Press Releases
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act; legislation that addresses the mental health crisis facing our youth through funding to support research, improves the pipeline of culturally competent providers, builds outreach programs that reduce stigma, and develops a training program for providers to effectively manage disparities. The legislation was originally introduced in 2019 following a report - “Ring the … Continue Reading
April 10, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Condemns Passage of Voter Suppression Bill
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted against the SAVE Act, a voter suppression bill that will cause an untold number of eligible voters to be purged from voter rolls. “The SAVE Act is nothing more than a blatant attempt to put up roadblocks to prevent millions of working-class Americans from exercising their God-given right to vote,” said Watson Coleman. The bill would make it more difficult to register to vote by eliminating a driver’s license, state-issued ID, or … Continue Reading
April 10, 2025
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman & Judy Chu Send Letter to HHS Sec. Kennedy After Elimination of Office of Minority Health
Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Judy Chu (CA-28) led 45 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate the Office of Minority Health. “We write to express our deep concern following your decision to eliminate the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS OMH”) and the Office of Minority Health at the Centers for Medicare and … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Disastrous Trump Tariffs
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement of Tariffs that will put a financial burden on working families across the country: What we’re witnessing today is yet another example of Donald Trump’s complete disregard for working Americans. These tariffs aren’t about ‘liberation’ - they’re about exploitation. This is a tax hike, plain and simple, and every hardworking family in this country is about to pay the … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan Bicameral Youth Mental Health Research Act
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the introduction of the Youth Mental Health Research Act alongside Reps. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). Companion legislation will be introduced in the Senate by Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Britt (R-AL). Throughout the United States, 40% of high school students reported “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” according to CDC data from 2023. Roughly 20% percent reported “seriously considering … Continue Reading
April 01, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Mass Layoffs at Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, April 1, 2025) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding reports of mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services: The mass layoffs throughout the Department of Health and Human Services today show the Trump Administrations’ disdain for America and Americans. Firing these workers makes us less safe. It will make us sicker. It will make us less competitive in the medical research field. It will make America a … Continue Reading
March 27, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Address Youth Homelessness and Housing Instability Among Young People
Today, Representative Watson Coleman introduced the Homes for Young Adults Act which aims to increase eligibility and access to Housing Choice Vouchers, specifically for young people. Additionally, Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) introduced the Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act which aims to address youth homelessness by providing direct cash assistance to emancipated minors and young adults under 30 years old experiencing homelessness. The Homes for Young Adults … Continue Reading
March 25, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts Press Conference After Israel Breaks Ceasefire, Resumes Bombing Gaza
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) hosted a press conference to call attention to the renewed Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to abandon the ceasefire negotiated by the United States earlier this year. Rep. Watson Coleman was joined by Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Dr. Adam Hamawy, a US Army veteran and humanitarian who has volunteered … Continue Reading
March 23, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, NJCA, join constituents, unions and community groups in town hall calling out Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. for his support of Trump policies
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined hundreds of Congressional District 7 and District 12 residents, federal workers, NJ Family Care/Medicaid recipients, immigrants, unions, and community groups at a "Stop the Cuts" town hall organized by New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) to call out Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7) for his support of Trump administration policies. Since taking office, Trump's policies and executive orders have upended the lives of millions of Americans and … Continue Reading
March 21, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution Calling for Increased Research in Colorectal Cancer
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a resolution acknowledging the horrific impact colorectal cancer has on the Black community and that further research on screening guidelines is needed. Colorectal Cancer, or CRC, is the third most common cancer in the United States for men and women combined, and it’s the second leading cause of cancer death. On average, CRC takes more than 50,000 lives each year. The rate of CRC is 20% higher among Black men and 14% higher among … Continue Reading
March 17, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Holds Town Hall in Rep. Van Drew’s District, Discusses Medicaid Cuts with New Jerseyans
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) attended a town hall in Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s district (NJ-02) to discuss potential cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security in the House Republican budget resolution that was passed earlier this year. Rep. Van Drew voted for the measure, which ordered the Energy and Commerce Committee to slash $880 billion from programs under their jurisdiction. It is mathematically impossible for the Committee to do that without significant cuts to Medicare and … Continue Reading
March 17, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Letter to Trump Administration Demanding Information on “Five Bullet Points” Order
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) demanding further information on the order to federal employees to submit by email “five bullet points” detailing their work on a weekly basis. “The assumption that providing these bullet points to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will help with government efficiency is not only unfounded but is insulting to federal employees and a potential security risk,” the letter states. “Federal … Continue Reading
March 14, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Pens Open Letter Calling for Release of Mahmoud Khalil
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following open letter calling for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil and condemning the Trump Administration for this gross violation of his First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech: To everyone who believes in the promise of America, The weaponization of our Federal Government that we saw last week was an egregious attack on American freedom. Donald Trump and his deputies are hell-bent on extinguishing the values we all hold dear … Continue Reading
March 14, 2025
Reps. Watson Coleman, Rutherford Reintroduce the Bipartisan, Bicameral HELPER Act
Today, U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), John H. Rutherford (FL-05), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) reintroduced H.R. 2094, the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act, in the House. Senators Ashley Moody (FL) and Jon Ossoff (GA) also introduced companion legislation the U.S. Senate. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would establish a new home loan program, modeled after the successful Veterans Affairs (VA) loan … Continue Reading
March 14, 2025
Jayapal, Raskin, Scanlon, Watson Coleman Demand Answers Over Detention and Attempted Deportation of Mahmoud Khalil
U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee, and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) are leading 103 Members of Congress in demanding answers from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio … Continue Reading
March 12, 2025
Reps. Balint, Watson Coleman Reintroduce the Stop Comstock Act to Repeal Antiquated Law that Could be Misused to Implement National Abortion Ban
Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) is joined by Reps. Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Scanlon (PA-05) to introduce the Stop Comstock Act in response to clear Republican intent to misuse the antiquated and unconstitutional statute, the Comstock Act, to prohibit the mailing of medication abortion and other materials used in abortion procedures. The bill would repeal the portions of the Comstock Act that anti-choice extremists intend to misuse to enact a nationwide abortion ban. Senator Tina Smith … Continue Reading
March 12, 2025
Reps. Young Kim and Bonnie Watson Coleman Leads Girl Scout Day Resolution
This week, Girl Scouts’ Troop Capitol Hill Co-Chairs Reps. Young Kim (CA-40) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a bipartisan resolution (H.Res.217) to recognize March 12, 2025 as Girl Scouts Day on its 113th founding anniversary to celebrate the tremendous impact this organization has had on countless young women and girls over time. The resolution: Celebrates Girl Scouts of the USA’s 113 years of inspiring and supporting girls’ leadership development; Congratulates Girl Scouts … Continue Reading
March 11, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes Against Republican Giveaway to Billionaires in Funding Bill
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted against the GOP’s funding resolution that amounts to an unregulated slush fund for President Trump and Elon Musk. It cuts veterans benefits, it cuts housing, and it puts Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid at risk. “Today’s vote was about handing over even more power from the people’s representatives to President Trump,” said Watson Coleman. “It absolves Congressional Republicans of the responsibility of governing. It tells Donald … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Al Green Introduces Renaming the National School Lunch Program Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Al Green (TX-09) reintroduced the Renaming the National School Lunch Program Act. This bill would rename the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) after Jean E. Fairfax, a civil rights icon who played an instrumental role in the integration of public schools in the South and helped overhaul the National School Lunch Program to serve poor children more fairly. Jean E. Fairfax created and led the Committee on School Lunch … Continue Reading
February 27, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Offers to Help Kean, Van Drew, and Smith Explain to Their Constituents Their Votes to Cut Medicaid
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) challenged New Jersey’s three Congressional Republicans to defend their votes to cut Medicaid from children and seniors in their districts in order to give a tax break to the wealthiest Americans. “News has emerged that Republicans across the country are cancelling their town halls after blowback from constituents following cuts to vital services," said Watson Coleman. "My Republican colleagues must justify their votes to cut healthcare for … Continue Reading