Press Releases
Representatives Ansari and Watson Coleman Introduce Mental Health Emergency Package, Lifesaving Legislation on World Mental Health Day
Today, on World Mental Health Day, Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a comprehensive Mental Health Emergency Package—three pieces of legislation that would expand access to life-saving care, reduce reliance on law enforcement for behavioral health emergencies, and demonstrate our shared commitment to ensuring every young person and family has the support they need. “In Arizona and across the country, families are navigating a worsening mental … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Releases Statement on the Announcement of a Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding the announcement that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a new ceasefire and hostage deal: Two years ago, on October 7, 2023, Hamas’s attack on southern Israel represented the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. Over 1,000 Israelis lost their lives and 251 others were kidnapped. These attacks caused great pain for many of our neighbors in the 12th District. Since … Continue Reading
October 03, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Releases Statement on Global Samud Flotilla
Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement after the Israeli Navy intercepted and confiscated civilian boats that were part of the Global Samud Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Egypt. The flotilla, which had left ports in Spain, Tunisia, Italy, and Greece, consisted of over 40 civilian vessels crewed by approximately 440 volunteers from 47 countries, including at least 20 from the United States, and was transporting food and other humanitarian … Continue Reading
October 01, 2025
Members of New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation Release Joint Statement on Recent Halting of Billions of Approved DOT Funding for Crucial New Jersey Projects
Today, New Jersey delegation members including U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement opposing the recently announced decision by the Department of Transportation to halt previously allocated federal dollars that would have gone … Continue Reading
September 30, 2025
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Troy Carter (LA-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-02) introduced the bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act, legislation originally championed by the late Congressman Donald Payne Jr. The bill eliminates Medicare coinsurance requirements for colorectal cancer screening tests, ensuring that patients are not charged out-of-pocket costs for a diagnosis or procedure that results from a screening. By eliminating this requirement, the … Continue Reading
September 30, 2025
Reps. Aderholt, Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Mint $2.50 Coin for America’s 250th Birthday
Today, Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan $2.50 for America’s 250 Act alongside fellow America 250 Commissioners Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Dwight Evans (D-PA). Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced companion legislation in the Senate with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) as cosponsors. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue two … Continue Reading
September 23, 2025
Reps. Young Kim and Bonnie Watson Coleman Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Promote Children’s Emotional Wellness
Today, Congresswomen Young Kim (CA-40) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month and raise awareness around children’s emotional health. 1 in 5 children in America struggle with emotional, mental, or behavioral disorders, yet only 20 percent receive specialized care. This resolution aims to highlight the challenges faced by children and encourage national awareness, support, and improved access … Continue Reading
September 23, 2025
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution to Recognize the Continuing Disparities in Black Youth Mental Health Access and Treatment
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a resolution recognizing the continuing disparities in mental health access and treatment for Black youth. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents across this country. Despite the overall youth suicide rate moving toward a downward trend, the suicide rate for Black youth remains higher in most publicly reported data. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, from 2007 to 2023, the suicide … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Charlie Kirk GOP Resolution
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding her decision not to support the divisive resolution on Charlie Kirk put forward by Speaker Johnson: As I expressed last week following Charlie Kirk’s horrifying assassination, my heart goes out to Mr. Kirk’s family and loved ones. The loss of anyone in such a violent manner is tragic and sadly all too common. It has raised important issues including the need to address gun violence, political violence, … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Convenes House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty, convened the first meeting of task force members to discuss policy solutions to rising poverty throughout the United States. Rep. Watson Coleman was joined by Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar; Rep. Sara Jacobs; Rep. Rashida Tlaib; Rep. Maxine Dexter; Rep. Madeleine Dean; Rep. LaMonica McIver; Rep. Gwen Moore; and Rep. Bobby Scott. “Today, more than 37 million people in the United States … Continue Reading
August 28, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Denounces Firing of CDC Director, Calls for removal of HHS Secretary Kennedy
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement upon news that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. had fired CDC Director Susan Monarez, less than four weeks after her confirmation. In addition, At least four top CDC officials announced their resignations, including Dr. Debra Houry, the Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Dr. Daniel Jernigan, the … Continue Reading
August 22, 2025
Watson Coleman Statement on Yesterday's ICE Operations in Trenton
Following yesterday’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Trenton, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) called for the release of Julio Lopez Najera, a Trenton resident with a pending green card application. Mr. Lopez Najera has been detained since early Thursday morning and is currently being held at Delaney Hall. “Julio is an upstanding member of this community. He has been working, supporting his family with a pending application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration … Continue Reading
July 25, 2025
Famine in Gaza
Conngresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement in response to reports of widespread famine in the Gaza Strip. "What we are witnessing in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster beyond measure. We have arrived at this point - a population pushed to the brink of starvation - through the use of military force, funded by US tax dollars. "The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has for months, obstructed aid, targeted food distribution sites, and treated … Continue Reading
July 22, 2025
Plainfield Mayor, State Senator, Office of Rep. Watson Coleman Join Advocates to Call for Climate Superfund Act Following Deadly Floods
In the wake of deadly back-to-back storms in Plainfield, staff of Rep, Watson Coleman, local officials, and climate advocates gathered Tuesday afternoon outside City Hall to demand the funding of NOAA, FEMA and the National Weather Service and swift passage of the New Jersey Climate Superfund Act. The event featured Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, State Senator John McKeon — the bill’s prime sponsor — and other local leaders calling on Governor Murphy and the legislature to hold Big Oil … Continue Reading
July 18, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Defense Appropriations Bill
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after voting against the Defense Appropriations bill in the House of Representatives: “Today I voted against a bitterly partisan Defense Department funding bill that strengthens Russia’s hand against Ukraine, weakens democracy at home and abroad, and reduces military readiness by denying crucial medical care to servicemembers. “The Department of Defense has never passed an … Continue Reading
July 17, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes Against Package of Crypto Bills
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted against a package of bills that would have set a dangerous lack of regulation of the crypto industry. “These bills are a scam to help President Trump cash in on his crypto dealings. Trump has been lobbying members of Congress to pass these laws to make himself and his family richer while he’s President. Since launching his crypto ventures, President Trump and his family have gotten half a billion dollars richer off their schemes by … Continue Reading
July 10, 2025
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and John Rutherford Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Equip Public Housing Units with Fire Sprinklers
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05) have reintroduced the Public Housing Fire Safety Act, a bipartisan bill that provides critical funding for public housing authorities to install fire sprinkler systems in older government-owned high-rise buildings. The legislation addresses a growing public safety issue by helping protect vulnerable residents in buildings constructed before modern fire safety requirements. The Public Housing Fire Safety Act … Continue Reading
July 02, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on GOP’s Big Ugly Billionaire Bailout Bill that Attacks Healthcare, Working Families, and Vulnerable Communities
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement ahead of the House vote on the GOP’s Big Ugly reconciliation bill: I am appalled at the cruelty on display during what should be a week of reflection, celebration and recommitment of our nation’s pursuit for a more perfect union. Republicans are making clear they have no interest in governing for the people who rely on us most. This bill threatens healthcare for seniors and children, strips food assistance … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Impacting Birthright Citizenship Order
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court ruling on the case impacting Birthright Citizenship: “This is a shameful abdication of responsibility by the majority on the Court. To issue this ruling on nationwide injunctions without considering the merits of the underlying birthright citizenship order thrusts millions of Americans into uncertainty and chaos. “Issuing this opinion without addressing the inherently nationwide issue of … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces The SHADE Act To Combat Rising Temperatures In Cities
Washington, D.C. (July 26, 2025) - Today, as extreme heat and humidity make for dangerous conditions across the country, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Saving Hazardous and Declining Environments Act (SHADE Act). This legislation would establish a grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to plant trees in formerly redlined districts and communities experiencing intra-urban heat islands. This summer, the U.S. has seen historic and … Continue Reading