Press Releases
Following Requests to Leadership, Watson Coleman Applauds Inclusion of Hazard Pay Provision in Next Coronavirus Relief Bill
Following the release of the text of the Heroes Act, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) applauded the inclusion of hazard pay for all frontline workers, a provision she had sought in recent weeks. “We rely on warehouse workers to ship us the goods we order online, grocery clerks to keep stores stocked, transit workers to move doctors and nurses and other healthcare professionals around, nursing home staff to care for elderly family members. These workers are essential to … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Grants to District Housing Authorities to Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, announced that several cities in the 12th Congressional District received important Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants to support preventing, preparing and responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic in public housing. The grants include: $1,425,255 awarded to the Trenton Housing Authority. $260,050 awarded to the … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Watson Coleman, House Democrats to Labor Department: Protect Civil Rights in Federal Contracting
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and several House Democrats sent a letter to the Director of the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in strong opposition to the agency’s recent guidance allowing new service, supply, and construction contracts related to coronavirus response to avoid federal affirmative action requirements. The letter was also signed by Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), … Continue Reading
May 03, 2020
Watson Coleman Condemns Homophobic Remarks by Trenton City Councilwoman
In response to audio that emerged from a Saturday coronavirus conference call between members of the Trenton City Council and Mayor, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement: “There’s no place for elected officials who hurl homophobic slurs or cast aspersions on colleagues parents. It’s disgusting and the people of Trenton deserve better. “Effective governance requires a level of mutual respect between individuals charged with representing members of the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2020
Watson Coleman Announces Bill to Require Hazard Pay for Frontline Workers
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act, legislation that would pay workers providing essential services an additional $15 per hour in compensation, on top of their regular pay. Acknowledging the higher risk of infection for all workers required to keep grocery stores, sanitation services, postal operations and other critical facilities running, the bill broadly defines essential work based on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure … Continue Reading
April 27, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pocan, Carbajal, 150 Other Members of Congress Request Increased Protections for Frontline Federal Workers
Today, U.S. Congressmembers Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Mark Pocan (WI-2) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) delivered a letter, signed by more than 150 Members of Congress, to Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy, requesting the inclusion of seven proposals that seek to protect frontline federal workers in future COVID-19 legislation. On top of calling for OSHA to establish an Emergency Temporary Standard, the Congressmembers’ requests include: hazard pay, paid sick leave for those exposed … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Watson Coleman Votes for Additional SBA, Hospital and Testing Funds, Notes “It’s Not Enough”
Washington, DC (April 23, 2020) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 266 – the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act: “As important as it is to extend support for small businesses and hospitals, we are failing millions of others by coming to this floor to debate a bill that includes nothing for them. While I voted for this bill, I hear from constituents daily and their … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Watson Coleman Leads New Jersey Delegation Request for Expedited Funds to Community Colleges
Today, U.S. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led 10 other members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation in a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos requesting expedited disbursement of CARES Act funds to New Jersey’s Community Colleges. “With the second most confirmed COVID-19 cases in the nation, it is clear that New Jersey students have an immediate need for assistance. This need is likely even greater among students at community colleges as they have, on average, the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Watson Coleman Cosponsors the COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act
April 21, 2020 (Ewing, NJ) – Today Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced H.R. 6559 – The COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act of 2020, alongside Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-3). The bill would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard, based on CDC guidance, to protect workers from exposure to infectious diseases in the workplace. The standards would be issued within … Continue Reading
April 17, 2020
Watson Coleman Urges Expanded Definition and Protections for Essential Workers
Ewing, NJ (April 17, 2020) - In a letter sent today to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) insisted that further COVID-19 relief packages expand the definition of essential workers to include warehouse, sanitation, transportation, nursing home, and other workers outside of the medical setting whose labor keeps the country running. The letter further enumerates specific protections that should be offered to these … Continue Reading
April 16, 2020
Watson Coleman Leads New Jersey Delegation in Request for Funds that Consider Population and Severity of COVID-19 Outbreak
Ewing, NJ (April 16, 2020) - Today, U.S. Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, led the entire New Jersey Congressional delegation to request that the next relief package provide funding based on state population and Coronavirus impact. While New Jersey has the second highest number of cases in the U.S., the state received the second-lowest amount of federal support per patient. The relief to states included in the CARES Act left New … Continue Reading
April 12, 2020
Watson Coleman Statement on the Death of Ruth B. Mandel
Ewing, NJ (April 12, 2020) — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the passing of Ruth B. Mandel, a strong and passionate voice for women in elected office: “When we count the leaders who helped bring us to a place where it’s not outlandish for a woman to be elected as a mayor, a congresswoman, a governor or any other office, Ruth will be listed among them, both in New Jersey and nationwide. Her life’s story is one of overcoming — escaping the Holocaust, … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Watson Coleman Supports Passage of Third Coronavirus Relief Package
Ewing, NJ (March 27, 2020) — Today, Congressmembers Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement in support of the historic families and workers-first bill to provide relief from the impact of the coronavirus. “Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the tremendous impact that this pandemic is having on everyday life for people in this country. It has highlighted existing flaws in our systems that deserve our attention, but it has also created an immediate and overwhelming crisis … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Watson Coleman, Garcia, Cohen Stress Protection for Consumers and Workers in Economic Assistance Proposals for Airlines
Ewing, NJ (March 19, 2020) — Today, Congressmembers Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-05) and Steve Cohen (TN-03) urged leaders in the House and Senate to include protections for workers and consumers in any financial assistance aimed at supporting the airline industry as part of further economic stimulus to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Recommendations include: Rules to prohibit consumer abuses like unfair change and cancellation fees; Employment … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Watson Coleman Applauds New Jersey Disaster Declaration Approval with the Small Business Administration
Ewing, NJ (March 18, 2020) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) applauded the acceptance of New Jersey’s disaster declaration by the Small Business Administration (SBA), a move that will allow New Jersey businesses and non-profits hit by the coronavirus to apply for disaster assistance loans with deferred repayment and low interest rates. “We’re focused on the health and wellbeing of Americans in this crisis, and until we’re able to ensure people continue to get paychecks, … Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Watson Coleman Urges Clarity from CDC on Coronavirus Testing
Washington, D.C. (March 10, 2020) — Following an exchange between Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) Dr. Robert R. Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on Tuesday morning, Watson Coleman wrote to Redfield to request a clear plan for what states like New Jersey should expect from the CDC for COVID-19 testing. “I join my … Continue Reading
February 27, 2020
Watson Coleman Questions USDOT Secretary on Plans to Repair Hudson Tunnel
Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2020) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) questioned Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s suggestion that the Hudson Tunnel could remain open during repairs in a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Thursday morning. Prevailing opinions from transportation and infrastructure experts have long held that the tunnel would need to be closed in order to make the substantial … Continue Reading
February 26, 2020
Watson Coleman Seeks Clarity from HHS on New Jersey’s COVID-19 Plans
Washington, D.C. (February 26, 2020) — Following an exchange between Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on Wednesday morning, Watson Coleman wrote to Azar to request additional clarity in communications between New Jersey officials and federal officials on plans to respond to COVID-19. “I am concerned that there has been a lack … Continue Reading
February 06, 2020
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Protecting the Right to Organize Act
Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2020) - Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman applauded the passage of H.R. 2474, Protecting the Right to Organize Act or PRO Act, legislation that would amend the National Labor Relations Act and related labor laws to extend protections to union workers. “The middle class in America was built with union labor. For decades, powerful corporate interests and their allies in the Republican Party have worked to weaken labor power and chipped away at institutions like … Continue Reading
January 30, 2020
Watson Coleman Statement on Proposed Cuts to Medicaid
Washington, DC (January 30, 2020) — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement following an announcement of cuts to Medicaid by President Donald Trump: “Today’s announcement from the Trump Administration that they would take healthcare from families who can’t make ends meet is another example of how this president continues to threaten the livelihoods of hardworking Americans. These are kids whose parents can’t afford their care, expecting mothers who need to see … Continue Reading