Sens. Coons, Kaine, Booker, Cardin respond to recent unrest and ethnic violence in Ethiopia

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the recent violence in Ethiopia.

“We watch with concern the recent unrest and ethnic violence in Ethiopia following the June 29 murder of Ethiopian singer Hachalu Hundessa, which has led to the death of over 200 people. We are also concerned by the internet shutdown across the country which is now in its tenth day. We hope to see steps taken to address the violence and underlying interethnic tensions in Ethiopia at this critical juncture in the country’s transition to democracy. Preserving the promise of Ethiopia’s democratic transition and defusing insecurity, instability, and ethnic violence requires a renewed commitment by the prime minister and actors across the political spectrum to dialogue and political consensus based on non-violence. 

“We further encourage Ethiopia’s leaders to act as agents of stability in the broader region, and we support Ethiopia’s continued engagement with Egypt, Sudan, and the African Union to reach an agreement regarding the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

“Ethiopia is a strategically important country at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East. As one of Africa’s most populous countries, Ethiopia serves as an important security and trading partner for the United States. A peaceful and democratic Ethiopia is a critical component of a stable East Africa. We stand with the Ethiopian people at this historic time, and we remain committed to strengthening and deepening ties between our governments and our people.” 

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Sen. Coons applauds $18M federal grant to launch new UD materials science center

WILMINGTON, Del. — The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a 6-year, $18 million award to launch a new center for materials science research led by the University of Delaware. This federal funding will support the Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials (CHARM) at the university’s Newark campus. The new center will be one of 11 Materials Research Science & Engineering Centers (MRSEC) across the country funded by the NSF and the first in our region, and will be managed by a number of regional partners that include Delaware State University, the University of Pennsylvania, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Chemours. U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), who has been a strong supporter of NSF and NIST through his work on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee and has encouraged regional cooperation amongst the universities and corporate partners in the region, has commended the NSF and congratulated officials at the University of Delaware on the award.

“I am grateful to Director Panchanathan and the NSF for this support and am especially delighted to see Delaware State University primed to work with world class partners at Penn, University of Delaware, NIST, and Chemours. This funding will help launch a new research center in materials science; a field with applications in medicine, manufacturing, space science, and more. Having worked at one of Delaware’s most innovative materials-based science companies, I know that our region is full of pioneering minds poised to advance our country’s leading edge in this field,” said Senator Coons. “This award not only provides a home for new research in our region, but it will allow students access to funding and opportunities and make these regional partners an even more attractive destination for top scientists.”

“We congratulate Professors Thomas Epps and LaShanda Korley for leading this transformational effort. The new Center for Hybrid, Active and Responsive Materials at UD will expand the boundaries of science and engineering and spearhead the materials revolution that will help create the future economy,” said Dennis Assanis, President of the University of Delaware. “The center will bolster our research and academic partnerships with Delaware State University and with Claflin University to provide more educational opportunities to students from underrepresented groups. We look forward to the exciting developments ahead by this amazing team!”

“The First State is filled with first-class researchers whose work keeps Delaware and our surrounding region leading the way in science and engineering. Our congressional delegation, thanks especially to the hard work of Senator Coons on the Appropriations Committee, is laser-focused on ensuring that we keep aiming high and expanding our capabilities,” said Senator Carper. “This $18 million award will ensure that Delaware students have both the opportunity and the resources to continue pushing the limits and leading us into the future. It will also ensure that Delaware continues to be a home for innovation and attract top minds from around the country and around the world. I’m so pleased that our congressional delegation was able to work together, along with President Assanis and his excellent team at the University of Delaware, to secure this significant federal grant that will keep the First State, our researchers and our students on the cutting edge for years to come.”

“This grant from the National Science Foundation represents a truly impactful investment in Delaware. Establishing an $18 million material sciences center will provide truly unique academic and research opportunities right here in the First State,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “I want to thank the NSF, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and all of the partners who will lead this regional effort, along with the incredible faculty and staff who helped secure this grant.”

MRSECs are an important part of the materials science enterprise in the United States. They serve as hubs for international collaboration in research and industry partnerships, as well as developers of educational materials for the materials community.  Additionally, each Center participates in the Materials Research Facilities Network. The Network provides support to researchers and experimental facilities engaged in the broad area of materials research in academic, government and industrial laboratories around the world.

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ICYMI: Washington Post: ‘Congress’s bipartisan national-service bill would be a powerful tonic for what’s ailing America’

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius published a piece on Wednesday in support of the Cultivating Opportunity and Response to the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) to significantly expand national service programs, like AmeriCorps, to help the country respond to and recover from COVID-19. The bill is cosponsored by 14 additional senators, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.

Washington Post: Congress’s bipartisan national-service bill would be a powerful tonic for what’s ailing America

By David Ignatius 

Congress is weighing a big idea as it bargains over the next stimulus package: a bipartisan proposal to expand national-service programs to create jobs, help contain the coronavirus pandemic and begin to unify a divided country.

This plan would be a powerful tonic for some of what’s ailing the United States. It’s evocative of the New Deal programs that helped the United States through the Great Depression. And it’s supported by a star-studded group of Republicans and Democrats, including many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from both parties who are backed by the bipartisan political action group With Honor.

The battleground this week is the Senate. Urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to include the $16 billion measure in new stimulus legislation are the bill’s co-sponsors, Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, both Mississippi Republicans, and Sen. Christopher A. Coons, a Delaware Democrat.

Joining them is a diverse Senate alliance that includes people you’d like to see, at least temporarily, working together: Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Lindsay O. Graham (R.-S.C.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

The full column is available here.

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Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester applaud federal grants to help meet Delaware’s workforce needs, reintegrate homeless veterans

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced three awards from the U.S. Department of Labor to the State of Delaware, the Delaware Department of Education, and the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans. Senator Coons has led calls to expand registered apprenticeship programs by introducing the Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act and pushing to fund the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program in his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Each of the awards will help bolster Delaware’s workforce and help address the skills gap many employers face.

Addressing local apprenticeship needs:

The State of Delaware will receive $450,000 to expand registered apprenticeships from a “Building State Capacity to Expand Apprenticeship through Innovation” grant. The grants provide states with flexibility to address local apprenticeship needs and expand the successful model to non-traditional industries while enhancing the focus on employer engagement, performance, and positive outcomes for apprentices. 

Expanding youth participation in apprenticeships:

The Delaware Department of Education will also receive funds to expand registered apprenticeships with a focus on youth participation. The department will receive $2,499,999 to expand opportunities to prepare registered apprentices ages 16 to 24 years old in areas such as healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and cybersecurity.

Bringing homeless veterans into the workforce:

As part of the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program, the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans will receive $450,000 to support Delaware veterans seeking to learn occupational skills, attain apprenticeships or on-the-job training opportunities, and receive job search and placement assistance to reenter the workforce.

“Expanding career opportunities for our veterans and young people in Delaware and preparing them for the workforce will be a key part of rebuilding our economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senator Carper. “This federal grant money will help Delawareans gain access to apprenticeships that will provide on-the-job training and job placement opportunities in critical industries of our nation’s workforce, including health care and cybersecurity. It is my hope that Delawareans seize this great opportunity.”

“Registered apprenticeships are a proven way to advance a career for many Delawareans, and this new round of funding from the federal government will help make more registered apprenticeships available to all in both traditional and non-traditional industries,” said Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Giving opportunities to youth, to veterans, and to a broader group of Delawareans will help prepare our state’s workforce for good-paying jobs and meet the needs of employers; especially amid a tough job-market and a time of troubling economic uncertainty. I hope more Delawareans take advantage of these programs to launch the next step in their careers.”

“Apprenticeships play a crucial role in career advancement and access to job opportunities. This funding from the U.S. Department of Labor will provide new opportunities to Delawareans looking to improve their lives and careers,” said Representative Blunt Rochester. “I’m especially pleased that this funding has a specific focus on our young people and our veteran population. As we continue our economic recovery from COVID-19, we must continue to work to ensure that we are using every avenue available to get Delawareans back to work. This funding from the Department of Labor will do just that.” 

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Senate Chicken Caucus calls for direct COVID-19 relief for chicken farmers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Chicken Caucus, led a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Committee on Agriculture highlighting the severe impacts COVID-19 is having on the U.S. chicken industry and requesting direct assistance for chicken farmers.

“As the chicken industry in Delaware and across the country continues to cope with reduced demand and processing capacity, chicken farmers have experienced a big hit to their bottom lines. In many instances, farmers are receiving fewer birds on a less frequent basis, and in some cases, they have been forced to depopulate millions of healthy birds. Although other famers have benefited from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, chicken farmers have not received any assistance and are in desperate need of our help,” said Senator Coons. “This bipartisan coalition is requesting that any future legislation addressing the pandemic includes direct assistance for chicken farmers who have suffered losses as a result of COVID-19.”

“While we appreciate that the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act provides direct payments for agricultural producers through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), this program does not provide assistance for chicken farmers. We strongly request that any future stimulus legislation provide direct payments for chicken farmers who experienced revenue losses of at least five percent as a result of COVID-19,” wrote the senators.

A bipartisan group of 17 senators joined Senators Coons and Wicker in signing the letter, including Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Chairman Roberts, and Ranking Member Stabenow:

Thank you for your commitment to supporting American families and the agricultural economy throughout the COVID-19 crisis. As you are aware, COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on agricultural producers across the country, including chicken farmers in our home states. While we appreciate that the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act provides direct payments for agricultural producers through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), this program does not provide assistance for chicken farmers. We strongly request that any future stimulus legislation provide direct payments for chicken farmers who experienced revenue losses of at least five percent as a result of COVID-19.

The U.S. chicken industry provides an essential service in feeding Americans, who on average consume about 100 pounds of chicken meat each year. As you know, many chicken processing facilities across the country were forced to reduce or suspend production due to COVID-19. We encourage federal efforts to help processing facilities and local health officials protect employees and continue to support measures to ensure the safest working conditions possible at these facilities. As a result of reductions in chicken processing capacity, chicken farmers across the country have experienced longer waiting periods between flocks, received fewer birds to raise, and in some cases have been forced to depopulate millions of healthy birds. As a result of these circumstances, chicken farmers have suffered substantial losses in revenues and continue to face changing and uncertain demand.

The CFAP provides direct aid to producers of agricultural commodities that suffered a five percent or greater price decline between specified dates due to COVID-19. Chicken was not determined to be eligible for CFAP, in part because USDA concluded that it did not experience a five percent or greater price decline. However, it is important to note that losses suffered by contract chicken farmers, which comprise approximately 95 percent of all chicken farmers in the U.S., were not considered in this price loss assessment. For many chicken farmers, these losses represent a loss of revenues that meets or exceeds five percent.

As additional COVID-19 stimulus legislation is considered by Congress, we strongly request that any future bill provide direct payments for chicken farmers who experienced a five percent or greater loss in revenues as a result of COVID-19. We believe that the inclusion of such a provision would provide parity for chicken farmers who have suffered losses equal to or greater than those of producers who were provided assistance through the CFAP. 

Thank you for your attention to this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information or have any questions.

Sincerely,

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Sens. Coons, Wicker introduce bipartisan bill targeting debt-based driver’s license suspensions

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act to create incentives to stop debt-based driver’s license suspensions. Nationwide, at least 11 million people have their driver’s licenses suspended because they cannot pay fines or fees, not for any public safety reasons. This makes it harder for Americans to go to work to pay off their debts and places an unnecessary burden on police to enforce suspensions, expending resources that should go to public safety, increasing hostilities in the communities they serve, and putting officers and citizens at increased risk of infection during a pandemic.  

Many states – red and blue – are moving to end this practice. The Driving for Opportunity Act would further incentivize states to stop this policy by repealing the federal mandate to suspend driver’s licenses for certain non-driving-related offenses and authorizing targeted grants to states that repeal laws suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid fines and fees.    

“Driver’s licenses enable millions of Americans to travel to and from work, their children’s schools, doctor’s appointments, and places of worship,” Senator Coons said. “At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder for Americans to pay their bills and care for their families, taking away someone’s driver’s license can make it nearly impossible to hold down a job and therefore pay back their debts. The Driving for Opportunity Act would end this practice that traps our most vulnerable populations in a cycle of debt while lifting an unnecessary and counterproductive responsibility from our police departments at a time when they are already carrying too heavy a burden.”

“Suspending drivers’ licenses for unpaid fines and fees is a counterproductive penalty for Americans who need a car to earn a living and take care of their family,” Senator Wicker said. “My home state of Mississippi banned the practice in 2018, and other states should be encouraged to follow our lead. I am glad to join Senator Coons to sponsor this legislation to ensure states are not penalized for declining to suspend drivers’ licenses for minor offenses unrelated to driving.”

The Driving for Opportunity Act is supported by a broad coalition of groups spanning the political spectrum, including civil rights and civil liberties advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and defense lawyers. These groups include the Fines and Fees Justice Center, Americans for Prosperity, Civil Rights Corps, Americans for Tax Reform, Due Process Institute, FreedomWorks, American Civil Liberties Union, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, SPLC Action Fund, National Criminal Justice Association, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Fair and Just Prosecution, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Justice Action Network, The Libre Initiative, Drug Policy Alliance, Digital Liberty, Prison Fellowship, and the JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter. 

“Taking away people’s licenses simply for driving-while-broke is bad for the economy, bad for public safety, and disastrous for so many families,” said Priya Sarathy Jones, National Campaign Director at the Fines and Fees Justice Center. “Policymakers must take urgent action to stop this cycle of poverty and punishment that’s fueling mass criminalization, economic inequality, and racial injustice.” 

“No one should be denied the privilege of driving a car because of an unpaid fine or fee,” said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. “Denying a person a driver’s license because they owe money creates a modern version of the debtors prison – you cannot leave your house until you pay your debts, but you cannot pay your debt if you cannot go to work. This is wrong.” 

“Suspending drivers’ licenses for non-public safety reasons such as unpaid fines and fees creates unnecessary hardships for those with limited means and is counter-intuitive to its intended goal,” said Mark Holden, Board Member of Americans for Prosperity. “A driver’s license could be the difference between maintaining a job or falling deeper into financial trouble, thereby making it more difficult to pay the court obligations in the first place. This bill will help states move towards a better system where drivers’ licenses are suspended only when they have a substantial nexus to public safety, rather than as a misguided stick.” 

“This legislation is a critical step toward ending debt-based driver’s license suspensions, one of many abusive fines and fees collection practices,” said Emily Dindial, American Civil Liberties Union Advocacy and Policy Counsel. “Government reliance on fines and fees for revenue creates perverse incentives for courts and law enforcement to extract wealth from low-income black and brown communities that already experience racial profiling and excessive policing. We must end the predatory imposition and enforcement of fines and fees.” 

“Driver’s license suspensions should be based on behavior that poses a risk to public safety such as impaired driving or excessive speeding, not on an inability to pay a fee.  The MCCA supports the Driving for Opportunity Act and thanks Senator Coons and Senator Wicker for acting on behalf of law enforcement and the public,” said Chief Art Acevedo, Chief, Houston Police Department and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association. 

“Across the country, millions of people have their driver’s licenses suspended for unpaid fines and fees that have nothing to do with highways or public safety. Arresting motorists for driving on a suspended license is a waste of an officer’s valuable time and has nothing to do with the safety of our roads and communities,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

“We applaud the introduction of the Driving for Opportunity Act, commonsense legislation that protects public safety and supports working people,” said LaShawn Warren, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.  “Drivers licenses are crucial for many to ensure they are able to legally drive, support themselves and their families.  Suspending licenses because of unpaid fines and fees is cruel and only harms those already struggling.  We urge Congress to take this important first step towards addressing the criminalization of poverty by passing this bill quickly.” 

“The suspension of driver’s licenses for issues that are not related to public safety, such as unpaid court fines or fees, missed child support payments, or drug possession charges that are unrelated to driving under the influence, disproportionately affects poorer communities and black and brown drivers. This poverty trap takes away one’s means to provide for oneself and one’s family by taking away the most common method of transportation—for reasons that are entirely unrelated to road safety and public wellbeing,” said David LaBahn, President and CEO of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.  “This Act addresses the crucial issue of driver’s license suspensions that do not support a public safety purpose.” 

“Every year, millions of Americans have their driver’s license suspended because of unpaid fines and fees, threatening their access to work, education, childcare, and healthcare.  The Driving for Opportunity Act would encourage states to end this destructive practice, and allow law enforcement to focus on public safety instead of revenue collection,” said Holly Harris, Justice Action Network’s Executive Director.  “We are grateful that Senators Chris Coons and Roger Wicker are working across party lines to address this critical issue, and we encourage their colleagues to put people over politics by passing this legislation.” 

“Suspending a person’s driver’s license is a significant barrier to getting and holding a job for many people in the U.S. The economic impact of COVID-19 highlights the urgency of removing this barrier,” said Heather Higginbottom, President of the JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter. “The Driving for Opportunity Act will help unlock economic opportunity for those people denied the chance of a good job solely because they cannot afford to pay fines or fees.”

Research increasingly shows that suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid fines and fees negatively impacts families, communities, and law enforcement:

• Driver’s license suspensions lead to increased unemployment and underemployment. According to a report by the Motor Vehicles Affordability and Fairness Task Force in New Jersey, 42% of those who lost their licenses due to certain non-driving-related offenses lost their jobs as a result, and 45% of those who lost their jobs were unable to find new employment. 88% of those who were able to find another job reported a decrease in income. A Harvard Law School report called the suspension of driver’s licenses “one of the most pervasive poverty traps for poor people assessed a fine that they cannot afford to pay.”

• It puts people at risk without benefit to public safety. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, 75% of suspended drivers continue to drive, facing further fines, fees, and incarceration if they get pulled over. Police officers will then be required to make traffic stops as debt collectors, and unnecessary traffic stops can be unsafe, particularly during a pandemic. 

• Driver’s license suspensions take up law enforcement officers’ valuable time. In 2015, Washington State calculated that state troopers spent 70,848 hours dealing with suspensions for non-driving offenses. Arresting one person for driving with a suspended license can take nine hours of an officer’s time when considering all the paperwork required.
• It disproportionately harms rural communities and minorities. Only 11% of rural residents have access to public transportation services. Studies show that Black and Latino people are more likely to be the subject of traffic enforcement and have their license suspended, despite comparable traffic violation rates. 

For a one-pager on the Driving for Opportunity Act, please click here. For the bill text, please click here.  

Sens. Carper, Coons to Trump administration: don’t rip away health care for millions during public health crisis

WASHINGTON — As the Trump Administration moves to dismantle the health care law that provides coverage for millions of Americans, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) joined Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to introduce a resolution with 44 other colleagues putting in the official Senate record their condemnation of that “reckless” effort and demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) defend existing law in court and halt its efforts to repeal the health care protections for millions – including tens of millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions— in the middle of a public health emergency. 

“The number of Americans our nation has lost to the coronavirus has now passed 128,000. This weekend, the U.S. hit the highest single day total of new infections with nearly 40,000 confirmed cases. Last week, 1.4 million more Americans filed for unemployment bringing the total filings over a 15-week period to close to 50 million. In a world where we, the United States, represent less than 5 percent of the world’s population, we’ve recorded 25 percent of the world’s cases and deaths related to the coronavirus,” said Senator Carper. “Still, the Trump Administration is steadfast in its effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, which provides quality, affordable health care to 23 million Americans and critical protections for those living with preexisting conditions. There is never a good time to rip away health care from millions of Americans, but now is a particularly egregious time. We are battling an unprecedented public health crisis that has left over 47 million hard working Americans without a job, tens of millions who rely on employee-sponsored health care. If the Trump Administration refuses to lead, then they should at least stop actively trying to sabotage the health care on which millions are more dependent than ever. Our message is simple: stop attacking Delawareans and Americans’ life-saving care.”

“Last week, President Trump doubled down on his determination to overturn the Affordable Care Act and strip healthcare away from millions of Americans and many thousands of Delawareans. Even though the courts have stopped him multiple times, the Trump administration once again filed briefs in support of a lawsuit from Texas to overturn the law. We cannot let that happen,” said Senator Coons. “Republicans and the Trump administration are still fighting to abolish the Affordable Care Act and take health care away from millions. In the middle of a pandemic, our government should do everything it can to protect Americans, not take away access to care.”

Last week, the DOJ and a group of Republican Attorneys General submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging it to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and pull the rug out from underneath the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions who depend on the law for health care coverage. If the Supreme Court agrees and overturns the ACA, thousands of Delawareans could lose coverage, including the 62,500 Delawareans enrolled through Medicaid expansion and thousands of Delawareans under the of age 26 who have stayed on their parents’ health coverage could lose their care.

Additionally more than 393,200 Delawareans who have a pre-existing conditions could once again face annual or lifetime caps, medical underwriting for their insurance coverage, or denials for the care they need. Across the board, the state would lose billions of dollars in federal funds, causing significant job losses. All of this would happen in the midst of a global health crisis that has already strapped providers across the country.

The senators’ resolution urges DOJ to reverse its position and instead protect the millions of people who rely on the ACA for health care coverage amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has infected more than 2.5 million Americans and killed more than 125,000. 

The resolution is also backed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

Staunch advocates for expanding access to quality affordable care, Carper and Coons have railed against the Administration’s attempts to gut America’s health care system and worked tirelessly to improve it. Last year, the Trump Administration went against Congressional intent by issuing a statement endorsing a judge’s ruling in the Texas v. U.S. lawsuit. The decision deemed the individual mandate provision of the ACA unconstitutional thus striking down the health care law entirely.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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Delaware Delegation demands answers regarding possible targeting of US service members, including Delaware native, in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) released the following statement regarding recent reports that the deaths of three Marine reservists, including a Delaware native, Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Slutman, who were killed by a roadside bomb near Bagram Air Base last April, are being examined by the U.S. intelligence community. These latest developments follow reports that a Russian intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for targeting American troops in Afghanistan.

“Last April, our delegation stood in formation as the remains of three fallen Marines were returned to Dover Air Force Base in a solemn procession. One of those Marines was Staff Sergeant Christopher A. Slutman, a decorated New York City firefighter, husband and father who called Delaware home. Given recent reports that SSgt Slutman and other U.S. service members may have been targeted by Russian-backed militants, we are calling on the Trump Administration to release information about whether their deaths were linked to Russia’s ‘bounties’ and when U.S. intelligence learned of this threat. We are also deeply concerned by reports that the Administration was aware of this threat as far back as February 2019. For SSgt Slutman, for his fellow fallen Marines, for their families and for any service members who have potentially been put in harm’s way, Congress and the American people need the truth, and we need it immediately.

“It is imperative that all members of Congress – not just a selective group – receive a classified briefing on this matter. This briefing should be conducted by members of the intelligence community who can provide a clear and consistent timeline and speak with authority on what was known about Russia’s efforts to target U.S. service members, who was briefed on that intelligence, and when those briefings took place. Congress must also be informed about what response, if any, was considered to hold our adversaries accountable. And, finally, Congress needs to hear what is currently being done – and what we need to be doing going forward – to keep our men and women in uniform safe.

“We are pleased that there have been bipartisan calls for this Administration to provide much-needed answers to Congress. Today, more than a year after U.S. intelligence officials reportedly learned of this threat, the truth is long overdue. Today, there are men and women around the globe putting their lives on the line in defense of this nation and too many others who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We owe it to them and their loved ones not to waste another day.”

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Senate passes Coons bill to extend PPP loan application deadline, help Delaware small businesses and nonprofits

WASHINGTON — Tuesday evening, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, along with the committee’s ranking member Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) successfully passed legislation to extend the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) authority to approve Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through August 8, 2020.PPP closed for loan approvals on Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Now the House of Representatives can swiftly reopen the program by passing the bill and sending it to the President for enactment.

“The PPP program has been a literal lifeline for millions of small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead of letting it expire tonight, the Senate has come together to unanimously pass our bill to extend it and continue providing desperately-needed aid to small businesses,” said Senator Coons. “I talk to Delaware business owners every day, and I’ve heard from them directly: they need more help, and they need the PPP program to remain active.  I’m glad we were able to pass this bill tonight, and I’m going to keep working to provide small businesses in need with a second round of federal support to keep their doors open and their employees on payroll.”

“When Congress passed the CARES Act in March, we thought that small businesses would be operational by the end of June, but it is now clear that our nation’s small businesses will still need support in the weeks and months to come,” Senator Cardin said. “I am pleased that the Senate acted responsibly to keep PPP open for small businesses while Congress continues bipartisan negotiations on the next economic relief legislation.”

“Thanks to Senate Democrats, the PPP program has been improved to provide a lifeline to more small businesses struggling to stay afloat during these turbulent times. And tonight, Senate Democrats have ensured that small businesses can continue to have the opportunity to apply for these loans that can mean the difference between staying open and closing for good,” said Leader Schumer. “It’s time for Senate Republicans to work with us to do more for small business and for many other parts of our economy and our health care system that are struggling and suffering due to COVID-19.  We need bipartisanship like we saw tonight in these areas as well.”

“The PPP has been a lifeline for the nation’s small businesses and I’m very glad we’ve been able to extend this program while we continue our bipartisan discussions to provide substantial new relief,” said Senator Shaheen. “We know small businesses will need additional assistance to get through the next phase of recovery and help can’t come soon enough, especially for restaurants, lodging businesses, recreational camps, and minority-owned businesses. Bipartisan negotiations are making progress and I’m optimistic we can reach further agreement that will keep small businesses afloat and workers on the job.”

“The Paycheck Protection Program has helped countless Nevada small businesses stay afloat during the economic downturn caused by this global pandemic,” said Senator Rosen. “My office has helped hundreds of small businesses navigate loan options, including PPP. This bipartisan legislation extends the application deadline for PPP loans to August 8th. While I am relieved that we took steps tonight to extend PPP for Nevada’s small businesses, I urge Senate leaders to bring a comprehensive, bipartisan COVID relief package to the floor that fully supports all of our small businesses in Nevada, including our tourism economy. I am proud to represent Nevada on the Senate Small Business Committee and will continue fighting for our small business community every step of the way.”

In the weeks ahead, senators will continue bipartisan negotiations on thePrioritized Paycheck Protection Program (P4) Act—legislation Cardin, Shaheen, and Coons introduced to authorize new lending under PPP to small businesses with 100 employees or less, including sole proprietorships and self-employed individuals. Eligible businesses must have already expended an initial PPP loan, or be on pace to exhaust the funding, and must demonstrate a revenue loss of 50 percent or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would extend the application deadline for initial PPP loans from June 30 to December 30, or longer, at the discretion of the Small Business Administration (SBA), and would use existing PPP funding to make P4 loans.

To ensure that underserved and hardest-hit businesses can access P4 loans, publicly traded companies are ineligible for the loans; hospitality and lodging businesses with multiple locations are limited to an aggregate loan amount of $2 million; and the bill would reserve the lesser of $25 billion or 20 percent of PPP funds for employers with 10 or fewer employees, as well as small businesses in underserved and rural communities. The bill also directs SBA to issue guidance to give priority to businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the processing and disbursement of P4 and PPP loans, and requires SBA to request demographic information of P4 and PPP loan recipients. 

Additionally, the P4 Act would:

• provide eligible small businesses with as much as 250 percent of monthly payroll costs worth up to $2 million;  
• prevent affiliated businesses with separate locations from receiving more than $2 million in aggregate P4 loans; and
• allow P4 recipients maximum flexibility to apply for loan forgiveness as soon as 8 weeks after the loan disbursement.

The P4 Act is endorsed by Small Business Majority, Page 30 Coalition, Association of Women’s Business Centers, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., Small Business Roundtable, America’s SBD, National Restaurant Association, Third Way, American Hotel and Lodging Association, and the International Franchise Association.

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Sen. Coons, colleagues introduce bill to support homeowners, renters struggling amid COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout

Housing crisis looms as millions fear foreclosure, eviction, homelessness

Low-income and minority families hardest hit

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in introducing the Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act to expand access to critical information, assistance programs and services for millions of families struggling to remain in their homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout.

The Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act would: 

• Provide $700 million for NeighborWorks to support housing counseling services to help homeowners, renters, people experiencing homelessness, and people at risk of homelessness navigate their housing options and rights during the COVID-19 crisis, including protections and resources provided through COVID-19 relief legislation.
• Require that no less than 40 percent of the $700 million fund is targeted to counseling organizations that serve minority and low-income homeowners and renters.

The CARES Act included housing provisions to help homeowners and renters financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners with Federal Housing Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture or Veterans Affairs mortgages and those with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac can request forbearance on their payments for up to six months, with a possible extension for another six months without fees, penalties, or extra interest.  The CARES Act also included a temporary moratorium on eviction filings for tenants in properties with federal assistance or federally related financing.

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide individual counseling and education services to help consumers avoid foreclosure and eviction, purchase homes, secure affordable rental housing and develop sustainable budgets. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, more than 4.2 million homeowners have entered foreclosure prevention plans since the end of March. 

“Expanding housing counseling and support services will keep more Delawareans in their homes, period,” said Senator Coons. “Amid the economic struggles many families are facing due to COVID-19, Congress needs to lay the groundwork to prevent foreclosures, evictions, or other disruptive housing events. Our bill – in tandem with the housing relief provided by the CARES Act in March – will help Delawareans learn about the housing protections and resources available to them as we weather this crisis. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure this information is broadly accessible in our communities.”

“Millions of families across our country – already suffering through job and income loss — are now living in fear that in a matter of weeks or months, they will be facing down foreclosure, eviction and even homelessness,” said Senator Menendez. “Knowledge is power. Along with fighting for more federal assistance and protections – we’ve got to expand access to housing counseling so that these individuals and families can get help in finding affordable ways to stay in their homes.”

“Losing a home to foreclosure or eviction turns a family’s life upside down,” said Senator Brown. “During a pandemic, it also puts their health at risk. Providing vital funding to housing counselors will ensure that homeowners and renters – especially Black and brown homeowners and renters who have been hardest hit by this pandemic – have the tools and support they need to navigate our nation’s complex housing system.”

According to a 2018 report from NeighborWorks America, households that utilized the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program through a housing counseling agency during the Great Recession were three times more likely to receive loan modifications and less likely to go into foreclosure or re-default on their home loans compared to those who did not.

To address the pandemic’s disproportionate effect on minority communities, the Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act directs housing counseling services to ensure that no less than 40 percent of the $700 million fund shall be provided to counseling organizations that target counseling services to minority and low-income homeowners and renters. According to a Census Household Survey taken between June 4 and June 9, 12.43% of Hispanic households and 12.74% of Black households were not able to pay their mortgage, compared to 5.71% of white households. Additionally, 23.27% of Hispanic households and 25.77% of Black households were unable to pay their rent, compared to 11.78% of white households.

The Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act is also co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.),  Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.). The bill is supported by the National Housing Resource Center, UnidosUS, Americans for Financial Reform, LISC, National Urban League, National CAPACD, National Rural Housing Coalition, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Center for Responsible Lending, NAACP, Habitat for Humanity, and NAR.

Senator Coons is also a co-sponsor of Senator Brown’s Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020 which would authorize $100 billion to help families stay in their homes; assist rental property owners as they continue maintenance; and help state and local governments address housing challenges.

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