Economic Development
I firmly believe every American is entitled to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. To obtain the American Dream and to close the wealth inequality gap, Americans need to be paid a living wage. I have been a lead advocate for the "Raise the Wage" campaign to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey, and I am committed to helping every American provide a decent life for their families. Recently, New Jersey legislators came to an agreement to raise the states' minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour. Working and middle-class Americans deserve tax reforms that benefit them and assist them as they strive to improve their financial situations. That's why I introduced the Earned Income Tax Credit Modernization Act to increase financial stability for caregivers and students pursuing higher education and advanced degrees. I have also sponsored the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act which assists in the recovery of stolen wages and wage theft and prevents wage and hour violations. This has been an issue that I've worked to address to help ensure financial stability and equity within work places.
Since the burst of the housing bubble, housing markets have been unstable and foreclosures rates have risen. Homeowners expect their homes to be long-term investments, and to use the equity generated to help with education, retirement, and other large expenses. The loss of a family's home undermines the stability, health and economic vitality of neighborhoods. Foreclosures also result in abandonment and deterioration of property, which creates additional pressures on local governments and the federal government and depresses home values in the surrounding community. When I served in the New Jersey Legislature, I sponsored the New Jersey Stabilization Fund. These bills sought to shield homeowners from scams by foreclosure consultants and to generate funds to help with legal services costs faced by people in danger of losing their homes. I will continue to fight to create strong and healthy communities by helping Americans to stay in their homes.
Housing is a human right, and every unhoused American is a person whose country has failed them. As part of my fight for strong and healthy communities, I have cosponsored the Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act (H.R. 2292). This bill advocates for about $2 billion to be distributed to homeowners, renters, and individuals experiencing homelessness during the housing crisis. I have also put more efforts into affordable housing, cosponsoring the Affordable Housing and Area Media Income Fairness Act of 2022. This act is working to increase the supply of, and lower rents for, affordable housing and to assess calculations of area median income for purposes Federal low-income housing assistance, and for other purposes. This is all in efforts to ensure the equitable and accessible housing for all communities.
Modernizing our nation's infrastructure and emphasizing innovation are critical to getting our economy back on track. Government investment in infrastructure projects, such as updating transit systems and bridges, would help create jobs for thousands of Americans. I am actively supporting the Gateway Project to increase rail capacity between New York and New Jersey because it will bring thousands of jobs to New Jersey and ease traffic for commuters. To further improve employment across the country post-pandemic, I have cosponsored the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 (H.R. 7309). This gives more funding and expands programs revising workforce investments, vocational rehabilitation, employment, training, and literacy programs.
In addition to funding infrastructure, I support strongly investing in research and development. Spurring innovation in systems like healthcare, banking and telecommunications will incentivize the development of new technologies that could improve the lives of many Americans. To keep high-paying jobs in industries like trade and manufacturing in America, we must negotiate trade agreements that are fair to American workers and create tax codes that incentivize investment in our economy.
At the start of the 116th Congress, I was appointed to the Appropriations Committee to help set funding levels for federal departments, agencies, and programs. As the former Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee in the New Jersey General Assembly, I am honored to serve on this critical Committee. The decisions made in the Appropriations Committee are a direct representation of our national values. We put our values on display when we make decisions on where our resources go. What we find important becomes evident in the choice between purchasing more military equipment or adequately funding the EPA inspectors that ensure our communities have clean water and air, and whether we repair our roads and invest in infrastructure or pay for grants for oil and gas companies to find new ways to drill and damage our environment. In the 117th Congress, I will continue to fight for the values my constituents elected me to represent — the needs of working families, the protection of our environment, and policies that advance fair economic growth.
Latest
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September 06, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $750,000 Grant to Restore the Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site
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July 02, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Secures Over $1.2 Million for Mt. Carmel Guild Rehabilitation Project in Trenton
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September 27, 2023
Watson Coleman Leads Introduction of Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
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September 13, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Opioid Overdoses in the Workplace
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September 12, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Earned Income Tax Credit
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July 20, 2023
Reps. Watson Coleman, Gallego Introduce The SHADE Act To Combat Rising Temperatures In Cities
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July 13, 2023
Trenton Old Barracks Museum Awarded $750,000 Grant for Historic Preservation
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June 08, 2023
CBWG Rereleases Extended Black Women Best Policy Framework for How to Center Black Women in Policymaking
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June 06, 2023
Watson Coleman, Tlaib, Takano Reintroduce Legislation to End Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rates
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May 31, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Raise Debt Ceiling, Calls for Elimination of Archaic Debt Ceiling Process
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February 24, 2023
Menendez, Booker, Watson Coleman Lead NJ Delegation in Announcing $35M in LIHEAP Additional Funding to Assist NJ Families with Heating Expenses
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August 12, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Historic Inflation Reduction Act to Lower New Jerseyans' Costs
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June 16, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Lower Food and Fuel Costs
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May 19, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Crack Down on Price Gouging at the Pump
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May 17, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Workforce Investments to Fill Job Openings, Lower Costs
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May 10, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Secures $100,000 in Federal Funding for Sister2Sister, Inc.
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April 07, 2022
Caucus on Black Women and Girls Introduces Resolution to Center Black Women in Policymaking
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March 28, 2022
CBWG Releases Black Women Best policy Framework for How to Center Black Women
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March 15, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Funds $7,330,091 In Local Projects
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March 09, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes For Omnibus Funding Bill
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February 18, 2022
Watson Coleman Leads Letter to House and Senate Leadership Calling for Immediate Consideration of Fire Safety Bills
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February 16, 2022
Watson Coleman, New Jersey Delegation Urge FEMA To Provide Data In Order To Allocate Hurricane Ida Disaster Relief Funds
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January 19, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $496 Million in Infrastructure Spending to Complete Green Brook Sub Basin Flood Control Project
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December 22, 2021
Reps. Watson Coleman, Kim, Sires Call on NJ State Officials to Equitably Distribute Federal Infrastructure Funding
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December 17, 2021
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Trenton-Mercer Airport to Receive $3.4 Million From Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
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November 10, 2021
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Infrastructure Bill and Advance Build Back Better Act
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October 22, 2021
Watson Coleman Reintroduces The Gig Is Up Act to Combat Exploitation of Gig Economy Workers
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September 21, 2021
Reps. Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud House Passage of Funding Bill that Forgives New Jersey Community Disaster Loans
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September 15, 2021
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Leads Letter to HUD Secretary Regarding Homes Sold in Flood Zones
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August 04, 2021
Reps Watson Coleman, Hill and Senators Booker, Young Reintroduce Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act
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August 02, 2021
Watson Coleman, DeLauro, Lee Reintroduce Improving Diaper Affordability Act
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July 21, 2021
Watson Coleman, Toomey Introduce Semiquincentennial Commemorative Coin Act
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July 21, 2021
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $3.9 Million in Investments in Trenton Infrastructure
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July 16, 2021
Watson Coleman, Pallone, and Kim Announce Financial Relief for Families Still Recovering from Superstorm Sandy will Advance in House
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July 08, 2021
Watson Coleman Leads Introduction of Bill for Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
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June 25, 2021
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces the SHADE Act to Combat the Environmental Impacts of Redlining
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May 10, 2021
Watson Coleman Urges Families to File Taxes Before May 17 to Get Their Advance Child Tax Credit Payments As Soon As Possible
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April 28, 2021
Watson Coleman Uplifts Trenton Resident as Virtual Guest to Presidential Address
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March 22, 2021
Watson Coleman, Lee, Pressley, Omar, Moore Press for Support from VP Harris on Passage of the CROWN Act in Both Chambers This Congress
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March 10, 2021
Watson Coleman, Malinowski Call on Biden Administration to Reverse its Stance Supporting PennEast Pipeline
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February 24, 2021
Watson Coleman, Tlaib, Takano Introduce Legislation to End Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rates
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December 22, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim, Pascrell Secure One-Year Reprieve for Sandy Victims, Vow to Keep Fighting
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December 21, 2020
Watson Coleman Votes for Additional Coronavirus Package, Calls for More Direct Relief Payments
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December 16, 2020
Watson Coleman Urges Incoming Administration to Extend Work Authorizations for H4 Visa Holders
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December 09, 2020
Watson Coleman elected Vice-Chair At-Large of Congressional Progressive Caucus
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October 26, 2020
Watson Coleman, Menendez, Booker, Murphy Announce $18.3 Million to Upgrade Trenton Transit Center
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September 25, 2020
Watson Coleman Leads DeLauro, Barbara Lee on Bill to Lower Diaper Costs for Families
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September 24, 2020
Booker Introduces Bill to Prevent Automotive Insurance Discrimination
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September 03, 2020
The Future of Housing, Panel Three of Securing the American Dream for Working Families
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September 02, 2020
The Future of Wealth, Panel Two of Securing the American Dream for Working Families
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September 02, 2020
Watson Coleman Urges House Support for Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
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September 01, 2020
Rep. Watson Coleman hosts the Future of Work, Panel One of Securing the American Dream for Working Families
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July 31, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud House Passage of Appropriations Bill that Provides Relief for Families Still Recovering from Sandy
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July 28, 2020
Sanders, Watson Coleman Lead 14 Senators and two dozen Representatives in Introducing Masks for All Act to Curb Deadly Coronavirus Surge
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July 15, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Support Inclusion of Community Disaster Loan Cancellation in House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
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July 14, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud Fix to Sandy Relief Funds in House THUD Appropriations Bill
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July 02, 2020
Watson Coleman, Omar Introduce Bill for Direct Job Creation As Millions Continue to Reel from Coronavirus Unemployment
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May 29, 2020
DeLauro, Scott, Murray, Watson Coleman, Members Introduce $50 Billion Child Care Stabilization Fund Legislation
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May 12, 2020
Following Requests to Leadership, Watson Coleman Applauds Inclusion of Hazard Pay Provision in Next Coronavirus Relief Bill
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May 04, 2020
Watson Coleman, House Democrats to Labor Department: Protect Civil Rights in Federal Contracting
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April 27, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pocan, Carbajal, 150 Other Members of Congress Request Increased Protections for Frontline Federal Workers
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April 23, 2020
Watson Coleman Votes for Additional SBA, Hospital and Testing Funds, Notes “It’s Not Enough”
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April 16, 2020
Watson Coleman Leads New Jersey Delegation in Request for Funds that Consider Population and Severity of COVID-19 Outbreak
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March 19, 2020
Watson Coleman, Garcia, Cohen Stress Protection for Consumers and Workers in Economic Assistance Proposals for Airlines
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March 18, 2020
Watson Coleman Applauds New Jersey Disaster Declaration Approval with the Small Business Administration
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February 27, 2020
Watson Coleman Questions USDOT Secretary on Plans to Repair Hudson Tunnel
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February 06, 2020
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Protecting the Right to Organize Act
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November 21, 2019
Watson Coleman Leads Letter Demanding Answers from Airbnb on Misleading Hosts and Listings
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September 19, 2019
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Grant to Rebuild Trenton’s Donnelly Homes
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July 17, 2019
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Raise the Wage Act, Increasing Pay for Up to 33 Million American Workers
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July 15, 2019
Watson Coleman Announces 2019 Congressional App Challenge Launch
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July 12, 2019
Congresswomen Take Steps to Prevent Automotive Insurance Discrimination with the PAID Act
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January 09, 2019
Watson Coleman Nominated to Sought-after, Exclusive Appropriations Committee
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November 05, 2018
Menendez, Watson Coleman and New Jersey Democrats Release New Report on the Impact of President Trump’s Tax Law on New Jersey Homeowners
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June 27, 2018
Watson Coleman Statement on SCOTUS Decision Overturning Legal Precedent in Janus v. AFSCME
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June 13, 2018
Amid Congressional Action on Opioid Epidemic, Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution Acknowledging the Failures of the War on Drugs
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December 19, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Senate Rejection of Scott Garrett to Lead ExIm Bank
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December 19, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on House Passage of the #GOPTaxScam
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October 31, 2017
NJ House Dems Urge Opposition to Garrett Nomination to ExIm Bank
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September 28, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Ryan-McConnell Tax Framework
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September 13, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Named Co-Chair of House Democrats’ Jobs for America Task Force to Create Aggressive Jobs, Economic Agenda
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April 19, 2017
In Letter, Watson Coleman Urges Senators to Oppose Garrett Nomination to ExIm Bank
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March 16, 2017
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Statement on President Trump’s FY2018 Budget Proposal
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March 09, 2017
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to Host Income Tax Assistance Resource Awareness Event
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April 13, 2016
Watson Coleman: “Swift But Thoughtful Response” Required in Atlantic City
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April 05, 2016
Watson Coleman Unveils Bills to Address Long-Term Unemployment
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December 17, 2015
Watson Coleman Denounces Republican Tax Giveaways
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November 12, 2015
Watson Coleman Announces New Bill to Improve Vets' Access to Healthcare
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June 25, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on TAA/AGOA Package
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June 12, 2015
Watson Coleman on TPA and TAA: "My constituents deserve better."
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June 04, 2015
Watson Coleman Votes Against Cuba Travel Amendment to Transportation Appropriations Bill
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May 21, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on R&D Tax Credit Bill
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May 20, 2015
Watson Coleman Spends Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day with Lawrence Township Youth
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April 22, 2015
Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Protect Economically Vulnerable Americans from IRS Levies
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April 09, 2015
Watson Coleman Visits Area Food Banks