Bonnie Watson Coleman

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has represented New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015 (114th Congress-Present). She is the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress. Before Congress, Watson Coleman served in the New Jersey General Assembly. She was the first Black woman to serve as majority leader and the chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. In Congress, Watson Coleman serves on the Appropriations Committee. She is a member of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC). Her mission is to advance policies that promote renewable energy and green-collar jobs, protect our nation’s natural environment, and address global climate change. In 2017, Watson Coleman introduced the Safer Pipelines Act to increase accountability for pipeline projects. This bill would amend and improve the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission review process for new pipeline projects and require a 5-year environmental monitoring process for all constructed projects. Watson Coleman is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College.