Press Releases
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Protect Marriage Equality Amid Right-Wing Threats
In response to continued right-wing threats to New Jerseyan's personal liberties, Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12) today voted to enshrine marriage equality into federal law. The Respect for Marriage Act will officially repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a defunct and discriminatory statute excluding same-sex couples from marriage under federal law. This legislation will also codify new protections ensuring that no married couple can be denied protections and benefits under … Continue Reading
July 19, 2022
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Arrested Outside Supreme Court During Protest for Abortion Rights
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) was arrested alongside several of her House colleagues and other protesters outside the Supreme Court while peacefully protesting the Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. She was held for about one hour, processed, and released.Upon her release, Congresswoman Watson Coleman issued the following statement: A month ago, six reactionaries in robes ended the constitutional right … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Calls on Justice Department to Address Delay in Release of Nonviolent Incarcerated Americans
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led a group of 12 Democratic Members of Congress in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for the Justice Department to immediately address delays in the process of releasing thousands of Americans incarcerated for nonviolent offenses. Under the First Step Act of 2018, federal nonviolent inmates are eligible for early release. This legislation addresses the United States’ mass incarceration problem by decreasing … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Active Shooter Alert Act
Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted for legislation to establish a rapid warning system to alert communities of nearby active shooters. The Active Shooter Alert Act will establish a program similar to the AMBER Alert system, allowing law enforcement to efficiently and effectively alert the public during a shooting. The bill’s passage follows House Republicans’ inexplicable attempt to obstruct this life-saving legislation last month. “In the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on West Virginia v. EPA Ruling
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency decision, which ruled that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate carbon emissions: “In 1970, the Clean Air Act authorized the federal government to take necessary action to limit air pollution and protect our planet. For 52 years, Congress has granted the EPA the authority to carry out the provisions of the Clean Air … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Historic Gun Violence Prevention Bill
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to pass historic legislation that would directly address the United States’ gun violence crisis. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will be the country’s first federal gun violence prevention law in 28 years. “In the wake of the massacres in Buffalo, Uvalde, and countless others, Congress has finally decided to act. Today, the House passed legislation to directly address the American gun violence … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision: “This is a dark day for women, a dark day for freedom, and a dark day in the history of our country. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has erased half a century’s worth of progress and legal precedent. “A world without Roe is a world in which the fundamental right of a person to control … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen decision: “We are 174 days into 2022. In that time, there have been more than 279 mass shootings in our country. There were only 10 days between the massacres in Buffalo and Uvalde. In those 10 days, 14 mass shootings that terrorized communities across the country didn’t even make national headlines. This violence, … Continue Reading
June 22, 2022
Watson Coleman Votes to Pass the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted for passage of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well Being Act, H.R.7666, a comprehensive bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6). The bill strengthens and expands more than 30 programs that support mental health care and substance abuse disorder prevention, care, treatment, and recovery. Congresswoman Watson Coleman worked with the Energy and Commerce Committee and her colleagues to include … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Lower Food and Fuel Costs
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted for new bipartisan legislation to fight inflation by lowering the cost of food and fuel. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will help bring down prices in the grocery store and at the gas pump by giving American farmers and ranchers the support they need to thrive. “Today, I proudly voted for stronger action to bring down kitchen table costs for working, low-income, and no-income families,” said Congresswoman Watson … Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Reps. Sherrill, Watson Coleman, Sires, Pascrell, Malinowski, Gottheimer Statement on Supreme Court Police Parity Act
Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Albio Sires (NJ-8), Bill Pascrell (NJ-9), Tom Malinowski (NJ-7), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement regarding today’s vote on the Supreme Court Police Parity Act: “We fully support expanding security for Supreme Court Justices and their families. We also firmly believe that those expanded protections should apply to federal judges and their families, who face … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Prevent Future Gun Violence Through Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to empower communities to prevent incidents of gun violence before they occur. The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act empowers family members and law enforcement to seek a federal court order to temporarily remove access to guns from those who pose a danger to themselves or others. The legislation also incentivizes states to adopt their own so-called “red flag laws.” “There have been more mass … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Life-Saving Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to protect communities and save lives with a strong legislative package to address gun violence. The Protecting Our Kids Act includes common-sense gun safety measures that will crack down on illegal gun trafficking, keep weapons of war out of the hands of teenagers, strengthen safe gun storage, restrict access to untraceable “ghost guns” and more. “It is outrageous and unacceptable that gun violence is the leading killer … Continue Reading
June 06, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces the Stay Cool Act to Better Prepare Communities to Address Heat Emergencies
Washington, D.C. (June 6, 2022) - Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) has introduced H.R. 7949, the Stay Cool Act, a package of proposals for addressing the increased threat of heat emergencies by improving how we study, react to, and mitigate extreme heat. The Stay Cool Act would be a first-of-its-kind comprehensive bill that studies and addresses rising surface temperatures across the United States in order to provide safer living conditions for all communities. On May 21, … Continue Reading
May 26, 2022
Congressional Progressive Caucus Taskforce on Policing, Constitution, and Equality Applauds Presidential Executive Order Addressing Policing
Yesterday, two years after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, President Joe Biden signed an executive order addressing police accountability and public trust. The Congressional Progressive Caucus’s Policing, Constitution, and Equality Task Force praised the decision after police reform passed by the House in 2021 stalled in the Senate. “Two years after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police, Black people are still waiting for justice. Americans … Continue Reading
May 25, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Murder of George Floyd
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police: “Two years later, Black people are still waiting for justice. Yes, the officer who murdered George Floyd was found guilty, but that alone is not justice. It will not bring back Mr. Floyd, who will never have the opportunity to watch his daughter grow up. It will not convince our criminal justice system that Black lives matter. It is … Continue Reading
May 23, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Recent Remarks by Sen. Bill Cassidy
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement in response to Senator Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) recent comments concerning his state’s high maternal mortality rate: “In an interview with Politico last week, Senator Cassidy stated that his state’s maternal death rate is only high if you do not, and I quote, ‘correct our population for race.’ Louisiana’s population is approximately one-third Black. The Senator is suggesting that ‘correcting’ his state’s maternal … Continue Reading
May 21, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Delivers $405,000 to South Brunswick for Public Library Expansion Project
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined the South Brunswick Public Library Foundation in celebrating the library’s upcoming renovation. The Congresswoman, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, secured $405,000 for the library as part of the fiscal year 2022 federal funding bill. “As the only Appropriations Committee member from New Jersey, I’m committed to bringing my constituents’ federal tax dollars right back home,” said Watson Coleman. “This year, I … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Legislation to Reauthorize SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), along with Congressmen G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) and John Katko (NY-24), introduced a bill to reauthorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program. In addition to reauthorizing the program, the Minority Fellowship Reauthorization Act of 2022 increases its funding from $12.6 million to $25 million. The SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program is dedicated to closing racial mental health … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Crack Down on Price Gouging at the Pump
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted for legislation to crack down on price gouging by Big Oil companies and bring down costs for New Jersey families. The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act takes critical steps to combat excessive price increases, empowering the federal government to outlaw artificially high fuel prices and hold Big Oil accountable. “Rising prices hurt all of us, and fossil fuel companies are only making that pain worse. Corporations are making a … Continue Reading