Senators introduce bipartisan resolution celebrating World Food Day

Washington – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced a resolution in the Senate designating today as “World Food Day.”

Global hunger has been on the rise for the last three years, and an estimated 821 million people were undernourished in 2017. Each year, the United States joins 130 other nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in celebrating World Food Day to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from chronic hunger and for the need to ensure food security and good nutrition for all. World Food Day also commemorates the founding of FAO on October 16, 1945. 

The text of the resolution is available here.  

“With global hunger on the rise, World Food Day is an important reminder of why the United States needs to sustain its investments in food security both at home and abroad. Congress recently affirmed the United States’ commitment to reducing hunger by reauthorizing the Global Food Security Act, which has led to increased agricultural productivity, efficiencies in our food aid program, and nutrition education,” said Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I am pleased to work with this bipartisan group of colleagues to recognize World Food Day and the work that still needs to be done to ensure that all people have access to quality food.”

“Today, on World Food Day, we must reinvigorate our commitment to ending hunger in the United States and around the globe,” said Senator Moran. “World Food Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and promote action for the one in every nine people who suffer from hunger. Hunger is an issue that transcends politics, and together we must remain committed to finding new and innovative ways to bolster food security and combat hunger. As the co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, I’m proud to carry on Sen. Dole’s legacy and represent the compassionate spirit of Kansans and the farmers who help feed the world.” 

“America has the talent, the bounty and the economic vitality to lead in ending hunger and malnutrition here and abroad.  It’s woven into our values,” said Senator Leahy, vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee and a leading member of the Agriculture Committee.  “I’m proud to celebrate World Food Day by continuing to work for the expansion and improvement of international food aid, nutrition and local food access programs.  The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program, Food for Progress, and Farm Bill nutrition and international food aid programs are some of the many ways we should build upon to address hunger and food access as we face protracted humanitarian crises across multiple continents.”

“World Food Day should be seen as a call to action for us all,” said Senator Boozman. “While hunger continues to rise around the globe, it is preventable and we are in a position to help. World Food Day raises awareness about the need to find solutions to the hunger crisis, both on a global scale and in our individual communities. The U.S. has made significant contributions to improve nutrition and agriculture worldwide, and we are committed to building on that progress to end global hunger.”

Vimlendra Sharan, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in North America, said, “The United States and FAO share a vision for a hunger-free and healthy world that can be achieved together. The United States’ robust partnership with FAO is essential to achieving global hunger targets, alleviating rural poverty, and provides an invaluable return on investment for the U.S. We are grateful to see leaders in Congress continually striving for policies that effectively reduce hunger; and today I am pleased to join these members in highlighting the everyday actions that Americans can take and continue to take in order to eradicate hunger.”

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), and David Young (R-Iowa) introduced a similar resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives.

To find out more ways you can take action to achieve a hunger-free world and celebrate World Food Day on October 16 and all year long, please visit http://www.fao.org/world-food-day.

###

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi: “If President Trump won’t send a strong signal…then the Senate should step forward and do it.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last night joined CNN’s Cuomo Prime Time. 

“Whether it was to kidnap and interrogate a journalist or whether it was with the intention of killing him, either way they bear the responsibility for an interrogation, whether it was intended to lead to his death or intended to simply lead to his kidnapping,” said Senator Coons. “Either of those count as a fundamental violation of human rights under the Global Magnitsky Act. And it is something that I think we in the Senate should take a strong stand here. If President Trump won’t send a strong signal that the United States still puts values, values like protecting human rights and protecting journalists, ahead of our interests, such as arms deals with the Saudis, then the Senate should step forward and do it.”

Full video and audio available here.

Excerpts from the interview: 

Sen. Coons on Sen. Warren’s DNA test: Great to be with you again, Chris. What a striking day it’s been in terms of so many different developments, from Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance and likely murder at the hands of the Saudis to the result of Senator Warren’s DNA test that you just referenced. I think it’s really striking that Donald Trump got his start in politics by challenging President Obama’s citizenship, his birtherism escapade, where once it was proven, of course, that President Obama was in fact born in Hawaii, in the United States, Trump really did not ever concede that he’d been wrong all along. I frankly think this is just another episode where although the President very publicly said he’d pay a million dollars to her favorite charity if she took a DNA test. She’s done it. She’s put to rest his, I think, juvenile, offensive, and inappropriate suggestions using his nickname for her that somehow she didn’t know her own family history. And I think it’s best for everybody if we move on here and recognize that this is just another episode that was beneath the President. 

Sen. Coons on Jamal Khashoggi: It’s not okay. And as you referenced, 20 members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, signed a letter to President Trump starting the 120-day process under the Global Magnitsky Act under which he has to determine what happened and recommend the imposition of sanctions if he finds a violation of human rights. Of course, Chris, it’s not okay for the Saudis to send a team to their consulate in Turkey, in Istanbul. Whether it was to kidnap and interrogate a journalist or whether it was with the intention of killing him, either way they bear the responsibility for an interrogation, whether it was intended to lead to his death or intended to simply lead to his kidnapping. Either of those count as a fundamental violation of human rights under the Global Magnitsky Act. And it is something that I think we in the Senate should take a strong stand here. If President Trump won’t send a strong signal that the United States still puts values, values like protecting human rights and protecting journalists, ahead of our interests, such as arms deals with the Saudis, then the Senate should step forward and do it.  

More on Khashoggi: Well what concerns me most about his conduct in the world is the ways that it weakens us. When he seems more eager to stand up to our close and valued allies like Justin Trudeau in Canada or Angela Merkel in Germany and to embrace or excuse or believe dictators like Kim Jong-un or Duterte in the Philippines or Putin in Russia or in this case King Salman of Saudi Arabia or the Crown Prince. If this proves true that they directed, ordered a kidnapping and murder of a journalist, an American resident, someone a critic of the Saudi royal family at times, then that would be the latest in a disturbing line of incidents where it maybe that our own President’s statements, his calling the press the enemy of the people, made the suggestion to the Saudis that they could do something like this and get away with it. So here is an opportunity for President Trump to step forward in the tradition of Republican presidents like Ronald Reagan and show that we do put human rights first. That’s something that both Republican and Democratic presidents have taken strong efforts and decisive actions to show the world that we don’t just lead with our interests. We also, more importantly at times, lead with our values. 

Sen. Coons on Trump’s statements on Saudi Arabia: Well that win at all costs approach to politics is, I think, dangerously debasing. The reasons that people do get into public service or politics, which is not to win at all costs, but to win based on principle. He did in that same interview, Chris, in answering the question, “What sort of action will you take against the Saudis if these allegations are true?” he cited a $110 billion in defense contracts. First that is just wrong on the facts. That got Four Pinocchio’s from Fact Checker. It’s more like $4 billion in defense contracts that have been signed since his visit last year. Nothing like $110 billion. And frankly, regardless of how large the contracts might be, in matters of principle of values we have to weigh them very heavily and at times put them in front of sort of narrow or short-term economic interests for the country. Because what America stands for that distinguishes us from other countries is that we will put our values at the head of the line of our national interests.

###

Coons, Capito celebrate passage of bipartisan bill to honor commitment and service of EMS members

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) celebrated the passage of the National Emergency Medical Services Commemorative Work Act, which will allow the construction of a national memorial on federal land to pay tribute to the commitment and service of emergency medical services (EMS) first responders. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. 

The memorial will be funded by a private non-profit foundation, the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation, and will be constructed in the greater District of Columbia area. 

“This is a proud day for all members of the emergency medical services profession,” said Senator Coons. “EMS first responders will now have a well-deserved, nationally recognized memorial, which commemorates their service and sacrifice on behalf of our communities. This memorial will be a tribute to the values that bind EMS members together, both living and deceased, and will take its place among those memorials honoring our nation’s protective forces.”

“Our first responders in West Virginia and across our nation work tirelessly and selflessly to improve and save lives every day,” Senator Capito said. “I was proud to support this legislation, which will honor the service and sacrifice of these brave men and women through a national memorial, and I am thrilled it is one step closer to becoming law.”

###

Coons, Gardner celebrate passage of resolution recognizing the benefits of electric cooperative voluntary energy reduction programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) celebrated the passage of their Senate resolution on the importance of voluntary energy reduction programs at electric cooperatives. Electric cooperatives are member-owned not-for-profit organizations that provide affordable, at-cost power to their members. The resolution specifically highlights the “Beat the Peak” demand response program, which allows members of participating cooperatives to receive alerts during periods of peak energy usage when high prices are expected. Today, over ninety electric cooperatives across the United States offer the “Beat the Peak” program and many more across the country offer additional voluntary energy reduction programs that provide significant economic and conservation benefits.

“Electric cooperatives operate 833 electric distribution centers across the country to provide 42 million people in the United States with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity,” said Senator Coons. “We are extremely proud that the Delaware Electric Cooperative was the first electric cooperative in the country to offer the ‘Beat the Peak’ program, which to date has saved Delaware members $27 million over the past ten years. It is my hope that raising awareness of the many benefits provided by these voluntary energy reduction programs will result in more electric cooperatives adopting and offering those programs across the country.”

“The passage of our resolution will help highlight these voluntary programs that reduce energy consumption and save money for participants,” said Senator Gardner. “Colorado electric co-ops like Holy Cross and United Power have participated in these voluntary energy reduction programs and have seen great results, and we encourage others to do so as well.” 

To view a PDF of the resolution, click here.

###

President Trump signs into law Coons, Kennedy bill to ensure musical artists are compensated for pre-1972 recordings when Americans stream their music

WASHINGTON – Today, President Trump signed into law the CLASSICS Act, introduced by a bipartisan group of senators led by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Kennedy (R-Louis.), that will ensure that recording artists from the pre-1972 music eras are fairly compensated when their music is played digitally. A new provision will allow libraries and archives to make reproductions of recordings from this era that are not being commercially exploited to ensure that there are no barriers to preserving and protecting America’s early musical legacy. The legislation was incorporated as Title II, the Classics Protection and Access Act, of the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act.

For historical reasons, sound recordings made before February 15, 1972 are governed by state, not federal, law. And, in recent years, this oddity has led to disputes as to the scope of state law rights when sound recordings are performed by digital music services. The CLASSICS Act will correct that oddity by bringing those pre-1972 sound recordings into the federal system, thus requiring that allowing the artists and owners of such recordings are fairly compensated when their music is digitally transmitted.  

In addition to Coons and Kennedy, the CLASSICS Act is co-sponsored by Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). 

“The music performed and recorded by artists before February 15, 1972 is an important part of our shared cultural heritage.  It’s the music many of us listened to growing up on records and cassettes, and it simply is not fair that when we listen to that music today on digital platforms, those legacy artists do not have to be compensated even though their modern counterparts must,” said Senator Coons.  “I’m extremely pleased that the President signed this legislation to fix this long-standing disparity, and I thank the many different segments of the music industry that have worked hard to achieve this consensus solution.” 

“Artists who made music prior to 1972 are getting a raw financial deal because of an antiquated loophole in our legal system.  Our bill, the CLASSICS Act, will give the recognition and compensation these artists deserve,” said Senator Kennedy. “Louisiana is the birthplace of jazz.  Artists who contributed to that uniquely New Orleans sound are pioneers who deserve the same copyright protections as everyone else. I will add that, in my opinion, music made after 1972, with the exception of Meatloaf’s work, isn’t as good as the classics anyway.”

The CLASSICS Act is supported by the American Association of Independent Music, the Recording Industry Association of America, Pandora, musicFIRST, the Internet Association, the Recording Academy, SoundExchange, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation of Musicians, the Content Creators Coalition, the Future of Music Coalition, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and the Living Legends Foundation.  

###

Sen. Coons: Dreiband is wrong choice to lead Civil Rights Division

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today urged colleagues to join him in opposing the nomination of Eric Dreiband, President Trump’s nominee to be the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. 

“I have approached each of President Trump’s nominees with an open mind, as I believe is my responsibility,” said Coons. “However, I have also considered each of these nominees with an appreciation for the critical responsibilities that come with the roles to which they are nominated. For Mr. Dreiband, those responsibilities would include zealous enforcement of our civil rights laws. They would encompass advocating for victims of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, age, nationality, disability, sex, and gender identity, as well as protecting access to the ballot box and fighting against disenfranchisement. This role also requires ensuring that our nation lives up to its highest ideals of equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal justice under the law. 

“I am concerned that Mr. Dreiband does not have the appropriate experience to effectively lead the Civil Rights Division. Beyond that, given his extensive anti-civil rights record, I do not have sufficient assurances that he will reverse the administration’s troubling trend of politicizing the Civil Rights Division and abandoning meritorious claims asserted on behalf of vulnerable populations. For those reasons, I cannot support Mr. Dreiband’s nomination to lead this critical office, which has a proud legacy of enforcing our nation’s hard-fought civil rights laws. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing his nomination.”

###

Sens. Coons, Graham, Kaine, Gardner introduce legislation to foster economic development and community ties between Israelis and Palestinians

WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) introduced the Palestinian Partnership Fund Act of 2018. This legislation will promote economic development, help finance joint ventures between Palestinian entrepreneurs and companies in the United States, Israel, and countries in the Middle East, and foster community building to support greater people-to-people cooperation.  

“I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill to establish a Palestinian Partnership Fund to encourage venture capitalists to invest money in Palestinian entrepreneurs,” said Senator Coons. “This legislation will promote small businesses and economic growth in the Palestinian territories. The best way to turn people away from violence is by helping them create jobs.  I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important legislation.” 

“I am happy to work with my colleagues on this important issue,” said Senator Graham.  “Creating economic opportunities for the Palestinian people outside of the old funding construct is a great way to promote economic opportunity to people who have been systemically abused by their leadership for decades.”

“Promoting economic cooperation and social contact between Israelis and Palestinians is a crucial step toward reconciliation. Our legislation recognizes that the peace process will be intergenerational and forward momentum is not just dependent on political leadership, but on those affected by the conflict in their day-to-day lives. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan bill that sends a strong signal of Congressional support for joint Israeli and Palestinian endeavors,” Senator Kaine said.

“I am glad to support this bipartisan bill that will increase economic involvement between the Israelis and Palestinians,” said Senator Gardner. “This legislation will be part of the broader work being done to encourage the region to recognize there are more similarities with one another than there are differences.” 

The bill text is available here.

###

Sens. Coons, Tillis call on Saudis to investigate disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, released the following statement.

“We are closely following the concerning reports about the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul one week ago today. Freedom of the press is a fundamental democratic value, and it sends a chilling message to journalists and those who support democracy around the world when voices of dissent are silenced. As co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, we urge Saudi authorities to immediately investigate and verify Jamal’s location.” 

###

Senator Coons’ statement on UN Ambassador Nikki Haley’s resignation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the resignation of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. 

“Ambassador Haley was a positive influence on the Administration’s foreign policy. She communicated frequently with Congress, and she regularly spoke up for human rights, rule of law, and other fundamental democratic freedoms around the world. I plan to continue working with her in her remaining three months on the job. 

“President Trump’s view of the United Nations as an international bureaucracy that somehow constrains American sovereignty belies the past 70 years of history. As the President considers appointing Ambassador Haley’s successor, I hope he considers someone willing to stand up for American values and to use multilateral diplomacy at the UN to advance our shared interests and goals.”

###

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on the FBI investigation: “You can’t find what you don’t look for.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Good Morning America to discuss the Kavanaugh nomination. 

“You can’t find what you don’t look for. There were a few people interviewed and they were the people who were potential eyewitnesses to both incidents, but both Debbie Ramirez and Dr. Ford came forward when they were interviewed, in Ramirez’s case, or when they testified to the committee and tried to offer additional corroborating witnesses who were never interviewed,” said Senator Coons. “My office has heard from many of them. They’re now out in press reports trying to give statements. I would agree that the materials that I read did not provide direct corroboration, but there were a dozen, two dozen other witnesses who were not interviewed, and so I was disappointed in the scope of this interview and I was disappointed in the scope of the materials. This is not the investigation that I thought the FBI would do and that the American people deserve.” 

Full audio and video from the Senator’s interview are available here. 

###