Press Releases
Senator Coons bill would help first responders prepare for active shooters
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del) introduced the Protecting Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion (POLICE) Act of 2016, which will allow law enforcement and medical personnel across the country to use federal grant funds to train and better prepare for active shooter situations, including training civilians how to respond if confronted by an active shooter. "Police officers risk their lives to keep us safe, and we need to ensure that they have the support and training to do their … Continue Reading
04.21.16
Coons, Corker Praise Progress in Reform of U.S. Global Food Aid
WASHINGTON - Following unanimous Senate passage of the Global Food Security Act, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today highlighted progress in their bipartisan effort to fix inefficiencies in the delivery of U.S. global food assistance. The Global Food Security Act, which passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March, contains a first-time authorization for the U.S. Agency for International Development'… Continue Reading
04.21.16
Senator Coons now accepting applications for nominations to service academies
WILMINGTON, Del. - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) is accepting applications from young Delawareans who are seeking a nomination to the United States Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or the Military Academy at West Point. "One of my greatest honors as a Senator is nominating bright young Delawareans who wish to not only serve in our armed forces, but to lead in them," Senator Coons said. "Our service academies attract some of the best and brightest students in the co… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Senators Coons, Hatch applaud House Committee passage of Defend Trade Secrets Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the House Judiciary Committee's passage of the Defend Trade Secrets Act. The bill is now ready for a vote by the full House. The Senate version of the bill, introduced by Coons and Hatch, just passed the Senate unanimously. "I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for coming together to pass the Defend Trade Secrets Act and further demonstrate the importan… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Senator Coons’ clean energy provisions pass with bipartisan energy bill
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate passed the first major piece of energy legislation since 2007, which contains several provisions written and supported by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) that advance a bipartisan approach to energy, including programs for grid storage, cyber security, renewable energy, energy efficiency, research and innovation, and workforce development. The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 will help unleash energy savings, integrate next generation technologies, and bo… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Senators Coons, Kaine, Lankford to discuss ‘America’s Changing Religious Landscape,’ a study from Pew Research Center
WASHINGTON - Wednesday, April 20 at 2:00 pm, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) will join Alan Cooperman (Director of Religion Research, Pew Research Center) for a discussion on faith in America, moderated by Rachel Zoll (National Religion Reporter, The Associated Press). The conversation will be centered on a Pew report, "America's Changing Religious Landscape," which looks at the changing size and demographic characteristics of U.S. religious gr… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Sen. Coons in the Washington Examiner: “Merrick Garland deserves the Senate’s consideration and respect”
WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) authored an op-ed in today's Washington Examiner on why Supreme Court nominee Chief Judge Merrick Garland deserves the Senate's full consideration. After meeting with Chief Judge Garland earlier this month, Senator Coons argues the Senate should consider Chief Judge Garland through hearings, a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and a vote on the Senate floor. Washington Examiner: Merrick Garland deserves the Senate's co… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Senator Coons backs legislation to honor families of first responders killed in the line of duty
WASHINGTON - Last week, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-founder of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, backed legislation to create a program to fly flags over the Capitol to honor family members of firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of rescue squads or ambulance crews, and public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty. "These flags would express our thanks and appreciation for the first responders killed in the line of duty and their family members," said Senator … Continue Reading
04.18.16
Carper, Coons, Carney Join VA Under Secretary for Health at Wilmington VAMC
Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a 23-year veteran of the Navy, met with Dr. David Shulkin, the Under Secretary of Health for the VA, along with U.S. Rep. John Carney and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (both D-Del.) to discuss access to health care within the VA health care system. Following the meeting, leaders from the Wilmington VAMC signed a declaration that outlined the VA's principals for improving access to health care. The framework included providing timely or same-day services in prima… Continue Reading
04.14.16
[VIDEO]: Senators Coons: Russia's recent actions towards Iran “threaten to do more harm than good”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke yesterday on the Senate floor about Russia's willingness to sell missile defense systems and fighter jets to the Iranian regime, which poses huge risks to Middle East security and undermines international efforts to counter Iranian aggression. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined Senator Coons on the floor. Excerpts from Senator Coons' remarks below: "I… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Senator Coons secures funding for Dover Air Force Base, Delaware River deepening project in annual spending bill
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware Senator in more than four decades to serve on the critical Appropriations Committee, secured $80 million in funding for Dover Air Force Base and $33 million in funding for the Delaware River deepening project in the annual Military Construction/Veterans Affairs and Energy and Water Development appropriations bills respectively. These bills passed out of the Appropriations Committee and are now ready for debate by the full … Continue Reading
04.14.16
Bipartisan bill ends tax penalty on student loan forgiveness for Americans with permanent disabilities and families suffering from the death of a child
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today introduced legislation to eliminate a tax penalty levied on student loans forgiven for families after the death of their child and Americans who develop permanent disabilities. While the federal government forgives certain federal student loans in the case of the death or disability of the borrower, the IRS treats this cancelled debt as income, which can result in tens of thousands of dollars i… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Senator Coons to host exclusive screening of “Warlords of Ivory” in ongoing effort to tackle global challenge of wildlife trafficking
WILMINGTON, Del. - On Saturday April 23 at 2 p.m., the Delaware Museum of Natural History will host U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and the sub-committee on African Affairs, for a special screening of "Warlords of Ivory" produced by Delaware native Katie Carpenter. The film is a groundbreaking mission to expose how the ivory trade funds some of Africa's most notorious militias and terrorist groups. The screening and talk is free with paid admission… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Sen. Chris Coons Receives Champions for Children Award
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) received the Champions for Children award Tuesday during the Invest In Kids Advocacy Summit, hosted by Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network (SCAN). Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Susan Collins, (R-ME), and Rep. Tom Cole, (R-Okla.), also received the award. "We are honored to present these awards to these champions for kids," said Carolyn Miles, President & CEO of Save the Children. "We'd like to thank them for their de… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Bipartisan bill from Coons, Ayotte, Peters would support America’s small manufacturers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today introduced the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act, which would expand and improve the MEP program to better serve small to medium-sized manufacturing companies. The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. "Manufacturing is the driv… Continue Reading
04.07.16
[VIDEO] Senator Coons: “Ebola is not over,” resources for Ebola should not be re-directed
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) said at a Senate Foreign Relations-Africa/Global Health Subcommittee hearing that U.S. resources designated to stop the spread of Ebola in West Africa and around the world should not be re-purposed to combat the spread of the Zika virus in South and Central America. The Obama Administration announced yesterday that it plans to transfer $589 million to target the Zika virus, $510 million of which was originally allocated to fight the Ebola epi… Continue Reading
04.07.16
Senator Coons meets with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, urges Senate to hold hearings
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. "I'm very encouraged by my meeting with Chief Judge Merrick Garland. In addition to truly impressive intellect and compelling judicial experience, our conversation revealed a person of deep sensitivity, good judgment, and strong character. I am s… Continue Reading
04.06.16
Bipartisan bill from Coons, Gardner, Gillibrand would support startup businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced the Support Startup Businesses Act, which would create a pilot program that allows awardees of federal research and development grants to use a portion of that funding to create a startup business. Specifically, the bill authorizes Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program awardees to allocate up to 5 percent of their awards for activities that are critical to building … Continue Reading
04.05.16
[VIDEO] Senator Coons to State Dept official: We cannot be “penny wise and pound foolish” on funding nuclear watchdog to inspect and monitor Iran’s nuclear program
WASHINGTON - Today during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) questioned U.S. State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon about funding for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA is responsible for monitoring Iran's nuclear program under the terms of the agreement reached last summer by the United States, five other global powers, and Iran. View video of Senator Coons and Undersecretary of State for Political … Continue Reading
04.04.16
Senate unanimously passes Hatch-Coons bill to protect U.S. businesses from trade theft
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate unanimously passed the Defend Trade Secrets Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to help combat the loss of hundreds of billions of dollars each year in the United States to the theft of corporate trade secrets. Trade secrets-such as customer lists, formulas, and manufacturing processes-are an essential form of intellectual property, but they are the only form of … Continue Reading
