Press Releases
Congresswomen Watson Coleman, Bush Joint Statement on 52nd Anniversary of War on Drugs
Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2023) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released a joint statement on the 52nd Anniversary of the War on Drugs announcing the reintroduction of the Drug Policy Reform Act: “52 years ago, President Richard Nixon initiated a violent, racist campaign against Black and brown communities in this country. From the start, the War on Drugs has been about suppressing the voices and lives of the marginalized, not … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Resolution Calling for Russia's Immediate Release of Princeton Native Evan Gershkovich
Washington, DC (June 13, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted in favor of H. Res. 377, a resolution calling for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a journalist and Princeton, NJ native who has been detained by the Russian government since March 2023. The resolution passed the House of Representatives unanimously. "The continued detention of Evan Gershkovich is completely unacceptable and must come to an end,” said Watson Coleman. “He must … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Shalanda Young’s Involvement with the Debt Ceiling Deal
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding OMB Director Shalanda Young’s involvement with the Bipartisan Budget Deal: “Since the beginning of Shalanda Young’s involvement with the Appropriations Committee, she displayed exactly what Shirley Chisholm was talking about when she said, ‘You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Watson Coleman, Tlaib, Takano Reintroduce Legislation to End Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rates
Washington, DC (June 6, 2023) - Today, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Mark Takano (CA-39) reintroduced a bill to ensure insurance companies use only driving-related factors in determining car insurance rates and eligibility. The Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act, or PAID Act would end the use of income, credit score, education levels, and other factors unrelated to driving history and ability, preventing insurance companies from using these … Continue Reading
May 31, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Raise Debt Ceiling, Calls for Elimination of Archaic Debt Ceiling Process
Congresswoman Watson Coleman released the following statement regarding her vote for the Fiscal Responsibility Act: “Over the last several days my office has received input from the constituents of the 12th District, worried about our country defaulting while also voicing their concerns about the recent process of this debt ceiling. “Voting to raise the debt ceiling should be a bipartisan measure to pay the debts already accrued by the federal government. Since 1960, Congress has … Continue Reading
May 25, 2023
Congresswomen Watson Coleman and Bush Denounce Passage of harmful HALT Fentanyl Act and Urge a Course Correction on Failed Substance Abuse Policy
Washington, D.C. (May 25, 2023) - Today, Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Cori Bush (MO-01) released the following statement upon the passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act: “It appears some of our colleagues have learned nothing from the devastating impact of our nation's failed war on drugs. In the more than 50 years since the War on Drugs was declared, we’ve seen an explosion of our prison populations, while drug overdoses continue to climb. The … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
Reps. Watson Coleman, Pressley, McClellan Introduce Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act
Washington, D.C. (May 23, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) along with her colleagues Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and 21 cosponsors, including Gregory Meeks, the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced the Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act of 2023. When accessing military hair and grooming standards, the 2020 Defense Advisory Committee on Women in Service (DACOWITS) report identified … Continue Reading
May 22, 2023
Reps. Watson Coleman, Kim, Senator Menendez Join with Mental Health Advocates at Rider University for Discussion and Listening Session on the Mental Health Crisis
Lawrence Twp, NJ (Monday, May 22, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Senator Menendez (NJ) joined with mental health practitioners and advocates for a round table discussion and listening session on the campus of Rider University in Lawrence Township, NJ. In a discussion moderated by Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, Dean of the NYU Silver School of Social Work and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work, the three Members of Congress … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Reps. Watson Coleman, Napolitano, Senator Menendez Reintroduce Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act
Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act. The Act was originally introduced in 2020 following a report from the Congressional Black Caucus’s Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health chaired by Congresswoman Watson Coleman. The report – “Ring the Alarm: the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America.” – outlined the state of … Continue Reading
May 15, 2023
Reps Watson Coleman, Delauro, Lee Reintroduce the Improving Diaper Affordability Act
Acknowledging the financial challenge families face in affording diapers and other necessities during this pandemic, today Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Barbara Lee (CA-12) announced the reintroduction of the Improving Diaper Affordability Act to make the purchase of diapers tax-free. “Diapers are essential, not a luxury, and even before the pandemic, families were struggling to afford them,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “This … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Proposed Changes to Border Policy
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding proposed changes to our border policy: “Most Americans agree the United States is at its best when it comes to the aid of those fleeing violence, persecution, and environmental degradation. It is a part of our shared identity as a nation of immigrants. I will not back down until we uphold our values of welcoming people, providing them dignity and showing them compassion. “The Biden … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Reps Watson Coleman, Rutherford Reintroduce Bipartisan Bicameral HELPER Act
Yesterday, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and John Rutherford (FL-05) reintroduced H.R. 3170, the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act. The bipartisan and bicameral HELPER Act establishes a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to make homeownership more accessible to teachers and first responders by eliminating some of the barriers for first-time homebuyers, like a down payment and monthly mortgage insurance … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Joins the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, which aims to persuade investors and asset managers to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions. Globally, the value of assets engaged in sustainable investing has grown rapidly and is expected to increase in 2025. As Americans, we have a duty to better understand sustainable investing and create policies that provide protections and … Continue Reading
April 29, 2023
REP. WATSON COLEMAN, FORMER PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT CECILE RICHARDS CALL FOR MAJOR JUDICIAL REFORMS AMID SUPREME COURT ETHICS SCANDALS
Ewing, NJ (April 29, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) called for major judicial reforms including Court expansion at a press conference outside Trenton City Hall Saturday morning. The Congresswoman was joined by former Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards and former Biden Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States Commissioner Caroline Fredrickson. The press conference was the latest stop on a national … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Sen. Menendez, Rep. Watson Coleman Renew Bicameral Effort to Outlaw Gun Silencers
Washington D.C. (April 27, 2023) – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a founding member of the Senate Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) today reintroduced the Help Empower Americans to Respond (HEAR) Act – bicameral federal gun safety legislation to ban the importation, sale, manufacturing, transfer and possession of gun silencers or suppressors. “Gun silencers are devices designed for a very specific purpose … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Condemns Republican Votes to Pass Default On America Act
Ewing, NJ (April 24, 2023) - Congresswoman Watson Coleman was unable to cast a vote in opposition to the Limit, Save, Grow Act due to a family medical emergency that kept her away from Washington, DC. She thoroughly opposes the Republicans’ plan to appease the most extreme members of the Republican party with draconian cuts and to put the financial stability of the country at risk if they don’t get their way. It took a lot of hard work by millions of everyday Americans to … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Reps Watson Coleman, Mfume Reintroduce New Pathways Act to Aide Reentry and Reduce Recidivism
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) introduced the New Pathways Act. This legislation would help formerly incarcerated Americans to re-enter society by requiring the Bureau of Prisons to help these individuals obtain government-issued identification. More than 650,000 Americans are released from prison each year and upon release face significant barriers to reentry. Among these barriers is the need for a government ID, which is a … Continue Reading
April 17, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces The Filer Voter Act and The Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act of 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C., (April 17, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the Filer Voter Act (H.R. 2629) and the Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act of 2023 (H.R. 2628). The Filer Voter Act will make it easier to register to vote. This bill allows voters to register to vote when they file their taxes. Much like the “Motor Voter Law” of the 1990s that allowed voters to register to vote with their local … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, DOT Secretary Buttigieg visit Trenton-Mercer Airport in Ewing
Ewing, NJ (April 12, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) met with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to tour the Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) in Ewing and discuss the modernization of the facility that has been operational since 1929. Trenton-Mercer Airport is one of three commercial airports in New Jersey, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. “It’s an honor to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to … Continue Reading
April 11, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, DOI Secretary Haaland Discuss America 250 and the Crossroads Of The American Revolution at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton
Ewing, NJ (April 11, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) met with U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland to discuss America 250 and the importance of preserving historical heritage sites across New Jersey at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. As a member of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, Congresswoman Watson Coleman is working to prepare the nation for the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary milestone with national programs and … Continue Reading