Press Releases
Watson Coleman Statement on the Passage of the Bipartisan Spending Bill
Washington, DC (February 14, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, issued the following statement on the passage of the bipartisan funding compromise: “I voted for this bill because it keeps the government open, federal employees and contractors on the job, and blocks funding for the President’s outrageous, hateful wall. However, it falls far short of the values that should be represented in all the laws we pass and the programs … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on the Passing of Babs Siperstein
EWING, NJ (February 4, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the passing of LGBTQ advocate Barbara “Babs” Siperstein: “In life you encounter a few people who are hosts unto themselves, capable of the unique capacity to create change. You encounter even fewer willing to use that capacity to touch the lives of others. Babs was both. She was a legend in New Jersey and in the national fight for transgender rights, and a fierce champion and … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Watson Coleman Invites Undocumented Worker Fired by Trump Organization to the State of the Union
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, invited Victorina Morales, a resident of Bound Brook, NJ, to join the Congresswoman as her guest at the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 5. Morales, an undocumented immigrant, was fired from the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ, and has since campaigned for rights and fair treatment for undocumented immigrants. “President Trump justified shutting the government … Continue Reading
January 22, 2019
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman Introduces Two Bills to Address Gun Violence
WASHINGTON, DC (January 22, 2019) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) reintroduced two bills to address the ongoing epidemic of gun violence in the United States by closing glaring holes in our firearms laws. “Gun violence continues to plague our society at levels unseen anywhere else in the world,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “In the wake of tragedy after tragedy, the American people are pleading for common sense gun reform. Our failure to pass such legislation should … Continue Reading
January 11, 2019
Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Assemblymen Zwicker and Freiman Issued the Following Statements in Response to a Planned Rally of White Supremacists on Saturday in Princeton
WASHINGTON, DC (January 11, 2019) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and State Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker issued the following statements in response to a planned rally of white supremacists on Saturday in Princeton. “The freedom of speech that protects you and me unfortunately protects the right of those who have planned a white supremacist rally in our community this weekend. While they may come to spout hate and division, I’m confident they will quickly learn that our … Continue Reading
January 09, 2019
Watson Coleman Nominated to Sought-after, Exclusive Appropriations Committee
As she begins her third term in the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) has been nominated by the Democratic Steering Committee to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful committees in the House, responsible for setting funding levels for federal departments and agencies. “The decisions made in the Appropriations Committee are a direct representation of our national values,” said Watson Coleman. “What we find important becomes … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Watson Coleman, Grijalva Call on House Leaders to Ensure Criminal Justice Reform Bill Ends Private Prisons
Following reports that Congress may move to pass a criminal justice reform bill before the end of the year, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging them to ensure the final measure that reaches the House floor includes a ban on private prisons. “The use of private prisons erodes the public’s faith in the integrity of American sentencing policy, leaving them to … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Watson Coleman Responds to President's Request for Border Wall Funding
WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2018) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the President and Vice President met with Democratic Leadership about the approaching government budget shutdown. "What we saw today was a President, someone who considers himself “a leader,” throwing a tantrum when told he couldn’t get everything he wants. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I take border security very seriously. However, it is in … Continue Reading
November 26, 2018
Watson Coleman Responds to Sunday’s Incident at US-Mexico Border
EWING, NJ (November 26, 2018) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents fired tear gas at refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. at the San Ysidro border crossing. “Yesterday was a dark day for America. Donald Trump sanctioned the use of teargas on hundreds of men, women & children at the U.S. border to further bolster his own lies and grandstanding about the nature of these people and their … Continue Reading
November 05, 2018
Menendez, Watson Coleman and New Jersey Democrats Release New Report on the Impact of President Trump’s Tax Law on New Jersey Homeowners
Today, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ-09), Albio Sires (NJ-08), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released a new report from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee documenting the tremendous financial burden of the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on current and prospective New Jersey homeowners. According to the report, approximately 2,035,000 homeowners … Continue Reading
October 29, 2018
Watson Coleman Statement on Racially Motivated Shootings in Pittsburgh and Kentucky
Following the shooting of two African Americans outside of Louisville, Kentucky last week and Saturday’s mass shooting at the Pittsburgh-area Tree of Life Synagogue, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “Gun violence of every kind has become a plague in this country, but there is a deeper and more sinister darkness that follows hate crimes. My heart breaks for the congregation at Tree of Life, and I join countless Americans lifting prayers of comfort and … Continue Reading
October 17, 2018
Watson Coleman Leads Congressional Call for Mnuchin to Cancel Saudi Arabia Trip
In a letter sent today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) led 11 members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to cancel plans to attend Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative conference in light of concerns that the Saudi government is responsible for the alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “Considering the seriousness of the accused crimes, we need to review the details surrounding the incident before moving forward in our … Continue Reading
September 28, 2018
Watson Coleman Bill Would Give Raises to American Workers
In an effort to incentivize corporate practices that will grow wages for those below the C-suite, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) today introduced the Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act, legislation that would require companies with more than $25 million in annual earnings to set up profit sharing plans in order to be eligible for certain tax breaks. The Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act would bar companies that meet the threshold of $25 million in earnings from … Continue Reading
September 26, 2018
From Bonnie: My Health, and a Reminder that Healthcare Should Be an American Value
My core belief in equality is one of the reasons I first decided to run for Congress. My belief that we all deserve a fair shot extends to every corner of the things that shape our lives, including the notion that your income, social status, occupation or lack of an occupation should not determine your access to quality, affordable healthcare. The fight for that access recently became a deeply personal commitment when my doctor found a small, irregular spot on one of my lungs during a routine … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
Watson Coleman Seeks Economic Security for Students, Caregivers with New Bill
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced new legislation that seeks to address growing economic divisions by making caregivers and students pursuing higher education or advanced degrees eligible to receive the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC Modernization Act of 2018 would increase financial stability for these two groups, while also making innovative updates to the EITC program. “We know that the economy isn’t working for people, we know that wages are stagnant, … Continue Reading
September 04, 2018
House Passes Watson Coleman Bill Authorizing TSA Support Force that Facilitated TSA Sandy Recovery Operations
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the TSA National Deployment Force Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee which formally authorizes the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) National Deployment Force (NDF), ensuring the continued work of the NDF and allowing for congressional oversight of its activities. TSA’s NDF program is a volunteer force of … Continue Reading
July 24, 2018
Watson Coleman, Khanna Focus on Jobless Workers with New Bills
Washington, DC (July 24, 2018) - Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) each introduced legislation to ensure that every jobless worker in the country is given the opportunity to earn a living. Despite the low official unemployment rate, 8 million Americans who want work cannot find jobs. Meanwhile, nearly 4.7 million Americans who want full-time work can only find part-time jobs. Reps. Watson Coleman and Khanna have each introduced legislation that would take real … Continue Reading
July 05, 2018
Watson Coleman Calls for Heightened Congressional Scrutiny Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit
Recently we learned that President Trump is planning on holding one-on-one negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet in Helsinki on July 16. In the midst of an ongoing investigation into Russia’s meddling into US elections - one which has already led to more than 20 indictments—such a meeting is profoundly inappropriate and dangerous. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (Chaired by Republican Richard Burr) has confirmed the U.S. Intelligence community’s … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Watson Coleman Statement on SCOTUS Decision Overturning Legal Precedent in Janus v. AFSCME
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement following the Supreme Court’s 5 to 4 decision to overturn years of legal precedent and upend laws in 22 states, including New Jersey, placing new limits on collective bargaining: “The past two days have demonstrated the tremendous impact of the political games Mitch McConnell played to steal Merrick Garland’s Supreme Court seat. Today’s decision ignores decades of legal precedent to undermine the rights and fair pay of … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Watson Coleman Statement on SCOTUS Decision Upholding Muslim Ban
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Ranking Member of the Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement following the Supreme Court’s 5 to 4 decision to uphold President Trump’s Muslim ban: “We will look back at today’s Supreme Court ruling in Hawaii v. Trump as a deeply shameful moment in our country’s history. The United States was founded as a nation of immigrants. The base of the Statue of Liberty, just a few … Continue Reading