In 2020 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures funding for Delaware manufacturing institute, small businesses, and other priorities to spur economic and workforce development

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware senator in more than 40 years to serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee, secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2020 federal spending bill for key economic and workforce development priorities, including support for small businesses and advanced manufacturing. The bill passed Congress today.

“I’m pleased that this appropriations bill provides critical investments in our communities and the small businesses, innovators, and families that keep our state strong and vibrant,” said Senator Coons. “This bill supports programs that boost economic and workforce development, like the Manufacturing USA program and the Small Business Administration. I’m committed to ensuring that Delaware’s businesses have the resources and facilities they need to create good jobs and grow the economy.”

The federal spending bill includes provisions that will directly benefit manufacturing, Delaware’s small businesses, and workers:

The bill provides $16 million for the Manufacturing USA program, directly benefiting NIIMBL, one of the nation’s 14 Manufacturing USA Institutes based in Newark, Delaware. The bill also includes funding for a new grant program to seed potential institutes.

The bill rejects the president’s attempts to defund the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, and instead increases its funding to $146 million so it can carry out its important mission and further support small manufacturers with new cybersecurity and digitalization challenges.

The bill rejects the president’s proposal to eliminate the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and instead increases the program’s funding to $262 million to promote economic development in low-income communities. $2 million of this funding will be used to create the Economic Mobility Corps grant program, a new initiative that Senator Coons advanced to connect national service members to CDFIs.

The bill provides $998 million for the Small Business Administration, 40 percent above the Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level. Within this increase, $99 million is included for the 7(a) loan-guarantee subsidy to ensure the program will continue to support small businesses and lenders.

The bill includes $2.82 billion for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Training formula grants to states to support the national system of education, skills training, and employment services for workers. The bill also provides $175 million for the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.

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Sens. Coons, Murkowski introduce bill to help surviving spouses of veterans who died from ALS

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure surviving spouses and families of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive the full benefits they are owed. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).

“Our current policy denies benefits to spouses and families of veterans with ALS if they did not survive at least eight years with the disease. This is a cruel policy that fails to recognize the significant sacrifices these veterans and their families have made for this country,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Senator Murkowski to solve this glaring problem. People living with ALS and their families face challenges that demand more from all of us.”

“ALS is a cruel and unforgiving disease. The average life expectancy for a person living with the disease is short – only two to five years from the time of diagnosis. But the impact this disease and the loss of a loved one can have on spouses and family will remain far beyond their passing,” said Senator Murkowski. “We have a responsibility to do all we can to care for our veterans and their families, regardless of how long the veteran lived with ALS prior to their passing. I am proud to stand in support of the ALS community by joining Senator Coons in leading this legislation.”

According to the ALS Association, military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as those who haven’t served in the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides an additional monthly financial benefit to the surviving spouse and family of a deceased veteran who had a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least eight years immediately preceding death. The additional benefit is a part of a Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payment and is crucial funding that helps widows and widowers manage the financial difficulties of losing a spouse.

VA regulations recognize ALS as a presumptive service-connected disease and, due to its aggressive nature, it is automatically rated at 100 percent disabling once service-connected. However, because the average life expectancy for a person with ALS is two to five years, many spouses of deceased veterans with ALS do not qualify for this additional benefit given the eight-year requirement. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act would extend increased Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments to surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS, regardless of how long a veteran had ALS prior to death.

“In the United States, one in six people living with ALS has served as a member of our military. These veterans have given so much and ALS impacts the entire family. We stand firmly behind this bill which would right a wrong by extending benefits to the surviving caregiver, no matter how long the person battles ALS,” said Danielle Carnival, CEO, I AM ALS.

“The ALS Association wholeheartedly supports this bill to increase compensation for surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Veterans are twice as likely to die of ALS as civilians. ALS is a devastating disease that impacts not only the person living with ALS but their entire family and causes great financial stress. Congress should pass this bill immediately,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO, The ALS Association.

“We do not believe survivors should be deprived of a benefit simply because the service-connected disease their veterans acquired made it nearly impossible for them to meet an eight-year life expectancy requirement. PVA thanks Senators Coons and Murkowski for their leadership in introducing the Justice for ALS Veterans Act,”said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“The aggressiveness of ALS leaves many veterans totally incapacitated and reliant on family caregivers. Even in the best scenarios, most generally do not live past the eight years currently required for their survivors to become eligible for additional compensation. DAV supports the Justice for ALS Veterans Act as it would provide survivors that additional compensation, regardless of how long the veteran was rated 100% for ALS prior to death, creating equity for families who have suffered with the veteran through the sudden and catastrophic effects of this disease,” said Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, DAV.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys the body’s ability to control muscle movement. There is no known cause and no cure.

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Senator Coons surprises Delaware students with service academy nominations

DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) surprised Delaware students with principal nominations to U.S. service academies during a ceremony held at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base on Dec. 14.

Senator Coons named four high school seniors, all from Kent or Sussex Counties, as principal nominees for appointment to service academies should they meet all medical, physical, and academic requirements.

Amanda Carey, the principal nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, lives in Dover and serves as the executive officer of the JROTC at Dover High School. She is the commander of the color guard and is a member of the drill team. Carey, who takes advanced placement (AP) and honors classes, is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers with the Dover Fire Department.

Andrew Garza, a principal nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, is from Dover and is active with the JROTC at Polytech High School. He runs track, take AP classes, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a self-proclaimed “Air Force brat” since his father works at the base mortuary. Garza, a member of the Civil Air Patrol with a private pilot license, wants to fly F-22 Raptors for the Air Force.

Donald Mendoza, a principal nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy, resides in Dover and attends Caesar Rodney High School. Mendoza, who was born in the Philippines, serves as the executive officer with the JROTC and leads the drill team. He is an eagle scout in the Boy Scouts of America and has participated in Boys State. Mendoza, who is a member of the National Honor Society, wants to be a C-5 Galaxy pilot in the Air Force.

Mackenzie Irelan, the principal nominee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, is from Harbeson in Sussex County and attends Cape Henlopen High School. She takes AP classes and is a member of the softball team. Irelan has completed mission trips to Kenya and the Dominican Republic with Foundation for Peace. She wants to major in political science and become an infantry officer in the Army.

Irelan was not at the Dec. 14 ceremony because of a previous commitment to attend the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia. Right before kickoff, Senator Coons called Irelan to notify her of the nomination officially. During the phone call, one of Senator Coons’ academy board members, Scott Kessel (U.S.M.A. Class of 1987), who himself was at the game, presented Irelan with a congratulatory letter from the senator.

Alternate nominees to the three Department of Defense academies listed above, the nominees for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, and individuals not selected to receive congressional nominations will be notified within the next few weeks.

To download high-resolution photos from this event, visit https://bit.ly/2PVU5Mk.

U.S. Senator Chris Coons joins (from left to right) Amanda Carey, Donald Mendoza, and Andrew Garza at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Del., Dec. 14, 2019. These students, who all live and attend high school in Dover, received principal nominations from Senator Coons for appointment to U.S. service academies for the Class of 2024. Download this photo: https://bit.ly/2RYb82Z.

U.S. Senator Chris Coons speaks with Andrew Garza (center) and family members after a ceremony at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Del., Dec. 14, 2019. Garza, a senior at Polytech High School, received a principal nomination for appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Download this photo:https://bit.ly/36EANBZ.

Amanda Carey stands in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Del., Dec. 14, 2019. Carey, a senior at Dover High School, was named Senator Coons’ principal nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2024. Download this photo: https://bit.ly/2ElbzfU.

Donald Mendoza stands by a C-47 Skytrain at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Del., Dec. 14, 2019. Mendoza, a senior at Caesar Rodney High School, received a principal nomination from U.S. Senator Chris Coons for appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2024. Download this photo:https://bit.ly/35tFuhQ.

Mackenzie Irelan, of Harbeson, Del., holds a congratulatory letter from U.S. Senator Chris Coons while attending the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 14, 2019. Irelan, a senior at Cape Henlopen High School, received the senator’s principal nomination for an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2024. Download this photo: https://bit.ly/35t0jd3.

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Sen. Coons’ bill enabling ongoing funding for Newark-led manufacturing innovation institute to become law

WASHINGTON – The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report that passed the Senate today includes U.S. Senator Chris Coons’ (D-Del.) bipartisan bill to eliminate a federal funding limit on the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, or NIIMBL, which is headquartered in Newark, Delaware. Currently slated to exhaust a stream of federal dollars after 2021, NIIMBL, under this legislation, could continually earn valuable federal funding, which to date has leveraged $129 million from industry. The bill, which passed the House Dec. 11, now heads to the president’s desk and is expected to become law this week.

Newark-based NIIMBL supports industry-leading research with 130 members from industry, academic institutes, nonprofit organizations, and states. The manufacturing hub, which could extend its $70 million federal grant thanks to Sen. Coons’ bill, connects local manufacturers to national resources to spur local innovation.

Many of the nation’s top companies and universities in the biopharmaceutical field have organized through Delaware to develop vaccines, gene therapies, and cancer drugs that aim to result in lifesaving cures and medical treatments. These innovations have the potential not only to save lives, but create new high-skill, high-paying jobs for Delawareans.

“It brings me great pride that Delawareans are leading the world in the development, testing, and production of medicines of the future,” Senator Coons said. “With this bill, and the vital federal funding opportunity it creates, Delaware’s innovators will continue to not only save lives, but also create jobs for generations of high-skilled Delawareans who will manufacture these lifesaving drugs. Also, other states are empowered to follow Delaware’s lead by forming new institutes specializing in other vital areas of manufacturing.”

“Passage of this Act continues our country’s investment in U.S. advanced manufacturing competitiveness, supports our long-term leadership in innovation, and also helps drive key activities in Delaware related to the bioeconomy,” said Dennis Assanis, president of the University of Delaware. “This Act will promote our nation’s economic growth and lead to a more skilled biomanufacturing workforce.”

“Our Delaware Manufacturing Association consistently hears from employers on their struggle to find skilled workers. With advancing technologies, the need to meet the talent demands of businesses who choose to reside and grow in Delaware is more important than ever,” said Michael Quaranta, president at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “The passing of the GLAM Act will boost Delaware’s manufacturing sector not only through creating well-paying jobs but also by developing and maintaining a skilled workforce.”

Cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing Act, or GLAM Act, was filed as an amendment to the NDAA. In addition to the support for NIIMBL, this legislation promotes the development of new Manufacturing USA institutes.

The Manufacturing USA program is a national network of 14 public-private partnership institutes with 1,300-member companies and institutions working to keep the U.S. on the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing. The institutes have generated $2 billion in industry-matched funding to transition innovative technologies from lab to market and to expand the production of goods made in America.

The bill also embeds a liaison of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership in each Manufacturing USA institute to assist with cybersecurity training, workforce development, and technology transfer for small- and medium-sized manufacturers.

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Sens. Coons, Lankford’s LIFT for Charities Act included in tax bill

WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation from U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) to protect churches, charities, and other nonprofit organizations is expected to become law as part of a bipartisan tax bill agreed to by House and Senate negotiators late yesterday. The Lessening Impediments from Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act repeals a section of the tax code that requires some tax-exempt organizations to pay federal taxes on employee benefits, such as parking, meals, or transportation benefits.

“I believe that we have a moral obligation to support our neighbors most in need, and nonprofits play an essential role in doing just that,” said Senator Coons. “Requiring these organizations to pay a federal tax on employee benefits, something they have never been required to do before, causes them to not only face an increased operating cost, but also an administrative burden. The passage of this bill will help to ensure that America’s charitable nonprofits and houses of worship are able to continue providing critical services to communities without undue burden.”

“It is welcome news that the LIFT for Charities Act has been included the annual appropriations bill to be considered later this week,” said Senator Lankford. “Several of us have worked for months to correct a small provision in the 2017 tax reform bill that required some churches and nonprofit organizations to pay a tax on employee benefits, which could include items that have never been previously accounted for, such as a parking space. Most nonprofits were neither equipped to handle the additional administrative burdens or compliance costs, nor intended to be a source of revenue for the federal government. The fix included in this week’s appropriations bill is a huge win for our nation’s churches, charities, and other non-profits who are dedicated to serving our neighbors and meeting the needs of our communities. We should protect our non-profits, not tax them.”

The 2017 tax law created the provision requiring charities to pay the new tax on employee benefits. In November 2018, Lankford and Coons sent a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, expressing their concerns about the challenges faced by tax-exempt organizations, such as charitable nonprofits, houses of worship, and foundations, regarding compliance with new tax liabilities.

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Sens. Carper, Coons, Rep. Blunt Rochester secure major wins for Delaware in annual defense bill, including $21 million for a new Army Reserve Center in Newark

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) applauded the passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which each of them voted in support of. The bill includes a number of wins for Delaware and the country, such as funding for a training center for Army Reservists in Newark, support for service members who have been exposed to toxic chemicals, and twelve weeks of paid parental leave for all federal workers. The bill passed both chambers of Congress and is now headed to the President’s desk for signature.

“One of our most serious responsibilities is to ensure that our troops have the resources necessary to help keep our country and our citizens safe,” said Senator Carper, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves. “This year’s defense bill makes critical investments to support the men and women serving in our Armed Forces and their families, strengthen our military capabilities, bolster our nation’s cyber defenses, and counter ever-evolving threats to our national security. This bill also authorizes $21 million for a new Army Reserve Center in Newark – funding I’m proud to have worked alongside Senator Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester to secure. However, our support for the men and women serving in the military must extend beyond just dollars and cents. I regret that the bipartisan amendment I worked on with Senator Udall which would prevent the Trump Administration from taking military action against Iran without the approval of Congress was left out of this final package. I also remain incredibly disappointed that, while this bill will enact several important bipartisan provisions dealing with PFAS chemicals, this Congress failed to protect the tens of thousands of servicemen and women living on or near military sites, including two in Delaware, whose drinking water systems have PFAS contamination. I believe we have a sworn and solemn duty to protect the brave men and women who serve our country. Our men and women in uniform and the people who love them have sacrificed enough already, and we ought to do everything we can to ensure they have clean, safe drinking water.”

“I’m proud to support this year’s defense policy bill, which provides important benefits to military families, supports the Delaware economy, and enhances our nation’s security. In particular, the bill authorizes a new $21 million Army Reserve Center in Newark to serve as a modern training facility for Delaware’s Reservists and $28 million for upgrades to the Army’s heavy lift Chinook helicopter to be carried out by hardworking Delawareans around the region,” said Senator Coons. “With so many challenges around the world, it is encouraging to see broad bipartisan support for America’s global leadership. At the same time, I think the Congress must do more to restrain President Trump’s most reckless policies, especially in the Middle East. The defense bill does not include provisions to end the 2002 authorization for the use of military force in Iraq, curtail U.S. arms sales to the Saudi-led war in Yemen, or prevent President Trump from starting an unconstitutional war with Iran. I’ve supported numerous bipartisan bills on these issues and will continue to push for the passage of these stand-alone bills. I also share my colleagues’ disappointment at the missed opportunity to do much more to address PFAS contamination on and around our military bases.”

“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act provides a well-deserved pay raise for our troops, implements a National Defense Strategy to confront our foremost adversaries, and provides support and assistance for the families of our armed forces,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “I am pleased a number of priorities that I have been fighting for throughout this Congress made it into the final package, including repealing the widow’s tax, instituting paid parental leave for federal workers, encouraging the expansion of the Space Available flights program, and requiring a report to Congress on the impact of expanding the program. I am, however, very disappointed this package did not include a comprehensive set of protections from PFAS contamination. We are facing a public health crisis from PFAS in Delaware. We’ve seen the urgency and severity of this problem in Blades, New Castle, and at the Dover Air Force Base. The NDAA was an important opportunity to address this crisis and I’m disappointed Congress chose not to take advantage of it.”

The annual defense bill passed today includes provisions that will benefit Delaware:

Army Reserve Center

The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes $21 million for the construction of a 300-member training center for Army Reservists in Newark, Delaware, which will replace Delaware’s aging Reserve facilities that do not meet current standards for protection of our service members. The new training center will be located right off the I-95 corridor, providing a convenient location for drilling and recruitment.

Chinook Block II Program

The bill includes an additional $28 million for advance procurement of the CH-47 Chinook Block II program. This heavy lift aircraft is critical to our Army and our national security, and the Block II program is a win for the hundreds of Delaware Boeing employees at Ridley Park.

The Widow’s Tax

The National Defense Authorization Act also includes legislation cosponsored by Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Rep. Blunt Rochester to repeal the so-called widow’s tax, which prevents surviving spouses of military members from receiving full benefits from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Evaluation of Exposure to Burn Pits

The defense authorization also includes legislation co-sponsored by Senator Coons, the Burn Pits Accountability Act, which requires the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to improve evaluation and documentation of service members’ exposure to “burn pits.” Burn pits have been used in overseas combat operations to burn waste, resulting in military personnel being exposed to smoke and potentially harmful substances. Under provisions in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, service members will be evaluated for exposure to toxic airborne chemicals in routine health exams. Service members who served near a burn pit would also be automatically enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.

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Sens. Coons, Wicker bipartisan bill to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing passes Senate

WASHINGTON – The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate today includes the bipartisan Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement (Maritime SAFE) Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), that would promote a whole-of-government strategy to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing threatens the national security of the United States and food security around the world. Actors involved in IUU fishing have been known to conduct other illicit activities such as weapon, drug, and human trafficking.

“IUU fishing is an issue that not only poses a serious threat to national security, but also contributes to instability in regions important to U.S. interests,” said Senator Coons. “As a coastal state with vibrant marine ecosystems, Delaware is susceptible to the far-reaching effects of IUU fishing. I’m pleased the Senate passed this important legislation that will give us the tools to combat a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that undercuts the economic livelihoods of fishermen and threatens food security for communities around the world.”

“The Maritime SAFE Act would give federal agencies greater tools to protect maritime security, lawful fishing, and the global seafood supply chain,” said Senator Wicker. “We cannot let illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing jeopardize the livelihoods of America’s honest fishermen or fund other criminal activities.”

The bipartisan Maritime SAFE Act establishes an interagency working group to provide federal agencies with a coordinated framework to effectively combat IUU fishing and authorizes a range of agency activities, including building capacity for law enforcement and port security, reducing illegally-sourced product circulating within the seafood supply chain, promoting the use of technology to combat IUU fishing, and encouraging better information sharing among agencies and other organizations.

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Sen. Coons’ provision to provide equal retirement benefits for Guardsmen and Reservists included in annual defense bill

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) was proud to support the passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes early retirement benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who deploy on certain missions overseas under what’s called “12304b” authority. Since the authority was created, over 18,000 Guardsmen, including members of the Delaware National Guard, have deployed in support of critical missions around the world. Yet, these service members don’t receive the same benefits as active duty service members who deploy alongside them.

Last Congress, Senator Coons introduced the bipartisan National Guard and Reserves Benefits Parity Act, which aimed to ensure that members of the Guard and Reserve forces who deploy under 12304b authority receive the same benefits as their active duty counterparts. Two of the bill’s provisions passed into law in last year’s defense bill, but the third — which would reduce the age at which members of the Guard and Reserves can receive retirement pay by three months for every 90 days they are deployed under 12304b authority — was not included. Senator Coons is proud to see that this third provision is included in the fiscal year 2020 defense bill.

“Members of the Guard and Reserves in Delaware and around the country should have access to the full range of benefits they deserve. This includes early retirement benefits for those who deploy under 12304b authority,” Senator Coons said. “The defense authorization bill is critical to our national security and our service members, and I’m glad to see that this year’s bill helps to ensure that Guardsmen and Reservists are fairly compensated.”

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Sen. Coons’ Global Fragility Act included in spending deal; bill prevents terrorism and instability in fragile countries

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Coons’ (D-DE) bipartisan legislation, the Global Fragility Act, which will improve U.S. government efforts to prevent terrorism from taking root in developing countries around the world, is expected to become law after being included in the bipartisan appropriations package to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2020.

The United States has spent $5.9 trillion fighting terrorism since 9/11. We need a new strategy to address the conditions that enable terrorism to thrive. The passage of this legislation is an important first step towards a strategy to get ahead of the curve and prevent this national security threat.

“The United States has spent nearly $5.9 trillion in the 18 years since 9/11 to combat extremism and terrorism around the world, and it’s clear we need a new strategy to do that more effectively. This legislation is a genuinely bipartisan effort to prevent terrorism from taking hold in the first place, and, by doing that, save American lives and taxpayer dollars. This bipartisan legislation will promote the stabilization of fragile environments where terrorists thrive, build peace, and maximize the impact of U.S. foreign assistance.” said Senator Coons. “Thank you to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this legislation, especially Senator Graham, Senator Leahy, Senator Risch, and Senator Menendez, as well as Representative Engel and Representative McCaul. I am also grateful to the United States Institute of Peace for their leadership on this important issue as well as the coalition of organizations led by the Alliance for Peacebuilding and Mercy Corps for their support of this effort. I am looking forward to working with the Trump administration, the private sector, foreign governments, and a wide-range of NGOs to realize the goals of this bill.”

Fragile states can become threats to the security of the United States because their governments are seen as ineffective or illegitimate by their citizens, heightening the risk of terrorism and terrorist recruitment, violent conflict, criminal activity, and corruption. Violent conflict also drives global displacement, with nearly 70 million people forcibly displaced around the world. The Global Fragility Act responds to these challenges by requiring the Secretary of State, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Secretary of Defense to collaborate on a ten-year strategy to prevent and reduce instability in at least five priority countries or regions. The bill improves interagency coordination and enhances monitoring, evaluation, and oversight to ensure the effectiveness of U.S. investments. The legislation also authorizes the establishment of a Multi-donor Global Fragility Fund to leverage and coordinate public and private resources from partners around the world to combat this national security threat.

In addition to Sen. Coons, Senate co-sponsors of the legislation are: Sen. Graham (R-SC), Sen. Merkley (D-OR), Sen. Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Young (R-IN), Sen. Boozman (R-AR), Sen. Markey (D-MA), Sen. Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Casey (D-PA), Sen. Collins (R-ME), Sen. Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Isakson (R-GA), Sen. Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Peters (D-MI), Sen. Cantwell (D-MI), Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Reed (D-RI), Sen. King (I-ME), Sen. Murphy (D-CT), and Sen. Hirono (D-HI).

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Sen. Coons secures $425 million for election security in spending bill poised to become law

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the top Democrat on the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, led the successful effort to include $425 million in funding for election security grants to help states protect their election systems in the Fiscal Year 2020 federal funding bill poised to pass Congress and become law in the coming days.

“We know that foreign adversaries are actively planning to attack our elections once again in 2020, so we have to make investments now in updated voting systems that the American people can trust and rely on,” said Senator Coons. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve been fighting for years to ensure that the federal government provides states with the funding they need to replace outdated election machinery and invest in cybersecurity. This is a responsible investment, and I’m pleased that, on a bipartisan basis, we were able to come to this agreement.”

Senator Coons also led the successful effort to include $380 million in funding for election security grants in the Fiscal Year 2018 federal funding bill.

Recently, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released a report that outlined Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and target our nation’s election infrastructure in all 50 states, conducting reconnaissance, probing and mapping systems, and looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. According to the report, the Russian government was able to gain access to election systems in two states, including successfully accessing and extracting up to 200,000 voter registration records in Illinois.

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