Related Issues

Related Issues

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons: Attorney General Barr should resign

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, last night joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and called for the resignation of U.S. Attorney General William Barr. 

“I think [Attorney General Barr] should resign. Frankly, the fact that 2,000 former Department of Justice employees have signed a public petition calling on him to resign and the fact that four career prosecutors withdrew from the Roger Stone case after the unusual, even unprecedented interference by President Trump and the Attorney General in sentencing recommendations for one of Trump’s cronies, Roger Stone, suggests to me that he has lost the confidence of a lot of folks in the department, and the President’s ongoing public attempts to interfere in the independence of the Department of Justice should give the Attorney General real pause and given that President Trump is unboundedis now handing out pardons like party favors to the corrupt and wellconnected he should resign,” said Senator Coons.

Video and audio available here.

 

Excerpts from the interview below:

Q: Senator, do you think that the Attorney General is serious about this threat to resign?

Sen. Coons: Wolf, I hope he is. I think he should resign. Frankly, the fact that 2,000 former Department of Justice employees have signed a public petition calling on him to resign and the fact that four career prosecutors withdrew from the Roger Stone case after the unusual even unprecedented interference by President Trump and the Attorney General in sentencing recommendations for one of Trump’s cronies, Roger Stone, suggests to me that he has lost the confidence of a lot of folks in the department, and the President’s ongoing public attempts to interfere in the independence of the Department of Justice should give the Attorney General real pause and given that President Trump is unbounded­­is now handing out pardons like party favors to the corrupt and wellconnectedhe should resign.

Q: Do you think the Attorney General is genuinely concerned about the President’s interference in these ongoing criminal cases or is he simply upset that the President is doing so publicly?

Sen. Coons: I think that it is the latter, frankly one of the reasons I voted against Attorney General Barr in his confirmation hearing is both his positions that are very expansive in terms of his view of presidential power and of the fact I just wasn’t convinced in his confirmation hearing that he understood the role of the attorney general is loyalty to the constitution, not to any individual president. And I think some of the more recent developments in the Department of Justice have been alarming. So I am concerned that this is all for show. And frankly, he is just trying to throw us off of the scent. 

Q: What, if anything, can Congress do at this point?

Sen. Coons: Well, that’s part of what I think is the tragedy of the outcome of the impeachment trial is that President Trump having not been removed following the two-week trial in the Senate of the United States, but now emboldened, we are going to see him behave more and more egregiously, I think, in terms of coloring outside of the lines, operating beyond the guardrails of the constitutional system. So, I frankly think that as long as a Republican majority in the United States Senate will not in any way speak up against or challenge President Trump’s unconventional behavior, his threats to our rule of law will simply grow in the weeks and months ahead. 

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Carper, Coons Urge Trump Administration to Defend Protections for Pre-Existing Conditions in FY 2021 Budget

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined 45 Senators in a letter challenging the Administration’s attacks on the law of the land, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget outlines funding for the ongoing efforts by the Department of Justice to repeal key elements of the ACA – including a safeguard for 133 million Americans and tens of thousands in Delaware with pre-existing conditions. President Trump’s budget request runs counter to his claimed support for these protections in his State of the Union address before Congress earlier this month and ignores the needs of millions of Americans for health care access.

The Senators said in part, “We noted your announcement in the 2020 State of the Union that you would protect patients with pre-existing conditions, and we hoped that priority would be reflected in your Fiscal Year 2021 budget request. Unfortunately, your ‘Budget for America’s Future’ does exactly the opposite… We are disappointed that the ‘Budget for America’s Future’ continues to fund the DOJ’s legally unsound position in Texas v. United States. You could bring peace of mind to millions of Americans tomorrow by simply directing the DOJ to do its job and defend the law of the land instead of arguing against protections for people with pre-existing conditions and against access to affordable health care coverage.”

 

Read the Senators’ full letter below:

Dear Mr. President:

We noted your announcement in the 2020 State of the Union that you would protect patients with pre-existing conditions, and we hoped that priority would be reflected in your Fiscal Year 2021 budget request. Unfortunately, your “Budget for America’s Future” does exactly the opposite. It fully funds the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in its entirety through the courts, and it provides no alternative, no replacement, no hope for the 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including the 54 million Americans with pre-existing conditions who would be completely uninsurable without the basic protections provided by the ACA.

The health care laws on the books today include clear protections that prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against individuals with pre-existing conditions. Over the past six years, we have seen millions of Americans, many for the first time, gain affordable health care coverage through Medicaid expansion. This coverage expansion resulted in a major reduction in the uninsured rate, including for women and people of color, and it has also allowed Americans suffering from substance use disorders and mental illness to gain access to the treatment they need to recover. Sadly, instead of building on this progress and working together to continue to improve health care outcomes for all patients, we are having to fight our very own Department of Justice (DOJ) in court just to maintain the status quo.

We are disappointed that the “Budget for America’s Future” continues to fund the DOJ’s legally unsound position in Texas v. United States. You could bring peace of mind to millions of Americans tomorrow by simply directing the DOJ to do its job and defend the law of the land instead of arguing against protections for people with pre-existing conditions and against access to affordable health care coverage. If the health care law is repealed, nearly every American’s health care will be affected, and once again insurance companies will be allowed to put profits over patients, deciding who can and who cannot access affordable health insurance.

There is widespread recognition that simply repealing the law without a replacement would be devastating to American families and to our economy, yet the “Budget for America’s Future” makes no mention of the millions of people who would lose health care coverage should the DOJ succeed in court. Instead, it promotes the sale of short-term or “junk” health plans that threaten access to quality and affordable care for Americans with pre-existing conditions and often refuse coverage for people with pre-existing conditions altogether. Already, we have heard horror stories from families nationwide unknowingly purchasing these junk plans that do not cover their pre-existing conditions. Your proposed budget refuses to withdraw these harmful regulations which make it easier for insurance companies to discriminate against people who desperately need prescription drugs, maternity care, and mental health or substance use disorder treatment.

Americans need us to work together to defend their access to quality, affordable health care. We have proven that we can improve our health care system and reduce costs when we put politics aside and people first. It is not too late to reverse course on Texas v. United States. It is not too late to work together to build on the successes of the ACA. We urge you to work with us on protecting and expanding access to affordable health care for all Americans.

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Carper, Coons press Trump Administration for stonewalling veterans suffering from Agent Orange

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined 41 Democratic Senators in denouncing the Trump Administration for blocking critical benefits to veterans suffering from health conditions associated with their exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The letter specifically called on the Administration to stop denying scientific evidence, and end the years-long delay of adding Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, Parkinsonism, and Hypertension to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) list of service-connected presumptive conditions.

“Your Administration’s refusal to add these conditions to the presumptive list continues to deny more than 190,000 sick and aging veterans the health care and compensation they have earned and desperately need,” wrote the Senators. “More than fifty years after their service and sacrifice, these veterans continue to suffer the detrimental effects of their exposure each day. These heroes deserve more than inaction and indecision from their own government— they deserve justice.”

Since the Agent Orange Act of 1991, VA has established a presumption of service-connection for 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) reports. However, in a recent report required by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill, VA called into question the scientific evidence put forth by the National Academies of Medicine (NAM), noting “significant concerns and limitations” in the findings of NASEM scientists. VA also cited additional requirements in the Department’s standards for presumptive conditions, delaying the consideration of care and compensation for thousands of suffering veterans. 

In addition to Senators Carper and Coons, Senator Tester and Leader Schumer’s  letter was signed by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

Read the full letter here.

 

ICYMI: Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus launches new website

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus launched a new website this week designed to keep Americans informed of their work to advance bipartisan solutions to address our changing climate.

The website features recent news, meetings, and events, as well as information about the caucus, its members, and their goals moving forward. Please click here to view the site.


The Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), promotes bipartisan discussion about climate policy and advocates for Congress to play a central role in addressing the challenge. Since launching in late 2019, the caucus has held regular meetings with members and staff, including with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and with CEOs who are members of the CEO Climate Dialogue. In the coming weeks, the caucus will hold meetings with representatives from the Global CCS Institute, member companies of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from a variety of faith traditions to discuss their concerns and priorities for federal climate policy and opportunities for collaboration.
  

Sens. Roberts, Coons introduce bipartisan bill to help startups and small businesses invest in research and development

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced theSupport Small Business R&D Act of 2020, which would help startups and small businesses take advantage of the research and development (R&D) tax credit.
“Innovative startups and small businesses are some of the greatest drivers of economic progress in our nation, and it’s critical that these entrepreneurs are able to easily access the R&D tax credit which will provide long-term benefits to our local communities and economy,” said Senator Roberts. “Research and development is vital in creating new technology and products, which this legislation will help support.”
“Research and development drive American progress, particularly when small businesses lead the charge. The U.S. R&D tax credit helps encourage private sector innovation, but it only works when American business owners know how to use it. I am proud to work with Senator Roberts to make sure that our startups and small businesses have the tools they need to take advantage of the R&D credit, which provides critical support for their investment in our shared success,” said Senator Coons. 

In 2015, Congress passed legislation to make the R&D tax credit permanent and expanded access to the credit for more startups and small businesses. Despite these changes, many entrepreneurs do not have the information necessary to take advantage of the Federal income tax credits that benefit their business enterprises, especially for research and development.  
The Support Small Business R&D Act of 2020 would require the Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service to work together to develop tax credit educational outreach, training and materials for startups and small businesses that engage in research and could be eligible to use the R&D credit to offset their expenses. Informational materials would be made available to programs administered by the SBA, including women’s business centers, veterans’ business outreach centers, export assistance centers and nonprofit research partners. Such materials would also be made available to universities, business incubators and business accelerators.

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on Iran: “President Trump, like all presidents before him, does not have the authority to wage war without consulting this Congress.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor about the War Powers Resolution from U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) that would limit the president’s ability to use military force against Iran without congressional authorization.
 
“The United States Senate must take back its responsibility for authorizing our armed forces to protect us overseas, and we need to show clear-eyed support for our armed forces and for the path forward. President Trump, like all presidents before him, does not have the authority to wage war without consulting this Congress. And Democrats and Republicans are concerned about this administration’s apparent indifference towards Congress and its critical role in deciding matters of war and peace,” said Senator Coons.
 
“The House has just passed two measures to restrict the president’s war-making powers. The Senate needs to have that same debate, that same discussion, and needs to take up and pass this resolution. This is how our system of government works best. Through respectful disagreement, through thoughtful, informed debate, and through votes in both chambers to express the will of the American people,” said Senator Coons.
 
Audio and video available here
 
The Senator’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
Madam President, I come to the floor today to add my voice to the debate on the system of checks and balances that are essential to, that define our very democracy. I am here in no small part because of a series of events that unfolded slowly over 40 years and then with a sharper tempo near the end of last year and culminated in a strike by U.S. forces on January 3rd that killed General Qassem Soleimani of the Quds Force of the IRGC of Iran. That precipitated a series of briefings and debates here among Senators and with our constituents in the country and today, after an important 51-45 vote to proceed, we are debating this measure. This measure is Senate Joint Resolution 68 from Senators Kaine, Durbin, Lee, and Paul to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. 
 
Madam President, I want to simply make a few observations today about the importance of the war-making power and the role of Congress. My view, we’re at a critical inflection point in our nation, one where history will question whether we served our nation or served more partisan or parochial aims. To be clear, I do not seek or want a war between the United States and Iran. I think our best path forward is a multilateral, several nations coming together initiative, to deescalate rising conflict between the United States and Iran with tens of millions of people displaced from their homes around the world, from conflicts ranging from Syria and Yemen to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Central African Republic, there’s conflict in many places in our world, and our country has seen what happens in the absence of effective diplomacy.
 
But I came to the floor today really, in no small part, because in the group briefings that happened after the strike that killed General Soleimani, a number of points were made that I think deserve to be addressed. One, a suggestion was made by one participant that simply debating whether or not the authorization for the use of military force that was adopted by Congress back in 2001 or 2002 simply debating whether or not that authorized this strike, simply questioning whether or not this strike should be authorized and future actions authorized by this Congress would weaken the morale of our troops, would send a signal to our enemies and adversaries of a lack of resolve by our nation. And so, we in Congress should simply allow the president under Article 2, which gives to him the Commander-in-Chief responsibility to simply exercise the overwhelming capabilities of the United States and our tremendous armed forces to keep us safe and to push back on our adversaries. 
 
I don’t think anything could be further from the truth. I actually think it strengthens our democracy when we engage in a robust and vigorous debate on this question. I actually think showing that we have confidence in our Constitution and that we in the Senate realize that over decades we have gradually allowed our central role in authorizing war to be weakened, that retaking some of that role is in fact showing confidence in our democracy. So, let me be clear upfront. I support the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, and I have great confidence in their ability to carry out their mission. I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, poses to our interests to the region and to the world as one of the world’s great state sponsors of terrorism, as one of the great sources of instability in the region, as a country that for 40-plus years has been genuinely opposed to much of what the United States believes in and tries to do in the region, I am clear-eyed both about supporting our troops and about the threat posed by Iran. 
 
But if we are to do right by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who we ask to go around the world and to serve us and to sacrifice for us and to keep us safe, we can do no less than to ask whether we are sending them with the full support of the American people. And this Senate Joint Resolution 68 begins with a simple, but important, finding. Congress has the sole power to declare war under Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the United States Constitution, and Congress has not yet declared war upon nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for the use of military force against Iran. That makes a simple point. Previous administrations of both parties have overused the authorizations for the use of military force passed here in 2001 and 2002. A majority of the currently-serving members, an overwhelming majority of the currently serving members, were not present for the debates that led to those authorizations and the fact patterns and circumstances that led to their being adopted have long since passed into history. And so, if we in this chamber are to exercise our responsible role, we shouldn’t simply let the president take the responsibility, and possibly the blame, for the conduct of war overseas, but we should take that responsibility back on ourselves. 
 
In 2001, Congress authorized the use of force against Al-Qaeda and associated forces based on the deadly strike against the United States in our territory that happened on 9/11, but did not authorize the use of force against Iran. In 2002, Congress did the same against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, which was one of Iran’s greatest enemies…and now. And so frankly, I think to suggest that either of these former authorizations for the use of military force, or AUMFs, authorize this action goes way beyond its scope. I have heard from hundreds of constituents at home in Delaware, their rising anxiety and concern, and I’ve heard from many both currently serving and formerly serving that we should do our job. That Congress has a role. That we need to debate and demand a strategy from this administration and a path forward that we can articulate and defend. We are in a scenario now where the possibility of military conflict between the United States and Iran is entirely foreseeable. 
 
President Trump has drawn a line in the sand much as his predecessor did and said we will never let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And with the United States having withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, the JCPOA, and with Iran and our European allies increasingly farther and farther apart on their conduct, and with Iran restarting centrifuges and restarting enrichment, it is not an unforeseeable moment that whether weeks or months or years from now, but quite possibly months, a team from the senior ranks of our military will go to the president and say here is a range of options that might include striking Iran. That is a fact pattern that requires Congress to provide it authorization. Yes, I recognize there are exigencies, there are there are emergencies, there are moments where the president must take action to authorize our armed forces to strike in order to defend our troops, defend our interests at home and abroad. But this entirely foreseeable scenario, one which we should all be working to avoid but which is foreseeable, is exactly why I am supporting the bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Kaine and Lee. The United States Senate must take back its responsibility for authorizing our armed forces to protect us overseas, and we need to show clear-eyed support for our armed forces and for the path forward. President Trump, like all presidents before him, does not have the authority to wage war without consulting this Congress. And Democrats and Republicans are concerned about this administration’s apparent indifference towards Congress and its critical role in deciding matters of war and peace. The House has just passed two measures to restrict the president’s war-making powers. The Senate needs to have that same debate, that same discussion, and needs to take up and pass this resolution. This is how our system of government works best. Through respectful disagreement, through thoughtful, informed debate, and through votes in both chambers to express the will of the American people. 
 
So, let me close by saying this. To service members whom I meet in Delaware, to many more serving around the country and around the world, war should be our last resort. And if diplomacy should fail in this case or others, I will insist our administration produce a clear strategy and a mission for our troops that our service men and women can accomplish and that our Congress provides our military with the resources and authorities they need. We are blessed with a system of democratic governance that challenges us, in times when stakes are highest, to rise to the occasion and to earn our place in the history of this democratic republic. We do that by reaffirming our faith in our Constitution, including Article 1, which gives to this body the responsibility to weigh vital decisions of war and peace. With that, thank you, Madam President, I yield the floor.
 
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Repeal of Trump’s Muslim Ban Passes House Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON – Clearing the way for a vote on the floor of the House, the House Judiciary Committee today marked up the NO BAN Act, the bill introduced by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-Calif.) to repeal the President’s Muslim ban and prevent any baseless, discriminatory bans from happening in the future. Senator Coons and Rep. Chu issued the following statements:
“Today, the House took an important step toward ending the President’s discriminatory Muslim ban, which for three years has been a stain on our nation and our reputation around the world,”Senator Coons said. “Since this ban has been in effect, tens of thousands of American citizens have been senselessly separated – husbands and wives, parents and children, and ailing grandparents. This policy is family separation by another name, and it’s time that it end. I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for advancing this important bill today, and urge swift passage by the House of Representatives.”
“This is an historic day as the House comes closer than ever to repealing the cruel and discriminatory Muslim Ban,” said Rep. Chu. “Make no mistake, this ban is and always has been a Muslim Ban – just as the President promised it would be during his campaign. And it is completely unnecessary. America has one of the strongest vetting systems in the world and we have demonstrated an ability to safely grant visas to travelers and visitors for years. But security was always a flimsy pretext for Trump’s real goal of fomenting bigotry and dividing families, which is precisely what this ban has done. The effect of Trump’s Muslim Ban has been to leave America less safe and families suffering needless pain. That is why we introduced this legislation to not only repeal all of Trump’s Muslim Bans, but also to change the law so no future president can issue a similar ban without evidence. I am so pleased the House Judiciary Committee marked up and passed this important bill today and I look forward to a full vote on the floor in the coming weeks.”
The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act repeals all versions of President Trump’s Muslim ban, strengthens the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, and restores the separation of powers by limiting overly broad executive authority to issue future travel bans. The legislation is supported by more than 250 members of both houses of Congress; more than 400 civil rights, faith, national security, and community organizations; more than 50 immigration law professors; 19 state attorneys general; and several private companies.
  

Carper, Coons Introduce Legislation to Achieve Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the U.S. by No Later Than 2050

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons joined U.S. Senator Tom Carper (both D-Del.), top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and 31 of their colleagues in introducing legislation that would put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. 
 
This net-zero legislation is supported collectively by major environmental groups, business groups and organized labor.
The world’s leading scientists have warned that humanity must limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. According to the United Nations annual Emissions Gap Report released last month, collective global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not yet substantial enough to reach that temperature goal.

The Clean Economy Act heeds the call for bold climate action and at the same time boosts American competitiveness, promotes healthier frontline communities and fosters a growing economy that works for everyone. The Clean Economy Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use existing authorities to put our country on a pathway to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. 

Cosponsors of the legislation also include Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore).

“This legislation would move our country to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while also empowering American workers and uplifting our most vulnerable communities,” Senator Carper said.“Climate change is the greatest and gravest threat to our planet. We can overcome the climate crisis, but to do that, we need all hands on deck—and we need to right the ship. The Clean Economy Act is one of the quickest ways we can jumpstart government-wide climate action. By using tools already at EPA’s disposal—tools that have been used under this administration to increase global warming pollution instead of decreasing it—we can take on the greatest threat to our planet in a way that grows our economy, supports a strong labor workforce and protects frontline communities.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues in advocating for our nation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Delawareans dealing with flooding and sea level rise know that climate change is an already-present threat that we must be addressing today. I am also pleased that this bill contains strong protections for U.S. labor, communities of color, and economically distressed communities,” Senator Coons said.

“If we are serious about addressing the climate crisis, the U.S. must strive for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Senator Bennet. “The Clean Economy Act will drastically reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, benefit rural and disadvantaged communities, and promote economic growth, all while improving public health. Climate change is an existential threat and we can’t push it off to the next generation. We need to act now.”

“Eliminating US greenhouse gas emissions is the boldest, biggest step we can take to stop climate change— and the Clean Economy Act provides a path,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Empowering the EPA and supporting the green economy are key to reaching that goal by 2050. We don’t have another moment to waste in correcting course on the climate crisis. By focusing on public health and cost effectiveness, and supporting a strong labor force, we can boost economic development while preserving the planet.”

“Getting our nation’s energy policy right is the key to America’s future prosperity and global competitiveness. It is the way we can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change that are already being felt in communities across Washington. This landmark bill provides a roadmap to break away from our dangerous overdependence on fossil fuels and reap the economic, environmental, and national security benefits of a more efficient and independent energy system,” Senator Cantwell said.

“As the climate crisis, which threatens the health and well-being of my constituents in Maryland and Americans across the nation, becomes increasingly apparent, people are rightfully demanding action from their federal government,” said Senator Cardin. “The Clean Economy Act recognizes that the EPA lies at the center of America’s climate future and empowers it to address climate change proactively. Making the necessary investments to reach net-zero will strengthen our economy, create good-paying jobs, and protect public health and national security.  The most expensive and unrealistic course of action is to ignore the mounting costs of climate change and fail to respond.”

“The climate crisis demands immediate action, and it is our responsibility to set and carry out a bold, science-based agenda that gets our greenhouse emissions to net zero by 2050. I am committed to fighting for solutions that not only rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also invest in our workforce and protect frontline communities. The Clean Economy Act demands the kind of labor standards and investments in America’s workforce that are absolutely necessary as we work together to address the climate crisis. I am proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this legislation for the sake of the climate, our communities and generations to come,” Senator Casey said.

“The climate crisis is an existential threat, and we need bold action to address it. By directing the EPA to set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, we’ll be taking a huge leap forward in protecting our planet, creating good-paying green jobs, and reclaiming America’s global leadership on climate. I’m proud to join Senator Carper in this effort to take on one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today,” Senator Cortez Masto said.

“The climate crisis is a dangerous and growing threat not just to our environment, but also to our economy, public health and national security,” said Senator Duckworth. “As temperatures continue to rise, there’s not a moment to lose—we need to take action now to curb climate change before it’s too late. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce the Clean Economy Act, which would set this nation on an ambitious path to meet net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

“The Clean Economy Act calls for a bold strategy to address climate change by setting America on an aggressive, yet achievable, path to meet net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. The bill empowers the EPA to use its existing authorities to promote healthier communities.  If we want to give our kids and grandkids a livable planet, we must have the determination to seriously reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Senator Durbin said.

“Climate change is real and we can’t afford to do nothing. The Clean Economy Act makes smart investments to reduce emissions and strengthen our economy. In California, we’re ahead of schedule to meet the ambitious goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. At the same time, our economy has grown to be the fifth largest in the world. That’s proof positive that fighting climate change supports a strong economy,” Senator Feinstein said.

“The Clean Economy Act takes bold steps to address the existential threat posed by climate change by implementing a plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” Senator Hassan said.“By drastically reducing our country’s greenhouse gas emissions, we are prioritizing public health and safety while also fostering economic growth.”

“The devastating consequences of climate change in Hawaii are clear, and that is why we were the first state in the country to commit to achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2045, which includes 100% renewable power. The Clean Economy Act spurs similar bold action across the country by setting a goal of achieving net-zero U.S. greenhouse gas production by 2050. The bill also requires a focus on public health, innovative and equitable access to worker training, and enhancing America’s global competitiveness, all of which will be essential to address the broad impacts of climate change,”Senator Hirono said.

“It’s past time we get serious about addressing climate change.  The EPA can and should work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at minimal costs, which will protect environment and strengthen the economy. This bill jumpstarts that by directing the EPA to use its authorities to work towards the net-zero goal by 2050,” Senator Kaine said.

“Climate change is the most pressing existential threat we face – but it is also an opportunity for America to lead the way into the economy of the future,” said Senator King. “We have a chance to act boldly and create a clean energy economy that taps into American innovation and lets us fulfill our most basic duty: passing a better world on to our children than the one we received. We don’t have to choose between a thriving economy and a healthy environment – we can have both, if we’re ready to do the work.”

“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of the 21st Century and its impact on the American people, our economy and our communities will be profound.  Future generations will surely judge us by how we choose to meet this challenge. The Clean Economy Act recognizes the reality that climate action is both a necessity and an economic opportunity,” Senator Leahy said.

“There is no time to waste to reduce greenhouse emissions and get our country back on track to aggressively address the growing threat posed by climate change,” said Senator Menendez. “The Clean Economy Act would do that by achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050. This bold, achievable plan would improve environmental quality and the public health of Americans by also significantly cutting emissions of smog, smoot and other dangerous pollutants. It’s time to restore American to leadership on this important challenge to our very existence, despite the Trump Administration’s abdication of its basic moral obligation to guarantee a livable planet for the generations to come.”

“There are significant and meaningful steps that can be taken to address climate change that benefit Michigan businesses, workers and communities,” Senator Peters said. “Although many Michigan communities and businesses are already working toward the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, now more than ever we need to also work at the federal level to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions and lay the groundwork for a clean energy economy.”

“We cannot wait to act on climate change. Hawaii has already set ambitious clean energy targets, and it’s time for the rest of the nation to follow our example,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill is both smart climate policy and smart economic policy, putting America on a path toward net-zero emissions. It’s an opportunity for us to protect the future of our planet while prioritizing good jobs for working people.”

“Addressing the climate crisis means using all the tools at our disposal to get our country and the planet to net-zero carbon dioxide emissions as fast as possible, and certainly no later than 2050. The Clean Economy Act builds on the enormous momentum for bold action and the knowledge and experience already within our federal agencies to tackle this challenge, making our communities healthier and our economy stronger,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

“Americans are seeing the devastating effects of climate change each day. In New Hampshire, it’s hurting our wildlife, including our moose population and fisheries, and it’s influencing our fall foliage and maple production. Tackling this crisis requires swift and meaningful action, which is why I’m proud to introduce the Clean Economy Act with Senator Carper,” said Senator Shaheen. “By directing the EPA to use the tools it already has at its disposal to help create a clean energy economy and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, our nation can take an important step forward towards achieving climate goals, creating jobs and staying globally competitive.”

“The success of our economy is directly linked to our ability to develop innovative clean energy technologies and avoid the escalating costs of climate change. From addressing the threat of sea level rise, to preventing pollution that could harm the Chesapeake Bay, a plan for a clean economy is crucial to the prosperity of our communities and our country. This legislation provides EPA with important tools to confront carbon pollution change while promoting economic growth. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill, and I urge the Congress to take action on this issue immediately,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Our nation can either lead or follow when it comes to tackling climate change, and I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “This bill responds to the urgency of the climate crisis with the goal of getting to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  It is supported by labor, environmental, and public health groups who understand that we need to act now and who want to help us build a low-carbon economy that creates jobs as we address this crisis.”

“The climate crisis is already affecting Michigan’s Great Lakes, communities, families, farmers, and businesses,” said Senator Debbie Stabenow. “The Clean Economy Act will put Michigan’s ingenuity to work on solutions that will reduce carbon pollution, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy that benefits everyone.”

“We’re in desperate need of urgent, meaningful action to address the immediate and worsening effects of climate change. If Trump’s EPA won’t do its job to secure our planet’s future, Congress must hold the agency accountable and force it to use its authority to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions drastically by 2050,” Senator Wyden said. “This bill will bring America that much closer to kicking its carbon habit. We cannot afford to ignore the science any longer.”

By providing clear direction from Congress, the Clean Economy Act mandates EPA and other federal agencies to use authorities and tools already available to them to rapidly achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions while fostering a stronger, fairer economy for all Americans.

Any plan developed by the EPA must achieve rapid reductions at minimal costs, prioritize public health, and support a strong labor workforce. EPA is also required to build upon existing state, local and private climate programs and set greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2025, 2030 and 2040. Other federal agencies would be required to do their part to help the nation meet the net-zero goal and help enhance America’s global competitiveness through investments in research and development, innovation and equitable access to worker training.

The legislation is supported by:
 
United Steelworkers
Utility Workers Union of America
Service Employees International Union
American Federation of Teachers
 
American Rivers
BlueGreen Alliance
Center for American Progress
Clean Water Action
Climate Reality Project
Defend Our Future
Earthjustice
Environment America
Environmental Defense Fund
Green the Church
Hispanic Access Foundation
Interfaith Power & Light
League of Conservation Voters
Moms Clean Air Force
National Wildlife Federation
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sierra Club
Trust for Public Land
Union of Concerned Scientists
Voices for Progress
Wilderness Society
World Wildlife Fund
 
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
American Lung Association
American Public Health Association
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
 
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) 
DSM


For full text of the bill, click here. For a summary of the legislation and full list of supporters, click here.
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Sen. Coons receives McCain award for support of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps

WASHINGTON – In recognition of his strong support for national service, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) last night was awarded the John S. McCain Service to Country Award from Voices for National Service, an organization working to ensure Americans of all ages can serve and volunteer in their community.
“As Co-Chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus, Senator Coons is a vocal champion for the role national service programs play in strengthening communities and developing leaders,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service. “He has been advocating for funding for AmeriCorps and Senior Corps and Congress has responded by increasing the federal investment each year. In recognition of his unwavering commitment to national service, Voices for National Service has selected Senator Coons to receive our John S. McCain Service to Country Award.”
“My friend John McCain recognized what it means to live a life of service and to give back to a nation that has given so much to us. I am honored to receive this award in his name, and I can think of no better way to continue the spirit of service with which Senator McCain lived his life than by making it possible for all young Americans to serve their country in some way.” said Senator Coons. “That’s why I’m working to pass the ACTION for National Service Act, which would allow Americans to earn tuition funds to pay for college while serving our communities. Expanding opportunities for national service allows us to come together, heal our nation, and make our country stronger.”  
Senator Coons introduced the ACTION for National Service Act with Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). The legislation would increase opportunities for service across the country and provide young Americans with the chance to get hands on experience in a variety of fields through national service programs. In exchange for their national service, this bill would direct the federal government to return that commitment by helping these young people pay for college. Read more here. 
The John S. McCain Service to Country Award, given to Senator John McCain in 2018 and rededicated in 2019, is for life-long devotion to country through citizen and public service and for exceptional leadership in advancing national service to solve community problems. It was formally presented to Senator Coons at the 17th Annual Friends of National Service Awards in Washington, DC on February 11, 2020.
For photos, please click here. For Senator Coons’ video introduction, please click here.

Sens. Coons, Brown introduce bill to counter safety net cuts pushed by Trump Administration

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced the Allowing Steady Savings by Eliminating Tests, or ASSET, Act to eliminate asset limits as a means of eligibility for three vital public assistance programs and raise asset limits for a fourth program. U.S. Representatives TJ Cox (D-Calif.), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-Wash.), and Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House today.
 
The bill presents an alternative vision for vital public assistance programs. Rather than shredding the safety net by imposing new bureaucratic hurdles for families, as proposed by President Trump in his budget released this week, the ASSET Act would increase the financial security of low-income families by helping them save for the future and move towards self-sufficiency.
 
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) help low-income families, particularly those with children, meet basic needs like food and heating. However, currently, these public assistance programs limit eligibility for benefits on the basis of not only income, but the assets of a family, such as savings and other resources. Asset limits for savings are outdated and often set as low as $1,000 or $2,000, limiting a family’s preparedness for a medical emergency or unanticipated expense. The ASSET Act would eliminate these savings penalties, reducing administrative costs and resulting in a consistent policy across the country.
 
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program reduces extreme poverty among the elderly and people with disabilities. While asset limits are part of the SSI program design, limits have not been raised or even adjusted for inflation since 1989. The ASSET Act raises SSI asset limits from $2,000 to $10,000 for an individual and $3,000 to $20,000 for a couple, and indexes those thresholds to inflation.
 
“The federal government already imposes too much red tape and misguided incentives in public assistance programs,” said Senator Coons. “That’s why we’re proposing a different reform, to remove asset tests, so that families in times of need can get help with less confusion, less paperwork, and without being penalized for saving and building their own financial security.”
 
“It’s past time to eliminate arbitrary out-of-date restrictions that prevent Ohioans from saving for emergencies,” said Senator Brown. “This legislation will help ensure Ohioans aren’t punished for saving a little extra money, in order to be prepared for medical emergencies and unexpected expenses.”
 
“Right now, many safety net programs punish working families for saving money. Building wealth is the key to helping kids and families thrive, but the asset limits put on key programs penalize saving for emergencies, education, or retirement. In my time in Congress and my career in community development, I’ve learned that restrictions like these can stop many working families from making it out of poverty,” said Representative Cox. “By eliminating these asset limits, the ASSET Act will allow families to save for emergencies without risking their access to vital programs that help them make ends meet. This bill makes anti-poverty programs do what they’re actually supposed to do: Lift working families out of poverty.”
 
“Asset limits for public assistance programs are outdated. You shouldn’t have to lose your car to get help affording food,” said Representative Schrier. “The ASSET Act strikes the right balance between giving families the opportunity to build their savings while also still receiving critical benefits to keep everyone fed with healthy food and the heat on.”
 
“Programs like TANF and SNAP are critical components to our country’s social safety net system,” said Representative Gomez. “Yet all too often, burdensome asset limits hinder the ability to help low-income Americans with the resources needed to lift themselves out of poverty. The ASSET Act not only eliminates these limits, but it also encourages working families and individuals to prioritize their own economic development without the fear of penalties that could cost them their livelihoods.”
 
In addition to Senators Coons and Brown, the ASSET Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).
 
The bill is endorsed by Alliance to End Hunger, Bread for the World, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Children’s HealthWatch, Coalition on Human Needs, Delaware Community Legal Aid Society, Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, Food Bank of Delaware, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), First Focus Campaign for Children, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Women’s Law Center, Prosperity Now, REACH Riverside, United Way of Delaware, and UnidosUS. Quotes from endorsers available here
 
The bill text is available here
 
The one-pager is available here
 
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