Press Releases
Caucus on Black Women and Girls Cochairs Express Outrage at Criminalization of Miscarriage in Charges for Alabama Woman
Today, Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls Co-Chairs Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and Robin Kelly (D-IL) addressed the alarming case of Marshae Jones, a young African American woman in Alabama being charged with manslaughter for miscarrying her child after being shot in the stomach. “This is a disgusting, though sadly not uncommon, display of the disparities faced by African American women in our legal system and in reproductive rights,” said Representative … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on Emergency Border Aid Package
Washington, D.C. (June 27, 2019) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the House passed the Senate’s $4.6 billion funding package to aid the humanitarian crisis at the southern border but failed to include protections for the treatment and standards of care for migrant asylum seekers: “For me, from the very beginning, this has been about the lives of the thousands of people fleeing violence and seeking a better life here in our country. I agree with … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Watson Coleman Fights for First Generation College and Low-Income College Students in House Appropriations Legislation
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) secured support for low-income and first-generation college students in the Fiscal Year 2020 House Agriculture and Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations bills. Provisions championed by Watson Coleman and included in the Agriculture Appropriations bill reported out of the committee would clarify SNAP eligibility to ensure more students understand how to qualify, and further direct the Food and Nutrition Service to review and … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Actress Taraji P. Henson to Testify at Second CBC Youth Suicide Taskforce Forum on June 7
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, June 7, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)’s new Task Force on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health will convene for a second time in Washington, DC to hear from award winning actress and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness in the African American community and specifically tackle the suicide rate among Black youth. Henson will share her personal … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Watson Coleman Wins Gateway Support in FY 2020 Transportation Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. (May 22, 2019) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) secured support for the Gateway project in the fiscal year 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations bill released by the House Appropriations Committee today. Among the included provisions are a $50 million increase over last year’s funding level for Amtrak Northeast Corridor Grants, and a requirement that Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Investment Act … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Reps. Watson Coleman, Boyle and Fitzpatrick Announce Increase in Funding for Protection of the Delaware River Basin
Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Congressmen Brendan Boyle (D-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced the inclusion of $10 million for the Delaware River Basin in fiscal year 2020 appropriations. The funds will support the river’s continuing recovery from pollution and degradation and conserve a critical economic engine, wildlife habitat, and recreational feature for the … Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
Watson Coleman Applauds “Historic” Passage of the Equality Act
Washington, D.C. (May 17, 2019) — On the passage of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, in the House of Representatives today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “This is a truly historic moment, and a reaffirmation of our founding principles of equality. I am proud to represent a state that provides legal protections for our LGBTQ family, friends and colleagues. Sadly, in 30 states, LGBTQ people are at risk of being fired, refused … Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
Rep. Watson Coleman, Sens. Brown, Smith Introduce Bill to Ensure Pregnant Mothers Can Access Affordable Health Care During and After Pregnancy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the heels of Mother’s Day, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tina Smith (D-MN) today to re-introduced legislation to expand healthcare options for expectant mothers. Watson Coleman, Brown, and Smith’s 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 … Continue Reading
May 10, 2019
Watson Coleman Reintroduces Bill Preventing Discrimination in Public Spaces
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) has reintroduced the Customer Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that ensures fair treatment for LGBTQ Americans in public spaces and commercial services open to the public. The bill, also included as a provision of the Equality Act, adds sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity to the prohibitions on discrimination covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “We’ve come a long way in the fight for equality irrespective of what we look like or who … Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Watson Coleman Secures Funding in Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill for Research on Insurance Prior Authorization
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) secured funding in the fiscal year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill passed out of the House Appropriations Committee today to study the impact of prior authorization policies on patient health. Prior authorization refers to the practice of insurance companies requiring patients to get certain treatments, tests and procedures approved, by the company, prior to proceeding with the … Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Watson Coleman Provisions on First-Generation College, Maternal Mortality and More Included in House Appropriations Bill
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) secured various provisions in the fiscal year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations mark that passed out of the House Appropriations Committee today. They support first-generation college students, fund maternal health interventions, address teacher shortages, and more. “I am grateful to Chairwoman Nita Lowey, and subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro for their help in ensuring my values, and … Continue Reading
April 23, 2019
New CBC Taskforce on Youth Suicide and Mental Health to Launch on April 30
On Tuesday, April 30, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will launch a new, emergency taskforce focused on the growing problem of suicide and access to mental health care among Black youth. Chaired by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), The CBC Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health will convene experts in Washington, DC and around the country, raise awareness among Members of Congress and staff, and identify legislative recommendations to address this mental health … Continue Reading
April 04, 2019
Representatives Watson Coleman and French Hill Propose Federal Savings Accounts for Taxpayers
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Congressman French Hill (R-AR) announced the introduction of legislation that would allow taxpayers the option to defer a portion of their taxes into an account that earns interest for six months. The bill, The Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act, seeks to give more families the flexibility to handle minor emergencies. “For too many families, a blown tire, a burst pipe, or even a few days off with the flu result in hard financial decisions … Continue Reading
March 20, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Proposals
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement on proposals making their way through the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate to legalize marijuana and establish social justice measures that will help correct for years of bias in marijuana use and possession enforcement. “The criminalization of marijuana has done real damage to lives, families and whole communities among people of color in this country. When it comes to drug use and addiction, we have … Continue Reading
March 18, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on the Passing of Princeton Economist Alan B. Krueger
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement today after Princeton University announced the death of Alan B. Krueger, a professor of economics and former advisor to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. “Alan Krueger’s tremendous work has earned him a place among the most tremendous economic minds of our time. His legacy will be special because of its impact not just on academic study, but upon working people. From his groundbreaking study with Lawrence Katz … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Watson Coleman Introduces New HIV Prevention Legislation Increasing Access to PrEP
Ahead of National Women and Girls HIV and AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) on Sunday, March 10, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) announced the introduction of new legislation aimed at preventing HIV and AIDS by increasing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis medication for individuals at risk of contracting HIV. The PrEP Assistance Program Act creates a grant program through the federal Department of Health and Human Services to help cover the costs of PrEP medication, laboratory fees, … Continue Reading
March 07, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on House Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the House of Representatives passage of legislation denouncing bigotry: “I have always stood up for my values, and in doing so I have repeatedly denounced every ‘ism’ and phobia there is: racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamaphobia, white supremacy, sexism, and every other form of hate and discrimination. Each of these backwards ideologies endangers not just the freedom, safety, and … Continue Reading
February 22, 2019
Watson Coleman Named to Semiquincentennial Commission
EWING, NJ — On Friday, February 22nd, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi named Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, the organization developing nationwide plans for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. New Jersey’s history is fundamentally tied to the history of the United States. Many are aware of the Battle of Trenton and General George Washington’s attack on the British Army in Princeton but few know that Washington … Continue Reading
February 20, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on Foiled Coast Guard Lieutenant’s Domestic Terrorism Plot
Ewing, NJ (February 20, 2019) — Following reports that Christopher Hasson, a U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant arrested last week on gun and drug offenses, had expressed white nationalist and neo-Nazi views alongside documented plans to commit acts of domestic terrorism, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement: “Throughout my time as a member of the Homeland Security Committee I have tried to call attention to a fact … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on the President’s Threat to Declare a National Emergency
Washington, DC (February 14, 2019) — Following reports that President Trump may declare a national emergency in order to build his ill-advised and bigoted border wall, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement. “To declare a state of emergency to build this misguided, hate-fueled, wasteful, inefficient and ineffective monument to his own personal ego is, at the same time, one of the most flagrantly lawless and inherently Trump-ian things this President could … Continue Reading