The Senator’s week ahead schedule: June 11 to June 17

Monday, June 11 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 4:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:00 a.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Department of Justice. Attorney General Eric Holder will testify. (Senator Coons will attend after his presiding time is complete.) 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. — Open to press.

Tuesday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. —The Senator will attend a will attend a lunch honoring President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. On the agenda is the nomination of Brian J. Davis, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida and consideration of S.250, the Justice for All Reauthorization Act, and S.285, a bill for the relief of Sopuruchi Chukwueke. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. — Open to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is the second in a series of hearings to consider the treaty, ratification of which Senator Coons strongly supports. Witnesses will include: Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations for the U.S. Navy; Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; General William M. Fraser, III, Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command; General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., Commander of U.S. Northern Command; and Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. 216 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. — The Senator will speak at a board meeting of the Alliance to Save Energy. ASE is non-profit organization that promotes energy efficiency worldwide through research, education and advocacy. Washington, D.C. Closed to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is the third in a series of hearings to consider the treaty, ratification of which Senator Coons strongly supports. Witnesses will include: The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. Secretary of Defense; the Honorable John Negroponte, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State; the Honorable John B. Bellinger, III, former Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State; and Mr. Steven Groves, The Heritage Foundation. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. — The Senator will be recognized at the American Diabetes Association Father of the Year Award Ceremony. ADA partners with the National Father’s Day Council to host the Father of the Year Awards dinner each year to recognize men from across the country for the outstanding strength, commitment and love they exhibit as fathers. Deerfied Country Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE

Friday, June 15 at 12 noon — The Senator will attend the dedication of seven new Habitat for Humanity homes. The event will highlight the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Cornerstone West housing group. The Pavilion, 5th and DuPont Streets, Wilmington, DE.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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House companion to Startup Act 2.0 introduced

This week, members of the U.S. House introduced a bipartisan companion to the Startup Act 2.0, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Coons, along with Senators Moran, Rubio and Warner.

The House companion to the Startup Act 2.0, introduced by Reps. Michael Grimm (R-NY) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), shows continued strong, bipartisan momentum for this important legislation to jump-start our economy and help businesses grow and create jobs.

“Startup 2.0 is about creating American jobs,” Rep. Grimm said in a press release. “Too often we educate the world’s best and brightest in STEM fields, only to send them back to countries like India and China to open businesses and compete against us. This bill will keep top talent here in the U.S. to build businesses that hire Americans, and drive U.S. innovation and competitiveness.”

“As our economy continues to recover, we must further enable our entrepreneurs to grow and to create jobs,” Rep. Sanchez said in a press release.  “Startup 2.0 legislation is a natural follow-up to our efforts to jumpstart the economy and it is exactly the kind of legislation the United States needs to keep up with India, China and the rest of the global market.”

Senator Coons joined his colleagues on the Senate floor for a colloquy on the Startup Act 2.0 earlier this week. Click here to watch.

Senator Coons receives Malaria Vision Award

Over 650,000 people died of malaria in 2010, according to the World Health Organization, even though the disease is both curable and preventable. As co-chair of the Malaria Working Group in the U.S. Senate, Senator Coons is working hard to end senseless malaria deaths, the majority of which are suffered by children under five years old.

On Thursday morning, the Malaria No More Policy Center honored Chris and his co-chair of the Malaria Working Group, Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), with their Malaria Vision Award at the Fourth Annual Malaria Champions Breakfast in Washington. The award recognizes those who assist in the battle against malaria and who advocate a bold policy to help combat the disease.  

“Today we commend the ongoing leadership and commitment of the awardees, and recognize the many contributions of the U.S. Government to the malaria fight,” Dr. David Bowen, Malaria No More CEO, said in a press release. “Through the continued innovations in research and development, we have the potential to save millions of lives around the world and finally put an end to malaria deaths.”

“I am honored to accept this award alongside my friend Senator Wicker,” Chris said. “As co-chairs of the Malaria Working Group, we are committed to continuing to fight for the full scope of resources necessary to end senseless deaths from malaria. This is an issue that crosses the partisan divide and deserves continued strong, bipartisan support. Whether you live in central Africa or central Delaware, in the 21st century, no one should die of a preventable, treatable disease like malaria.”

To learn more about Senator Coons’ work on malaria, click here.

Video: Senator Coons introduces bill to spark investment in renewable energy projects

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on June 7, 2012 to discuss legislation he introduced with Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to give renewable energy projects access to a tax incentive available now only to oil, gas, and coal projects. Their bill, the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act, brings fairness back to the tax code and helps level the playing field for investors in alternative energy projects.

Click here to read more about the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act.

Video: Senator Coons joins colleagues in a colloquy on Startup Act 2.0

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on June 6, 2012 to discuss the recently introduced Startup Act 2.0. U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) joined Senator Coons on the floor to participate in a colloquy on the legislation. Senator Coons, along with Senators Warner and Moran and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), is an original cosponsor of the Startup Act 2.0, which was introduced in May to help jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses and jobs.

Video: Senator Coons speaks about pay equality

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on June 5 to urge his Senate colleagues to stand together to end wage discrimination by voting to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. The legislation, which Senator Coons is a cosponsor of, would help deter pay discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to colleagues.

ICYMI: Writing in NY Times, experts in energy finance endorse Senator Coons’ proposal

The New York Times featured an op-ed on Saturday about the importance of developing new ways to finance alternative energy projects. The op-ed, which was penned by Dan Reicher, Executive Director of Stanford University’s Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, and Felix Mormann, a Fellow with the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, discusses Senator Coons’ proposal to introduce legislation to allow master limited partnership investment in renewable energy to help “level the playing field between conventional and renewable energy.”

If renewable energy is going to become fully competitive and a significant source of energy in the United States, then further technological innovation must be accompanied by financial innovation so that clean energy sources gain access to the same low-cost capital that traditional energy sources like coal and natural gas enjoy.

Two financial mechanisms that have driven investment in traditional energy projects — real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships — could, with some help from Washington, be extended to renewable energy projects to lower their cost and make America’s energy future cleaner, cheaper — and more democratic.

Click here to read the full op-ed on New York Time’s website.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to promote clean energy technology.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: June 4 to June 10

Monday, June 4 at 12:00 p.m. — The Senator will speak at the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Legislative and Political Captains Conference in Washington. LIUNA’s annual conference focuses on the past, present and future of organized labor, including legislative priorities, such as the surface transportation bill and other job-creating measures. Washington Court Hotel, Atrium, 525 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington D.C.

 Wednesday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting on college affordability. Higher education experts and advocates, including Delaware State University President Dr. Harry Williams, will participate in the meeting. S-207, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, “Ensuring that Federal Prosecutors Meet Discovery Obligations.” Senator Coons will chair the hearing’s final panel. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to Press.

Thursday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting.  226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 5:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Friday, June 8 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will speak to Leadership Delaware.  Senator Coons will address the 2012 class of Leadership Delaware fellows. Bank of America, 1100 North King Street, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Friday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will be the keynote speaker at the Newark Charter School’s Graduation Ceremony. Newark Charter, 2001 Patriot Way, Newark, DE – Open to Press. 

Saturday, June 9 at 11:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Separation Day Parade in Historic New Castle. Delaware Street, New Castle, DE — Open to Press.

Saturday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend and speak at the Delaware Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Dover Downs, Dover, DE – Open to Press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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What We’re Reading: Highly educated immigrants and American jobs

Bloomberg View noted this week that America’s competitors in the global economy are welcoming highly skilled, highly educated immigrants with open arms, and warned that if the United States doesn’t do the same, we will lose out on job creating potential.

To see the results of self-defeating U.S. immigration policies, you need only open your browser to www.canadavisa.com. There, you’ll see a shrewd neighbor fishing for talent at U.S. expense.

At the top of the website, in large print, is the question: “Currently on an H1B Visa or otherwise working or studying in the United States?” There is nothing subtle about the appeal. Canada is seeking skilled foreigners who’ve grown frustrated with the U.S. visa gantlet, which can take a decade for the lucky few who manage even to begin it.

The Bloomberg editorial mentions the Startup Act 2.0, legislation Senator Coons introduced with Senators Mark Warner, Jerry Moran and Marco Rubio. To help create jobs, this legislation would create a new visa for immigrants who graduate from U.S. universities with an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering or math fields. It would also create an entrepreneur’s visa to help immigrants with capital start businesses and create jobs in the United States.

In addition, earlier this year, Senator Coons introduced the bipartisan SMART Jobs Act with Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. This legislation offers another solution to the problem of America losing highly skilled immigrants – and their job creating potential – to our foreign competitors by creating a clear path forward for foreign-born, American-educated holders of advanced degrees in key fields to remain in the United States.

Studies have shown that immigrants are nearly twice as likely as U.S.-born individuals to start new businesses. Immigrant-founded startup companies created 450,000 jobs in less than a decade, and collectively they have generated over $50 billion in sales in a single year. More than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, but arbitrary and limiting per-country visa caps are sending nearly 20,000 foreign-born, American-educated degree-holders out of the country each year.

Law of the Sea treaty vital to U.S. interests

One hundred and sixty-two countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — a treaty designed to provide international guidelines for use of the world’s oceans — but in the 30 years since it was first negotiated, the United States has refused, putting the country’s long-term national and economic security at risk.

That was the focus of a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last week, which featured testimony from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Martin Dempsey Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. 

“When I was brand-new to the Senate,” Senator Coons said at the hearing, “one of the earlier meetings I took with was with the then outgoing Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead.  And when I asked him, what is the single most important thing we can do to help the Navy over the next decade, he said, without hesitation, ratify the Law of the Sea treaty.” 

Chris also addressed some of the resistance to the Convention’s passage, noting the debate is largely dated.

“I understand some of the concerns raised by members of this committee,” he said. “There were some flaws and some issues in this treaty when first negotiated in ’82.  Many of them were hammered out, resolved by ’94, by amendments, certainly by the time this was previously considered several times by this committee during your service here, Senator, now Secretary.” 

“I believe it is well past the time when the questions and concerns raised here today were compelling.”

Asked by Senator Coons about the potential risk assumed by the U.S. by refusing to ratify the Convention, General Dempsey said that the “failure to ratify puts us at some greater risk of conflict.”

Secretary Panetta also agreed that failure to ratify the Convention could pose an increased risk of confrontation.

“The risk is this,” Panetta explained. “If we face a situation that involves navigational rights, if we are not a party to this treaty and can’t deal with it at the table, then we have to deal with it at sea with our naval power.  And once that happens, we clearly increase the risk of confrontation.”

Panetta added that so many U.S. allies have already signed on to the convention and they cannot understand why the U.S. has not yet ratified the convention. 

“Sure, they know we are a strong naval power,” Panetta said. “They know that we can exert ourselves military wherever we want to.  But they also know that, in today’s world, they are dealing at the table trying to negotiate resolutions to conflicts in a rules-based manner.  That is the way to deal with issues like that.”

Finally, Chris asked Secretary Clinton how failing to ratify the convention would pose challenges to the State Department in their efforts to protect vital U.S. interests in the Arctic’s Northwest Passage.

Clinton noted that “one of the reasons there has been such strong bipartisan support coming from Alaska over the last decades is because they are truly on the front lines.”

“We know there are natural resources that are likely to be exploitable if we have the opportunity to do so,” Clinton said.

“Being able to demarcate our continental shelf and our extended continental shelf is seen in Alaska as a missed opportunity and a strategic disadvantage that is increasingly going to make us vulnerable as the waters and the weather warms,” Clinton said.

“There are going to be ships from all over the world exploring, exploiting, fishing, taking advantage of what rightly should be American sovereign territory.”

The United States is currently the only Arctic nation that has not ratified the convention.