Press Releases
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
February 14, 2019
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