Press Releases
Watson Coleman Requests Votes in Lieu of Moment of Silence for Trenton Mass Shooting
In a letter sent today to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) requested recognition for victims of Sunday’s shooting at the Art All Night festival in Trenton in the form of votes on gun violence prevention legislation instead of observing a moment of silence on the House floor. “After the tragedies that have claimed lives in cities across the country, most recently Las Vegas, Parkland, Santa Fe, and Sutherland Springs, we tend to stand quietly in the midst of … Continue Reading
June 17, 2018
Watson Coleman Statement on Shooting at Trenton Art All Night
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement on the shooting at the Art All Night festival in Trenton: “I am saddened and angered at the violence that took place at Art All Night early this morning, and I am praying for all of the families involved, but as I’ve said before, that’s not enough. After every shooting, we talk about motive, mental illness and every other distraction from the real problem — guns. “New Jersey has some of the strongest gun safety … Continue Reading
June 13, 2018
Amid Congressional Action on Opioid Epidemic, Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution Acknowledging the Failures of the War on Drugs
As the House prepares to vote on more than 20 bills aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic over the next two weeks, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) announced a resolution that seeks parity in the treatment of drug use and addiction and a formal apology for the War on Drugs. H.Res. 933 expresses the sense of Congress that the War on Drugs failed, and calls out the disparate treatment of individuals criminalized for drug use — frequently people of color who used crack and cocaine — to ensure … Continue Reading
April 24, 2018
Reps. Watson Coleman, Pallone, Sires and Espaillat Lead Introduction of Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) joined co-sponsors Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) to announce the Handgun Licensing and Registration Act of 2018. This legislation would overturn an outdated 1986 law to build a framework of commonsense standards for handgun gun ownership in the United States by creating a federal licensing and registration process for gun ownership with minimum requirements that: The person seeking gun … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on the Passage of Omnibus Spending Package
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement after voting against the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) omnibus spending bill: “Congress has passed the buck on immigration time and again, even as this administration has taken continuous, aggressive and harmful action against hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including Dreamers who’ve known no other country than this one. I made a commitment that I would not support a funding package until we addressed the glaring shortcomings … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Bill to Improve Transit Security Passes the House
The House of Representatives has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) that would improve security for soft targets in transportation, including rail and bus transit. H.R. 5131, The Surface Transportation and Public Area Security Act of 2018, would protect vital transportation modalities and the people who rely on them. “Surface transportation systems are absolutely vital to the daily lives of millions of Americans. Given their critical importance, it is no … Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Urges Support for Students Participating in Protests
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) sent letters to principals and other school administrators in New Jersey’s 12thCongressional District urging support and encouragement for students who engage in protests and demonstrations for gun violence prevention amid reports that some New Jersey schools had suspended or otherwise punished students for their participation. “Our schools should be institutions that encourage leadership, experiential learning, and civic engagement alongside … Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Rep. Watson Colean Statement on the STOP School Violence Act of 2018
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement on the House’s consideration of H.R. 4909, Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act: “Addressing school violence is a top priority for me, however, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 lacks a number of critical protections in its effort to fund programs and systems that would prevent school violence events. “While I support reauthorization of the Department of Justice’s Secure … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Indictment of 13 Russian Nationals
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller of indictments of Russian businesses and nationals for a criminal conspiracy to interfere with the presidential election in 2016: “Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s indictments are the latest indication that the very fabric of our democracy was attacked and the American people collectively are victims of criminal acts. While our fundamental … Continue Reading
February 12, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement Following Whistleblower Report on Baseless Attacks on Planned Parenthood
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the below statement following the letter sent by Ranking Member Elijah Cummings to the Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Sectary, Eric Hargan. The letter outlines documents regarding an effort by the Trump Administration to allow states to terminate Planned Parenthood as a healthcare provider for Medicaid recipients. “I served on the Select Investigative Panel to Attack Women’s Health that spent more than a year peddling … Continue Reading
February 08, 2018
Reps. Watson Coleman and Pallone Ask ICE to Release Indonesian Christians while Immigration Cases are Pending
Ewing, NJ -Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) asked that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) use its discretion and release Mr. Gunawan Liem of Piscataway, Mr. Roby Sanger of Metuchen and Parlin Sinaga of Woodbridge from ICE custody while their immigration cases are pending. The letter comes after U.S. District Judge Esther Salas ordered a temporary restraining order stopping Immigration and Customs Enforcement from deporting … Continue Reading
January 30, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement Following Trump’s State of the Union Address
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement in response to Trump’s first State of the Union address: “Last year, following the joint session of Congress, I said that Donald Trump is treating the presidency like a reality television show when the livelihood of the American public is at stake - a year later - I feel no different. The American people want real action that will put them back to work, not hollow promises and vague soundbites. Donald Trump … Continue Reading
January 26, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman To Bring Niece of Recy Taylor to State of the Union
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced today that she will bring Rose Gunter, niece of Recy Taylor, as her guest to the State of the Union address. Ms. Gunter was Taylor’s caregiver until she passed away last year at the age of 97. “I am honored that Rose will be joining me for the State of the Union as many members of the Democratic Caucus will be paying tribute to her aunt. Ms. Taylor’s story represents that of many marginalized women who have spoken up, spoken out and have long … Continue Reading
January 22, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement Opposing Stopgap Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the following statement in response to the deal made to end the Trump Shutdown: “I voted no on the continuing resolution because it does nothing to address the priorities that are so critical to New Jerseyans and the American people. The deal agreed to by the Senate does not guarantee funding for essential community health centers, resources to combat the opioid crisis, nor does it protect Dreamers. Quite frankly, I … Continue Reading
January 18, 2018
Reps. Watson Coleman, Kelly, and Cleaver Release Statement on Kenneth Chenault’s appointment to Facebook’s Board of Directors
U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) released these statements regarding Kenneth Chenault’s appointment to Facebook’s Board of Directors: “Kenneth Chenault’s business acumen and record of success is clear, and I am pleased he will bring that experience to Facebook. Mr. Chenault appointment demonstrates that companies like Facebook do not need to sacrifice diversity for quality at their highest and most consequential leadership … Continue Reading
January 12, 2018
Watson Coleman Statement on Trump’s Racist Comments Targeting Immigrants from Africa and Central America
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Vice Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the followings statement in response to reports that Donald Trump attacked immigration from “shithole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador and African countries: “Donald Trump continues to make clear what many of us knew to be true in throughout the 2016 presidential election cycle: he is a racist whose bigotry and ignorance guide his decision-making. For far … Continue Reading
January 10, 2018
Dream Act Now
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, following the temporary nationwide injunction blocking the Trump Administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Vice Ranking Member on the House Homeland Security Committee, met with New Jersey DACA recipients and released the following statement: “Dreamers are an essential thread in the fabric of our nation. These young people make invaluable contributions to communities in New Jersey … Continue Reading
January 08, 2018
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on New Jersey Dept. of Corrections Ban of “The New Jim Crow”
EWING, NJ - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the below statement following reports that at least two New Jersey state prisons have banned inmates from reading Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Aged of Colorblindness: “As long as I have been a lawmaker, I have fought for the “right to life” for the incarcerated. To learn that the New Jersey Department of Corrections has sought to censor a piece of literature that not only exposes the … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on House Passage of the #GOPTaxScam
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the below statement in response to the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in U.S. House of Representatives: “I am extremely disappointed that the House has chosen to push through this enormous tax cut for corporations and the rich at the expense of increasing taxes on middle class New Jersey families. Instead of working with Democrats to reform our tax code, Republicans chose to rush through a partisan … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Senate Rejection of Scott Garrett to Lead ExIm Bank
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) released the below statement following the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs rejecting the nomination of Scott Garrett to lead the Export Import Bank in a 10 to 13 vote: “In rejecting the nomination of Scott Garrett to lead the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Senators - both Democrats & Republicans, alike – affirm how damaging his leadership would be to this vital agency. Throughout his … Continue Reading