Press Releases
Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Support Inclusion of Community Disaster Loan Cancellation in House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) applauded the inclusion of language in the Fiscal Year 2021 House Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would extend the opportunity for institutions that received Community Disaster Loans (CDLs) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Superstorm Sandy to have those loans cancelled. The language would also extend cancellation to CDLs received in the current COVID-19 public health … Continue Reading
July 14, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud Fix to Sandy Relief Funds in House THUD Appropriations Bill
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee agreed to an amendment from Watson Coleman that would allow the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to waive recoupment of disaster relief provided to families after Superstorm Sandy. Families may qualify for waivers if the recipient has died, if they were defrauded, filed for bankruptcy or experienced foreclosure, or received assistance … Continue Reading
July 08, 2020
Watson Coleman, Pascrell, Sires Announce Extension of Hurricane Sandy Funds
Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Bill Pascrell (NJ-9), and Albio Sires (NJ-8) announced the extension of the expiration date for funding to rebuild and ensure resilience in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. $15 million from the National Disaster Resilience Competition, $230 million for a project across Hoboken, Weehawken and Jersey City, and $150 million for a project in the Meadowlands area slated to expire in 2022 will now remain accessible until 2025 under language included in the … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Watson Coleman, Omar Introduce Bill for Direct Job Creation As Millions Continue to Reel from Coronavirus Unemployment
July 2, 2020 - Today, Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced the introduction of (H.R. 7477) the Workforce Promotion and Access (WPA) Act, legislation aimed at getting more Americans back to work in living-wage jobs created directly by the federal government. The bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Labor to create a job guarantee program through grants to states, localities and tribal entities where unemployment is greater than 10% OR double the national … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Watson Coleman Statement on Justice in Policing Passage in the House
Washington, DC — Following the passage of H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement pointing out the urgent need for the measure, and the bill’s comprehensive transparency and accountability reforms. “This country is finally waking up to the realities of life for Black Americans: constant, systemic, and built-in biases, massive disparities from health to wages, and a … Continue Reading
June 16, 2020
Watson Coleman to Trump on Executive Order: “We Know What We Need and This Isn’t It.”
Following news that President Donald Trump would sign an executive order on policing practices, after weeks of inaction, violent orders to clear protestors, and comments that encouraged police aggression against peaceful demonstrators, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement: “There’s been a chorus of voices calling out the ineptitude, backward thinking and dereliction of duty Trump has shown in his handling of the national outcry for justice for Black people. To spend … Continue Reading
May 29, 2020
Watson Coleman Statement on Nationwide Protests in the Wake of George Floyd’s Death
Following overnight protests and violence in the wake of the death of George Floyd as a result of excessive police force in Minneapolis, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement: “Every single person, in Minneapolis and well beyond, who has taken to the streets in the wake of the filmed murder of George Floyd has done so because they understand that Black people are not safe. We are not safe when we go for runs, like Ahmaud Arberry. We are not safe when we are in our … Continue Reading
May 29, 2020
DeLauro, Scott, Murray, Watson Coleman, Members Introduce $50 Billion Child Care Stabilization Fund Legislation
Wednesday, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, introduced new … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
Watson Coleman Votes for the Heroes Act
Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2020) - Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman applauded the passage of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, legislation that makes emergency supplemental appropriations related to combating the COVID-19 pandemic. “Over the past weeks, my office has been bombarded with phone calls from families who’ve lost work, who are trying to keep their businesses afloat, who are worried about the risks of reporting to their next work shift. As these calls for help have poured in, I’ve urged … Continue Reading
May 12, 2020
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