Press Releases
Watson Coleman Announces New Bill to Improve Vets' Access to Healthcare
For Immediate Release: Ewing, NJ (November 11, 2015) ― During remarks at Mercer County Community College's Veterans Day Program today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced new legislation aimed at improving veterans' access to health care and simultaneously addressing the closure of medical centers in underserved areas. The Veterans Affairs Public-Private Leasing Partnership Study Act of 2015 would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the feasibility of entering … Continue Reading
November 06, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on Denial of Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
For Immediate Release Ewing, New Jersey (November 6, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after the Administration announced it would deny the permit for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline: "President Obama's decision to support clean energy by denying the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline is exactly the kind of leadership our nation needs. There is no guarantee that the oil pumped through this pipeline would have stayed here in … Continue Reading
November 04, 2015
Watson Coleman Named to Republican's Select Committee to Attack Women's Health
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (November 4, 2015) ― Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced the appointment of six Democratic Members of Congress to the Republican's Select Committee to Attack Women's Health, including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). "This Committee is an affront to the hardworking American families who elected us to fight for policies that would move our nation forward ― things like wages that would help them make ends meet or an … Continue Reading
November 02, 2015
Watson Coleman Praises Senate Action on Healthy MOM Act
For Immediate Release Washington DC (November 2, 2015) ― Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) praised Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for introducing the Senate version of the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act, legislation originally authored by Watson Coleman that would create a special enrollment period allowing pregnant individuals to enroll in, or make a change to, their health insurance coverage. “Expecting mothers deserve the ability to offer their … Continue Reading
October 28, 2015
Watson Coleman: We Should Not Have to Ask Whether the Student Provoked the Officer, Because There Are No Circumstances in Which His Actions Are Acceptable
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (OCTOBER 28, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after Richland County, South Carolina officials announced the termination of Deputy Ben Fields' employment following videos of a violent interaction between Fields and a student at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina: "I could barely watch the video of the young girl being attacked by Deputy Ben Fields in her own classroom. The actions of Deputy … Continue Reading
October 01, 2015
Watson Coleman Questions Continued Investigations of Planned Parenthood, Benghazi
For Immediate Release WATSON COLEMAN QUESTIONS CONTINUED INVESTIGATIONS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD, BENGHAZI Washington, DC (October 1, 2015) ― Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement today after comments from Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (UT-3) indicated no viable reason to continue an investigation of Planned Parenthood, or the existence of the Select Committee on … Continue Reading
August 27, 2015
Watson Coleman Announces Support for Iran Nuclear Agreement
For Immediate Release Ewing, NJ (August 27, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced her support for the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to prevent a nuclear armed Iran: "Since the release of the text, I have carefully considered the details of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1 countries and Iran. I have attended numerous classified briefings with Administration officials, met with constituents on both sides of the issue, … Continue Reading
August 27, 2015
Watson Coleman Announces Support of Iran Nuclear Agreement
For Immediate Release Ewing, NJ (August 27, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced her support for the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to prevent a nuclear armed Iran: "Since the release of the text, I have carefully considered the details of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1 countries and Iran. I have attended numerous classified briefings with Administration officials, met with constituents on both sides of the issue, and … Continue Reading
August 13, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on AG Investigation of Radazz Hearns Shooting
For Immediate Release Ewing, NJ (August 13, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the New Jersey Attorney General's office continuing investigation into Friday's shooting of Radazz Hearns by New Jersey State Troopers and a Mercer County Sheriff's Officer: "It is tragic to see any young person injured by gunfire, so I am deeply relieved at reports that Radazz is in stable condition, and I pray for his speedy and full recovery. Moving … Continue Reading
August 06, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (August 6, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act's signing by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965: "The 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act is a sober and bittersweet reminder that much of the battle for the right to vote still remains before us. Unfortunately, Congress has thus far failed to reauthorize the critical protections the Voting … Continue Reading
July 24, 2015
Watson Coleman Joins Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism
For Immediate Release: Washington, DC (July 24, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announced her cosponsorship of H.Res.130, a resolution condemning the rise of anti-Semitism in the European Union and encouraging greater cooperation in combating anti-Semitic trends: "With the alarming uptick in anti-Semitic violence and rhetoric seen recently in Europe, it's critical that the U.S. use its position as a world leader to denounce such actions, and push every one of our allies to … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on Final P5+1 Nuclear Agreement
For Immediate Release: Washington, DC (July 14, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after P5+1 negotiators reached consensus on a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran: "I am encouraged by the administration's efforts to use diplomacy to reach an agreement that has the potential to create a lasting peace and disarm one of the world's most concerning actors. While this deal gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the … Continue Reading
June 25, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on TAA/AGOA Package
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (June 25, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after the House passed legislation that included Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): "I proudly opposed Fast Track authority each time it came before the House. Unfortunately, now that Fast Track has passed, it is my responsibility to ensure that American workers have the resources to overcome the consequences of bad trade deals. That's why I voted in favor of … Continue Reading
June 25, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on King v. Burwell Decision
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (June 25, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court announced its ruling in King v. Burwell: "The Supreme Court's decision in this case is a win for families in New Jersey and across the country who now know that they'll be able to keep their insurance plans and continue access affordable healthcare. "Conservatives have taken the Affordable Care Act to the Supreme Court twice, and both … Continue Reading
June 23, 2015
Watson Coleman Introduces Bill Improving Access to Health Insurance for Pregnant Women
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (June 23, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine (Healthy MOM) Act, legislation that would create a special, 60-day enrollment window for pregnant women to enroll in or upgrade a health insurance plan provided through Healthcare.gov, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) or her employer. The bill, which has 78 original cosponsors, has received endorsements from the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2015
Watson Coleman Drone Bill Passes in the House
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (June 23, 2015) ― Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1646, the Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee's Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittee. Rep. Watson Coleman is the third House Freshman Democrat to succeed in passing legislation on the House floor. "I introduced this bill with the … Continue Reading
June 18, 2015
Watson Coleman Statement on Charleston, SC Shooting
For Immediate Release: Washington, DC (June 18, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on the tragic deaths of nine individuals at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC: "My heart is heavy this morning with the knowledge that nine people, who had gathered to worship and immerse themselves in God's word, were viciously murdered last night in Charleston, within the walls of one of our nation's most historic African … Continue Reading
June 16, 2015
Watson Coleman Applauds the "Democracy Act"
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (June 16, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement after Democratic New Jersey state lawmakers introduced the "Democracy Act," aimed at increasing voter turnout and providing additional opportunities to vote in the state: "I applaud my former colleagues for introducing this bill, and for their continued effort to place New Jersey ahead of the national curve. This is an issue that both the Black and Latino Caucuses … Continue Reading
June 12, 2015
Watson Coleman on TPA and TAA: "My constituents deserve better."
For Immediate Release Washington, DC (June 12, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement in opposition to legislation that would provide for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA or fast-track authority) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement: "Free trade is a pillar of our economy and vital in my home state, but sweeping trade agreements like the one we're negotiating right now have decimated … Continue Reading
June 04, 2015
Watson Coleman Votes Against Cuba Travel Amendment to Transportation Appropriations Bill
For Immediate Release: Washington, DC (June 4, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement after voting against the Lee-Sanford amendment to the FY 2016 Transportation Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which would allow air and sea travel between the United States and Cuba: "Normalizing relations with Cuba is an issue with significant civil rights, social justice, and national security implications, and many voices with valid opinions on … Continue Reading