Press Releases
Watson Coleman Statement on Appointment of Tahesha Way as Lieutenant Governor
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement on the appointment of Tahesha Way as New Jersey's 3rd Lieutenant Governor: "I celebrate Secretary Tahesha Way's appointment as New Jersey's Lieutenant Governor. With his choice, Governor Murphy continues to build the best possible team to serve the people of New Jersey through experienced and diverse leadership. “Tahesha Way has tirelessly and skillfully executed her mission as Secretary of State, best exemplified … Continue Reading
September 07, 2023
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Board of Public Works President Joe Fiordaliso
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement upon the passing of Board of Public Works President Joe Fiordaliso: "Joe Fiordaliso was a state institution. He had a big sense of humor, big personality, and an even bigger heart. Everyone who knew him has a story of Joe's kindness. We will miss him … Continue Reading
August 29, 2023
Rep Watson Coleman Statement on Ruling to Keep Elizabeth Detention Center Open
Today, following the US District Court's decision in CoreCivic v. Phil Murphy, finding in favor of CoreCivic to keep the Elizabeth Detention Center open, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) made the following statement. "I'm deeply disappointed with the Court's decision. Its reference to the difficulty of ICE to find a replacement facility in the given time ignores the fact that AB 5207 was passed more than 2 years ago. The ruling's statement that AB 5207's effect would … Continue Reading
August 25, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Leads New Jersey Delegation Letter Calling on Department of Justice to Rescind its Support for CoreCivic Lawsuit
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) along with 9 other members of the New Jersey delegation sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling on the Department of Justice to rescind its support for CoreCivic, a private prison company, in its lawsuit against the State of New Jersey to overturn a 2021 law which prohibits state and local entities from entering into agreements with private detention facilities to detain noncitizens. The law, AB 5207, was signed by Governor … Continue Reading
August 23, 2023
Reps Watson Coleman and Kim Host Constituent Services Fair
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) hosted a Constituent Services Fair at the Mercer County Office Park in Ewing, New Jersey. Representatives from 42 agencies and local elected officials provided assistance to over 100 constituents from the Mercer County area. This is the fourth Constituent Services Fair held by Congresswoman Watson Coleman in 2023. “One of my greatest responsibilities as a Member of Congress is to aid … Continue Reading
August 08, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Secures $715,000 in Funding for Delaware River Basin Commission
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) visited the Trenton Boat Launch along the Delaware River, joined by New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and invited guests. The Congresswoman secured $715,000 in funding that will support several DRBC programs to provide clean, sustainable, secure, and … Continue Reading
August 03, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $631,500 Grant for Doula Training by the Children's Home Society of New Jersey
More than 80 maternal health care professionals, hospital administrators, funders, new mothers, some with their infants, and elected officials gathered at the Children's Home Society of New Jersey to celebrate federal funding to expand doula services and training in Trenton and Mercer County. "New Jersey's infant and maternal mortality rate has long been a disgrace for our state. The mortality rates for Black and Hispanic mothers in New Jersey are especially shameful and are equivalent to … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement on the passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver: I am devastated by the news of the passing of our Lieutenant Governor, my dear friend, Sheila Oliver. I’ve been blessed to know and work with Sheila for many decades, dating back to my time in the Executive Branch and her work with the Newark Coalition for Low Income Housing. She was a fierce advocate for the economically disadvantaged, for equal … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and John Rutherford Introduce Legislation to Equip Public Housing Units with Fire Sprinklers
Washington, D.C. (July 27, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and John Rutherford (FL-05) reintroduced the Public Housing Fire Safety Act. The bipartisan legislation provides funding for public housing authorities to equip older units with sprinkler systems, improving the safety of residents and local communities. American families are the foundation of our country and more than worth the investment. The Public Housing Fire Safety Act will provide homes with much … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Reps. Watson Coleman, Gallego Introduce The SHADE Act To Combat Rising Temperatures In Cities
Washington, D.C. (July 20, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) introduced the Saving Hazardous and Declining Environments Act (SHADE Act). This legislation would create a grant program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to plant trees in formerly redlined districts and other overburdened communities. This summer, the U.S. has seen historic and sustained extreme heat, with severe temperatures posing a … Continue Reading
July 13, 2023
Trenton Old Barracks Museum Awarded $750,000 Grant for Historic Preservation
Washington, DC (July 13, 2023) - Today, the National Park Service awarded $10 million in the second round of funding from the Semiquincentennial Grant Program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. These grants include $750,000 for preservation of the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, NJ. Created by Congress in 2020 and funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, this round of grants will support 20 cultural resource … Continue Reading
June 30, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Renaming the National School Lunch Program Act
Washington, DC (June 30, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Al Green (TX-09) introduced the Renaming the National School Lunch Program Act. This bill would rename the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) after Jean E. Fairfax, a civil rights icon who played an instrumental role in the integration of public schools in the South and helped overhaul the National School Lunch Program to serve poor children more fairly. Jean E. Fairfax created and led the … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Rep Watson Coleman Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Precedent on Affirmative Action
Ewing, NJ (June 29, 2023) - Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus's Policing, Constitution, and Equality Task Force released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn precedent and end affirmative action: I am appalled by the decision of the Supreme Court to eliminate the right of universities and colleges to address … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, EPA Regional Administrator Garcia, NJDEP Commissioner LaTaurette, Mayor Gusciora Announce $2 Million Grant to Clean Up New Methods Cleaners Brownfields Site
Trenton, NJ (June 29, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Trenton, New Jersey will get nearly $2 million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to clean up a former industrial site in Trenton, New Jersey while advancing environmental justice. This award is part of … Continue Reading
June 27, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Customer Non-Discrimination Act
Washington, DC (June 27, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Customer Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that ensures fair treatment for LGBTQ+ Americans in public spaces and commercial services open to the public. The bill, also included as a provision of the Equality Act, adds sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity to the prohibitions on discrimination covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Most Americans, be they LGBTQ+ or straight, … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Resolution Recognizing the Importance of Intersectionality for Abortion Access
Washington, D.C. (June 23, 2023) – Today, co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), introduced a resolution that acknowledges the importance of intersectionality for abortion access. The resolution recognizes that women of lower socioeconomic standing and women of racial and ethnic minority status are at the highest risk when abortion is restricted. Expanding access to our most vulnerable … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Stay Cool Act to Better Prepare Communities to Address Heat Emergencies
Washington, D.C. (June 22, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Stay Cool Act, a package of proposals for addressing the increased threat of heat emergencies by improving how we study, react to, and mitigate extreme heat. The Stay Cool Act is a first-of-its-kind comprehensive bill that studies and addresses rising surface temperatures across the United States in order to provide safer living conditions for all communities. This week, temperatures in … Continue Reading
June 17, 2023
Congresswomen Watson Coleman, Bush Joint Statement on 52nd Anniversary of War on Drugs
Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2023) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released a joint statement on the 52nd Anniversary of the War on Drugs announcing the reintroduction of the Drug Policy Reform Act: “52 years ago, President Richard Nixon initiated a violent, racist campaign against Black and brown communities in this country. From the start, the War on Drugs has been about suppressing the voices and lives of the marginalized, not … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Resolution Calling for Russia's Immediate Release of Princeton Native Evan Gershkovich
Washington, DC (June 13, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted in favor of H. Res. 377, a resolution calling for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a journalist and Princeton, NJ native who has been detained by the Russian government since March 2023. The resolution passed the House of Representatives unanimously. "The continued detention of Evan Gershkovich is completely unacceptable and must come to an end,” said Watson Coleman. “He must … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Shalanda Young’s Involvement with the Debt Ceiling Deal
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding OMB Director Shalanda Young’s involvement with the Bipartisan Budget Deal: “Since the beginning of Shalanda Young’s involvement with the Appropriations Committee, she displayed exactly what Shirley Chisholm was talking about when she said, ‘You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing … Continue Reading