Press Releases
Watson Coleman Statement on the Passing of Chairman Elijah E. Cummings
Washington, D.C. (October 17, 2019) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement today after news that Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, died after complications from longstanding health challenges. “There are few leaders, in this Congress or in the world, with the strength and integrity to consistently stand on their values and lead with the interests of others as their primary focus. That kind of … Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Representatives Malinowski and Watson Coleman Demand Suspension of PennEast Pipeline Construction
(Ewing, NJ) Today, Representatives Tom Malinowski (NJ-7) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting it immediately issue a stop work order for all of PennEast’s land-clearing and construction-related activities. This request is in response to the decision made by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on September 10, 2019, which barred the PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC from utilizing eminent domain authority to seize land … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution Recognizing September as "National Suicide Prevention Month"
Washington, D.C. (September 24, 2019) - Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Since 2008, suicide has been a leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 34, second only to accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 1.3 million suicide attempts each year resulting in over 47,000 deaths. The risk of suicide is especially high in the … Continue Reading
September 20, 2019
Watson Coleman Leads Introduction of Resolution Recognizing Contributions of REACH Program
Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2019) — Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) joined with Tri-Caucus Chairs Karen Bass (D-Ca), Joaquin Castro (D-Tx) and Judy Chu (D-Ca), along with Reps. Tom Cole (R-Ok), Barbara Lee (D-Ca), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Ca) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) to introduce H.Res. 570, a resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, or REACH, program. “Racial and … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Grant to Rebuild Trenton’s Donnelly Homes
Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2019) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, announced that the City of Trenton had received a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant will fund the creation of a transformation plan for Donnelly Homes, the largest public housing development in Trenton, and the … Continue Reading
August 23, 2019
Rep. Watson Coleman Helps Secure $925K Grant from Department of Housing and Urban Development for Lead Removal
Washington, D.C. (August 23, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, announced that the City of Trenton had received critical Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants to identify and reduce lead-based pain hazards in thousands of older public housing units. The Trenton Housing Authority was awarded $925,000 dollars to support its effort to remove lead paint from its … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Watson Coleman on Justice Department’s Decision to Resume Executions
Washington, DC (July 25, 2019) - Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) made the following statement in response to reports of the Justice Department’s decision to resume executions of federal prisoners after a 16-year hiatus. “The Justice Department’s decision to resume execution of federal inmates is either a continuation of the President’s campaign of chaos and distraction from his ongoing legal troubles or the result of a philosophy rooted in cruelty and division. Whatever the … Continue Reading
July 19, 2019
Watson Coleman Statement on the Passing of Former Staffer Joe Delaney
Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement on the death of Joseph Delaney, who previously served as a constituent services representative in her Ewing office. “Few people are willing to devote themselves to the service and aid of others, without seeking praise or self-promotion. That’s exactly what Joe did, as a member of my own team and on others. He built meaningful connections everywhere he went, and brought a light … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
Schiff, Watson Coleman Introduce PrEP Access and Coverage Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced the PrEP Access and Coverage Act to expand access to and insurance coverage of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), the proven HIV prevention drug. The bill would create a grant program to fund uninsured patients’ access to this critical medication, and would cover services related to treatment. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced the … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Raise the Wage Act, Increasing Pay for Up to 33 Million American Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act, landmark legislation to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 over six years. According to independent economic analysis, the bill would increase pay for up to 33 million American workers. The Raise the Wage Act is an important step toward delivering on House Democrats’ promise to restore the value of work and raise wages for American workers. “Earlier this year, Governor … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Watson Coleman Announces 2019 Congressional App Challenge Launch
Washington, DC (July 15, 2019) - Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman is excited to announce that her office will be participating in the Congressional App Challenge, an app competition for students in middle and high schools across the country. Students who reside or attend school within New Jersey’s 12th district are eligible to compete. “The Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for students to showcase their creative abilities within the world of STEM education,” said Watson … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Congresswomen Take Steps to Prevent Automotive Insurance Discrimination with the PAID Act
Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2019) - Today, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a bill to ensure insurance companies use only driving records in determining car insurance rates and eligibility. The Prohibit Auto Insurance Discrimination Act, or PAID Act, would end the use of income, education levels, and other factors unrelated to driving history and ability, preventing insurance companies from using these details to raise rates for low income … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution to Acknowledge Disparities in Mental Health Care
Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2019) — Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced a resolution calling for more research by the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities into racial disparities in diagnosing and treating mental health among youth. H.Res. 480 is intended to raise awareness for and address deficiencies in access to mental health care for young people of color, acknowledging lower rates of treatment … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
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