Press Releases
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
October 10, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Meets with Local Midwives and Doulas
Ewing, NJ (Thursday, October 10, 2024) - Today, as part of National Midwifery Week, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sat down with midwives, doulas, healthcare professionals, and their patients at the Children's Home Society of New Jersey in Trenton. At the listening session, they discussed how healthcare is evolving, centering on the diverse needs of mothers, from education to advocacy to postnatal recovery, as well as the importance of culturally competent care. "Midwives and … Continue Reading
October 08, 2024
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Ashley Hinson Introduce Resolution Recognizing National Midwifery Week
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced a resolution recognizing National Midwifery Week as October 6th through October 12th 2024. The resolution acknowledges the roles and contributions of certified midwives and nurse-midwives in providing high-quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective health care services to families across the country. Practicing wherever maternal health services are offered, certified midwives and nurse-midwives are essential … Continue Reading
October 07, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Gathers Community Partners to Celebrate $715,000 in Funding for Delaware River Basin Commission
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) visited the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC) West Trenton offices, joined by New Jersey Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Protection Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer, DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini, DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and invited guests and partners in Greater Trenton. The Congresswoman announced $715,000 in funding, which she secured for … Continue Reading
October 07, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Issues Statement On One Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel: “October 7, 2023, was one of the most horrific days in modern world history. It was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. On that day, 1,195 men, women and children lost their lives, 251 were kidnapped and taken hostage, 101 of whom are still being held today. It made me sick to my stomach what was done by Hamas and other … Continue Reading
October 02, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Escalating Violence in Middle East
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding escalating violence in the Middle East: “I’m praying for the innocent civilians in harm’s way in Tel Aviv, and across Israel. I’m grateful that it appears relatively few were harmed by last night’s attack. The defense of innocent life must be the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy. “We must ensure Israel has the defensive weapons it needs to defend its people from attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Continuing Resolution
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement after voting for a continuing resolution to fund the government for an additional 3 months: "Sadly, instead of working with Democrats to fully fund the government for the next year, on a bipartisan basis in a divided government, House Republicans wasted months on extreme Project 2025 funding bills that had no chance of becoming law. Instead of working for the people, they spent the summer signaling their loyalty to … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
Reps. Watson Coleman, Kim Lead Resolution Recognizing National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month
Today, U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month and to increase public awareness on the emotional health and mental wellness challenges that children and teenagers face. One in five children in the United States struggle with an emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder, and only 20% of these children receive the specialized care and treatment that they … Continue Reading
September 20, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman releases Statement on Passing of Donald Turner
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement following the announcement of the passing of Donald Turner: I’m deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Donald Turner. The Turner family have been dear friends since Shirley Turner was elected to my father’s seat in the New Jersey Assembly. Donald was a private man but deeply loved by friends and neighbors and ever supportive of Shirley in her work. Bill and I will have Donald in our prayers and Shirley and their two … Continue Reading
September 13, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Sends Letter to FBI Requesting Information on Extremist Militia Groups Organizing Ahead of 2024 Election
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting a briefing on radical right-wing extremist militias arming themselves and preparing to commit violent acts around the 2024 election as well as the Bureau's efforts to monitor and prevent acts of violence. “As the 2024 election nears, concerns are growing once again for potential unrest and violence,” Rep. Watson Coleman writes in the letter. “In June of this year, WIRED magazine published an … Continue Reading
September 07, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts 4th &Girls Conference to Engage, Uplift, and Empower Black Girls
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) hosted the 4th &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. It is part of the ongoing work of the members of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls to highlight and address the unique needs and issues impacting Black girls. More than 100 girls attended the conference, which featured five … Continue Reading
September 06, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $750,000 Grant to Restore the Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the awarding of a $750,000 grant by the National Park Service's Semiquincentennial Grant Program for the Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site in Somerville, NJ. The state-owned Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site tells the story of New Jersey’s national and religious diversity. It was once home to delegates to the Provincial Congress that declared New Jersey’s independence. From this house, Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh led … Continue Reading
September 03, 2024
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announces $7.5 million Grant to Replace Aging Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the awarding of a $7,533,460.50 grant by the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund, for the deteriorated Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center in Hopewell Township, NJ. The new state-of-the-art visitors center will be completed near the site of General George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River in time for America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026. “George Washington’s famous crossing of the … Continue Reading
August 26, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates $15 Million HUD Grant for Trenton Housing Authority
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined a press conference hosted by the Trenton Housing Authority celebrating the awarding of a $15 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to support affordable housing in Trenton. Rep. Watson Coleman, the only representative from New Jersey on the House Appropriations Committee, celebrated the grant with HUD Assistant Secretary Dr. Kimberly McClain, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “I know Assistant Secretary McClain, … Continue Reading
August 21, 2024
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Rep. Bill Pascrell
Ewing, NJ (August 21, 2024) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the passing of her New Jersey colleague, Congressman Bill Pascrell. “I am terribly saddened to learn of the loss of my dear friend and colleague, Bill Pascrell. Bill served his country, community, and constituents ably and honorably for decades, always putting the needs of those at home front and center in all his work. “He was an engaging and thoughtful legislative partner who brought … Continue Reading