Press Releases
Congressional Progressive Caucus Leaders Echo Community Demands for Justice for Tyre Nichols
Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Chair of the CPC Policing, Constitution, and Equality Task Force, issued the following statement in response to the body camera footage from Memphis Police in the killing of Tyre Nichols: “Like so many across the country, we are horrified and appalled by the actions seen in the video of the murder of Tyre Nichols. The utter lack of humanity on display in the video … Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
New Bipartisan Holocaust Education Bill Introduced in the House on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Today, January 27, 2023, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, new bipartisan legislation — the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act — is being introduced in the House with more than 60 cosponsors. The bipartisan bill is led by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), and co-led by Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-6), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), and … Continue Reading
January 27, 2023
NJ Selected as One of Four States to Test New Program to Remove Lead Water Pipes in Underserved Communities
Today, EPA announced a major new initiative to accelerate progress toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of 100% lead service line removal and replacement. EPA introduced the “Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators” initiative at a White House summit celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and convened state and local leaders to discuss the program. New Jersey is among the first states to participate in the Accelerator … Continue Reading
January 26, 2023
Reps. Watson Coleman, Mfume Reintroduce Bill to Place Safeguards on Online Ammunition Sales
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) announced the reintroduction of the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, legislation that would place limits and safeguards on the online market for ammunition. “Day in and day out men and women lose their lives at the hands of gun violence and the only response from Republicans has been moments of silence and continued inaction. Gun safety policies shouldn’t have to wait for tragedies like Las … Continue Reading
January 23, 2023
Congresswoman Watson Coleman, Senators Booker and Menendez Send Letter to Army Corp of Engineers Requesting Disbursement of Funds to Complete Green Brook Flood Prevention
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) lead a letter along with Senators Booker and Menendez of New Jersey requesting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers promptly disburse funds appropriated for the completion of the Green Brook Flood Risk Management Project that was appropriated in the end of year spending package passed by Congress last December. Through the efforts of Congresswoman Watson Coleman and former Congressman Tom Malinowski in addition to the State’s two … Continue Reading
January 13, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Secures $1 Million in Federal Funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Greater Plainfield Area
In anticipation of Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service on Monday, and in the midst of January as National Mentoring Month, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced that as part of the omnibus funding package passed in December 2022, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties will receive $1 million for its one-on-one mentorship program that focuses on serving youth in the Greater Plainfield area. This project was one of several community projects … Continue Reading
January 06, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on the Second Anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the second anniversary of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021: “Two years ago today, my colleagues and I went to work prepared to carry out our nation’s time-honored tradition of peacefully transferring power to the next president. Instead, we experienced the greatest attack on our democracy since the Civil War. “On January 6, 2021, Republicans and Democrats alike … Continue Reading
December 27, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Supreme Court's Title 42 Order
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement following today’s unsigned Supreme Court order temporarily extending Title 42, a destructive and flawed Trump-era measure that was set to expire this month. “The Supreme Court’s order today is a destructive one based purely on politics. As Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his dissent, this order was made, ‘because policymakers have failed to agree on adequate measures to address … Continue Reading
December 27, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $15 Million for Community Projects in New Jersey’s 12th District
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced more than $15 million in federal community project funding for 15 organizations in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. This funding comes as part of the omnibus government funding legislation that Congress passed on December 23. The projects receiving funding include public facility restorations, flood mitigation initiatives, youth programs, and more. “As New Jersey’s sole congressional appropriator, I take great … Continue Reading
December 23, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates Legislative Victories in Omnibus Funding Legislation
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to pass an omnibus funding bill that would keep the federal government funded through the end of fiscal year 2023. The bill addresses many of the priorities of the 12th District, including mental health equity, funding for public transit, and an increase in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides lifesaving assistance for Americans facing food insecurity . Also included in … Continue Reading
December 22, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates Reauthorization of National Heritage Areas
Today, the House passed S. 1942, the National Heritage Area Act with vast bipartisan support. This bill reauthorizes 45 of the 55 National Heritage Areas for the next 15 years. This is an improvement over the standard 2-year renewals many sites must apply for each Congress. The long-term reauthorization allows for better planning efforts and investment by the heritage areas. “By passing this long-term extension our National Heritage Areas, including the Crossroads of … Continue Reading
December 21, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s Address to Congress
Tonight, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) attended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to a joint session of Congress. Following Zelenskyy’s speech, the Congresswoman issued this statement: “For ten months, President Zelenskyy has led his nation with unwavering courage as Ukrainians fight back against Putin’s horrific, unlawful invasion. I am in awe of his heroic leadership and dedication to his people. “As the … Continue Reading
December 21, 2022
Reps. Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud Indefinite Extension of Clawbacks in Federal Spending Bill
Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), and Andy Kim (NJ-03) today applauded an indefinite extension of recoupment efforts for debt owed to the federal government in relation to Superstorm Sandy that has been included in the Omnibus Fiscal Year 2023 package. These recoupment efforts known as “clawbacks” have blindsided homeowners because many New Jersey residents applied for loans and benefits offered by various federal programs at the … Continue Reading
December 19, 2022
Watson Coleman Statement on Executive Summary of the Final Report by the Select Committee to Investigate January 6th
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued this statement after the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack released the executive summary to its final report and made referrals to the Justice Department: “I’m grateful for the thorough, transparent, and courageous work of the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack. Under the leadership of Chair Bennie Thompson and Vice Chair Liz Cheney, the committee pursued the truth of the … Continue Reading
December 15, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman, Congressional Black Caucus Members Urge Senate Leadership to Include CROWN Act in End-of-Year Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 15, 2022) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led a group of her colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in a letter calling for Senate leadership to include the Congresswoman’s CROWN Act in its end-of-year omnibus funding legislation. The CROWN Act would prohibit discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. … Continue Reading
December 14, 2022
Senate Republicans Block Passage of CROWN Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2022) — Today, Senate Republicans blocked passage of the CROWN Act, which passed the House earlier this year. The CROWN Act bans hair discrimination, including discrimination against natural Black hair. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Write Marriage Equality Into Federal Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 8, 2022) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which federally protects same-sex and interracial couples’ right to marry. In addition to protecting marriage equality at the federal level, this legislation provides for additional state-level protections and repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. The House initially passed the Respect for Marriage Act earlier this … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Brittney Griner's Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 8, 2022) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the release of Brittney Griner: “Almost one year ago, Brittney Griner was wrongfully detained in Russia, confined under horrific conditions. “I’m overjoyed to learn of her release this morning and comforted to know she will be with her family for the holidays. While I am pleased to hear of her return, she never should have been detained in the … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Honors Fallen Officer Brian Sicknick, USCP and DC Metro Police Who Defended Capitol on January 6th
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 6, 2022) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) attended the Congressional Gold Medal award ceremony for the law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among the officers receiving the award was Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after suffering two strokes the day after the insurrection. A native of New Jersey’s 12th District, Sicknick was born in New Brunswick and … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Calls on Justice Thomas to Recuse Himself from Moore v. Harper
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 6, 2022) — With the Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments in Moore v. Harper, a case that threatens the future of free and fair elections, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) called on Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from the case. By invoking the discredited “independent state legislature doctrine,” the petitioners in Moore v. Harper will argue that the Supreme Court must uphold North … Continue Reading