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

Monday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. – The Senator will talk via Skype with students at Phillis Wheatley Middle School in Bridgeville. The eighth-grade students wrote letters to the Senator about Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Phillis Wheatley Middle School, 48 Church Street, Bridgeville, DE – Open to press.

Monday, April 16 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. 

Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Bio Annual Awards Gala.  The event will recognize exemplary individuals for their work in bioscience. The 2012 Award Recipients include: Incyte Corporation, Charles W. Robertson, Noureddine Melikechi, and J. Michael Bowman. DuPont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Tuesday, April 17 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.

 Wednesday, April 18 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with the presidents of national labor unions.  Organizations expected to be represented include, but are not limited to: Air Line Pilots Association, American Federation of Teachers, International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the National Association of Letter Carriers. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, April 18 at 2:15 p.m. – The Senator will chair a hearing for the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. The hearing entitled, “Examining the U.S. Policy Response to Entrenched African Leadership,” will include testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, U.S. Department of State; The Honorable Earl Gast, Assistant Administrator for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development; Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Mo Ibrahim Foundation; and Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa, National Democratic Institute.  419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, April 19 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at the Information Technology Innovation Foundation Conference. The conference will explore ways to make restoring America’s innovation and competitiveness a central political issue. 1330 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, April 19 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.

Friday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at an American Bar Association conference on national security law and policy. Additional members of the panel include: Harold H. Koh, Legal Advisor, U.S. Department of State; Michael Chertoff, Former Secretary of Homeland Security; and Scott Shane, The New York Times. The panel will be moderated by Judith Miller, Former General Counsel, U.S. Department of Defense. 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Friday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Delaware HIV ‘Wow Gala’. The Gala will present nine Red Ribbon Awards to individuals and organizations working to improve the quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS in Delaware. Senate Coons will be presented with the Red Ribbon Ally Award. Grand Ballroom, Clarion Belle Hotel, New Castle, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator, in partnership with Wilmington University, will host a free job fair for local veterans. Operation Success: Welcome Home will feature local employers who are eager to hire the talented men and women who have served our country. Workshops at the event will provide military service members, veterans, and their families with invaluable resources such as educational benefits, mental healthcare services, and spousal support. Wilmington University, New Castle, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Kids’ Green Fest at Newark Center for Creative Learning School. This event will empower children through educational activities that help them see the practical, sustainable impact they can have on the environment. Newark Center for Creative Learning School, 401 Phillips Avenue, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Dover Delaware Military Officers Association of America Dinner Meeting. The dinner will bring together MOAA members along with other active duty, prior service and retired members of the U.S. Uniformed Services. Roma Italian Ristorante, Dover, DE – Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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The Buffett Rule and economic fairness

The Senate this week will take up legislation that would put the so-called “The Buffett Rule” into law, restoring fairness to our tax system by making sure that millionaires and billionaires don’t pay a lower effective tax rate than middle-income families.

The “Paying a Fair Share Act” would ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay at least a 30 percent effective tax rate on their income over $1 million, including capital gains and dividends. The Buffett Rule would limit the degree to which the wealthiest of Americans can take advantage of loopholes and tax rates.

According to the IRS, a full 22,000 households that made more than $1 million in 2009 paid less than 15 percent of their income in income taxes. Nearly 1,500 of them managed to pay no federal income taxes on their million-plus-dollar incomes.

“At the end of the day, it’s about fairness,” Senator Coons said. “It’s about fairness in our tax system, and it’s about saying to the average American that no one is above paying their fair share. We’re going to have to make some tough choices as a country these next few years as we try to bring our dangerous deficits under control, and it’s important that all Americans share in the sacrifice.”

The principle gained the moniker “The Buffett Rule” after legendary financier Warren Buffett revealed that because of inequity in the tax system, he was paying a lower effective tax rate than his secretary.

“As both I and Warren Buffett have pointed out many times now,” President Obama said last week, “he’s paying a lower tax rate than his secretary. That’s not fair. It’s not right.”

The White House has developed a simple calculator to help you figure out how many millionaires are presently paying a lower effective tax rate than you. Find out your “Buffett Number” below:

JP Morgan Chase to add 1,200 jobs in Delaware

WILMINGTON — Governor Markell announced on Friday that JP Morgan Chase was going to expand its operations in Delaware, adding 1,200 jobs here over the next 20 months.

“It’s exciting news, for sure,” Senator Coons said. “The reality is, Delaware has a unique and highly skilled workforce that makes it a natural fit when companies like Chase are looking to grow. Like Citi and Bank of America, Chase is choosing to grow in Delaware because of the talent we have here and because, frankly, as a state, we want their business. We want companies like Chase to grow here — to create jobs here — and have worked hard to nurture an economic climate that makes it possible.”

The jobs, which are expected to pay in the ballpark of $76,000 per year, will be across several of Chase’s verticals, including Treasury & Securities Services, Investment Banking, Asset and Wealth Management, Card Services, Corporate Technology, and more.

“This is exciting news, and I congratulate Governor Markell and Director Levin on making it happen and bringing these jobs to Delaware,” Senator Coons said.

Read more here in the News Journal.

Senator Coons touts Buffett Rule on Morning Joe

Senator Coons appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Wednesday to talk about his support for the Buffett Rule and other policies that promote fairness in our tax code. Watch below.

ICYMI: WSJ details urgency of Sen. Coons’ legislation on temporary bankruptcy judgeships

The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday published an article on the still-urgent need for the extension of dozens of temporary bankruptcy judgeships to avert a crisis in America’s bankruptcy courts. Senator Chris Coons introduced the bipartisan Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeship Act in November to extend the authorizations for 30 temporary bankruptcy judgeships in 14 states and Puerto Rico and prevent un-fillable vacancies. The bill was voted out of the Judiciary Committee in December and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

While legislation to ease the pain is stalled in Congress, some bankruptcy courts are bringing in visiting judges and asking judges to work more hours. And judges who are eligible to retire are grappling with whether to stay or go.

“The word guilt certainly can describe some feelings,” Judge Arthur Gonzalez told NLJ of his recent retirement from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Gonzalez’s departure means a lost judicial seat in one of the busiest bankruptcy courts in the country thanks to a pro-debtor reputation that attracts giant corporations like Borders and General Motors.

His seat is one of two judgeships lost so far upon the expiration of Congress’ temporary judgeship program, under which lawmakers created 28 temporary judicial spots. If any judges left during the five-year program, courts could fill the vacancy. But once the program ran out, the seat of any departing judge–whether permanent or temporary–would go unfilled.

The House of Representatives passed a bill to extend 30 temporary judgeships for five years, and the legislation’s counterpart remains pending in the Senate. But some lawmakers are concerned about the cost of the respective bills, sponsored by Sen. Christopher Coons of Delaware and Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the Senate bill could cost about $5 million over five years, depending upon the number of vacancies to be filled.

Click here to read the full article on The Wall Street Journal’s website.

Click here to download a copy of the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeship Act.

Click here to read the national press release introducing the legislation. 

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: April 9 to April 15

Monday, April 9 at 12:00 p.m. — The Senator and his family will attend the White House Easter Egg Roll. More than 35,000 people will gather on the White House South Lawn for the 134th annual Easter Egg Roll, which consists of games, stories, and, of course, the traditional egg roll. The White House, Washington, D.C. – Open to press credentialed by the White House.

Tuesday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will visit the Calpine Energy Center. During the visit, Senator Coons will discuss his effort in the Senate to advance clean energy legislation that provide incentives for America’s energy sector to shift towards a cleaner more sustainable future.  198 Hay Road, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Tuesday, April 10 at 12:45 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Wilmington Friends School QUEST Lunch and Learn Program. Senator Coons will discuss the ongoing efforts by regional governments and America to capture and prosecute members of the Lord’s Resistance Army and Joseph Kony. 101 School Road, Wilmington, DE – Closed to Press.

Tuesday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will visit the Port of Wilmington. During the visit, Senator Coons will get an in-depth tour of the current facility and the Port’s vision for the future. The Port of Wilmington is critical to the state’s economy: generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the region. Port of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Wednesday, April 11 at 7:00 a.m. – The Senator will appear on MSNBC’s Morning Joe program. The interview will cover the issues of the day and will be some time during the 7:00 hour.

Friday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will participate in the opening ceremony for the Blue Rocks’ season-opening game against the Frederick Keys. Frawley Stadium, Wilmington Riverfront, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, April 14 at 9:15 a.m. – The Senator will attend the 3rd Annual National Robotics Week Event hosted by FAME, Inc. To help encourage students to pursue a career in technology, FAME (Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering, Inc.) will host an event that highlights the importance of an education in the sciences. FAME is a pre-college enrichment program that prepares and motivates traditionally underrepresented minority students andgirls to enter college and complete a baccalaureate degree in the engineering, science, math or technology related fields of study. FAME was established in 1977 by the DuPont Company to address the lack of women and minorities in engineering and science. Barclays, Wilmington Riverfront, 125 South West Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

Senator Coons meets with young Delawareans about Joseph Kony, LRA

WILMINGTON — Senator Coons met today in his office with a dozen students from several local high schools and the University of Delaware, as well as young advocates from The Resolve and Invisible Children. The group was eager to discuss the pursuit of Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army, who have terrorized Uganda and much of Central Africa for more than 25 years.

“The attention Kony and the LRA have received in Delaware schools these last few weeks thanks to the work of groups like Resolve, Enough, and Invisible Children, has shown just how important the issue is, especially to our young people,” Senator Coons said. “It’s important they know that the Senate has been working on this issue and strongly backs the U.S. mission in central Africa in support of Kony’s capture. I hope parents and teachers in Delaware who want to learn more about this so that they can engage with their kids will reach out to me or to my office to learn more.”

To aid in that effort, last week Senator Coons sent a letter, video, and four-page information kit to educators throughout the state. Those resources can be found online here.

“Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army have burned a path of destruction through Uganda and its neighbors in central Africa for the last 25 years,” Senator Coons said. “Joseph Kony represents the worst of mankind, and he and his commanders must be held accountable for their war crimes.”

Senator Coons is chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs.

Senator Coons reviews White House report on women and the economy

Today, the White House Council on Women and Girls is hosting a forum on Women and the Economy. As part of the forum, they released a report examining the financial security of women through all stages of their life.

Senator Coons was glad to see the Administration address the issue at a time when more and more women are the principle breadwinners for their families. Although women make up nearly 50% of the American workforce and are a majority of students in colleges and graduate schools, the fact remains that they still earn just 77 cents on every dollar paid to men. Senator Coons believes ending this discrimination is an important part of strengthening our economic recovery.  

The report, entitled Keeping America’s Women Moving Forward, The Key to an Economy Built to Last, covers key topics in women’s financial lives, including higher education and career preparation; business ownership and tax credits; and senior women preparing for retirement.

Senator Coons speaks with students at Howard High School of Technology about STEM education

In celebration of Teach For America Week, Senator Chris Coons served as a guest teacher on Thursday at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington. Leading the Advanced Biology class normally taught by TFA science teacher Ashley Sorenson, Senator Coons spoke with juniors and seniors about the value of education and encouraged the students to pursue a career in the sciences.

“The 21st century economy is taking root in science and technology, and if we want to make our economy stronger and our nation more competitive, we have to give students the skills they need to succeed in STEM fields,” Senator Coons said about the experience. “It’s imperative that our children have positive role models to reinforce the importance of education and encourage them to pursue higher education, and that is what young Teach For America educators do.”

Since its launch in 1997, Teach For America Week has brought hundreds of distinguished guest teachers from across America into our nation’s schools to inspire students and raise awareness about the challenges facing students in low-income communities and demonstrate that when students are given the educational opportunities they deserve, they reach their highest potential.

Senator Coons commends report on police response to sexual assault

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a fierce advocate for the prompt reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, Senator Coons commended a new report on improving police response to sexual assault.

The recent study, released by the Police Executive Research Forum, focused on the progress being made in investigating and prosecuting sex crimes. Chris believes this type of research is an example of the “force multiplier” effect the Violence Against Women Act has in our communities. Although the legislation did not fund the new report, VAWA builds on the latest techniques in law enforcement and officer training to reduce the incidence of domestic violence.

The report, conducted with support from the Motorola Solutions Foundation at the direction of PERF President Charles Ramsey, highlights the importance of updating the definition of forcible rape used in the Uniform Crime Reporting system. It also includes discussion of unwarranted “unfounding” of sexual assault cases, special considerations for serial rapist cases, differences in the handling of sexual assaults on college and university campuses and DNA issues in sexual assault investigations, such as the DNA backlog of rape kits.

For more on Chris’ work on the Violence Against Women Act, please click here.

For more on his work as a member of the Judiciary Committee, click here.