Press Releases
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Five-Year Anniversary of DACA Program and Commemoration of Immigrant Heritage Month
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the below statement on the five year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In addition, Watson Coleman celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month in new video message.On DACA Anniversary:“Five years ago, when President Obama created the DACA program, he simultaneously enabled its beneficiaries to come out of the shadows and become engaged participants in our communities and our country. This program has not only … Continue Reading
June 14, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Congressional Baseball Shooting
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement after a gunman opened fire on a practice for the Congressional Baseball game: “I am sending an abundance of prayers to my colleague Rep. Steve Scalise, U.S. Capitol Police, staff and all those affected by this morning’s vicious attack. The bravery and dedication of our first responders is to be revered and, as law enforcement works through the details of this cowardly attack on our nation’s public servants, I thank them … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Statement Regarding The Confirmation Of Judge Neil Gorsuch As Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released this statement following the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court: “It is sad that Senate Republicans had to resort to permanently changing Senate rules to confirm a Supreme Court nominee that was so extreme he couldn't garner a strong bipartisan consensus of support. Concerns about Judge Gorsuch reached beyond party politics, including his troubling legal record on women's reproductive … Continue Reading
May 31, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement after it was reported that the Trump Administration will pull out of the landmark, 195-signatory Paris Climate Agreement: “Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is just the latest example of his Administration’s hostility towards facts and science. This reckless and short-sighted action, sadly, reinforces President Trump’s commitment to skirting our national responsibility for climate … Continue Reading
May 19, 2017
Rep. DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Reduce Congestion at TSA Screening Checkpoints
In advance of one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation with Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for Transportation and Protective Security Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) that would help ease congestion and long lines at TSA screening checkpoints at airports. In 2013, Congress began diverting … Continue Reading
May 15, 2017
Thompson, Payne, Watson Coleman Inquire on Newark CBP Hazing & Sexual Assault Allegations
Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) sent a letter to the Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding media reports revealing allegations of longtime sexual assault and crude hazing by CBP Officers at Newark Liberty International Airport. In the letter the Members write: “There is no place for this type of conduct at CBP or anywhere … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Attorney General Sessions Guidance to Federal Prosecutors
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on guidance issued yesterday by Attorney General Sessions that orders federal prosecutors to pursue the toughest charges and sentences for crime suspects, including those suspected of non-violent, low-level drug offenses: “Coretta Scott King feared that the confirmation of Jeff Sessions would have a “devastating effect on the judicial system”, and with this recent guidance to federal prosecutors, that fear has been … Continue Reading
May 11, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Reports of Leak in Unfinished Dakota Access Pipeline
“The reports of an oil leak from the unfinished Dakota Access Pipeline, sadly reaffirms the projects' severe threat to our environment and the surrounding communities. Last year, Americans from across the nation braved deadly winter conditions and violent suppression by law enforcement alongside the Standing Rock Sioux community to draw attention to the serious health, safety, and cultural risks associated with this project - risks that were being disregarded by regulators. On April 6, … Continue Reading
May 10, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Abrupt, Suspicious Firing of FBI Director James Comey
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement after President Donald Trump abruptly fired Federal Bureau of Investigations Director James Comey: “On the heels of FBI Director James Comey’s testimony that confirmed an active investigation into this Administration’s ties to Russia, business entanglements and conflicts of interest - … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Condemns the House Passage of TrumpCare
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the House passage of TrumpCare: “The premature victory lap at White House is the latest illustration that this President and his backslappers in Congress care more about politics than the wellbeing of the constituents they swore to protect. While at the White House, House Republicans and the President celebrated the House vote for TrumpCare - an effective slap in the face to millions of men, … Continue Reading
April 24, 2017
In Letter, Watson Coleman Requests Clear DHS Guidance on DACA
Ewing, NJ - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Vice Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, requesting clarification on policies toward individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Following reports of the deportation of Juan Manuel Montes, a 23-year old DACA recipient from California, the letter highlights contradictory statements made by senior officials on current … Continue Reading
April 19, 2017
In Letter, Watson Coleman Urges Senators to Oppose Garrett Nomination to ExIm Bank
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, with support from all democratic members of the New Jersey congressional delegation, sent a letter to Senate Major Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to oppose the confirmation of Former U.S. Representative Scott Garrett to lead the Export-Import Bank. The letter highlights statements made by Garrett “deems him unfit to assume the role of President and carry forth its mission to facilitate the export of U.S. … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Watson Coleman Statement on U.S. Airstrikes in Syria
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released this statement after U.S. forces conducted a tomahawk missile strike targeting a Syrian government airfield, following a brutal chemical weapons attack perpetrated by the Assad Regime: “We need to take decisive steps to combat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s war crimes, but Congress has a Constitutional duty to ensure a calculated and warranted response - especially when that response requires military action. We honor and pray … Continue Reading
March 24, 2017
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Statement on the Failure of TrumpCare
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) made the following statement following the Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision to bring H.R. 1628 “The American Health Care Act” to the House Floor for a vote: “It looks like Speaker Ryan finally, albeit briefly, came to his senses in his decision to pull the vote on the GOP’s dangerous and inhumane health care bill. TrumpCare, as it stands, will cost 41,400 of my constituents their health coverage and the Republican cuts to Medicaid will … Continue Reading
March 16, 2017
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Statement on President Trump’s FY2018 Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s FY2018 Budget proposal: “This budget proposal makes it abundantly clear that President Trump is not only furthering his attacks on working mothers and fathers and vulnerable communities, but he also seeks to halt the innovation, investments, and resources that have truly made our nation great. Funneling billions of dollars into military spending at the expense of our nation’s … Continue Reading
March 09, 2017
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to Host Income Tax Assistance Resource Awareness Event
On March 22, the office of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, in partnership with the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, will host local partners to inform constituents on federal resources available to assist in filing taxes ahead of the April 18 deadline. Representatives from United Way of Greater Mercer Co., AARP and Rutgers University Low Income Tax Clinic will participate and inform constituents on relevant services available. The event will begin at 1p.m. at the Boys … Continue Reading
March 03, 2017
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Announces Inaugural ‘&Girls’ Conference, Activist & Writer Jamilah Lemieux to Keynote
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) announced that Jamilah Lemieux, Vice President of News and Men's Programming for Interactive One and outspoken champion of Black women and girls, will deliver the keynote address at her inaugural ‘& Girls’ Conference in Princeton, NJ. This event, hosted on behalf of the Congressional Caucus for Black Women & Girls, will take place on April 1 at Princeton University, McCosh Hall, 50 McCosh Circle Princeton, NJ … Continue Reading
March 01, 2017
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Statement on Trump Address to Joint Session of Congress
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement in response to President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. “Donald Trump is treating the presidency like a reality TV show when the livelihood of the American people is at stake. What millions of American witnessed on camera tonight is window dressing for the divisive proposals championed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress. As he continues to check boxes on promises he has not … Continue Reading
February 28, 2017
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Announces Re-Opening of Plainfield Satellite Office
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced the reopening of her mobile office in Plainfield beginning Wednesday, March 1. This office, open on the first Wednesday of each month, serves as an extension of her Ewing district office will be housed in the City Hall building. This mobile office is dedicated to assisting residents across New Jersey’s twelfth congressional district with a variety of federal matters and providing area residents with convenient access to all their elected … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Fellow New Jersey Lawmakers Pen Letter to FERC on Williams Transco Enhancement Project
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, along with members of the state and local New Jersey government, sent a letter to Cheryl A. LaFleur, Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to express grave concerns regarding the Williams Transco's Northeast Supply Enhancement project and proposed compressor station. "This letter echoes the concern this community has continuously expressed to its federal, state and local elected officials as well as private sector … Continue Reading