Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

Iron Deficiency Education and Awareness Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

WARM Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

Public Health Nursing Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

Public Health Nursing Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to support a public health nursing workforce in state, territorial, and local public health departments.

Condemning all forms of hate.

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023

This resolution condemns all forms of discrimination and expresses support for policies to prevent and respond to hate crimes, including education and training on prevention and response.

Rent Relief Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023

Rent Relief Act of 2023 This bill allows a refundable income tax credit for individuals who pay rent for a principal residence that exceeds 30% of their adjusted gross income for the taxable year. The amount of the credit ranges from 25% to 100% of the excess rent, depending on the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer. The credit is not available for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes that exceed $100,000. Rent that exceeds 100% of the small area fair market rent (including the utility allowance) for the residence may not be taken into account in determining the amount of the credit. The Department of the Treasury must establish a program for making advance payments of the credit on a monthly basis and provide for an outreach program to increase enrollment of taxpayers in the renter tax credit program.

Healthy MOM Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Eviction Prevention Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Eviction Prevention Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to provide grants to state and local governments to make legal counsel available to eligible tenants undergoing eviction proceedings. An eligible tenant is an individual whose income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level.  The bill also requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a national database of evictions.  The Government Accountability Office must report on the national status of legal representation of tenants in eviction proceedings, including the effects of access to representation on case outcomes.

STATES 2.0 Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Farewell to Foam Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Urging the Government of Ukraine to review and modify its decision to suspend adoption by foreign nationals with a view to resuming such adoptions, particularly in cases where the mutual concerns of the Governments of Ukraine and of the United States can be substantially addressed.

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

This resolution urges Ukraine to resume allowing certain U.S. citizens to adopt and to receive pre-adoptive placements of Ukrainian children. Specifically, the resolution:  recommends Ukraine consider, as particularly urgent, cases where prospective U.S. parents have completed Ukraine's adoption process and received approval prior to the suspension of adoptions by non-Ukrainians on March 13, 2022;  recommends that, in cases where Ukrainian children had already been placed in hosting programs, prospective U.S. parents be allowed to initiate the adoption process; and  recommends that prospective U.S. parents be allowed to apply to receive, in a pre-adoptive placement, Ukrainian children that previously participated in hosting programs and that have an uncertain legal status regarding adoption.  

Fairness for 9/11 Families Technical Fix Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Poverty Line Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Poverty Line Act of 2023 This bill revises the methodology used to calculate the federal poverty guidelines. The federal poverty guidelines are used to determine eligibility for many federal and state public assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the National School Lunch Program. The poverty guidelines are currently calculated by adjusting the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to calculate regional poverty guidelines based on a combination of factors including average household expenditures on food, clothing, utilities, and transportation; the average cost of rental housing; and the average cost of health insurance. These factors shall be calculated using regional data as applicable. HHS must make available to the public a tool for determining the poverty guideline applicable to a given household.  The new regional poverty guidelines established by HHS may not be lower than existing, corresponding poverty guidelines as of the date of enactment of the bill. HHS shall review and evaluate the poverty guidelines at least every four years and propose changes to this methodology as appropriate.  The bill shall take effect three years after its enactment.

LGBTQI Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

LGBTQI Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act This bill requires financial institutions to report certain credit application data to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the purposes of enforcing fair lending laws. Specifically, financial institutions must report this data regarding lesbian-, gay-, bisexual-, transgender-, queer-, or intersex-owned businesses. Currently, this data is reported regarding women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.

Workers POWER Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Fight Book Bans Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2023

EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2023

To condemn the rise in antisemitism, call on all Americans to combat antisemitism in the United States, and implement aspects of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2023

This resolution condemns all forms of antisemitism and calls for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and other efforts to strengthen protections and enhance the safety of the American Jewish community.

Supporting the goals of World AIDS Day.

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2023

This resolution encourages people around the world to work to achieve the goal of zero new HIV transmissions, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths, in order to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and around the world by 2030. The resolution supports continued funding for prevention, care and treatment services, and research programs for communities impacted by HIV and people living with HIV in the United States and globally. The resolution supports continued leadership by the United States in domestic, bilateral, multilateral, and private sector efforts to fight HIV. Finally, the resolution urges other members of the international community to sustain and scale up their support for and financial contributions to efforts around the world to combat HIV.

Original Resolution Affirming the State of Palestine’s Right to Exist

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2023

Original Resolution Affirming the State of Palestine's Right to Exist This resolution affirms Palestine's right to exist and at a future time become a nation-state. It also recognizes the two-state solution as the only one to secure a lasting peace and rejects calls for Palestine's destruction.

FOREST Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023

Fostering Overseas Rule of law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act of 2023 or the FOREST Act of 2023 This bill restricts certain commodities produced on illegally deforested land from accessing the U.S. market. Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of any product made wholly or in part of a covered commodity produced on illegally deforested land. The bill outlines requirements for import declarations of covered commodities. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) must, within 30 days, publish (1) an initial list of covered commodities that consists of palm oil, soybeans, cocoa, cattle, and rubber; and (2) an initial list of covered products that are defined by the bill in accordance with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. These lists must be updated at least on an annual basis. Further, the USTR must identify foreign countries without adequate and effective protection against illegal deforestation for the production of commodities that are likely to enter the United States. The USTR must develop an action plan that includes benchmarks for each identified country. Additionally, the bill creates an interagency working group to provide advice and recommendations to the USTR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant agencies. The bill provides funding to assist foreign governments in combating illegal deforestation. The bill also includes illegal deforestation as a specified unlawful activity under a federal financial crime statute. The bill establishes a federal procurement preference for commodities that are not produced on land subject to deforestation.

Expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan.

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023

This resolution expresses strong support for democracy in Pakistan, including free and fair elections. It calls on the President to work with Pakistan to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution also urges Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions and human rights.

JUST Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023

Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2023

Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act This bill imposes a minimum tax on individual taxpayers whose net worth for the taxable year exceeds $100 million. The tax is equal to 25% of the sum of a taxpayer's taxable income, plus net unrealized gains for the taxable year. The tax may not exceed 40% of the amount by which the taxpayer's net worth exceeds $100 million.

Designating November 2023 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2023

This resolution supports the designation of National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month and supports efforts to meet the needs of homeless children and youth.

Condemning calls from Members of Congress for the expulsion of Palestinians from the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2023

This resolution condemns calls from Members of Congress for the expulsion of Palestinians from the United States.

Declaring support and gratitude by the House of Representatives to food banks, food pantries, and other community-based organizations working to end food insecurity and providing other essential services in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023

This resolution declares support and gratitude to food banks and community-based organizations working to end U.S. food insecurity. The resolution also confirms that food bank and community-based organization employees and volunteers, private donors, and U.S. agricultural producers serve an essential role in working to end food insecurity.

Restore Honor to Service Members Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023

Supporting the goals and principles of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence toward transgender people and memorializing the lives lost this year.

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023

This resolution expresses support for the goals and principles of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence toward transgender people and memorializing the lives lost this year.

Mental Health Justice Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2023

Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2023

This resolution expresses support for National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day and encourages people to consider adoption.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023

Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services. Currently, Medicare covers such services for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease under certain circumstances; such services must also be provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a physician referral. The bill extends coverage to individuals with other diseases and conditions, including obesity, eating disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS; such services may also be referred by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or (for eating disorders) a clinical psychologist.

CARE for First Responders Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023

Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2023

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4, 2026. Congressional leadership will determine the contents of the time capsule, and the time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276.

Protecting our Veterans’ Memories Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

Protecting our Veterans' Memories Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a state, state agency, or political subdivision of a state $525 as a plot or internment allowance for spouses and children of veterans who are buried in a cemetery owned by the state, agency, or political subdivision. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to pay a plot or internment allowance for spouses, surviving spouses (including if they have remarried), or minor children (those under 21 or under 23 if they are attending an approved educational institution). The VA may pay the allowance for unmarried adult children of certain veterans.

Expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers.

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

This concurrent resolution calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend that the Postmaster General issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the Buffalo Soldiers.

Recognizing the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a Nation.

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

This concurrent resolution recognizes the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a nation. The concurrent resolution also recognizes the need for the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to work to eliminate any health and benefit disparities for minority veterans.

911 SAVES Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023

Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act of 2023 or the 911 SAVES Act of 2023 This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, by 30 days after the bill's enactment, to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification System.

Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023

State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023

State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 20 23 This bill establishes the option for states, or groups of states, to apply to waive certain federal health insurance requirements and provide residents with health insurance benefits plans through a state-administered program. Such programs must cover 95% of the residents in the state within five years and plan benefits must be at least as comprehensive and affordable as the coverage under the equivalent federal program. State programs are supported with funds from the federal programs the state programs replace, which may include Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, certain federal tax credits, and premium-assistance funds, among others. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to appoint an Independent Assessment Panel for Comprehensive Care to review and recommend whether to approve state applications. Each approved state program must be independently reviewed every five years to evaluate changes in health benefits access, quality, and coverage, including whether the state has met the 95% coverage requirement. The federal government must pay all health insurance costs for American Indians and Alaska Natives who enroll in a plan through a state insurance program.

Headstones for Honor Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023

HERO Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023

Helping Educators Respond to Overdoses Act or the HERO Act This bill establishes a grant program to provide schools with opioid overdose reversal drugs and requires reporting related to the distribution of such drugs. First, the bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award competitive grants to eligible entities for (1) purchasing approved opioid overdose reversal drugs; and (2) developing and implementing educational programming or resources to promote student and community knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, drug-use prevention and intervention, and emergency responses to drug overdoses. Eligible entities include private elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), charter schools that are LEAs, and consortia of LEAs. Second, the bill requires a covered educational institution (i.e., a private school, LEA, or charter school that is an LEA) that receives federal funds to submit a description of any distribution of an opioid overdose reversal drug by such institution to the National Emergency Medical Services Information System and the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.

United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2023

This resolution recognizes the religious and historical significance of Diwali.

SMOKE Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2023

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), increases funding for the program, and provides additional delivery options for geographically isolated states (i.e., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of commodities and makes those food products (e.g., canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, dairy, and whole-grain and enriched grain products) available to state distributing agencies. The bill increases funding for purchasing commodities under the program. Further, the bill directs USDA to coordinate with geographically isolated states to (1) establish alternative delivery options for allocated commodities, and (2) allow for the states to order commodities through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  USDA may also provide geographically isolated states the ability to directly purchase domestically grown food in lieu of receiving a portion of the commodities. Under this option, USDA may distribute as cash to the state up to 20% of the cash value of the commodities that are allocated to the state under TEFAP.  Further, USDA may consider additional factors beyond lowest price in determining winning bids for contracts for fresh produce packages (including product variety and transportation distance). 

See the Board Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

See the Board Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support nonprofit organizations in furnishing eye-care services free of charge to students in public elementary or secondary schools.

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for law enforcement officers in schools. It also establishes a grant program to replace law enforcement officers in schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to hire, maintain, or train law enforcement officers in elementary or secondary schools. Further, it prohibits the use of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants for law enforcement officers in schools. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to local educational agencies to (1) replace law enforcement officers in elementary and secondary schools with personnel and services that support mental health and trauma-informed services, and (2) reform school safety and disciplinary policies to reflect evidence-based practices that do not rely on the criminal justice system. A recipient must use grants funds to hire, maintain, or train specified staff. The bill prohibits the use of grant funds for (1) establishing or enforcing punitive school discipline policies, (2) purchasing or installing surveillance equipment (e.g., metal detectors), or (3) arming teachers or other school personnel.

Condemning antisemitism at institutions of higher education in the United States and encouraging college and university leaders, administrators, and faculty to speak out against antisemitism.

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

This resolution strongly condemns any instances of antisemitism occurring at colleges and universities in the United States. The resolution also encourages higher education leaders (e.g., presidents, deans, and administrators) to publicly condemn speech that incites or celebrates violence against any people based on religious beliefs, national origin, or ancestry; and encourages institutions of higher education to engage with Jewish student organizations and ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff can pursue their academic and personal aspirations without fear.

Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023

Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act  This bill requires issuers of securities to disclose regularly information related to claims of discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or national origin; discrimination because of age; discrimination on the basis of disability; discrimination because of genetic information; discrimination on the basis of status concerning service in a uniformed service; sexual harassment; and sexual assault or abuse. In investigating claims of discrimination or harassment, an issuer must hire an independent, third-party law firm agreed to by all parties involved. Issuers must implement discrimination and harassment training programs for employees, conduct an annual survey of employees to determine whether employees feel safe, and establish an anonymous whistleblower tip line.