first African-American woman elected to represent a New Jersey district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Tenure On March 3, 2015, Watson Coleman participated with fellow Democrats in the boycott of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress. In March 2016, Watson Coleman and Representatives Robin Kelly and Yvette D. Clarke founded the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls. "Black women and girls are disproportionately affected by myriad socioeconomic issues that diminish their quality of life and threaten the well-being of their families and communities. The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls gives black women a seat at the table for the crucial discussion on the policies that impact them while also providing a framework for creating opportunities and eliminating barriers to success for black women", they announced in a press release. They were inspired by the #SheWoke Committee, a group of seven activists that reached out to lawmakers and staffers to start. Watson Coleman co-sponsored the International Megan's Law, to combat child exploitation and other sex crimes abroad. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law in February 2016. In July 2019, Watson Coleman voted against H. Res. 246 - 116th Congress, a House resolution introduced by Representative Brad Schneider opposing efforts to boycott the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel. The resolution passed 398–17. Committee assignments Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency (Ranking Member) Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets Committee on Appropriations United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Caucus memberships Congressional Progressive Caucus Congressional Black Caucus Congressional Arts Caucus Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Medicare for All Caucus Blue Collar Caucus Political positions Watson Coleman has been a strong supporter of programs allowing criminal offenders to reenter society. Her two sons were sentenced to seven years in prison after committing armed robbery against a Kids R Us store in 2001. One of her sons gained employment with a county agency after his release. Watson Coleman also supports a ban of the type of assault rifles her sons used in the robbery. As a New Jersey Assemblywoman, she sponsored a bill that bars companies with more than 15 employees from conducting criminal background checks on candidates during the interview process. In October 2020, Watson Coleman co-signed a letter