Video: Senator Coons urges colleagues to pass the Bring Jobs Home Act

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on Wednesday morning to urge his Senate colleagues to stand together to help U.S. companies “insource” jobs by passing the Bring Jobs Home Act. The legislation, which Senator Coons is an original cosponsor of, ends taxpayer subsidies to companies that ship jobs overseas and incentivizes companies to bring jobs back to the United States.  The bill is expected to be voted on by the full Senate on Thursday.

Senator Coons, two Delaware business leaders participate in roundtable discussion on job creation

WASHINGTON –Senator Coons participated in a roundtable discussion for ways of duplicating the success of innovative, job-creating American businesses in the Capitol on Wednesday. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured representatives from more than 15 companies, including Patrick Owens, president of ILC Dover, and Marty Miller, CEO of Miller Metal in Bridgeville.

“As our nation lifts itself out of this recession, we should turn for guidance to companies that are strengthening our economy and creating jobs,” Chris said. “These past few years have really taken its toll on Delaware’s economy with the closing of several key businesses around the state; however, there are several small companies in Delaware that have been successful. I was honored to invite Patrick Owens and Marty Miller to join today’s meeting and appreciate their input on how the federal government can help businesses grow. I look forward to keeping an open line of communication with them and other Delaware businesses leaders so we can work in partnership to strengthen our state’s economy and get more Delawareans back to work.”

Mr. Miller said during the meeting that thanks to a Small Business Administration loan and assistance from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Miller Metal was able to purchase a laser cutter: the laser and the MEP have helped Miller Metal increase its workforce from 30 employees to 75.

The Senator has made job creation a top priority for his time in the Senate. Most recently, he joined on as an original cosponsored of the Bring Jobs Home Act which would end taxpayer subsidies to companies that ship jobs overseas and incentivizes companies to bring jobs back to the United States.    

In an effort at bipartisanship, in May, he joined with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in introducing the Startup Act 2.0, which is designed to promote innovation and jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses and jobs.

Honoring Nelson Mandela

Senator Coons, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, extended his warm congratulations to Nelson Mandela on his 94th birthday on Wednesday.

Mandela has devoted his life to serving the people of South Africa. His unbreakable will and unwavering determination helped end apartheid and lift South Africa out of turmoil. Mandela’s enduring legacychanged the arc of history, transforming his country and his continent.

To honor his historic service, the United States joined 192 other nations in the creation of Nelson Mandela International Day.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on foreign policy.

Did you pay for that?

When the Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that corporations could spend money to influence our elections through “super PACs,” it opened the floodgates so corporate cash could try to buy your vote.

This money is bankrolling an unprecedented amount of negative television advertising and without realizing it, you could be footing the bill.

The next time you go to the store, it might not just be a table saw or gallon of milk you’re buying. You could also be buying an election.

When corporations use the hard-earned dollars you spend on their products to fund secret campaign contributions, I think you have a right to know about it. 

That’s why I am fighting for a bill in the Senate this week that would give voters more information about who is trying to buy their vote. It’s called the DISCLOSE Act, and tonight at 9:00, I’ll join nearly a dozen of my colleagues on the floor to speak about why it’s important.

You can watch it live on C-SPAN 2, or stream it on my website at http://www.coons.senate.gov/floor.

The DISCLOSE Act requires quick public disclosure of major campaign expenditures.  It will require political groups posing as charities to disclose their donors and will prevent corporations and other wealthy interests from using shell corporations to funnel secret money to super PACs.

No one should be able to buy an election, least of all a corporation. As a consumer and a voter, you should have the power to make informed decisions before you cast your ballot.

The DISCLOSE Act is not everything we need to undo the damage caused by the Citizens United ruling, but it’s an important first step. I’m proud to cosponsor it, and I hope my colleagues will vote in favor it.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: July 16 to July 22

Monday, July 16 at 8:30 a.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at the Delaware Department of Education STEM Institute. More than 400 elementary, middle and high school teachers will join administrators and business leaders at the first annual STEM Institute in Delaware to work together to better prepare students for college and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Providence Creek Academy Charter School, 355 West Duck Creek Road, Clayton, DE.

Monday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 4:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Monday, July 16 at 9:00 p.m. — The Senator will speak on the Senate floor about the DISCLOSE Act and the need for reforms to combat the influence of money in campaigns. Supporters of the bill will speak about the bill all evening. Senator Coons is a cosponsor of the DISCLOSE Act. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery. Televised on C-SPAN2 and streamed at www.coons.senate.gov/floor/.

Tuesday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on cyber security. The hearing, which is called “Cyber Security and the Grid,” will examine the status of actions taken to ensure that the electric grid is protected from cyber attacks. Senator Coons has been working on a compromise policy framework for cyber security legislation to better protect critical infrastructure. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Open to press.

Tuesday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:00 a.m.Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m. —The Senator will visit and deliver remarks at a Save the Children photo exhibit. The exhibit will showcase images of the Dollo Ado refugee camp in Ethiopia. 385 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.

Wednesday, July 18 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with American job creators. Marty Miller, the CEO of Miller Metal Fabrication, Inc., in Bridgeville, will participate in the roundtable discussion. S-207, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.

Wednesday, July 18 at 11:30 a.m. —The Senator will deliver remarks at a Senate Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Caucus briefing. A representative from Bloom Energy will also be present. The event will focus on the future of domestic fuel cells and hydrogen energy systems that have achieved significant advances in power generation, portable applications, transportation, back-up, and material handling. Across the nation, fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies are creating jobs, reducing emissions, and improving efficiency. 188 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Open to press.

Thursday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. —The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. During the meeting, the Committee will consider extending select amendments made by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Open to press.

Friday, July 20 at 8:15 a.m. — The Senator will attend the STEM Summer Scholars Middle School Summer Enrichment Program Showcase. Senator Coons will tour the STEM classrooms as students demonstrate the various projects they created. Dickenson High School, 1801 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE.

Friday, July 20 at 10:30 a.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at the Frankfort Bakery’s grand opening. The bakery was the first Kent County business to be approved for low interest loans through the Delaware State Small Business Credit Initiative. 323 South Governors Avenue, Dover, DE. Open to press.

Saturday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Delaware State Fair. Delaware State Fairgrounds, 18500 South DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE. Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Video: Senator Coons sits down with Content Delaware

Senator Coons sat down with Content Delaware’s John Taylor last month to talk about a range of issues, including the economy and foreign policy. You can watch the interview below.

Senator Coons voices strong support for ratification of disabilities treaty

Senator Coons voiced his strong support Thursday for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2006 with 153 signatories and 116 ratifying parties, which does not include the United States. The convention was the focus of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Thursday. Chris chaired part of the hearing.

“The American people expect Congress to protect the fundamental rights of all people,” Chris said. “The United States can and should demonstrate global leadership by ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We’ve long been a leader on protecting rights for disabled persons, as demonstrated by the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which passed twenty-two years ago.”

Thursday’s hearing featured testimony from an array of witnesses, including U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). The second panel featured leaders from the departments of State and Justice. The third panel featured former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh, former Justice Department official John Wodatch, the Heritage Foundation’s Steven Groves, Chancellor of Patrick Henry College Dr. Michael Farris, and retired Marine lieutenant John Lancaster, formerly of the National Council On Independent Living.

Senator Coons participates in roundtable discussion on women’s health care

U.S. Senator Chris Coons participated in a roundtable discussion of ideas for protecting women’s access to contraception and family planning services on Wednesday. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured more than a dozen leaders in women’s health, including Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Nancy Kennan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America; and Alethea Smith-Withers, board chair of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

“All women should have the right to affordable, accessible reproductive health care,” Chris said. “Sadly, many Republicans in Congress insist on creating harmful barriers to keep women from accessing much-needed services. Today’s meeting allowed for a productive discussion with leaders of women’s health care on how we can move forward to continue to advocate for these critical family planning services.”

The hour-long discussion focused on recent destructive initiatives taken by Republicans to block women from accessing basic reproductive health care.  In particular, Cecile Richards and Nancy Keenan discussed the important role the Affordable Care Act has played in improving and expanding access to important health services for women, including requiring health insurance plans to cover preventive services such as mammograms and cervical cancer screenings with no deductible or co-pay.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to improve America’s health care.

Senator Coons leads law enforcement information-sharing briefing

Senator Chris Coons, co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, led a briefing on Tuesday for members of Congress and their staffs to provide an on-the-ground status update on law enforcement information-sharing initiatives. The event, “Shared Strength: A Status Update on Law Enforcement Information-Sharing Initiatives,” was sponsored by the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and featured speakers from local and national law enforcement agencies, including the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System’s executive director, Peggy Bell.

“Protecting our communities from dangerous threats works best when law enforcement agencies work together,” Chris said. “Information-sharing has been an especially critical piece of our public safety strategy since September 11, when we learned that our local, state, and national agencies were unable to communicate during emergencies in the ways they needed to.”

The briefing covered a wide range of issues, but all of the panelists touted the RISS program as a cornerstone of modern policy work, which has saved thousands of lives and helped eradicate jurisdictional boundary disputes. The RISS program is a nationwide information sharing and investigative support program that serves thousands of local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement and public safety agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ efforts to advance information-sharing initiatives.

Video: Senator Coons interview with CNN on preserving middle class tax cuts

Senator Coons appeared on CNN’s “OutFront” on Monday to discuss President Obama’s call for the expiration of the so-called ‘Bush tax cuts’ on income above $250,000.