Press Releases
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Resumption of Gateway Tunnel Funding
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement after a federal appeals court required the Trump administration to resume funding for the Gateway tunnel construction beneath the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey. “The Gateway Tunnel is essential infrastructure for the millions who move along this major transportation hub, for the continued economic growth of the region and the country, and for the workers involved in its construction. The President's funding … Continue Reading
February 12, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Legislation to Establish a Pilot for a Federal Jobs Guarantee Program
Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act, ambitious legislation that would establish a model federal jobs guarantee program in up to 15 high-unemployment communities and regions across the United States. Thanks to this legislation, hardworking Americans can gain access to a living wage and provide benefits like health insurance, paid sick leave, and paid family leave. Participating communities will be required to create an … Continue Reading
February 10, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Opioid Overdoses in the Workplace
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation aimed at preventing opioid overdoses and increasing access to overdose reversal medications like naloxone, also known as Narcan. The Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits (WORK) to Save Lives Act will require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue guidance to employers regarding opioid overdose reversal medication attainment, usage, and … Continue Reading
February 10, 2026
House Passes Two Watson Coleman Bills to Celebrate the Nation’s 250th Anniversary
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation led by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), intended to help America celebrate its Semiquincentennial. Congresswoman Watson Coleman is the co-chair and Co-founder of the America 250 Caucus, founded in 2020 to assist in the planning of congressional activities surrounding America's semiquincentennial commemoration in 2026. She also serves as a commissioner on the related United States Semiquincentennial Commission … Continue Reading
February 09, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to End Courtroom Immigration Arrests
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Fundamental Immigration Fairness Act (FIFA), legislation that would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from arresting or detaining any individual arriving or departing a DHS field office or the Executive Office for Immigration Review. “Immigrants attempting to follow immigration laws should not be punished for their good faith efforts,” said Watson Coleman. “The systematic arrest of immigrants attending court hearings … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces PrEP Assistance Program Act
Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the PrEP Assistance Program Act to make the preventative HIV drug PrEP more affordable and accessible to underserved and high-risk populations. The bill would provide grants to cover medication costs, clinic and testing fees, physician visits and community outreach programs. Although PrEP has been available for several years, many Americans lack access to and awareness of the medication. The PrEP access gap … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
REP. WATSON COLEMAN SENDS LETTER TO HOME DEPOT EXECUTIVES, DEMANDING ANSWERS
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to the CEO of the Home Depot demanding answers about the company’s repeated allowance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity at its stores, including a December 2025 incident at a store location in Ewing, NJ. Across the country, Home Depot locations have become reliable sites for ICE enforcement, putting day laborers, employees, and customers at risk. The reckless actions of DHS have resulted in detentions, … Continue Reading
February 05, 2026
Padilla, Balint, Watson Coleman Aim to Bolster Mental Health Care Workforce Through New School Programs
Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, and Representatives Becca Balint (D-Vt.-AL) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12) introduced the Mental Health Career Promotion Act to bolster the behavioral and mental health care workforce pipeline by providing students with educational opportunities to learn about and pursue careers in the field. The bill would create the Behavioral and Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program, … Continue Reading
February 03, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes Against Extending Funding for Out-of-Control DHS
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted against a set of bills that would have allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to continue its lawless and dangerous actions in cities across the country. “When speaking to constituents over the past several weeks, the most frequent concern I’ve heard is with regards to ICE’s brutality and disregard for people’s rights,” said Watson Coleman. “The actions by ICE and DHS have … Continue Reading
February 02, 2026
Menendez, Watson Coleman, and McIver Host Town Hall on Protecting Our Communities
Tonight, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08), and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) held a town hall to hear directly from New Jersey residents as communities across the country grapple with aggressive immigration enforcement and rising concerns about holding the Trump Administration accountable. This town hall comes after the Representatives held a legal observer information session last week to help inform residents how to safely document ICE and … Continue Reading
January 29, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts Town Hall in Princeton
Yesterday, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) held a Town Hall at the Suzanne Patterson Center in Princeton, New Jersey. The Congresswoman hosted local residents and community leaders from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Resistencia en Acción, and the Latin American Legal and Education Fund. She addressed constituents’ concerns over expiring health care subsidies and Republicans’ delay in extending them; ICE and DHS’ violent immigration operations in New Jersey and across the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Fiscal Year 2026 Minibus, Rejects DHS Funding Bill
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), New Jersey’s sole member of the Appropriations Committee, voted for the FY26 Minibus covering Labor Health and Human Services (LHHS); Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD); and Defense subcommittees.The Minibus stabilizes funding for the Office of Minority Health, maternal and child health programs, critical investments in our highways, roads, and bridges, and rules to protect renters and prevent the evictions of over 4 … Continue Reading
January 20, 2026
Reps. Watson Coleman & Mfume Reintroduce Bill to Place Safeguards on Online Ammunition Sales
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) announced the reintroduction of the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, legislation that would place limits and safeguards on the online market for ammunition. “For years, we've watched the toll of gun violence grow while Congress fails to act. The numbers tell a devastating story, but behind every statistic is a family and a community grieving their loss,” said Watson Coleman. “Regulating online ammunition … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Responds to ICE Action in 12th District
In response to reports about ICE arrests in Princeton Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement: Today, ICE agents have taken two Princeton residents into custody including a father of four after he dropped off his son at school. Yet again, it appears the misguided priorities and failed practices of ICE have led not to improvements in community safety but to the breaking up of families. Constituents have called, emailed, and messaged my office, outraged at this … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Responds to Chaos at SAMHSA
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman released a statement following the cancellation and then reinstatement of grants at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Late Tuesday night, RFK, Jr. cancelled every grant at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. By Wednesday afternoon, following general outrage, the Secretary reversed this decision without explanation, concluding a day of chaos caused by the administration. Those cuts totaled two billion … Continue Reading
January 11, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman statement on the passing of former Governor Dick Codey
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released a statement following news of the the passing of former Governor and State Senate President Dick Codey: “Im deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dick Codey. He was strong but fair. He was accessible and always willing to listen. A champion of mental healthcare and women’s health, he loved New Jersey and his constituents. He served them with dignity and respect. Bill and I are praying for Mary Jo and their … Continue Reading
January 09, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Customer Non-Discrimination Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Customer Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that ensures fair treatment for LGBTQ+ Americans in public spaces and commercial services open to the public. The bill, also included as a provision of the Equality Act, adds sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity to the prohibitions on discrimination covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Most Americans believe everyone, be they LGBTQ+ or straight, should be treated with … Continue Reading
January 08, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Fiscal Year 2026 Minibus
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), New Jersey’s sole member of the Appropriations Committee, voted for the FY26 Minibus covering Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS); Energy and Water; and Interior and Environment subcommittees. The Minibus includes funding increases to Violence Against Women Act grants, strong funding for scientific and technological research, and increases to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) - a signature priority of the Congresswoman’s work in the … Continue Reading
January 08, 2026
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) addressed the Trump Administration’s kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and plans to “run” the sovereign nation in the aftermath: The actions of the Trump Administration in Venezuela this week are a danger to American interests, the safety of the Venezuelan people, and our own democracy. For months, Democrats have been warning of the danger posed by our weak Speaker of the House. Recently, even some Republicans have … Continue Reading
December 20, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Demands Accountability Following Death at Delaney Hall
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement following news that an ICE detainee died following a brief detention at Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ. In May, Rep. Watson Coleman, along with Reps. Rob Menendez, Jr. and LaMonica McIver reported on substandard conditions following a tour of the facility. In June, four detainees escaped Delaney Hall by breaking through an aluminum exterior wall. “Reports of negligence and abuse have emerged from ICE facilities around the country and are … Continue Reading