New Democrat Coalition Unveils New Task Forces Focused on Bipartisanship

Nine new policy task force members were announced by the moderate New Democrat Coalition (NDC), which said they would work towards finding bipartisan solutions for the nation’s most pressing issues.

“New Dems know that a closely divided House provides an opportunity to work with reasonable Republicans to deliver bipartisan solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges,” Annie Kuster, D.N.H. Chair of NDC, stated at a Press conference Washington

These task forces will address Climate Change and Clean Energy, Workforce Development, Affordable housing, Immigration and Border Security, Health Care, Substance Use, Mental Health, Fiscal Responsibility, Trade, National Security, and The Farm Bill.

“These policy task forces reflect our members’ top priorities and they represent areas where our members believe we can find bipartisan agreement,” Kuster noted. “In addition, these task forces will assemble a governing agenda that we will pursue on day one when we are back in the majority in 2024.”

This new push for bipartisanship is occurring amid gridlock on Capitol Hill as lawmakers debate the national debt limit, President Joe Biden’s budget proposal and Capitol Hill politics. NDC members celebrated this March 9th.

“New Dems applaud President Biden on his comprehensive budget proposal, which will strengthen our economy, reduce the deficit, and move our country forward,” Kuster and NDC Vice-Chair for Communications Brad Schneider (D.Ill.), said in a Statement.

“In stark contrast, this Congress, Republicans in Washington have been focused on waging culture wars and playing partisan politics,” They added.

“Now, GOP leadership has the choice between caving to the extremes of their party and making dangerous, ill-conceived, politically driven spending cuts or focusing on real solutions to the problems facing the American people—which is exactly what New Dems are focused on.”

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), however, is a non-profit organization. Warned On March 9, the president proposed a budget that would increase the national debt to an all-time high of $1 trillion by 2027. The House Republican leadership deemed the plan unacceptable. “reckless.”

“President Joe Biden’s budget is a reckless proposal doubling down on the same far-left spending policies that have led to record inflation and our current debt crisis,” Kevin McCarthy, the House Speaker (Republican-Calif.), and Steve Scalise (Republican-La.In a joint statement, he was joined by Tom Emmer (R–Minn.) and Elise Stefanik(R–N.Y.).

“We must cut wasteful government spending,” They added. “Our debt is one of the greatest threats to America and the time to address this crisis is now.

“But, President Biden proposes out-of-control spending, delaying debt negotiation, in line with his habit of shrugging off crises and ignoring them.”

On the matter of the national debt, the New Democrats have called for a “clean bill” to raise the debt limit—currently $31.4 trillion—to prevent default, though Republicans have demanded that spending reforms be part of the deal.

“We don’t believe that we should bargain over the well-being and health of American families or the security of our entire economic system.” Kuster said on March 10.

“Yesterday’s lunch was attended by an economist. It was clear from all economists present that it would result in a complete and total economic meltdown.”

Noting that the debt ceiling was raised three times during the Trump administration, the congresswoman added that the New Democrats were willing to discuss budget changes to come to an agreement.

“Let’s examine their budget. Let’s examine the cuts that Freedom Caucus and other groups want to make. But, my personal view is that we can all work together.”