Sens. Coons, Graham bill extending bankruptcy judgeships to be signed into law

WASHINGTON – On Monday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to extend 25 temporary bankruptcy judgeships across the country for five years, including all seven temporary judgeships in Delaware. These extensions come at a critical time to ensure bankruptcy courts have the judges necessary to provide relief to companies and their employees facing reorganization the wake of COVID-19.

The bill was cosponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

“Businesses and individuals are facing profound financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this bipartisan bill will ensure they can go through bankruptcy efficiently,” said Senator Coons. “When they can’t, jobs and revenue are lost. Delaware has earned its reputation for having one of the most highly regarded bankruptcy courts in the country, and this law ensures that our court has the resources it will need to manage pressing caseloads and provide relief to businesses and employees.”

“This legislation will better equip our bankruptcy system, helping courts, businesses and consumers by allowing these cases to be addressed in a timely manner,” said Senator Graham. “I’m glad to see these important changes passed into law.”

“In these challenging times, our legal system shouldn’t be another source of uncertainty for businesses and workers. This common-sense bill will ensure our courts including those in Delaware, have the adequate resources to fairly and expeditiously process bankruptcy cases,” said Senator Tom Carper. “Specifically, this bill will maintain the number of judgeships in Delaware’s bankruptcy courts, which remain some of the busiest and handle some of the important cases in our country. I thank Senator Coons for his leadership in bringing Republicans and Democrats together to pass this important piece of legislation.”

“As America’s businesses struggle with the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability for businesses to efficiently reorganize in bankruptcy is critical,” Senator Rubio said. “Any obstacle to resolving these cases is an undue burden for both our judicial system and businesses. This legislation ensures that our courts have the resources necessary to manage these critical caseloads.”

“This legislation will ensure that Marylanders have continuing access to our bankruptcy courts during the ongoing pandemic,” said Senator Cardin. “Congress must provide our courts with the judges and resources they need to serve Maryland companies, employees, and individuals who have been impacted by severe economic challenges.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put an enormous strain on American businesses and the economy. As we fight to preserve lives, we must also take steps to protect our livelihoods. This legislation will ensure that our bankruptcy courts can provide relief to American businesses and employees to get them back on their feet,” said Senator Blackburn.

The bill previously passed in the Senate on December 9, 2020, and it will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

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Coons, Carper bill extending bankruptcy judgeships to be signed into law

WASHINGTON – On Monday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill introduced by Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Tom Carper (both D-Del.) to extend 25 temporary bankruptcy judgeships across the country for five years, including all seven temporary judgeships in Delaware. These extensions come at a critical time to ensure bankruptcy courts have the judges necessary to provide relief to companies and their employees facing reorganization the wake of COVID-19.

“In these challenging times, our legal system shouldn’t be another source of uncertainty for businesses and workers. This common-sense bill will ensure our courts including those in Delaware, have the adequate resources to fairly and expeditiously process bankruptcy cases,” said Senator Carper. “Specifically, this bill will maintain the number of judgeships in Delaware’s bankruptcy courts, which remain some of the busiest and handle some of the important cases in our country. I thank Senator Coons for his leadership in bringing Republicans and Democrats together to pass this important piece of legislation.”

The bill previously passed in the Senate on Dec. 9, 2020, and it will now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan bill was co-introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Additional co-sponsors include Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

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Sen. Coons celebrates passage of legislation to support clean energy jobs, combat climate change

WASHINGTON – Today, the Energy Act of 2020 passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 spending bill, marking the first major overhaul of U.S. energy policy in over a decade. The landmark energy legislation includes a number of bipartisan measures led by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, that will save energy, support jobs in the renewable energy sector, address climate change, and deliver significant cost savings to Delawareans.

“Investment in energy innovation is critical to addressing climate change and aiding in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken a significant toll on the energy sector in Delaware and around the country,” said Senator Coons. “The Energy Act of 2020 brings together dozens of bipartisan proposals that will spur innovation, accelerate development and deployment of new technologies, and ensure the United States continues to be a global energy leader. This bill is the most significant action we have taken for climate this Congress and its passage is strong evidence that there is bipartisan support for working together on climate solutions and investing in advanced energy technologies while also caring for our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.”

The energy package includes several provisions from legislation introduced by Senator Coons. Specifically, the bill:

Reauthorizes and updates the Weatherization Assistance Program, which reduces energy costs for low-income households by providing home energy retrofits to make homes safer and more energy efficient. Thousands of low-income Delawareans, particularly children, seniors, and disabled individuals, have benefitted from the program, with many cutting their energy bills by 30 to 50 percent. Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of the Weatherization Enhancement and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act of 2019, along with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.). Their bill’s provision to create a competitive innovation grant program for non-profits to access the Weatherization Assistance Program is also included in the package.
Establishes and expands programs that support the commercialization of clean energy technologies at the Department of Energy and authorizes the use of small business vouchers that spur innovation and collaboration by granting small businesses access to premier facilities at national labs. Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of the Energizing Technology Transfer Act of 2020 in the Senate along with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.).
Encourages the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Savings Contracts in federal buildings, which increase energy efficiency and save taxpayer dollars through public-private partnerships. Senator Coons joined Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) in introducing the Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2019.
Supports nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration and international coordination to improve the long-term sustainability, safety, and economic viability of the current U.S. nuclear fleet. Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of the Nuclear Energy Renewal Act of 2019 along with Senator Martha McSally (R-Ariz.).
Incentivizes the research and development of carbon capture technology for natural gas, which is the source of the majority of Delaware’s electricity, to keep energy bills low, maintain U.S. energy security, and protect the environment through near-term reductions of emissions. Senator Coons joined Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) in introducing the Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas (LEADING) Act of 2019.

The omnibus also includes tax incentives to support solar and wind energy projects, as well as a separate measure to initiate a 15-year phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of potent greenhouse gases commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration. Senator Coons applauds Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) for their leadership in aligning the United States with the goals of the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and was proud to cosponsor their American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2019.

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In Fiscal Year 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures funding for national security and international development priorities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 federal spending bill to ensure the United States restores its global leadership role by investing in programs to promote national security and international development and provide global health assistance to fight the pandemic. Senator Coons worked on a bipartisan basis to reject the president’s proposal to slash funding for U.S. national security and development agencies by 30 percent for the fourth year in a row. The Senate voted to pass these provisions on Monday as part of a $1.4 trillion annual spending package, and they are soon expected to become law.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us hard in the United States, and we must remember that our allies and partners face similar challenges. It is in the United States’ interest and consistent with our values to lead the global response to this disease. This year’s bipartisan spending deal represents an initial down payment on what will need to be a more aggressive response to the health crisis and economic consequences of the pandemic.” said Senator Coons. “I am pleased that the package includes provisions that will provide $4 billion to a public-private partnership that can help ensure swift distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to low income countries. I am also pleased to see two of my major authorizing bills, the Sudan Claims Resolution Act and the Nita Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act included in the package.”

The federal spending bill includes provisions that will ensure the United States remains a global leader and continues to safeguard U.S. interests and values around the world, including:

$50 million for the establishment of the Nita Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Fund to support venture capital investments in Palestinian entrepreneurs and people-to-people ties between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Sudan Claims Resolution Act, which will restore Sudan’s sovereign immunity and resolve longstanding terrorism-related claims against the country to help transform the U.S.-Sudan relationship, support the country’s civilian-led transition to democracy, and help reestablish Sudan’s place in the international community.
Over $100 million for implementation of the bipartisan Global Fragility Act, legislation led by Senator Coons that addresses the root causes of violence and extremism around the world before countries fall into crisis.
Over $800 million for the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, a federal agency established by legislation led by Senator Coons to support private-sector investment in developing countries.
Increased funding to implement Global Magnitsky Human Rights sanctions around the world.
Funding to continue the Young African Leaders Initiative to cultivate the next generation of change makers on the African continent. This program supports a cohort of fellows at the University of Delaware each year.
An increase in funding to support Fulbright scholarships in Africa and for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

$150 million for the humanitarian, development, and security needs of the Palestinian people.
Robust military assistance for Israel, as agreed to in 2016 by then-President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu and as authorized in the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act, which Senator Coons co-authored.

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Sen. Coons votes to pass $900B COVID-19 relief package

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the top Democrat on the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, voted to pass a roughly $900 billion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is expected to become law quickly.

“Today, Republicans and Democrats finally upheld our responsibility to the American people and worked together to pass a $900 billion relief package that will help Delawareans in a time of great need. This package will provide prompt aid to our small businesses, especially those hardest-hit by this pandemic; to working Delawareans who were laid off through no fault of their own; and to our families that are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. It will also help deliver the resources we need to swiftly produce and distribute a vaccine so we can finally combat this pandemic once and for all,” said Senator Coons.“This must not be the last relief bill, but it’s a strong compromise that will deliver relief to the Delawareans who need it before the holidays.”

The roughly $900 billion stimulus package includes:

An expansion of the unemployment insurance program. The package includes a $300 per week federal supplement to weekly state benefits through March 14, 2021. It also extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum number of weeks an individual may claim benefits through regular state unemployment plus the PEUC program, or through the PUA program, to 50 weeks.
Direct financial support to American working families. The package provides $600 in direct payments for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as a $600 payment for each child dependent. The package also ensures households with individuals of mixed immigration status will receive payments.
$325 billion to small businesses. The package includes two small business proposals first introduced by Senator Coons: $284 billion for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans-to-grants – prioritized for businesses hit hard by the pandemic – and a $3.5 billion extension of the Small Business Debt Relief Program, which has already delivered $8 billion in debt relief, automatically, to more than 320,000 credit-constrained small businesses nationwide and nearly 900 in Delaware.
$12 billion in support for Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions, of which $3 billion is for grants through the CDFI Fund program and $9 billion is for Treasury Department capital investments. CDFIs are mission-driven financial lenders that deliver responsible, affordable lending to low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities. Over 300 CDFIs have served as PPP lenders, helping to reach some of the hardest-hit minority-owned small businesses.
$1 billion to help cover Amtrak’s operating losses during the unprecedented drop in ridership levels.
$25 billion in rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an eviction moratorium extension through January 31, 2021.
$10 billion in additional funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant to provide child care assistance to families, and to help child care providers cover their increased operating costs during the pandemic.
$69 billion for vaccines, testing and tracing, community health and health care provider support. The bill provides roughly $20 billion to BARDA to procure vaccines and therapeutics, $9 billion to the CDC and states for vaccine distribution and more than $3 billion for the strategic national stockpile. The bill specifically directs a total of $2.8 billion to high-risk and underserved areas for distribution, including communities of color. The bill provides more than $22 billion for testing, tracing, and COVID mitigation programs. Lastly, the bill provides $4.5 billion in mental health funding, $9 billion in support for health care providers, and more than $1 billion for NIH to research COVID-19.
$82 billion in support to school systems and higher education institutions. This funding includes $1.7 billion for HBCUs and minority-serving institutions like Delaware State University.
$13 billion to assist people facing hunger, including increased SNAP benefits and additional funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs.
$13 billion to support farmers who have suffered losses during the pandemic. The bill includes a provision that Senator Coons fought for as a co-chair of the Senate Chicken Caucus to extend assistance to contract poultry growers and growers who have been forced to depopulate in Delaware and around the country.
$300 million for fishermen and seafood producers hurt by the pandemic, including a provision that Senator Coons championed to provide a minimum of 1% of total funding to each state.
$4 billion for global health programs and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to support equitable global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

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Delaware delegation celebrates major wins for the First State in water infrastructure legislation

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, as well as U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) as part of legislation to fund the government. From improving and expanding water infrastructure to investing in disadvantaged communities, replenishing beaches, and improving coastal resilience, WRDA 2020 delivers major wins for Delaware.

“In Delaware and across the country, our nation’s water infrastructure keeps our economy moving forward. This year’s Water Resources Development Act authorizes funding to improve our ports, like the Port of Wilmington. It also implements several much-needed reforms to fortify our most vulnerable communities in the First State from the impacts of climate change and rebuild our beaches,” said Senator Carper, who co-authored the legislation with Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). “I’m proud that my colleagues in Congress came together to get this critical bill across the finish line. Our bipartisan legislation will create and sustain jobs and help secure a better future for the American people.”

“Delaware is the country’s lowest-lying state, and our economy and ecosystems rely on the protection of coastal communities and navigability of our waterways,” Senator Coons said. “I’m pleased that WRDA 2020 includes critical priorities for the First State: safeguarding Delaware’s beach communities, enhancing resiliency in the face of climate change and rising sea levels, and facilitating important projects to support the men and women who work at the Port of Wilmington. I’m glad to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate – particularly Senator Carper who played a leading role in these negotiations – to deliver water infrastructure updates that meet the unique needs of our state.”

“We know that one of the most important aspects of infrastructure is maintaining our waterways and systems. This year’s WRDA, led by Delaware’s Senator Carper makes those critical and necessary investments,” said Representative Blunt Rochester. “As the state with the lowest mean elevation in the country, Delaware is on the front lines of climate change – from eroding shorelines, to changing growing seasons, to flooding neighborhoods. The bill prioritizes rebuffing the impacts of climate change along with improving our overall water infrastructure. I thank Senator Carper for his leadership in getting this bipartisan bill passed.”

Among its provisions, WRDA 2020 will:

Protect Delaware’s beaches from storm damage and assist with their re-nourishment;
Promote resiliency projects in communities throughout the First State to address the impacts of climate change; and
Ensure the operation and maintenance of Delaware’s ports and waterways, including the Port of Wilmington and Indian River Inlet.

Click here for more in-depth background information on WRDA 2020, and click here for additional background about the major wins for Delaware in WRDA 2020.

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Sens. Coons, Menendez, Rubio, Leahy, Shaheen celebrate expected passage of Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), joined SFRC Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in releasing the following statements on securing passage of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (S.712) as part of the end-of-year funding legislation approved by the Senate today:

“The passage of this bipartisan bill is an important step in seeking justice for the unlawful detention and death of Bob Levinson, an American who was taken hostage by Iran over a decade ago and died in Iranian custody,” said Senator Coons. “The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act honors Bob by strengthening our ability to bring Americans detained abroad home safely and hold their captors accountable.”

“Earlier this year, we learned that Bob Levinson, the longest-held hostage in American history, died while in Iranian custody, far from his loving family, friends and colleagues. In March 2007, after decades of service to the United States, Bob Levinson was cruelly and mysteriously taken from his family, who have spent the past 13 years tirelessly fighting for his safe return home. Their indefatigable dedication to Bob has inspired me and my colleagues over the years to pursue various legislative efforts, leading to the passage of this bill to ensure that the United States has the resources to safeguard American lives abroad and reunite hostages with their loved ones,” said Senator Menendez. “I commend my colleagues for helping enact this bill, and I continue to stand with the Levinson family in the long march towards achieving justice for Bob.”

“This bipartisan bill, named in honor of Floridian Bob Levinson, the longest held American hostage who is believed to have died while detained by the brutal regime in Tehran, strengthens our nation’s resources to bring back American hostages,” said Senator Rubio. “We must ensure that no American family will ever endure what the Levinson family went through. I am proud to have co-led this legislation and I look forward to it becoming law.”

“This bill is a fitting tribute to Bob Livingston, who gave his life for this country, and to his family who did everything humanly possible to try to save his life. Americans wrongfully imprisoned overseas deserve whatever support and assistance our government can give them. This bill, which I am very proud to have taken part in drafting, will help ensure that future victims and their families receive that help,” said Senator Leahy.

“Any time an American citizen is unjustly held against their will, the U.S. government must do everything in its power to bring them home. Too many lives have been taken and too many Americans remain unjustly imprisoned around the globe today, which is why our legislation is so urgently needed,”said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan effort reaffirms U.S. commitment to secure the freedom of Americans detained abroad and enhances diplomatic authority for the President and administration to force their release. I’m glad Congress is clearing this legislation and delivering it to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This bill is a fitting tribute to Robert Levinson, an FBI agent who was detained by the Iranian regime and died in their custody. He will not be forgotten and through this legislation, we will help ensure Americans who are still unjustly held are not forgotten either. Every tool must be at our disposal to bring Americans home.”

The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act is a bipartisan bill to bolster U.S. government resources to bring back Americans held hostage or unlawfully detained abroad. The legislation fortifies existing programs to address hostage-taking and equips the U.S. government with new tools to perform rescues, punish captors, and provide critical information and support to hostages and their families.

The bill is named in honor of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who is presumed to have died in Iranian custody this year. Lasting more than twelve years, Levinson’s unlawful detention by the Iranian regime is recognized as the longest-held hostage in American history.

Bill text is available here.

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In 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures intellectual property protections

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Appropriations and Judiciary committees, secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 federal spending bill to protect intellectual property (IP) rights. The omnibus bill set to be passed by the Senate on Monday features three pieces of legislation that serve to protect American innovation through changes to the law on trademark registration, streaming services, and copyright disputes.

“Promoting and protecting American innovation is critical to our economy, our national security, and our global standing. That’s why I’m glad that our bipartisan work on three critical intellectual property priorities will soon be signed into law in this year’s spending bill,” said Senator Coons. “I am especially pleased it includes the Trademark Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill with Senator Tillis, which will help ensure that consumers can have confidence in the source of the branded products and services they buy.”

The Trademark Modernization Act (S.3449) establishes new mechanisms for challenging fraudulent trademark registrations and filings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and ensuring that federal trademark registrations correspond to actual use in commerce. Senators Coons and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the bill as a companion to bipartisan House legislation. The Trademark Modernization Act will protect consumers by making it easier for legitimate brand owners to prevent others from using confusingly similar marks that could mislead the public about the source of goods or services.

The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act empowers the Department of Justice to prosecute large-scale criminal streaming services that undermine legitimate sources of copyrighted content. Senator Coons cosponsored and helped lead this legislative proposal drafted by Senator Tillis. The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act modernizes the law by harmonizing the penalties for illicit streaming with those for copying and distributing unauthorized content on physical media like DVDs. This legislation was drafted with input from creators, public interest groups, and technology companies to ensure that only criminal enterprises are targeted and not individual streamers or consumers viewing content online.

The CASE Act (S.1273) establishes a small-claims tribunal within the Copyright Office to resolve disputes involving copyright infringement. Senator Coons cosponsored the legislation introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and John Kennedy (R-La.). The bill provides an alternative to federal litigation, which is simply too costly and complex for many musicians, photographers, artists, writers, and other creators whose livelihood depends on their ability to protect and commercialize their creative works.

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Sen. Coons’ Sudan legal peace legislation included in year-end spending package

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Foreign Relations, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees, celebrates the inclusion of the Sudan Claims Resolution Act in the year-end spending package that Congress will vote on today. The historic legislation restores Sudan’s sovereign immunity, resolves longstanding terrorism-related claims against the country and provides accountability and compensation to hundreds of terror victims and family members, and protects the rights of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Passage of the Sudan Claims Resolution Act follows the removal of Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list, both critical steps to the full normalization of relations between the United States and Sudan and Sudan’s reentry into the international community.

The spending package also includes over $900 million in economic assistance to Sudan to stabilize the economy and civilian-led democratic transition, support the Sudanese people, and provide urgently needed debt relief and restructuring.

“The passage of this bipartisan legislation will provide a small measure of justice to the families of the East Africa Embassy bombings who have devoted over two decades to their unwavering quest to seek accountability for the attacks that changed their lives forever on August 7, 1998,” said Senator Coons. “The legislation will also help Sudan – a country of 44 million people at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East – reenter the global economy after 27 years on the state sponsors of terrorism list, promote foreign investment and economic growth in the country, and support the civilian-led transition to democracy. I appreciate the commitment of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, namely Senators Schumer, Menendez, Feinstein, Graham, and Risch, to reach a bipartisan agreement on this historic legislation that protects the rights of all victims of terror while granting Sudan urgently needed relief. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to further strengthen and deepen the U.S.-Sudan relationship.”

The Sudan Claims Resolution Act:

Implements the claims agreement negotiated between the U.S. State Department and the Government of Sudan for the 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, and the 2008 murder of John Granville. The agreement will provide justice, accountability, and compensation to over 700 hundred terror victims and family members.
Restores Sudan’s sovereign immunity while protecting the rights of victims of the 9/11 community, which will allow Sudan to fully participate in the global economy without fear of asset seizure, foster foreign direct investment in the country, create jobs and economic growth to support the Sudanese people, and help stabilize Sudan’s civilian-led democratic transition following the country’s removal from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list after a peaceful revolution in 2019 to oust brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir.
Ensures naturalized U.S. citizens are compensated at the same rate as natural-born U.S. citizens involved in the attacks.
Extends the authorization of the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSSTF) for nine years through 2039 to allow all terror victims eligible for the USVSSTF to recover additional damages.

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Bipartisan legislation to fight illegal streaming by criminal organizations to be signed into law

WASHINGTON – Today, bipartisan legislation by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and David Perdue (R-Ga.) that will punish large-scale criminal streaming services that willfully and for commercial advantage or private financial gain offer to the public illicit services dedicated to illegally streaming copyrighted material will be signed into law. The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act was included in the year-end spending package that is expected to be signed into law this week.

The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act will apply only to commercial, for-profit streaming piracy services. The law will not sweep in normal practices by online service providers, good faith business disputes, noncommercial activities, or in any way impact individuals who access pirated streams or unwittingly stream unauthorized copies of copyrighted works. Individuals who might use pirate streaming services will not be affected.

“Americans increasingly rely on streaming to enjoy their favorite music, sporting events, movies, television shows, audiobooks, and other forms of entertainment content, particularly during this pandemic,” said Senator Coons. “For too long, large-scale, criminal enterprises have taken advantage of a loophole in CD and DVD-era copyright laws to engage in unprecedented digital piracy, which costs our economy billions of dollars and threatens the livelihoods of our creative community. I am proud that Congress passed this targeted bill, which empowers the Department of Justice to prosecute large-scale, for-profit streaming piracy services, and I appreciate the collaborative effort by content owners, technology companies, public interest groups, and others to ensure that this legislation cannot be used to target internet users or legitimate streaming platforms.”

“The shift toward streaming content online has resulted in criminal streaming services illegally distributing copyrighted material that costs the U.S. economy nearly $30 billion every year, and discourages the production of creative content that Americans enjoy,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud this commonsense legislation that was drafted with the input of creators, user groups, and technology companies will become law so we can target criminal organizations and ensure that no individual streamer has to worry about the fear of prosecution. I want to thank Senator Leahy and Representatives Martha Roby and Ben Cline for their early partnership on this important issue.”

“At a time when an unprecedented number of Americans are streaming movies and TV shows, music and books, criminal organizations are exploiting a loophole in copyright law to steal online content at an unprecedented rate and with hardly a consequence,” said Senator Leahy. “Commercial piracy costs the economy billions of dollars and hurts both the creative community and consumers. This narrow bill closes this loophole by targeting only commercial, for-profit criminal piracy, and I am proud to have supported it.”

“Large-scale digital piracy costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars every year. Because our laws failed to keep up with technology, perpetrators of this crime avoided serious consequences,” Senator Hirono said. “I’m glad to have worked with my colleagues to bring piracy laws into the modern age, and protect our creators without harming internet users.”

“This bipartisan legislation will close loopholes that allow commercial piracy services to illegally stream billions of dollars in copyrighted content each year,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to support common sense legislation that will hold these bad actors accountable while protecting individual internet users and legitimate streaming sites.”

“This year especially, Americans have benefited from being able to access a wide range of movies, TV shows and educational content from their own homes,” said Senator Loeffler. “Unfortunately, the ease and availability of this programming are threatened by large-scale criminal enterprises that illegally stream copyrighted materials at the cost to the economy of billions of dollars a year. I am glad this commonsense agreement is set to pass Congress and become law before the end of this year.”

Bill text is available here.

Background:

Streaming has become the primary way that audiences consume entertainment. It has also become a major form of piracy. Last year, one study reported that digital video piracy costs the U.S. economy $29.2 billion a year. Streaming piracy touches numerous creative sectors, including major motion pictures, television programs, music, audiobooks, live sports, and pay-per-view programming.

Under current law, only violations of the reproduction and distribution rights of copyright owners can be charged as felonies, while criminal infringement via streaming (or “publicly performing”) can only be charged as a misdemeanor. This is known as the streaming loophole – and it is particularly harmful to the U.S. economy because streaming has become the most common form of criminal copyright infringement.

This bipartisan, consensus legislation will provide the Department of Justice with the authority to bring felony charges against a digital transmission service that:

is primarily designed or provided for the purpose of streaming copyrighted works without the authority of the copyright owner or the law; or
has no commercially significant purpose or use other than to stream copyrighted works without the authority of the copyright owner or the law; or
is intentionally marketed by or at the direction of that person to promote its use in streaming copyrighted works without the authority of the copyright owner or the law.

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