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

WASHINGTON – The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate yesterday 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 weapons, drugs, and human trafficking.

“IUU fishing is an issue that not only poses a serious threat to our own national security, but also contributes to instability in regions important to United States interests,” said Senator Coons. “This legislation allows the United States to combat a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that undercuts the economic livelihoods of legitimate fishermen and threatens food security for communities around the world. By establishing an interagency working group and allowing federal agencies to improve law enforcement, develop a system for sharing information, and coordinate regional, national, and local action in countries affected by IUU fishing, this bill provides the United States with the requisite tools to address this important issue.”

“The Maritime SAFE Act would give federal agencies greater tools to protect maritime security, lawful fishing, and the global seafood supply chain,” Senator Wicker said. “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, improving transparency and traceability in 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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Senator Coons’ statement on today’s vote

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on today’s vote on the Udall-Kaine amendment. Due to a previously scheduled family obligation, Senator Coons missed the Senate vote on the measure, which was originally scheduled to take place yesterday, but was moved to today. If present, Senator Coons would have voted in support, but his vote would not have changed the outcome.

 “I’ve worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reclaim Congress’ role in decisions of whether or not to use military force, and I’m committed to continuing to work to ensure that President Trump does not inadvertently stumble into what would likely be a long and costly war with Iran. If the President should want to engage in war with Iran, he needs to come before Congress to request permission to use military force and explain his strategy to the American people. I support the measure from Senators Udall, Kaine, Merkley, Paul, Murphy, Durbin, and Lee that would serve as a bipartisan guardrail against the President involving the United States in another war with no long-term strategy in place.”

Bipartisan, bicameral bill from Sens. Coons, Risch, Smith, Gardner & Reps. Luján, Fleischmann supports small business innovation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), James Risch (R-ID), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Cory Gardner (R-CO), along with U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), today introduced the Small Businesses Partnering with National Labs Act of 2019, which allows small businesses to gain access to premier facilities at the national labs, spurring innovation and stimulating the culture of private-public collaboration.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. However, the cost of investing in necessary but expensive capital equipment often prohibits small businesses from pursuing truly innovative ideas and developing groundbreaking products. In order to address these challenges, this bill authorizes a small business voucher program that will allow small businesses to conduct feasibility studies and analyze the innovation potential of new technologies by accessing facilities and expertise at the national labs. The bill also streamlines the application and approval process for vouchers, eliminating barriers that prevent small businesses from exploring the potential of new technologies.

“Small businesses are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions to the problems that face our nation,” said Sen. Coons. “Often, small businesses need access to unique facilities and resources to succeed in developing truly groundbreaking products. This bill provides businesses with access to world-class facilities and experts to help strengthen the ecosystem of small business innovation in the U.S.”

“American small businesses have led innovation for generations, creating lasting solutions in the fields of science, medicine, technology, and more,” said Sen. Risch. “Utilizing the unique assets and expertise of our national laboratories, this bill provides additional resources for entrepreneurs to research and test their latest advancements. In my home state, the Idaho National Lab has been a leader in public/private partnerships and serves as a great example of how well this collaboration works.”  

“Minnesota has a long history of innovation. When I host roundtables and meetings across the state, I’m struck by the many ways Minnesotans are addressing important issues and developing innovative products, and having more access to DOE laboratory facilities and expertise will help,” said Sen. Smith. “As a former small business owner myself, I want to make it possible for more small businesses in Minnesota and across the country to access the resources they need to ensure their businesses create good jobs, grow the economy, and help them and their families thrive.” 

“Connecting small businesses to our national labs will lead to more innovation from American businesses on Main Street,” said Sen. Gardner. “This is a bipartisan, commonsense approach that will give our small businesses the tools they need to be competitive and succeed in the global economy.”

“Our economy is driven by innovation and a desire to create. But far too often, the tools, research, or space needed to innovate are out-of-reach for small businesses,” said U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján. “This legislation will make it easier for small businesses to access lab technologies and resources by streamlining partnership agreements and creating vouchers to be used at labs and research facilities – ensuring that small businesses and national laboratories continue to be technological leaders in the United States.”

“This bill combines the entrepreneurial strength of small businesses with the incredible resources and expertise of our national labs. In my district, Oak Ridge National Lab is home to several state-of-the-art user facilities, such as the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility and the Spallation Neutron Source, and I am happy to play a part in this effort to enable the types of public/private partnerships that grant small businesses access to facilities like these, and in turn, help to drive our nation’s innovation ecosystem,” said Rep. Fleischmann.

A one-pager on the bill is available here. 

The text of the bill is available here.

“I applaud Senators Coons, Risch, and Gardner and Congressmen Lujan and Fleischmann for introducing the Small Business Voucher bill which will streamline the way small businesses access taxpayer-funded expertise and world-class facilities of the DOE national laboratory system. Supporting small businesses through cutting-edge science and technology at the labs strengthens the country’s innovation ecosystem and its national competitiveness,” said Jetta Wong, President of JLW Advising and former Director of Technology Transitions, DOE 

 “Small businesses often lack access to research facilities that would allow them to explore innovative ideas. DOE’s small business voucher pilot programs are important tools to stimulate innovation and lower barriers to research for small businesses, while at the same time maximizing the value of the national labs to the American public. These pilot programs have already proven to be successful and should be extended to all national labs,” said Stephen Ezell, Vice President, Global Innovation Policy, ITIF.  

“The Department of Energy and our 17 national labs have enabled the United States to be a leader in clean energy innovation. To maintain that leadership, however, we not only need a well-funded DOE, we need one that can partner with America’s small businesses and help these private sector innovators get their technologies into the market. We’ve seen enormous success with the GAIN initiative at the Office of Nuclear Energy, which has helped the U.S. advanced reactor industry grow from 48 projects in 2015 to 75 projects today. Expanding small business vouchers at DOE is a smart policy that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of national clean energy R&D,” said Josh Freed, Senior Vice President for Clean Energy, Third Way.

“I applaud Senators Coons and Risch for their proposal to allow small businesses to receive vouchers to access National Labs’ facilities. I’ve worked at the National Labs in the past and have witnessed firsthand how they are a great resource of intellect and capabilities. However, I also saw that a connection to the marketplace was missing. This small business voucher program will close that gap, allowing small businesses to collaborate with the National Labs so that research can successfully move out of the lab sand into the marketplace,” said Stephen Grot, Owner, Ion Power, and Delaware Small Business Owner. 

“BPC Action is proud to support the Small Businesses Partnering with National Labs Act of 2019 which would expand opportunities for small businesses to harness the resources and expertise at our nation’s renowned national labs. Technology innovation drives economic productivity and growth. Providing our workers with access to resources and guidance to develop new products and services benefits all Americans by helping to grow US businesses and create jobs across industries and the nation,” said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director of BPC Action.  

“The U.S. national laboratory system has a tremendous variety of cutting-edge infrastructure and world-leading scientists and engineers.  Making that capability available to small businesses throughout the U.S. will help spur innovation and keep the U.S. in a leadership position in emerging energy technologies.  Expanding these private-public partnerships is smart advocacy,” said Dr. Todd Allen, Glenn F. and Gladys H. Knoll Department Chair of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan

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Sens. Carper, Coons join legislation to strengthen rights of public sector workers to join unions, bargain collectively

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) joined House and Senate Democrats in introducing bicameral legislation, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2019, that will guarantee the right of public employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. There are nearly 17.3 million public workers across the country. Unlike private sector workers, there is no federal law protecting the freedom of public sector workers to join a union and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and improved working conditions.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues to, once again, introduce legislation to help protect the rights of Delaware’s public sector employees to form unions and collectively bargain for better pay and benefits. Last year’s Supreme Court decision in Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31 threatened the ability of public-sector employees around the country to organize and negotiate fair wages. Our country was built by hardworking men and women who organized and fought hard for workers’ rights, and we in Congress must work to ensure that their rights to collectively bargain for better pay and benefits are protected,” Senator Carper said.

“Public sector employees provide critical services to protect us, care for our children, and support our economy,” Senator Coons said. “In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 decision, we must protect the ability of these workers to unionize and negotiate fair wages and working conditions. I’m proud to introduce legislation with my Democratic colleagues to reaffirm the crucial role of public sector unions in fighting for workers’ rights.”  

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2019 provides the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) with the authority to determine whether a state, territory, or locality provides public employees and supervisors the right:

• To form, join, or assist a union, to bargain collectively, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid (including the filing of joint, class or collective legal claims) or protection;
• To have their union recognized by their public employer if the union is freely chosen by a majority of employees, to bargain with the employer through the union, and to commit their collective-bargaining agreement to writing;
• To be free from forced recertification elections of their already-recognized representative and decertification of their chosen representative within one year of an election or the expiration of a valid collective bargaining agreement;
• To have a procedure for resolving impasses in collective bargaining culminating in binding arbitration; and
• To authorize employers to deduct fees to the union from their payroll when employees consent.

The FLRA approach gives states wide flexibility to write and administer their own labor laws provided they meet this minimum standard. If a state substantially provides for the rights and procedures laid out in the bill, that state is unaffected by this bill. States that do not provide for these rights or only partially provide for these rights, however, will be compelled to meet these basic labor standards. The FLRA must issue regulations within one year of the bill becoming law and they can enforce the law through federal court. The bill also creates a private right of action to enforce compliance in federal court but only if the FLRA has not yet filed suit seeking relief for the same issue. 

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, introduced by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), is also cosponsored by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.),  Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Robert Casey (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). There are 27 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act is supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

In June 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that public sector unions are barred from charging “agency fees” to the public employees they negotiate pay increases and benefit bumps for, if those employees decline to join the union as full members. 

Full text of the legislation is available here.

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Sens. Coons, Graham, Reps. Luján, Wilson introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to help drive investment in new energy technologies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), along with U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to establish a nonprofit foundation for the U.S. Department of Energy that would channel private-sector investments and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies in energy.

Research and development (R&D) drives innovation and accounts for nearly 7% of the United States real GDP growth. However, recent declines in research funding have jeopardized U.S. economic competitiveness. For example, from 2008 to 2013, venture capital funding in energy startups fell by 60% and resulted in a steep decline in the development of these important startup companies. Unlike other sectors, the energy sector has several unique challenges to innovation including requiring high capital needs, long development times, the need to overcome incumbent technologies, and operating within a shifting regulatory environment. Addressing these challenges requires partnerships with government, industry, startups, and outside funding organizations.

This bill establishes a nonprofit foundation to engage with the private sector to raise funds that support the creation, development, and commercialization of innovative technologies that address tomorrow’s energy challenges.

“The IMPACT for Energy Act would bolster efforts to support private-sector investment, accelerate commercialization by facilitating public-private partnerships and prize competitions, and would serve as an agent in convening industry leaders and other stakeholders to collaborate, share ideas, and solve some of your most complex and challenging problems,” said Senator Coons. “I am proud to introduce this bill with Senator Graham and my co-authors in the House that helps drive innovation in the energy sector and helps bring the next generation of energy technologies.” 

“Investing in research and development – particularly as it pertains to energy – is a no-brainer. The IMPACT for Energy Act would allow the Department of Energy to partner with the private sector, creating a unique opportunity for innovation. I was proud to work with my long-time friend and colleague Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina, along with Senator Coons, and Congressman Luján, on this important legislation,” said Senator Graham.  “Our bill will help foster new ideas and partnerships to keep America on the cutting edge of economic and technological developments.” 

“The non-profit foundation created by this legislation will help organize and connect diverse partners from government, industry and the venture capital to spur innovative technologies to address our country’s energy challenges, including the need to invest in renewable energy sources as we propose bold solutions to the climate crisis,” said U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján. “Similar foundations at the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have all demonstrated success in funding cutting-edge research and innovation, and I’m confident a Department of Energy foundation will help us tackle the energy challenges of both today and tomorrow.” 

“Private-public partnerships are critical for innovation and development of new technologies to address the needs of America’s energy industry,” said Rep. Wilson. “I am grateful to partner with Congressman Ben Ray Luján and Senators Chris Coons and Lindsey Graham to support The IMPACT for Energy Act to create an avenue for private investment and federal assistance for energy expansion.”

The Increasing and Mobilizing Partnerships to Achieve Commercialization of Technologies (IMPACT) for Energy Act would:

• Support private-sector investment.  Provides a mechanism to channel private-sector investment into commercializing energy technology. 
• Accelerate commercialization.  Facilitates public-private partnerships and encourages new ideas such as increased regional economic development and prize competitions.
• Convene industry leaders.  Supports events, briefings, and symposia to create a forum for stakeholders to share ideas and collaborate on complex energy problems.   

The House version of the bill is also cosponsored by Representatives Lipinksi (D-IL), Reed (R-NY), Swalwell (D-CA), Fortenberry (R-NE), Tonko (D-NY), Fleischmann (R-TN), McNerney (D-CA), Bilirakis (R-FL), Casten (D-IL), McKinley (R-WV), Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Fitzpatrick (R-PA). 

The bill text can be found here. 

A one-pager on the bill can be found here.   

Supportive quotes for the IMPACT for Energy Act

“APLU applauds Senators Coons and Graham and Congressmen Luján and Wilson for introducing the IMPACT for Energy Act. This bill would help accelerate the transfer of groundbreaking technologies from university labs to market, helping to power the U.S. economy forward and strengthening the nation’s position in the global economy.”

Peter McPherson, President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

“AAU applauds Senators Coons and Graham and Representatives Luján and Wilson for reintroducing the IMPACT for Energy Act. This bill would facilitate critical public-private partnerships and bolster our nation’s ability to lead the world in cutting-edge research and innovation.”

Mary Sue Coleman, President, Association of American Universities

“I thank Senators Coons and Graham and Congressmen Luján and Wilson for their leadership in establishing the IMPACT for Energy Foundation. The program enables more DOE-funded research to reach the marketplace and aid entrepreneurs at the Science Center and beyond in bringing their energy innovations to market.” 

Stephen T. Zarrilli, President and CEO of the University City Science Center.

“Federal investment and support are vital for the energy innovation we need to tackle climate change and reassert US leadership in the global energy market. The IMPACT for Energy Act will enable private public partnerships to more quickly deploy cutting edge clean energy technologies, build on existing best-practices already in place at the Department of Energy, and facilitate workforce development. We hope this bipartisan, bicameral bill will be quickly enacted.”

Josh Freed, Senior Vice President for Clean Energy, Third Way

“The clean energy foundation proposed by Senators Coons and Graham and Representatives Luján and Wilson is an innovative and cost-effective way to drive important investments in energy research and development. BPC’s American Energy Innovation Council recommended a similar approach to foster public and private collaboration to accelerate energy innovation. I am pleased to see members of Congress working together to advance this important and creative idea.” 

Michele Stockwell, BPC Action Executive Director

“The Energy Department, collaborating with the private sector, has an enormous record of success in helping to develop energy-saving technologies we rely on today. This bill would give a further boost to the Department’s vital efforts and help the U.S. continue to be a leader in advancing energy innovation.”

Jason Hartke, President, Alliance to Save Energy

“The IMPACT for Energy Act would accelerate energy innovation and increase the return that the nation receives from its investments in federal science and technology”

David M. Hart, Senior Fellow, Energy Innovation Policy, Information Technology and Innovation

Foundation

“The United States has benefited greatly from federally funded R&D, but we are in a new era where science alone cannot meet the great challenges of our time. The creation of a DOE Foundation will strengthen our R&D system by leveraging additional funding sources as well as new public private partnership models to accelerate the commercialization of new technology into the market.”

Jetta Wong, President of JLW Advising and former Director of Technology Transitions, DOE 

“The need for public-private collaboration to address climate change has never been clearer. The IMPACT for Energy Act would provide an important avenue for that collaboration, driving private sector investment and accelerating the development and deployment of technologies critical to solving the climate challenge.”

Bob Perciasepe, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

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Sens. Carper, Coons secure $21 million authorization for new Army Reserve Center in annual defense policy bill

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) supported the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which includes an authorization for a new Army Reserve Center in Newark and a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members. 

“The Senate has come together to approve this year’s critically important National Defense Authorization Act, which ensures that our troops have the resources necessary to help keep our country and our citizens safe,” said Senator Carper. “This final bill makes important investments to support the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, strengthen our military capabilities, bolster our nation’s cyber defenses, and counter the ever-evolving threats to our national security. I am especially proud to have worked alongside Senator

Coons to secure funding for the new Army Reserve Center in Newark so that our service men and women have the modern training facility that they deserve.”

“I was proud to support passage of this year’s defense policy bill, which enhances our national security, improves health evaluations for troops who serve abroad, and supports service members and their families around the First State.” said Senator Coons. “The bill also authorizes the construction of a new $21 million Army Reserve Center in Newark, which will provide a modern training facility for Delaware’s Reservists.”

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. The project is currently set to begin construction in 2020 and be completed in 2022. 

Troop Pay Raise         

The bill includes a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members, which is the largest in a decade.

Improving 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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Brendan Mackie joins Sen. Coons’ communications team based in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – Brendan Mackie has joined the office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) as state press secretary, based in the Senator’s Wilmington office. Brendan is joining the office from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Prior to the VA, he was a member of Sen. Coons’ constituent services team handling veteran health care issues and also assisted the communications team.

Brendan can be reached at Brendan_Mackie@coons.senate.gov.

Brendan is a 2011 honor graduate of the Defense Information School – the Department of Defense’s school for professional journalists, broadcasters, and public affairs professionals. He deployed to Afghanistan as an Army photojournalist with the 82nd Airborne Division from 2012 to 2013. There, he documented more than 50 missions and named operations while embedded with infantry units and special operations forces.

Brendan is the recipient of six national awards, including two Keith L. Ware Awards for photography and the James P. Hunter Award for Outstanding New Writer. He authored two history books for Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series on Fort Delaware (2010) and Fort DuPont (2011).

A Delaware native, Brendan is a graduate of William Penn High School and Wilmington University, an AmeriCorps alumnus, and an Army veteran who currently serves in the Delaware National Guard as a military intelligence officer.

Senator Coons sponsors bill to spur investments in offshore wind

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper (both D-Del.) introduced a bill that would spark investments in offshore wind power, helping to create thousands of good-paying American jobs by supporting the construction of offshore wind energy projects. The Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act would extend the wind investment tax credit (ITC) at 30% for offshore wind projects that commence construction by January 1, 2027 or the year after the United States has reached 3,000MW of new offshore wind capacity, whichever is later. This ensures that the ITC is available until the offshore wind industry is established in the United States. Additionally, the bill would lower consumer costs by retroactively eliminating the current tax credit phase-down.

“Wind electricity generated off our shores has the potential to strengthen domestic energy production, lower energy costs, and create jobs,” Sen. Coons said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to advance the development of this important technology so it can provide clean, sustainable electricity to our communities.”

Additional cosponsors include Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Angus King (I-Maine), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Full text of the bill can be found here.

Background 

Offshore wind projects create clean energy AND good-paying domestic jobs. The Department of Energy estimates there is at least 2,000 gigawatts (GW) of wind power potential off our shores – in the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico – which is more than double the electricity consumed by Americans in 2015. If the United States takes advantage of this clean energy resource, in the next ten years offshore wind could create tens of thousands of U.S. jobs and pump billions of new revenue dollars into our nation’s economy.  The University of Delaware recently published a study that found offshore wind could provide up to $70 billion in revenues for businesses in the offshore wind supply chain by 2030.

The long investment time, infancy of the industry, and higher initial costs of offshore wind, make offshore wind unique from onshore wind. Investors need a quicker return on such a long-term investment, which is why to date, the investment tax credit has been more advantageous for offshore wind projects than the production tax credit. Tax certainty for the first offshore wind movers ultimately reduces costs for future projects and, by extension, for consumers.

The wind investment tax credits (ITC) expire on January 1, 2020 and has been phasing down since 2017. To date, there is only one offshore wind project producing electricity in the U.S., off of Block Island, Rhode Island. However, there are many offshore wind projects in the development phase, with at least fifteen active offshore wind leases in federal waters and at least fourteen states actively engaged in developing offshore wind off their shores. This means the critical wind ITC for offshore wind is expiring just as the industry is getting off the ground in this country.  If the U.S. wants to invest in offshore wind, a long-term extension of the investment tax credit, like the one provided in the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act, is critical.

There is widespread support for the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act among industry and environmental organizations alike.

“Without Congressional action, the federal Investment Tax Credit for offshore wind is set to phase out this year—just as the first wave of large-scale offshore wind projects prepare to begin construction. At this critical moment for a new U.S. energy industry, policy stability is more important than ever. We appreciate and strongly support proposals that would extend the Investment Tax Credit for offshore wind, jumpstarting the projected $70 billion build-out of America’s offshore wind infrastructure, delivering large amounts of reliable, homegrown clean energy and tens of thousands of jobs to the U.S. economy.” – Tom Kiernan, CEO of American Wind Energy Association

“Offshore wind power can create thousands of well-paying jobs and produce gigawatt hours of low-cost clean energy, which is absolutely essential to moving toward net-zero emissions. Extending the Investment Tax Credit will accelerate the momentum behind responsibly sited, built, and operated offshore wind power. Thank you to Senator Carper for championing this critical legislation that demonstrates broad bipartisan support for offshore wind energy.” –  Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on Iran: “It concerns me greatly that our President doesn’t even think he needs an exit strategy.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees, today joined CNN to discuss former Special Counsel Mueller’s upcoming testimony to Congress, Iran, and the crisis at the U.S. southern border.

“For anyone who knows the history of the conflict in Iraq, that is a chilling statement of either indifference or callousness to the very real risk that a war with Iran would end up being a long, expensive, and painful quagmire. We charged into Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein without a real plan for what would happen if, several months later, the Iraqi people did not rise up as one and embrace us as liberators and then become a model democracy. And, in fact, it became a long and grinding and brutal conflict,” said Senator Coons.

“After the Second World War, the United States reflected on the ways in which we refused to accept refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, an entire ship full of Jewish citizens of Germany who were fleeing Nazi persecution were denied the opportunity to enter the United States. They floated off the East Coast for months and months, and then ultimately were forced to return to Germany, where many were killed. It’s because of that incident that we changed our laws to make it possible for people fleeing violence and persecution to come here and seek asylum. We should reflect on that history, again, today. There are thousands of people fleeing the violence and chaos of three countries in Central America,” said Senator Coons.

Video and audio available here. 

Excerpts from the interview:

Sen. Coons on Mueller: I’d want to know, from Robert Mueller, his view on whether or not the President obstructed justice and whether or not, in his opinion, the President could and should be prosecuted after he leaves office.

Sen. Coons on Mueller: Frankly, I’d ask him a lot of questions that led to his reviewing what’s already in that report. One of the challenges here is that I think Robert Mueller counted on the American people to read, at least the summaries of, his report. I think when you read them it is striking, it’s fairly alarming that the President and his inner circle clearly in at least a half dozen occasions, engaged in all the elements of an obstruction of justice action. And, in the first volume of his report, he lays out in great detail the searching way in which Russia interfered in our last election. The lack of concrete action here in the Congress to ensure that we’ve secured our next election, the ways in which the Majority Leader has blocked bipartisan bills that would strengthen our election machinery and strengthen the ability of our intelligence community to communicate and coordinate with local elections officials, I think would be concerning and alarming. And my hope is that many more people would focus, would tune into that hearing, than frankly have so far read the Mueller report.  
Sen. Coons on the border crisis: No, we’re not. Any parent who sees that image has got to be profoundly disturbed. After the Second World War, the United States reflected on the ways in which we refused to accept refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, an entire ship full of Jewish citizens of Germany who were fleeing Nazi persecution were denied the opportunity to enter the United States. They floated off the East Coast for months and months, and then ultimately were forced to return to Germany, where many were killed. It’s because of that incident that we changed our laws to make it possible for people fleeing violence and persecution to come here and seek asylum. We should reflect on that history, again, today. There are thousands of people fleeing the violence and chaos of three countries in Central America. President Trump’s budget and his administrative actions freezes and cuts the assistance to those three countries to help them stabilize, to help them combat drug trafficking. When I’ve met with leaders from those countries, they remind me that it is our insatiable appetite for drugs that is largely driving the violence and chaos in their countries. They welcome our assistance, and I think we should be both providing humanitarian assistance at the border for those who are fleeing that condition and seeking refuge here, and we should be working together to try and stabilize those three countries so that fewer parents take this desperately dangerous journey and risk their lives and their children’s lives in trying to reach America.

Sen. Coons on Iran and an exit strategy: Of course, we do. And for anyone who knows the history of the conflict in Iraq, that is a chilling statement of either indifference or callousness to the very real risk that a war with Iran would end up being a long, expensive, and painful quagmire. We charged into Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein without a real plan for what would happen if, several months later, the Iraqi people did not rise up as one, embrace us a liberators and then become a model democracy. And, in fact, it became and long and grinding and brutal conflict. And we did not have an exit strategy for that war. And it concerns me greatly that our President doesn’t even think he needs an exit strategy for a war that he is flirting with, starting with Iran.

Sen. Coons on the Senate approving war with Iran: We do. We are having a vigorous debate today about whether or not we’re going to proceed to an important annual bill called the National Defense Authorization Act, and whether or not we’re going to get a vote on an amendment that would require the President to seek Congressional approval before starting a war with Iran. Of course, the President can act to defend American troops if attacked, but I think it’s important that we get every Senator on record on whether or not they’re satisfied that President Trump has a clear strategy, has a compelling national interest, and has an exit strategy for a potential conflict with Iran. 

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Sen. Coons to be honored by Sandy Hook Promise as an outstanding champion for gun violence prevention

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today will be recognized by Sandy Hook Promise as an outstanding champion for gun violence prevention. Sandy Hook Promise will also honor Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

“In order to tackle gun violence, or any of the other critical issues facing this country, we are going to need to work together and reach across the aisle to find solutions,” said Senator Coons. “That’s why I’m so proud to be included in this event with Sandy Hook Promise, because it revolves around putting political differences aside to prioritize the safety of our children and our communities. I will continue to push relentlessly for commonsense gun safety legislation in the Senate, like my bipartisan bill with Republican Senator Pat Toomey to prevent those who shouldn’t be able to buy a gun from getting one. It’s bills like these that will help to end this epidemic and keep communities safe.”

In March 2019, Senator Coons, along with Republican Senator Pat Toomey, renewed his bipartisan push to strengthen gun safety laws. The NICS Denial Notification Act provides states with critical information to help them enforce existing laws against individuals who attempt to purchase firearms but have no legal right to do so. Under this measure, federal authorities would now be required to alert state law enforcement within 24 hours when individuals “lie and try” to purchase firearms, which can be a warning sign of additional criminal behavior.

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