Speaker Pelosi Remarks at the New Democrat Coalition's 25th Anniversary Press Conference

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Members of the New Democrat Coalition for a press conference recognizing the Coalition's 25th anniversary. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you so much, Suzan DelBene for your leadership of the New – the New Dems, the New Democrats. This is pretty exciting. And I salute you, the leadership team and our friends who have gathered here, and I really was enjoying your reading the names and the history over the 25 years of all who were a resource to the New Dems. I thank you, New Dems. The creation of New Dems – and the celebration 25 years later – is indeed a cause for celebration.

The New Dems brought, with clarity, to our discussion an entrepreneurial spirit, not just entrepreneurial ideas, but entrepreneurial thinking – thinking with fresh eyes on the subject in a way that helped grow our economy with – for prosperity and progress. And to do so in a way that helped us pass the Affordable Care Act, help us pass other initiatives. So important. And just – if I can just use one example, recently, the infrastructure bill – so important, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. But any of us who care about our nation's children are deeply indebted to Suzan DelBene for her – not only leadership of the New Dems, but to leading the Coalition with her commitment to the Child Tax Credit, as a Member –

[Applause]

Now we are fighting for the COMPETES Act. And so many of the leaderships in that – leadership – so much of leadership on that discussion springs from the New Dem Coalition. What are we calling – the New Democrats, the New Democrats, what a great name. There's no better name than you can give anything than saying it's new, right? New. And the inference to be drawn from being new is that you're free from the past. They're not necessarily free from the past. They've shared values with the past, but new fresh thinking, new fresh eyes on the subject.

So I'm very excited. I can't believe it's 25 years that have gone by. Some of these Members – are any Members still here from 25 years ago?

Congresswoman Kuster. Not in this group.

Speaker Pelosi. Not in this – not in leadership. But that's, you know, the constant reinvigoration of talent within the group as part of its entrepreneurial spirit.

So with that, I congratulate you on 25 great years – for, again, leadership rendered to the country, difference – differences made in legislation and improvement in the lives of the American people.

Congratulations, New Democrats. I yield back.