Press Releases
REP. WATSON COLEMAN WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) today announced that she will retire when her present term expires at the end of the 119th Congress. She will not seek re-election to a new term as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District concluding a remarkable, barrier-breaking career spanning over 50 years in public service to the State of New Jersey and the nation. The Congresswoman made history in 2015, becoming the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in the … Continue Reading
November 09, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Senate Vote to Reopen Government Without a Deal on Healthcare
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement on Senate vote to reopen the government without a deal to extend ACA tax credits: "Americans across the country are demanding a solution that avoids catastrophic increases to healthcare premiums. Sadly, but not surprisingly, Trump and Congressional Republicans have failed to come to the table. From the beginning, I've said I was ready to work to reopen government and protect the healthcare of my constituents. Point … Continue Reading
November 07, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces CORRUPT Act to Prevent Presidents from Enriching Themselves Through Lawsuits Against Justice Department
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced legislation to prevent a President from suing the Justice Department on a personal basis. The Ceasing Outrageous Restitution and Reimbursement Under President Trump (CORRUPT) Act would amend the Federal Tort Claims Act so that no sitting president or their immediate family members - spouse, children, siblings, or in-laws - can file or benefit from a claim while the president is in office. President Donald Trump is currently suing … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
Reps Kean, Watson Coleman Introduce Bipartisan Bill Advancing Conservation for Upper Raritan River
Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Upper Raritan River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act. This bipartisan legislation would direct the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study evaluating the Upper Raritan River and its key tributaries for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The study would examine the eligibility and suitability of the Upper Raritan River—including the North … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Bill to Establish a Guaranteed Income
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act, legislation that would establish a nationwide pilot program to test the viability of a federally funded income support program that keeps more American families from experiencing permanent financial fallout and lasting poverty from a single unexpected crisis. While millionaires and billionaires thrive on the labor of hard-working Americans, those working families see just a … Continue Reading
October 18, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts 5th &Girls Conference to Engage, Uplift, and Empower Local Black Girls
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) hosted the 5th &Girls conference at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), a day-long seminar to engage, uplift, and empower Black girls in middle and high school. The first &Girls conference was held in 2017. This year's conference, entitled "Black, Beautiful, and Brilliant: My Mind, My Voice," is part of the ongoing work of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls to highlight and address the unique needs and issues impacting Black … Continue Reading
October 14, 2025
Ramirez, Watson Coleman, Underwood, Jacobs, Introduce in the House Bicameral Resolution Honoring Wadee Alfayoumi with Senators Durbin, Duckworth
Today, Congresswomen Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced the House reintroduction of a resolution honoring the life of the 6-year-old Palestinian boy, murdered October 14, 2023 as a victim of a hate crime for his Palestinian Muslim identity. The bicameral resolution affirms that no one, especially children, should be a target of hate because of … Continue Reading
October 11, 2025
Congresswoman Tours Organizations Impacted by Republican Shutdown and Cuts
Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) toured locations and organizations around Mercer County that assist our most vulnerable neighbors and have been impacted by the Trump administration and the Republican shutdown. Organizations like HomeFront, The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and the CEAS Center in Trenton have been working for years, often on shoestring budgets, to help struggling families and individuals find housing and services to reestablish themselves. The recent funding … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Representatives Ansari and Watson Coleman Introduce Mental Health Emergency Package, Lifesaving Legislation on World Mental Health Day
Today, on World Mental Health Day, Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a comprehensive Mental Health Emergency Package—three pieces of legislation that would expand access to life-saving care, reduce reliance on law enforcement for behavioral health emergencies, and demonstrate our shared commitment to ensuring every young person and family has the support they need. “In Arizona and across the country, families are navigating a worsening mental … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Releases Statement on the Announcement of a Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding the announcement that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a new ceasefire and hostage deal: Two years ago, on October 7, 2023, Hamas’s attack on southern Israel represented the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. Over 1,000 Israelis lost their lives and 251 others were kidnapped. These attacks caused great pain for many of our neighbors in the 12th District. Since … Continue Reading
October 03, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Releases Statement on Global Samud Flotilla
Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement after the Israeli Navy intercepted and confiscated civilian boats that were part of the Global Samud Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Egypt. The flotilla, which had left ports in Spain, Tunisia, Italy, and Greece, consisted of over 40 civilian vessels crewed by approximately 440 volunteers from 47 countries, including at least 20 from the United States, and was transporting food and other humanitarian … Continue Reading
October 01, 2025
Members of New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation Release Joint Statement on Recent Halting of Billions of Approved DOT Funding for Crucial New Jersey Projects
Today, New Jersey delegation members including U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement opposing the recently announced decision by the Department of Transportation to halt previously allocated federal dollars that would have gone … Continue Reading
September 30, 2025
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Troy Carter (LA-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-02) introduced the bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act, legislation originally championed by the late Congressman Donald Payne Jr. The bill eliminates Medicare coinsurance requirements for colorectal cancer screening tests, ensuring that patients are not charged out-of-pocket costs for a diagnosis or procedure that results from a screening. By eliminating this requirement, the … Continue Reading
September 30, 2025
Reps. Aderholt, Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Mint $2.50 Coin for America’s 250th Birthday
Today, Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan $2.50 for America’s 250 Act ialongside fellow America 250 Commissioners Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Dwight Evans (D-PA). Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced companion legislation in the Senate with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) as cosponsors. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue two … Continue Reading
September 23, 2025
Reps. Young Kim and Bonnie Watson Coleman Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Promote Children’s Emotional Wellness
Today, Congresswomen Young Kim (CA-40) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month and raise awareness around children’s emotional health. 1 in 5 children in America struggle with emotional, mental, or behavioral disorders, yet only 20 percent receive specialized care. This resolution aims to highlight the challenges faced by children and encourage national awareness, support, and improved access … Continue Reading
September 23, 2025
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution to Recognize the Continuing Disparities in Black Youth Mental Health Access and Treatment
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a resolution recognizing the continuing disparities in mental health access and treatment for Black youth. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents across this country. Despite the overall youth suicide rate moving toward a downward trend, the suicide rate for Black youth remains higher in most publicly reported data. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, from 2007 to 2023, the suicide … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Charlie Kirk GOP Resolution
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding her decision not to support the divisive resolution on Charlie Kirk put forward by Speaker Johnson: As I expressed last week following Charlie Kirk’s horrifying assassination, my heart goes out to Mr. Kirk’s family and loved ones. The loss of anyone in such a violent manner is tragic and sadly all too common. It has raised important issues including the need to address gun violence, political violence, … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Convenes House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty, convened the first meeting of task force members to discuss policy solutions to rising poverty throughout the United States. Rep. Watson Coleman was joined by Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar; Rep. Sara Jacobs; Rep. Rashida Tlaib; Rep. Maxine Dexter; Rep. Madeleine Dean; Rep. LaMonica McIver; Rep. Gwen Moore; and Rep. Bobby Scott. “Today, more than 37 million people in the United States … Continue Reading
August 28, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Denounces Firing of CDC Director, Calls for removal of HHS Secretary Kennedy
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement upon news that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. had fired CDC Director Susan Monarez, less than four weeks after her confirmation. In addition, At least four top CDC officials announced their resignations, including Dr. Debra Houry, the Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Dr. Daniel Jernigan, the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2025
Watson Coleman Statement on Yesterday's ICE Operations in Trenton
Following yesterday’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Trenton, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) called for the release of Julio Lopez Najera, a Trenton resident with a pending green card application. Mr. Lopez Najera has been detained since early Thursday morning and is currently being held at Delaney Hall. “Julio is an upstanding member of this community. He has been working, supporting his family with a pending application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration … Continue Reading