was held today at the airport in Ewing, NJ. The funding, allocated throught he Community Funding Project and coordinated between Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Mercer County will support a full … Continue Reading
April 24, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.
Ewing, NJ (Wednesday, April 24, 2024) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on the tragic passing of her friend and colleague, Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. “I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of my dear friend Donald Payne, Jr. Like myself, Don came from a family legacy of public service and we bonded over discussions of our trailblazing fathers. “I cherish the 10 years I had the honor of working with Don on issues important to us such as access to child … Continue Reading
April 23, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Applauds FTC Vote to Ban Non-Compete Agreements
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) commended the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision to issue a nationwide ban on new non-compete agreements. The new rule comes after Rep. Watson Coleman joined a letter, led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), to FTC Chair Lina Khan, encouraging the commission to restrict non-competes. “This is a big win for American workers,” said Rep. Watson Coleman, “The prohibition on new non-compete agreements will … Continue Reading
April 20, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Foreign Aid Funding Package
Washington, D.C. (Saturday, April 20, 2024) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted on a series of foreign aid bills to support our allies in the Indo-Pacific; send desperately-needed aid to Ukraine as they fend off Russian aggression; provide humanitarian aid to people suffering around the world; and to impose economic sanctions on Russia and Iran. Rep. Watson Coleman issued the following statement: “In October of last year, I called for a three-pronged approach to foreign aid in … Continue Reading
April 16, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Partisan GOP Stunt to Exploit Mid-East Crisis
Washington D.C. (April 16, 2024) - Today, as House Republicans brought forth yet another messaging bill that fails to address the urgent crisis in the Middle East, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) made the following statement on House Resolution 883: "Antisemitism is a threat to our communities here and abroad and should be addressed in concrete ways in order to protect our Jewish neighbors. But, continuing to vote on non-binding messaging resolutions to score partisan political … Continue Reading
April 15, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Introduces Gig Is Up Act to End Exploitation of Gig Workers
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Gig Is Up Act, which would push companies to treat gig workers fairly. The bill would require companies with at least $100 million in revenues, and that employ at least 10,000 independent contractors, to pay for both the employer’s and the worker’s payroll tax contributions to Social Security and Medicare. Under the current system, the gig worker must pay for both. This new requirement for large companies would create an … Continue Reading
April 12, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes No on FISA Reauthorization
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted “No” on the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). “As a former member of the House Homeland Security Committee I understand the importance of giving our intelligence services the tools they need to keep Americans safe," said Rep. Watson Coleman. "However, the failure of the House to pass a bipartisan amendment intended to close a loophole and prohibit warrantless searches of U.S. person communications in … Continue Reading
April 10, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Issues Statement Following Vandalism of Islamic Center at Rutgers University
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued a statement following reports of vandalism at the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University, during the Islamic celebration of Eid-al-Fitr which marks the conclusion of Ramadan. Rep. Watson Coleman issued the following statement: “Nobody should feel threatened on their campus because of their religion. That this crime was committed during Eid and targeted art with Quranic verses and other religious symbols makes it all … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Government Funding Package
Earlier today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to pass the second tranche of government funding bills to avert a partial government shutdown at midnight tonight and fund the remaining federal agencies for a full year. Rep. Watson Coleman issued the following statement regarding the vote: “Today I joined my Democratic colleagues in voting to avert a disastrous government shutdown. Yet again, my colleagues and I made up the vast majority of votes for passage, making clear that House … Continue Reading
March 14, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Sends Letter to Starbucks CEO Requesting Information on Impending Closure of Trenton Community Store
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan seeking information regarding the upcoming closure of the Starbucks Community Store located in downtown Trenton. Community Stores are part of a program by Starbucks to provide economic opportunities in historically underserved communities. The Community Store in Trenton has been a resounding success, the letter notes, prompting questions over the reason for its closure. “Given the clear and obvious … Continue Reading
March 11, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Issues Statement on Retirement of HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge
Earlier today, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge announced she would be stepping down from public life on March 22nd. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, issued the following statement: “Secretary Fudge has been a champion of the underserved and the people who need help the most throughout her decades of public service,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Her career is a … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Fund Government, Secure $18.1M for 12th District
Earlier today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey’s sole appropriator, voted to fund for a full year six key appropriations bills, including funding for the departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans’ Affairs, among others. The appropriations package also includes $18.1 million in federal funding for projects based in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. The money will be used to improve Trenton Mercer International Airport, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
TSA Releases Security Preparedness Plan Resulting from Rep. Watson Coleman Bill
Last week, the Transportation Security Administration released their Transportation Security Preparedness Plan to Address the Event of a Communicable Disease. This plan, which makes America’s transportation systems more resilient to communicable disease outbreak, is the result of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman’s Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021, which became law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022. “When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out … Continue Reading
March 04, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Announces Princeton Anti-Poverty Scholar Matthew Desmond as State of the Union Guest
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced her 2024 State of the Union guest, Matthew Desmond. Matthew Desmond is the Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology at Princeton University and the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Evicted and Poverty, By America. An outspoken proponent for more robust anti-poverty measures in America, Professor Desmond is also the principal investigator at The Eviction Lab, which conducts research on eviction throughout the country. “I’m honored to be … Continue Reading
February 26, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Commissioner Adelman Visit Princeton YMCA, Discuss Importance of Federal Funding for Childcare
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), and New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman toured the Princeton YMCA, discussed the importance of childcare services like those provided by the YMCA, and committed to securing and using federal funding to support families with childcare services. The average New Jersey family pays up to $1,500 per month on childcare, which is at least 40% of monthly income for families who are eligible for … Continue Reading
February 23, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts Town Hall on the Inflation Reduction Act
Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman hosted a Town Hall at the Franklin Township Senior Center on the Inflation Reduction Act. She was joined by Matt Salton, Federal Campaigns Manager for the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), and Franklin Mayor Phillip Kramer. The town hall laid out how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can help consumers and municipalities. It described the IRA’s impact on prescription drug prices, energy and consumer prices, and climate action. Included in the … Continue Reading
February 22, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts Constituent Services Fair in South Brunswick
South Brunswick, NJ (Thursday, February 22, 2024) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) hosted a constituent services fair at the South Brunswick Community Center in Monmouth Junction, NJ. In attendance were representatives from the offices of State Senator Andrew Zwicker, Assemblymembers Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis, the United States Postal Service, the Taxpayer Advocate, the Social Security Administration, the United Way of Central Jersey, South Brunswick Office on … Continue Reading