Press Releases
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Legislation to Curb Profiteering by President
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced comprehensive legislation to curb profiteering by the President and his family, the Stop Padding Presidential Pockets Act. Since the start of his second term, President Trump has engaged in a number of schemes that used his position as President to increase his personal wealth. Multiple reports confirm that the President’s net worth has increased by $3 billion from 2024 to 2025. The President has amassed a vast fortune while … Continue Reading
December 15, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Congressional Progressive Caucus Announce Taskforce on Rebuilding and Reimagining the Government
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the creation of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’s Taskforce on Rebuilding and Reimagining the Government. The taskforce, created in response to the harm the Trump Administration has done to the functioning and responsiveness of the federal government, will examine the recent erosion to in the effectiveness of federal agencies within the Executive Branch and make legislative proposals to address the shortcomings of the … Continue Reading
December 14, 2025
Watson Coleman Statement on Bondi Beach Shooting
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia which killed 11 people. “The horrific murders at Bondi Beach displayed for all to see the hate that still exists in this world. I am praying for the victims, their families, and all people impacted, including the Jewish community around the world as they begin Hanukkah this evening. “I’m grateful to the authorities who took action and the … Continue Reading
December 03, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Legislation to Reward Companies that Share a Greater Percentage of their Profits with their Employees
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman reintroduced the Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act of 2025. The Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act of 2025 would incentivize large companies to implement an employee profit-sharing plan. This bill would require that any company that makes more than $25 million in earnings must establish an employee profit-sharing plan to provide at least 5 percent of the company’s annual net income as a cash benefit for both full-time and part-time … Continue Reading
November 26, 2025
Watson Coleman Statement on Shooting of National Guardsmen Near White House
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement in response to reports of two National Guardsmen being shot near the White House: "I’m horrified and heartbroken to learn that two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot near the White House today. "My prayers are with the victims and their families during this very painful time. A shooting is devastating for families under any circumstances; to have two families endure this crisis on the eve of … Continue Reading
November 26, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Mourns the Passing of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement mourning the passing of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson: "It is with deep sadness that Bill and I learn of the passing of Bishop Reginald Jackson, nearly one year following the passing of his wife Christy. Bishop Jackson exemplified faith, courage, and integrity. He was a profound influence on my life and a mentor and guide for me during the Florio campaign and administration. "He was definitely a messenger from … Continue Reading
November 20, 2025
Congresswoman Watson Coleman, Senator Alsobrooks Reintroduce the Healthy MOM Act to Add Special Enrollment Period for Pregnant Mothers
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of legislation to expand healthcare options for expectant mothers. The bill, the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (Healthy MOM) Act, would ensure that all women eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplaces, as well as women eligible for other individual or group health plan coverage, can access affordable health coverage throughout their pregnancies. The bill would do … Continue Reading
November 20, 2025
Congresswoman Watson Coleman, Senator Andy Kim Introduce Legislation to Ease Burden on Families of Deceased Veterans
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey introduced the Protecting Our Veterans’ Memories Act. This act would help state-run veteran cemeteries to properly honor veterans’ loved ones and ensure they are not saddled with unnecessary out-of-pocket costs while grieving the loss of a family member. Often, the financial burden on the widows and widowers of our nation’s veterans make it prohibitively expensive for their surviving families to bury them … Continue Reading
November 18, 2025
Watson Coleman Votes for Epstein Files Transparency Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill would require the Department of Justice to publish all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the DOJ's possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein, for years, ran one of the largest sex trafficking operations in history. His ties to numerous powerful individuals makes the release of these … Continue Reading
November 12, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Tonight’s Continuing Resolution Vote, Calls on Colleagues to Vote Against Cutting Healthcare
Due to a pinched nerve resulting from a herniated disc that made travel impossible and at the recommendation of her doctors, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman was unable to travel to Washington, D.C. to vote against tonight’s vote on the Continuing Resolution that passed the Senate on Monday. While Rep. Watson Coleman was unable to get to Washington, DC in time to vote, she spent the day on the phone with colleagues, whipping against a so-called “deal” that would lead to millions of … Continue Reading
November 10, 2025
REP. WATSON COLEMAN WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) today announced that she will retire when her present term expires at the end of the 119th Congress. She will not seek re-election to a new term as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District concluding a remarkable, barrier-breaking career spanning over 50 years in public service to the State of New Jersey and the nation. The Congresswoman made history in 2015, becoming the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in the … Continue Reading
November 09, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Senate Vote to Reopen Government Without a Deal on Healthcare
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement on Senate vote to reopen the government without a deal to extend ACA tax credits: "Americans across the country are demanding a solution that avoids catastrophic increases to healthcare premiums. Sadly, but not surprisingly, Trump and Congressional Republicans have failed to come to the table. From the beginning, I've said I was ready to work to reopen government and protect the healthcare of my constituents. Point … Continue Reading
November 07, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces CORRUPT Act to Prevent Presidents from Enriching Themselves Through Lawsuits Against Justice Department
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced legislation to prevent a President from suing the Justice Department on a personal basis. The Ceasing Outrageous Restitution and Reimbursement Under President Trump (CORRUPT) Act would amend the Federal Tort Claims Act so that no sitting president or their immediate family members - spouse, children, siblings, or in-laws - can file or benefit from a claim while the president is in office. President Donald Trump is currently suing … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
Reps Kean, Watson Coleman Introduce Bipartisan Bill Advancing Conservation for Upper Raritan River
Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Upper Raritan River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act. This bipartisan legislation would direct the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study evaluating the Upper Raritan River and its key tributaries for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The study would examine the eligibility and suitability of the Upper Raritan River—including the North … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Bill to Establish a Guaranteed Income
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act, legislation that would establish a nationwide pilot program to test the viability of a federally funded income support program that keeps more American families from experiencing permanent financial fallout and lasting poverty from a single unexpected crisis. While millionaires and billionaires thrive on the labor of hard-working Americans, those working families see just a … Continue Reading
October 18, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Hosts 5th &Girls Conference to Engage, Uplift, and Empower Local Black Girls
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) hosted the 5th &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. This year's conference, entitled "Black, Beautiful, and Brilliant: My Mind, My Voice," is part of the ongoing work of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls to highlight and address the unique needs and issues impacting Black … Continue Reading
October 14, 2025
Ramirez, Watson Coleman, Underwood, Jacobs, Introduce in the House Bicameral Resolution Honoring Wadee Alfayoumi with Senators Durbin, Duckworth
Today, Congresswomen Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced the House reintroduction of a resolution honoring the life of the 6-year-old Palestinian boy, murdered October 14, 2023 as a victim of a hate crime for his Palestinian Muslim identity. The bicameral resolution affirms that no one, especially children, should be a target of hate because of … Continue Reading
October 11, 2025
Congresswoman Tours Organizations Impacted by Republican Shutdown and Cuts
Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) toured locations and organizations around Mercer County that assist our most vulnerable neighbors and have been impacted by the Trump administration and the Republican shutdown. Organizations like HomeFront, The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and the CEAS Center in Trenton have been working for years, often on shoestring budgets, to help struggling families and individuals find housing and services to reestablish themselves. The recent funding … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Representatives Ansari and Watson Coleman Introduce Mental Health Emergency Package, Lifesaving Legislation on World Mental Health Day
Today, on World Mental Health Day, Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a comprehensive Mental Health Emergency Package—three pieces of legislation that would expand access to life-saving care, reduce reliance on law enforcement for behavioral health emergencies, and demonstrate our shared commitment to ensuring every young person and family has the support they need. “In Arizona and across the country, families are navigating a worsening mental … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Releases Statement on the Announcement of a Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding the announcement that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a new ceasefire and hostage deal: Two years ago, on October 7, 2023, Hamas’s attack on southern Israel represented the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. Over 1,000 Israelis lost their lives and 251 others were kidnapped. These attacks caused great pain for many of our neighbors in the 12th District. Since … Continue Reading