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Washington, D.C. - United by shared goals and shared priorities, Congresswoman Melissa Bean and the New Democrat Coalition, the House’s largest coalition of centrist Democrats, met with President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday afternoon to discuss strategy for the coming year.
“The New Dems’ priorities well align with the president’s focus on economic recovery, reg reform, and access to credit for our vital small business,” said Bean (IL-08), Vice-Chair of the coalition. “There are numerous areas where New Dems can be allies for President Obama on Capitol Hill, and we’re ready to help.”
The meeting focused on several areas of policy where the 68-member New Democrat Coalition has established championed practical to issues that focus on innovation, economic growth and transparency.
President Obama and Congresswoman Bean discussed their shared concern that small businesses, which provide 80 percent of America’s jobs, are suffering due to a lack of credit availability. The President asked the New Dem Coalition to continue to play a leading role financial regulatory reform, which he has identified as a major component of his economic plan. Bloomberg News called the New Dems’ 21-point regulatory reform plan, “The most detailed blueprint to emerge yet from Congress.”
To hasten health care reform, the New Dems pledged to continue advocating for the use of improved information technology in our health care system. New Dems pushed to including Health IT funding in the recent economic recovery package.
Finally, in order to bolster key segments of our economy and maintain American competitiveness in a global economy, the New Democrat Coalition will work with the Administration to forge a new trade agenda that maintains U.S. engagement and a competitive edge in global commerce. The New Democrat Coalition’s advocacy and support has been key to approval of past trade agreements.
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