Press Releases
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
December 11, 2024
Reps. Watson Coleman, Veasey, Wagner and Miller-Meeks Send Letter Encouraging HHS to Expand Access to Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) sent a joint letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra encouraging the Department to take steps to expand access to colorectal cancer screenings. “We are writing to urge you to ask the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to commence an expedited review and update process of its 2021 colorectal cancer screening guidelines to reflect the … Continue Reading
December 03, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Christy Davis Jackson
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement mourning passing of Christy Davis Jackson: “It is with deep sadness that Bill and I learn of the passing of Christy Davis Jackson, the wife of Bishop Reginald Jackson. She was brilliant, beautiful inside and out, and one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. “Our paths crossed in politics and public life, and I look back with fondness on the work we were able to do together. She was smart and talented, driven by her … Continue Reading
December 02, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Mildred Crump
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement mourning the passing of former Newark City Council President Mildred Crump: “Bill and I are devastated at the passing of Mildred Crump, an extraordinary woman whose tenacity, spirit, compassion, and grit forever changed the landscape of New Jersey politics. She was smart, savvy, impeccably dressed, and always led with kindness and grace. A woman of immense and unwavering faith, I doubt that her work is done even now that … Continue Reading
November 25, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Rejects Plans to Bring ICE Detention Center to Trenton
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement in response to news that Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to open a new detention center at the former Albert M. “Bo” Robinson Treatment Center in Trenton. “The recent news that ICE is planning to use Trenton as a staging ground for mass deportations is infuriating. As a historic crossroads of the American Revolution, Trenton has a long legacy of resisting tyranny and oppression. New Jersey has always been a … Continue Reading
November 23, 2024
New Tax Assistance Site Opens in Trenton
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the opening of a brand new Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in Trenton. The site is run by Risers and Thrivers INC, a nonprofit organization that supports communities through financial literacy, tax assistance, and local resource support, in partnership with AGAPE Community Support Services. “I am so thrilled to announce the opening of this brand new tax assistance site in the heart of Trenton,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “The … Continue Reading
November 20, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Advance Restorative Justice in Schools
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Commission on Advancing Restorative Justice in Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2024. The bill would authorize the Secretary of Education to establish an interagency commission, in close collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, to promote restorative justice practices in elementary and secondary education. The commission would set guidelines to measure student participation in restorative justice … Continue Reading
November 08, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Calls For Solidarity In The Face of Hate
Today, in response to reports of a wave of racist text messages sent to African American middle school, high school, and college students across the country, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement calling for solidarity and calling on civil rights groups to join together to denounce the spread of hatred: "Racist hate and threats like what we are seeing on college and high school campuses across the country are deliberate; designed to create an … Continue Reading
November 01, 2024
Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Launch New Jersey’s Commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration
MANALAPAN - At Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman today launched New Jersey’s celebration of the nation’s 250th Anniversary, kicking off a multi-year schedule of events and projects that will take place through the nation’s semiquincentennial, from 2026 to 2033. As a leader in education, technology, AI, film, science, and more, New Jersey will celebrate its revolutionary legacy and its critical role in … Continue Reading
October 31, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman & County Executive Benson Celebrate $47 Million Federal Grant for Mercer to Replace Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton
Trenton, NJ (Thursday, October 31, 2024) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Mercer County Executive Dan Benson announced a $47 million federal grant award to replace the Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program (BIP), a Biden-Harris Administration initiative to replace, rehabilitate, improve, and preserve bridges across the country. The program is a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which … Continue Reading
October 22, 2024
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Holds Town Hall in North Brunswick
Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman held a town hall to hear from neighbors and share updates about her work in Congress and the District on behalf of New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District constituents. Congresswoman Watson Coleman began the town hall by discussing her work on gun violence prevention, healthcare access, and defending reproductive rights and democracy. The Congresswoman also discussed her efforts in the Appropriations Committee to bring back over $31.7 million … Continue Reading
October 18, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding the death of Yahya Sinwar, the military leader of the Hamas terrorist group, and a chief architect of the October 7th, 2023 massacre. “Yahya Sinwar was a terrorist who murdered countless innocent civilians and the primary architect of the October 7th massacre, responsible for the killing of over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, and the kidnapping of more than 250 hostages. I pray that his death can bring … Continue Reading