Press Releases
Reps. Watson Coleman, Menendez, McIver Lead Bicameral Charge Against Expansion of Private ICE Detention in New Jersey
Today, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Rob Menendez (NJ-08) continued their efforts to protect immigrant communities and prevent the expansion of private immigration detention centers in New Jersey. Together with Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim and Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Frank Pallone Jr.(NJ-06), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), the Representatives led a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of U.S. … Continue Reading
February 13, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Fights Republican Budget Rip-Off During Marathon Markup Session
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and her Democratic colleagues on the House Budget Committee excoriated shameless Republican attempts to rip off the American people with a budget proposal that would cut support for working families while doling out a multi-trillion dollar tax cut to the very richest Americans and adding $4.5 trillion to the national deficit. “All day long, I listened to my Republican colleagues talk about how concerned they were about the national debt. But not … Continue Reading
February 13, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Black History Matters Act
Today, Representative Watson Coleman introduced the Black History Matters Act; legislation directing the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to conduct a study of the quality and efforts of Black history education in public elementary and secondary schools. This study aims to assess the requirements of Black history education in public elementary and secondary schools and the quality of these curriculums based on indicators such as in-class discussions, … Continue Reading
February 12, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts Tele-Town Hall Amid Hostile Government Takeover by Unelected Billionaire
Tonight, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) held a Tele-Town Hall with constituents from New Jersey’s 12th District to address concerns over unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s hostile government takeover. More than 7,500 people participated in the Tele-Town Hall. [WATCH HERE] During the Tele-Town Hall, Rep. Watson Coleman answered questions on Elon Musk’s infiltration of the Treasury Department, Trump Administration plans to dismantle the Department of Education, impacts of federal … Continue Reading
February 05, 2025
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Bennie Thompson, Don Beyer, Jamie Raskin, & Family of USCP Officer Brian Sicknick Hold Press Conference Condemning January 6th Pardons & DOJ/FBI Purges
Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Bennie Thompson, Don Beyer, Jamie Raskin and the family of USCP Officer Brian Sicknick held a press conference condemning Donald Trump’s pardons of violent criminals who assaulted police officers and attacked the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. The press conference participants also condemned recent orders from the Trump Administration to purge the FBI and DOJ of nonpartisan career prosecutors simply because they worked on the January 6th cases. Video of … Continue Reading
February 04, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Unelected Billionaire’s Hostile Takeover of Federal Government
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued a statement regarding an unelected billionaire infiltrating the federal government and initiating a hostile takeover aimed at weakening the United States against our foreign adversaries, with whom this billionaire has significant financial interests. “Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire donor, has mounted a hostile takeover of the federal government. “This is an astonishing display of corruption. A billionaire CEO, who was not appointed or confirmed, … Continue Reading
February 03, 2025
Reps. Menendez,Watson Coleman, McIver Make Unannounced Visit to Elizabeth Detention Center
Today, Representatives Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) made an unannounced visit to the Elizabeth Detention Center, the state’s only operational privately contracted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) detention center. Their visit followed an increase in ICE activity in New Jersey and the region as a result of President Donald Trump’s renewed attacks on immigrant communities. In January, ICE agents conducted a raid in Newark, … Continue Reading
January 31, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Working Class Tax Cut Bill
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the EITC Modernization Act, which would cut taxes for low- and middle-income families. “The very richest people in this country can afford to hire accountants and attorneys who exploit every loophole and back door to avoid paying what they owe in taxes,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Meanwhile, honest, hard-working families pay a far greater share of their total wealth in taxes, supporting the public services that all Americans — rich or poor … Continue Reading
January 28, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Trump Eliminating Funding for Cancer Research, Suicide Prevention, Home Heating Assistance, Other Programs
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued a statement today following the news that Trump has, in apparent violation of the Constitution, unilaterally decided to choke off funding for all federal grant programs across the United States. “Americans are the hardest workers in the world. So much of that hard work ends up lining the pockets of billionaire investors who now want to cut home heating assistance, cancer research, suicide prevention and other programs we've fought for instead of paying what … Continue Reading
January 23, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Issues Statement After Unconstitutional ICE Raid in Newark Sweeps Up Innocent Veteran
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after reports surfaced of an ICE raid in Newark, during which lawful U.S. citizens were detained without warrant, including a U.S. Military veteran. “Warrantless searches, jackbooted thugs, veterans detained. After pardoning violent insurrectionists, Trump orders ICE agents to detain and harass innocent people, including a veteran who served our country. This is the reality of Trump’s reign of terror, but it’s not the America … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Trump Executive Orders and Pardoning of Violent January 6th Insurrectionists
Today, Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding the slew of executive orders President Trump signed last night, as well as his disgraceful decision to pardon violent insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol and assaulted police officers on January 6th, 2021. “Last night, President Trump immediately broke his promise to bring down costs for working families. Among the many executive orders he signed, was a reversal of a program that capped prescription drug prices. … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Cecile Richards
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the tragic passing of Cecile Richards. “My heart is broken to learn of the loss of Cecile Richards, a dear friend and an unwavering champion for reproductive freedom and the rights of women across the country. “As President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile fought relentlessly to protect access to reproductive healthcare. After the fall of Roe, she fought fiercely to restore that freedom where it could be restored, and … Continue Reading
January 16, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution Honoring Important Work of LGBTQIA+ Community Organizations
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a resolution honoring the important work that LGBTQIA+ community organizations have done throughout history. The resolution recognizes the importance of organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community, including those especially vulnerable to attack. LGBTQIA+ community spaces that exist to uplift and support our LGBTQ neighbors - groups like the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Defamation League (GLADL) (later known as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance … Continue Reading
January 15, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding the news that negotiators have reached a ceasefire agreement, ending the conflict that began on October 7th, 2023. “I thank God that a ceasefire deal has, at long last, been reached. The last 15 months have been a time of great pain for many New Jerseyans. I’m grateful that hostages will be returning home and the innocent civilians in Gaza can live without the constant fear of bloodshed and begin the process … Continue Reading
January 09, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman named Democratic Deputy Whip for Policy, Chair of Democratic Task Force on Poverty
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced that she will be named a House Democratic Deputy Whip for Policy, an advisory role focused on strategic, long-range planning and coordination of policy concerns from across the House Democratic Caucus. In addition, Congresswoman Watson Coleman was named as Chair of the Democratic Caucus’s Task Force on Poverty, a position previously held by Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California who retired at the conclusion of the 118th Congress. … Continue Reading
January 03, 2025
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Sworn Into 119th Congress
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) was sworn into the 119th Congress to begin her sixth term serving the people of New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. “I am honored that the people of NJ-12 have entrusted me with the responsibility of representing them in Congress,” said Watson Coleman. “I don’t take that trust lightly. I have always been guided by the belief that to whom much is given, much is required. I look forward to working with my colleagues to lower the cost of living, … Continue Reading
December 29, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of President Jimmy Carter
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the news of President Jimmy Carter’s passing: “Rest in peace, President Carter. Bill and I are praying for his family during this time, and join the nation in both mourning his loss and celebrating his legacy. A profound faith and compassion for humanity drove his political career, and his post-presidential life. It brings me joy to know he is reunited with his beloved … Continue Reading
December 20, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) cast her vote to prevent a government shutdown right before the holidays. The government funding bill also included natural disaster relief, aid for farmers, and a provision which Congresswoman Watson Coleman specifically fought for to expand nutrition assistance for people impacted by natural disasters. Rep. Watson Coleman issued the following statement regarding her vote: “Once again, House Republicans’ failure to govern and willingness to bow … Continue Reading
December 16, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Bill to Commemorate America’s 250th Birthday with Time Capsule Passes House
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the passage of her bill, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, through the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to create and bury a time capsule on the west lawn of the Capitol, where it will remain until America’s 500th birthday on July 4, 2276. “I am so pleased the House overwhelmingly passed my bipartisan legislation to commemorate America’s 250th Birthday with a … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Applauds Historic Biden Administration Commutations Following Years of Advocacy
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the announcement from the Biden Administration that the President has issued commutations for 1,500 individuals serving home confinement sentences for non-violent infractions. “For years, Rep. Cori Bush and I have been pushing for the Biden Administration to commute the sentences of folks on home confinement from the CARES Act,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “These people pose no threat to society, have reunited with their families, and make … Continue Reading