Press Releases
Watson Coleman Leads Delegation in Letter to Gov. Murphy, Commits to State and Federal Partnership in Compassionate Response to Migrant Busing
Earlier today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to Governor Phil Murphy, committing to work together on an efficient and compassionate state, local and federal response to the recent drop-off of migrants in New Jersey. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne, Jr. and Robert J. Menendez also signed on to Rep. Watson Coleman’s letter. As part of an ongoing, shameful, and inhumane series of political stunts, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and other southern governors are exploiting … Continue Reading
December 20, 2023
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman Holds Tele-Town Hall
Yesterday, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman held a tele-town hall to hear from neighbors and share updates about her work in Congress and the District on behalf of New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District constituents. Congresswoman Watson Coleman began the town hall by discussing her work to lower costs and upgrade and improve infrastructure across the district including protecting the Delaware River, improving road conditions, and working with the Army Corp of Engineers to protect … Continue Reading
December 19, 2023
Reps Ramirez, Watson Coleman, Underwood, Jacobs, Introduce Resolution Honoring 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and Condemning Hate Crimes
Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51), introduced a resolution honoring Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian boy, murdered as a victim of a hate crime for his Palestinian Muslim identity, in the State of Illinois. The resolution affirms that no one should be a target of hate because of their ethnicity or religion and strongly condemns hate crimes, Islamophobia, antisemitism, … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $400,000 Grant for Roadway Safety Action Plan in Plainfield
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced that the City of Plainfield has been awarded $400,000 as part of the Safe Street and Roads for All Grant. The award will help Plainfield develop its Roadway Safety Action Plan. The Safe Street and Roads for All Grant was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2021. “I’m pleased to announce the awarding of $400,000 in grants … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
REP. WATSON COLEMAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION DENOUNCING HATE AND BIGOTRY IN ALL ITS FORMS
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), anounced the introduction of a resolution denouncing hate in all of its forms. The resolution condemns all representations of discrimination including, racism, islamophobia, antisemitism, transphobia, heterosexism, homophobia, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, ableism, and ethnic or religious bigotry. “This resolution comes at a critical time when incidents of violence and harmful behavior have been on the rise,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson … Continue Reading
December 12, 2023
Watson Coleman, Brown Reintroduce the Healthy MOM Act to Add Special Enrollment Period for Pregnant Mothers
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of legislation to expand healthcare options for expectant mothers. The bill, the Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (Healthy MOM) Act, would ensure that all women eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplaces, as well as women eligible for other individual or group health plan coverage, can access affordable health coverage throughout their pregnancies. The bill would do … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023
Reps. Kean and Watson Coleman’s One Seat Ride Act Passes House
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the One Seat Ride Act (H.R. 1547) 356 - 61. The One Seat Ride Act, led by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and cosponsored by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), would direct the Secretary of Transportation to analyze various obstacles to implementing single-seat trips on certain commuter passenger rail services during ‘peak hours,’ including ‘one-seat-ride' trips on New Jersey’s Raritan Valley line. Currently, Raritan Valley Line … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on House Resolution 894
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement regarding her vote on House Resolution 894: The rising threat of antisemitism and the hateful rhetoric that accompanies it is deeply upsetting and must be addressed in a concrete way. It is unfortunate that the Republican resolution H.Res. 894 does nothing but create a more divisive environment during what is already an emotionally charged time. This resolution offers no solutions. The Republicans who authored it have no … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Commemorate 250 Years of the Nation's Independence
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act. The bipartisan and bicameral bill, part of the nation’s planned Semiquincentennial celebration, would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule and have it buried on the west lawn of the Capitol, to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, the nation’s 500th Anniversary. The contents of the time capsule will be determined by the offices of the Speaker of the … Continue Reading
November 03, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on House Resolution 798
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement regarding her vote on House Resolution 798: I’m deeply disturbed by the sharp rise in anti-semitism in recent years and particularly since the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7th and the resulting hostilities. In recent weeks, I’ve spoken to Jewish leaders in the 12th District and beyond about the fears of members of the Jewish Community. Our Jewish neighbors are scared. They are worried for the safety of … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Watson Coleman Leads Bipartisan Effort to Defeat Effort to Defund Delaware River Cleanup
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led a bipartisan effort to defeat an amendment by Congressman Scott Perry to defund the Delaware River Basin Commission. The amendment would have defunded the DRBC in response to its work protecting the Delaware River basin from high volume hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking.” Since its creation by President Kennedy in 1961, the Delaware River Basin Commission has helped clean up what was once one of the most polluted rivers in the … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Watson Coleman Statement on Rising Hate, Islamophobia, and Anti-Semitism
"As I’ve been working with my colleagues to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, I have also made time to listen to the experiences and needs of many of our Muslim and Jewish community leaders during this devastating time. "Two things have been made abundantly clear: the bloodshed of innocents caught in this war must stop so that we can focus on facilitating a lasting and peaceful solution; and we must secure the safety of our Muslim and Jewish neighbors right … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan Bicameral Legislation to Improve Youth Mental Health Outcomes
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Youth Mental Health Research Act. This legislation will create a national Youth Mental Health Research Initiative to guide long-term mental health recovery efforts, better target preventive interventions for those at risk of developing mental health challenges, and improve treatments for children. "Mental healthcare is essential care. The crisis of youth mental health struggles existed … Continue Reading
October 16, 2023
Watson Coleman Joins Colleagues in Calling for Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine and the Delivery of Humanitarian Aid
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined 12 of her colleagues in introducing the Ceasefire Now Resolution urging President Biden to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to facilitate saving as many lives as possible. She released the following statement: “A shared wish of every parent is a world in which their children can live in peace and security. Accordingly, I support every effort to de-escalate the … Continue Reading
October 11, 2023
Watson Coleman Calls for Three-Pronged Approach to Foreign Aid in Response to Current Needs in Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine
Today, Congresswoman Watson Coleman released the following statement: Three foreign aid challenges are facing our country simultaneously. The continued need to assist our ally Ukraine in its resistance to Russian aggression, the need to help our ally Israel in its defense against barbaric attacks by Hamas terrorists, and the growing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. In New Jersey, our diversity is our strength, our unity is our power. We are able to unite disparate voices into one … Continue Reading
October 07, 2023
Watson Coleman Statement on Violence in Israel and Gaza
"The violence in Israel is truly horrifying. I stand with the Israeli people as they fight to defend themselves from Hamas terrorists. My pain extends to innocent lives lost on all sides. "The cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine must stop. For the sake of the hundreds of innocent victims in Israel and Gaza, leaders in Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and others in the region must step up and make a serious commitment to … Continue Reading
October 03, 2023
Watson Coleman Statement on Motion to Vacate
"Today is a sad day for America. Instead of passing meaningful policies to benefit working people, Republicans have chosen to throw the House of Representatives into disarray. Despite this chaos, Democrats will continue to put people over … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Watson Coleman Leads Introduction of Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), announced the reintroduction of the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act, legislation that would establish a nationwide pilot program to test the viability of a federally funded income support program that keeps more American families from experiencing permanent financial fallout and lasting poverty from a single unexpected crisis. While millionaires and billionaires thrive on the labor of hard-working Americans, those working families see just a … Continue Reading
September 23, 2023
Watson Coleman Statement on Senator Menendez Indictment
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman released the following statement regarding the indictment of Senator Bob Menendez: "The charges against Senator Menendez are very concerning and deserve careful consideration when they are brought to court. Under our legal system, Senator Menendez maintains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. "I pray for the Senator and hope he will make the right decision, one that is in the best interests of the State and all New … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Watson Coleman Statement on Appointment of Reginald Browne to US Semiquincentennial Commission
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman made the following statement after the appointment of Reginald Browne to the US Semiquincentennial Commission: "I am thrilled that Mr. Reginald Browne has been appointed to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission as their newest member. Mr. Browne is a qualified and dependable business leader whose insight and experiences will be beneficial as the Commission continues its work ahead of our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. "Mr. Browne is a … Continue Reading