Bipartisan, bicameral bill from Sens. Coons, Young & Reps. Norcross, McKinley expands registered apprenticeship programs in high-growth job sectors

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and David McKinley (R-WV) today introduced the Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act. This bill establishes a new initiative to grow and expand highly successful Apprenticeship Hubs, which are organizations that help employers design, develop, and deliver registered apprenticeship programs to provide targeted training to displaced workers looking to pursue new careers and to help high school students find employment immediately upon graduation.

“Apprenticeships are what many call ‘the other four-year degree’ because they lead to well-paying jobs, a clear career path, little to no debt, and skills that can be used for a lifetime,” said Senator Coons. “Apprentices earn wages during their training and in many cases are guaranteed a job with a solid middle-class starting salary. Our bill will help expand registered apprenticeships to a variety of job sectors to create more opportunities for America’s displaced workers and youth to address the growing skills gap in America. I’m proud to support important initiatives like the Delaware Pathways program with this legislation. Apprenticeships are an important investment for a strong American workforce and this bill helps secure that future.” 

“To ensure our workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, we have to begin addressing the skills gap now,” said Senator Young. “As a member of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, I have witnessed the benefits of apprenticeships and their role in addressing key gaps in the workforce and providing opportunities for our students. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will help equip students and workers with the skills needed to fill jobs in some of the fastest growing sectors.”

“An apprenticeship program shaped my life – taking me from construction work to Congress,” said Representative Norcross, an electrician by trade. “My electrical apprenticeship training allowed me to learn-and-earn and set me on a path toward a fulfilling, family-sustaining career. America needs a well-trained workforce to help fill the jobs of the future, and apprenticeships are critical to our success. We need electricians and computer programmers, just like we need doctors and judges – and this bill expands high-quality career training programs.”

“America has more job openings than the number of people to fill them, but employers are having a hard time recruiting qualified candidates because of the skills gap. Apprenticeships are a proven method to train individuals to fill these positions and enter the modern workforce,” said Representative McKinley. “This bill would increase access to apprenticeships for more Americans, giving them a better shot at landing one of these vacant jobs.”

A major barrier to expanding registered apprenticeships in high growth job sectors outside of the skilled trades is employers’ lack of familiarity with the process to set up and manage registered apprenticeship programs. The Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act addresses this need by supporting a national network of Apprenticeship Hubs that convene multiple stakeholders, including local workforce boards, community colleges, and employers, to help support the expansion of the extremely successful registered apprenticeship model. Apprenticeship Hubs participate in a variety of activities, such as providing guidance and mentorship of apprentices to ensure retention and completion; working with employers to design the apprenticeship curriculum; and navigating the registration process for apprenticeships. The bill also instructs the Department of Labor to conduct national workshops on how to create Apprenticeship Hubs and disseminate best practices on the effective development and implementation of registered apprenticeship programs.

The bill text is available here.

A one-pager on the bill is available here. 

List of supporting organizations:

·         American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

·         Delaware Polytech Adult Education

·         North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU)

·         Jobs for the Future

·         Third Way

·         International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)

·         New America

·         National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE)

###

Sen. Coons: “This was a dream outcome for Kim Jong Un.”

Sen. Coons: “This was a dream outcome for Kim Jong Un…legitimacy on the world stage, an invitation to the White House, no concessions on human rights, and no clear concessions on a timeline or a process for denuclearization.”

Sen. Coons: “I think President Trump would have been stronger going into this summit had he left the G-7 in Canada with a united declaration of support for sanctions and for our negotiating stature. Instead he left with the G-7 in disarray.”

Sen. Coons on the outcome of the summit: “What’s happened in the last 24 hours that has allowed President Trump to look in his soul and conclude that Kim Jong Un is talented, capable, and trustworthy?”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe this morning to discuss the Singapore summit.

“For this agreement with North Korea to mean anything, for it to be anything more than a reality TV handshake summit, there’s going to need to be a lot of hard work in the months ahead and I’m concerned that the Trump Administration isn’t prepared to do that hard work,” said Senator Coons.

Full audio and video are available here.

Excerpts from the interview:

Sen. Coons on the Singapore summit:  We all have to hope and pray for our president’s success and for progress towards peace. I far prefer the photo op in Singapore to six months ago when they were hurling adolescent insults at each other and terrifying the entire world that we might promptly go to conflict. So we prefer this. Frankly, North Korea, China, Russia – they had a great week. This was a dream outcome for Kim Jong Un, something his father and grandfather long hoped for – legitimacy on the world stage, an invitation to the White House, no concessions on human rights, and no clear concessions on a timeline or a process for denuclearization, so President Trump has secured only what two Presidents before him – one Republican and one Democrat – got, a pledge to de-nuclearize, but gave up, I think, a lot of our prestige and leadership.

More from Sen. Coons: How do we resurrect something from this? Well, first the Trump Administration doesn’t yet have an assistant secretary of state for East Asia, an ambassador to South Korea. This is a moment when the weakness of the State Department, the failure to put in place key advisers I think may become a challenge because Secretary of State Pompeo is promptly going to be negotiating with North Korea under this agreement exactly how denuclearization might happen and figuring that out, figuring out the details, the timeline of verification without having sanctions against North Korea fall apart is a huge challenge.

Sen. Coons on Kim Jong Un’s human rights violations:  Kim Jong Un is one of the world’s worst human rights violators. Later today, as the co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I’m meeting with a group of North Korean defectors and I’ll remind you back at the State of the Union, President Trump made it clear that he understood by highlighting the case of a North Korean defector and a young American who was brutalized in North Korea’s gulag, just how dangerous a regime this is. 

More on Kim Jong Un: What’s happened in the last six months? Or what’s happened in the last 24 hours that has allowed President Trump to look in his soul and conclude that Kim Jong Un is talented, capable, and trustworthy? I don’t know. We should instead be looking at his actual record on the ground. This reflects something that goes back to Trump as candidate, where he makes complimentary statements about dictators like Putin, Erdogan, Duterte, and in this case Kim, yet picks fights as he just did at the G-7, with our longest, oldest, closest allies, democracies, developed Western countries like Canada, Germany and the UK. I think President Trump would have been stronger going into this summit had he left the G-7 in Canada with a united declaration of support for sanctions and for our negotiating stature. Instead he left with the G-7 in disarray.

Sen. Coons on China’s reaction: Here’s the most important development I think this morning: China is already calling for the U.N. Security Council to lighten sanctions on North Korea. To me that is a very concerning development. Last week, I’ll remind you, President Trump and his Commerce Department had ZTE, a key Chinese telecom company over a barrel and I think let them up off the mat without getting key concessions, in particular a close partnership on confronting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

Sen. Coons on comparisons to the Iran Deal: The Obama Administration spent years building a multilateral worldwide consensus to continue sanctions against Iran. Some criticized the Obama Administration for not using that leverage enough to get a strong enough deal. I commend them for what was a very difficult effort.  My concern is that the Trump Administration really hasn’t done their homework in terms of getting our key allies and most importantly one of our potential adversaries here, China, to the table and engaged on enforcing sanctions against North Korea. It’s sanctions that got them to the table and it is continued tough sanctions that will keep them from walking away. 

Sen. Coons on the role of the Foreign Relations Committee: The Foreign Relations Committee has a key role here, David, in making sure that we promptly confirm new nominees. We’ve got the new nominee to be South Korean ambassador, former Admiral Harris in front of us this week.  We don’t have a nominee who is confirmable for the East Asia assistant secretary. We are really going to need seasoned diplomats to hammer out the details and the Senate on a bipartisan basis needs to support what progress there may be but it took years to work out the Iran nuclear verification regime, which was tough and searching and thorough.  For this agreement with North Korea to mean anything, for it to be anything more than a reality TV handshake summit, there’s going to need to be a lot of hard work in the months ahead and I’m concerned that the Trump Administration isn’t prepared to do that hard work.

Sen. Coons on legislation to ensure sanctions: We also have legislation that I’m behind that I’m cosponsoring that continues our pressure on North Korea for its human rights violations. I’ll remind you there’s 100,000 North Koreans suffering in their gulag today. We can’t ignore that. This is a dangerous regime, a nuclear-armed regime, and the Senate has an important role to play here in supporting diplomacy but also holding this administration accountable.

###

Sen. Coons, colleagues, raise concerns over potential threat of Chinese attempts to undermine U.S. democracy

Wilmington, DE – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D – Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, and a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to the Trump administration, raising concerns about China’s attempts to undermine democratic institutions and civil discourse in the United States and supplant American leadership and alliances abroad. The senators, including members of the Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services, Intelligence, Banking and Judiciary Committees, called on the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Chinese actions, which aim to manipulate public discourse and democratic institutions in support of China’s interests.

In the letter, the senators cited several cases wherein organizations and individuals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempt to exert undue influence over media outlets and academic institutions – in the United States and abroad – to serve China’s political interests. They also called attention to cases overseas where China sought to mobilize political elites, as well as nationals of Chinese ancestry, in support of CCP-backed policies. The letter is addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnuchin, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Hank Green.

“We are concerned that while some of these efforts may seem innocuous when taken independently, collectively they represent an attempt to increase the appeal of autocracy and strengthen Chinese leverage over U.S. allies,” said the senators. “We want to make clear that we believe our government should welcome transparent diplomacy from all nations. We recognize that the United States and many nations around the world engage in public relations and strategic communications efforts designed to improve the nation’s public image, shape international policy debates, and promote economic opportunities. These efforts are fundamentally different from those that seek to suppress information, and undermine democratic institutions and internationally accepted human rights.”

The senators continued, “We firmly believe the United States must continue to support the free and transparent flow of information and the independence of democratic institutions from undue influence, particularly when other governments are seeking to undermine them. Indeed, without developing a clear strategy to counter these efforts, the independence of democratic societies may be at risk. That risk extends beyond the borders of our allies – for one of democracy’s greatest defenses against autocracy is the support of other likeminded nations.”

The letter is co-signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

A copy of the letter can be found below:

Dear Secretaries Pompeo, Mnuchin, Mattis, Administrator Green, and Directors Coats and Wray:

We write to you to express our deep concern about growing Chinese influence operations around the world, and the implications for U.S. institutions, alliances, and the international structures that support American prosperity. In the United States, these activities threaten the independence of our civil discourse and our institutions. Overseas, they put American influence with our allies and partners at risk. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) recently published a report calling China’s manipulation of information and foreign institutions a campaign of “sharp power”; one that aims to strengthen the appeal of authoritarianism, while eroding the ability of democracies to fight back.  

While nations around the globe seek to influence public opinion and policy debates beyond their borders, the nature of Chinese efforts goes well beyond those legitimate activities. Indeed, we believe the nature and scope of China’s influence operations suggest it is time the United States look at them holistically, and respond with a similarly unified strategy.

Public assessments from our intelligence community, independent researchers and representatives of allied governments  illustrate the tools China systematically employs in its influence activities. Organizations and individuals linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) use financial ties to political elites, propaganda filtered through local media outlets and academic institutions, highly managed cultural events, and even coercion of nationals of Chinese ancestry to manipulate democratic political environments to serve China’s interests. The CCP’s long-term objectives with these operations are to undermine liberal democracies, erode the strength of US alliances, weaken the ability of democracies to work against China, supplant U.S. leadership in the world and shape the future of the international order.

In the United States, China’s influence operations have been subtle but are becoming increasingly apparent. In American news outlets, Beijing has used financial ties to suppress negative information about the CCP. In the past four years, multiple media outlets with direct or indirect financial ties to China allegedly decided not to publish stories on wealth and corruption in the CCP.  In one case, an editor resigned due to mounting self-censorship in the outlet’s China coverage.  Beijing has also sought to use relationships with American academic institutions and student groups to shape public discourse.  In some cases, the vehicle for such influence has been through the leadership of Chinese educational and cultural centers on campuses, known as Confucius Institutes. While many Confucius Institutes offer services like language instruction, there is evidence some Institute leaders have sought to shape campus discussions of China, especially around Taiwan and Tibet. The intensity of the attempts at control was enough to cause multiple universities to close their Institutes. 

Similar patterns have emerged elsewhere. In Peru and Argentina, China has worked closely with local media organizations to manage information put forward on Chinese politics. CCP-linked organizations have taken over cultural events that locals once led, changing the historical discussion and marginalizing locals of Taiwanese descent. 

In other parts of the world Chinese influence activities have been more brazen and visible. In Australia, journalists with Chinese-language media outlets reportedly experienced intimidation and even physical assault for publishing material critical of the CCP.  China has also sought to manipulate politics among neighboring democracies. In the most high-profile case, a CCP-linked donor allegedly persuaded Australian Senator Sam Dastyari to adopt the CCP’s position on the South China Sea by threatening to withdraw a $400,000 donation.  China appears to have used a similar playbook in the Czech Republic – using a Chinese energy firm as a means for gaining favorable policy changes through financial ties with those close to the President.  In New Zealand, Beijing has mobilized pro-CCP citizen organizations to publicly oppose Australian policies that run counter to China’s interests, while monitoring and at times silencing citizen groups that differ with the CCP. 

We are concerned that while some of these efforts may seem innocuous when taken independently, collectively they represent an attempt to increase the appeal of autocracy and strengthen Chinese leverage over U.S. allies. We want to make clear that we believe our government should welcome transparent diplomacy from all nations. We recognized that the United States and many nations around the world engage in public relations and strategic communications efforts designed to improve the nation’s public image, shape international policy debates, and promote economic opportunities. These efforts are fundamentally different from those that seek to suppress information, and undermine democratic institutions and internationally accepted human rights.

We firmly believe the United States must continue to support the free and transparent flow of information and the independence of democratic institutions from undue influence, particularly when other governments are seeking to undermine them. Indeed, without developing a clear strategy to counter these efforts, the independence of democratic societies may be at risk. That risk extends beyond the borders of our allies – for one of democracy’s greatest defenses against autocracy is the support of other likeminded nations.

With that in mind, we urge the Administration to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address these activities, in the United States and abroad. We respectfully request your response to the following questions:

1. What is the Administration’s view on the present threat posed by CCP influence operations, and what are its projections for the evolution and expansion of these operations?
2. Does the Administration have an interagency coordinated strategy to counter CCP influence operations? If so, what are the goals of this strategy and how it is it being executed?
3. Do your agencies require additional authorities or funding to respond to CCP influence operations?
4. How does the Administration assess the effectiveness of U.S. public diplomacy in countering CCP efforts to manipulate information in allied and partner democracies around the globe?
5. How is the Administration supporting U.S. companies and academic institutions to help them maintain their independence from CCP influence operations?
6. How is the Administration working with our allies and partners abroad to identify and expose CCP influence operations, especially attempts to use financial incentives to corrupt democratic processes and international institutions?

We look forward to the Administration’s prompt and thorough response to these questions. We believe that there are significant opportunities – and indeed a necessity — for Executive and Congressional collaboration and partnership to address these challenges, and look forward to working alongside the Administration to develop and execute appropriate U.S. policy in response to the CCP actions laid out in this letter.

###

Sen. Coons’ statement on deal reached by Trump administration with China’s ZTE

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement on the agreement the Trump administration reportedly reached with Chinese telecom company ZTE, which was penalized for repeatedly and intentionally violating U.S. sanctions on Iran and North Korea.

“Unless the administration got some real concessions from China with regards to North Korea’s nuclear program and addressing our national security concerns, President Trump’s deal, at its best, represents a major concession to China. At its worst, this deal is a threat to our national security and the privacy of all Americans. Releasing pressure on ZTE is a missed opportunity to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices that hurt U.S. workers, threaten our security, and undermine our global competitiveness.

“This was a critical moment where the U.S. had China over a barrel. We should have used this leverage to demand that China stop its illegal trade practices, stop stealing billions of dollars worth of our intellectual property, and force them to pressure North Korea to make concessions on its nuclear weapons program. At the very least, legitimate U.S. national security concerns about ZTE should have been addressed by a searching, thorough compliance program to ensure intellectual property theft and surveillance issues are fully addressed. I’m not persuaded the financial fine and compliance program announced today accomplish these goals.

“Unfortunately, it appears the administration let ZTE off the hook without significantly advancing American interests or values. This isn’t being tough on China, it’s a bad deal and giveaway to a country that at times refuses to play by the rules at the expense of American workers, our security and our leadership around the world.”

###

In annual appropriations bills, Sen. Coons secures funding for Delaware transportation infrastructure, housing, and the Delaware National Guard

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware Senator in more than four decades to serve on the critical Appropriations Committee, joined his colleagues on the committee to approve the appropriations bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies as well as the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill. Both of these bills passed out of the Appropriations Committee and are now ready for debate by the full Senate.

“Serving on the Appropriations Committee is a unique opportunity to deliver federal resources to Delaware, and that’s exactly what I’m working to accomplish with these appropriations bills,” said Senator Coons. “I’ve been working hard to ensure that these appropriations bills continue to include funding for critical Delaware priorities, like our highways, airports, and rail lines that Delawareans rely on. For too long, the appropriations process has been partisan and dysfunctional, but thankfully, we’ve been able to work together this year to fund programs and priorities that Senators on both sides of the aisle support.  That’s the way Washington is supposed to work, and I’m excited to continue working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to deliver for Delawareans and all Americans.”

Support for Transportation Infrastructure

Senator Coons fought for $1.94 billion in funding for Amtrak, $300 million for Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair grants, and $255 million for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants. This funding will help keep passenger rail operating safely and efficiently throughout the Northeast Corridor, as well as throughout the country. Senator Coons also fought for $4.1 billion for the Airport Improvement Program and $46 billion for the Federal-Aid Highways Program. The Airport Improvement Program has funded many upgrades in the past few years at a number of airports throughout the state. Funding for the Federal-Aid Highways Program supports Delaware highway systems by providing financial assistance for construction, maintenance, and operations.

Senator Coons also fought for $1 billion for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program, formerly known as TIGER grants. While President Trump had proposed eliminating the BUILD grant program, the Appropriations Committee has continued to support it. The BUILD grant program is extremely popular, helping fund a wide variety of infrastructure projects through a competitive grant process. This program helps state and local governments pay for new highways and bridges, public transit projects, railways, and port infrastructure; and finances innovative shovel-ready projects to improve the U.S. transportation system. Delaware has received BUILD grants that have been used to design and build the Newark rail station, improve the Port of Wilmington, and build the new Claymont station. The most recent BUILD grant awarded to Delaware will be used to improve the intersection of US 9, Airport Road, and Sand Hill Road in Georgetown.

Support for HOME Investment Partnerships Program

Senator Coons secured $1.362 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The HOME program serves as the only federal block grant program for state and local governments designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families. Since 1992, the HOME program has created more than 1.27 million affordable homes and helped provide direct rental assistance to over 337,000 low-income families. The program provides a flexible resource to meet communities’ highest priority affordable housing needs like tenant-based rental assistance, rehabilitation of affordable rental and ownership housing, and construction of affordable housing. The program also has an exceptionally broad reach, serving urban, suburban, and rural communities and providing vital resources for seniors, persons with disabilities, the homeless, and veterans. The Delaware State Housing Authority leveraged HOME funding to repair and save affordable rental properties in Millsboro and in Dover.  The City of Wilmington and New Castle County governments came together with HOME funding to build a new affordable senior housing at Sacred Heart Village II, and New Castle County put HOME funding to work to preserve affordable housing for seniors in Newark.

Support for Community Development Block Grants

Senator Coons fought for $3.365 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. CDBG funding supports homeownership, housing rehabilitation, public improvements, and economic development projects while encouraging additional local investment. Every $1.00 of CDBG funds leverages an additional $4.09 in other funding. CDBG makes its way into local economies through an extensive network of local organizations and remains a necessary resource for families and communities. In Delaware, CDBG funding helped residents in Pinetown and Georgetown address long-standing housing rehabilitation and infrastructure development issues, made home ownership possible for New Castle County residents through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and kept struggling homeowners tackle essential repairs that allowed them to stay in their homes.

Support for Other Housing Programs

Senator Coons also fought for increased funding for Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance at $11.74 billion, Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance at $22.78 billion, and Homeless Assistance Grants at $2.612 billion. The formula based funding for Fiscal Year 2018, has already been distributed to the states.  Delaware received $7.9 million in homeless assistance grant funding which supports 27 programs across the state – 17 of which serve families with children – with emergency shelter beds, permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing programs.  This recent funding allows Delaware’s housing community to implement an innovative program to serves all homeless families with temporary safe shelter accommodations, and case management support and temporary financial assistance to help them move back into housing as quickly as possible and remain stably housed.

Support for National Guard Priorities

Senator Coons helped secure $190.1 million for Army National Guard military construction and $139.1 million for Air National Guard military construction nationwide. This funding will support various missions vital to both Delaware and broader U.S. national security.  It ensures Guardsmen are able to fulfill their dual missions of supporting civilian authorities at home and U.S. military efforts abroad. 

###

Coons, Capito celebrate passage of bipartisan bill to establish National EMS Memorial

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) celebrated the passage yesterday of the National Emergency Medical Services Commemorative Work Act, which would allow the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land to pay tribute to the commitment and service represented by emergency medical services (EMS). The memorial would be constructed in the greater District of Columbia area.

Each year, 850,000 EMS first responders across the nation answer more than 30,000,000 calls to serve 22,000,000 patients in need of immediate life-saving care and comfort.  Many of these patients are alive today because of the selfless commitment of our first responders.  With little regard for their own safety and in the face of all hazards, the men and women of EMS respond to every kind of incident imaginable: from a single person’s medical emergency to naturally occurring or man-made disasters, including terrorist attacks that threaten the entire nation.

“During my time as New Castle County Executive, I worked to make sure that our EMS personnel were well-trained, responsive professionals,” said Senator Coons. “It was not only about the delivery of high-quality government services, but a matter of life and death for our community members. A memorial commemorating the service of EMS professionals is well-deserved, and I am delighted we were able to pass the bill this week. I look forward to working with our House counterparts to ensure this bill becomes law.”

“First responders risk their safety to serve our communities and help others, working selflessly and tirelessly to save lives,” Senator Capito said. “I’m so happy the Senate passed this legislation to honor their service with a national memorial. I’m proud to have introduced this bill and will continue working to see this project come to fruition.”

The National EMS Memorial Foundation extends its utmost gratitude to Senator Coons for his leadership on this important issue and to the entire Senate for taking this historic step towards honoring the commitment, service, and sacrifice of the nation’s EMS providers.

This memorial proposal was first brought to Senator Coons’ attention by Delaware’s New Castle County EMS Chief Larry Tan and Paramedic Senior Sergeant Kenneth Dunn, Sr., a New Castle County paramedic for 34 years who also served as a member of the Delaware EMS Oversight Council.

The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AK), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tom Carper (D-DE). It is a companion bill to H.R. 1037, a Bill to Establish a National EMS Memorial, introduced by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA) on February 14, 2017.  H.R. 1037 is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Congressman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Congressman Denny Heck (D-WA), Congressman William Keating (D-MA), Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA), Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI), Congressman Peter T. King (R-NY), Congressman James R. Langevin (D-RI), Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Congressman David Loebsack (D-IL), Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Congresswoman Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY), Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Congressman Timothy J. Walz (D-MN).

###

Sen. Coons: Breaking ‘blue slip’ tradition for Third Circuit judge is a serious mistake

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the committee held a hearing to consider, among others, the nomination of David Porter, whom President Trump has nominated for a lifetime appointment on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which has appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Holding the hearing today ignores the objections of one of Mr. Porter’s ‘home state’ Senators, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.), which typically precludes a nominee from being considered by the Judiciary Committee.

“I am deeply disappointed that today Senator Grassley broke further from the Senate’s blue slip tradition by advancing the nomination of David Porter to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals over the objections of one of Mr. Porter’s home state Senators, Bob Casey. The blue slip process, in place for more than a century, empowers each Senator to have a role in selecting which judges are nominated for federal judgeships in their states. It is an important tool for ensuring that no matter who is in the White House or which party controls the Senate, the President will consult with Senators to guarantee that those nominated for the federal bench reflect their communities and understand the needs of their constituents.

“Senator Casey has worked with the White House in good faith on several prior nominations, and he has made clear that he believes Mr. Porter’s extreme views and well-documented advocacy for legal theories that would limit access to health care, undermine workers’ rights and deny equal treatment under the law to every American render him unfit for the bench. The fact that both the White House and the Judiciary Committee went ahead with Mr. Porter’s nomination over Senator Casey’s objection, rather than working in good faith with him to find another candidate, is troubling. I share Senator Casey’s concern that Porter’s views are well outside the mainstream, and if confirmed, will have a detrimental impact on families in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey for decades to come.

“This matters. We should be working together to advance nominees for these lifetime judicial appointments who can earn broad support from both parties, who have the experience to handle the most complex issues of our time, and who have demonstrated the even and fair temperament required to administer justice. Eroding Senate practices and traditions that encourage us to work together will only make the Senate more partisan and less inclined toward compromise. Republicans held fast to the blue slip tradition during the Obama administration, and I regret that many Democratic Senators are not being afforded the same respect during this administration.”

###

Senator Coons responds to Ambassador Friedman’s claim that ‘Republicans support Israel more than Democrats’

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman told The Times of Israel that “Republicans support Israel more than Democrats.”

“I’m very disappointed by Ambassador Friedman’s statement that ‘Republicans support Israel more than Democrats’. The United States’ support for Israel has always been and remains bipartisan. As a Senator, I have been proud to work with Democrats and Republicans, with the Obama Administration and the Trump Administration, to support Israel. The U.S. relationship with Israel transcends partisan politics and American and Israeli leaders have worked for decades to keep it that way.  In fact, I am currently working to pass the U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act, a bill I wrote with Republican Senator Marco Rubio, into law.  The bill currently has 50 co-sponsors, 23 Democrats, and 27 Republicans.  

“Ambassador Friedman should avoid these types of partisan statements and work with Republicans and Democrats to advance our important alliance with Israel.”

###

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons: “If the President is innocent, he should act like it and stop these attacks on the special counsel.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined CNN New Day to discuss the latest in the Mueller investigation. 

“Let me just remind you and our viewers that the Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, is a lifelong Republican, nominated to be FBI director by a Republican President, unanimously confirmed by the Senate and that the person supervising him, Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General, lifetime Republican, and FBI Director Chris Wray, Republican, are both Trump nominees. I don’t see how he can credibly claim corruption in the FBI and that he is being framed by federal law enforcement. President Trump ran as a pro law enforcement candidate. And I think his continued baseless attacks on law enforcement and the FBI are frankly very unhelpful. If the President is innocent, he should act like it and stop these attacks on the special counsel,” said Senator Coons.

Full video and audio available here.

Excerpts from the interview below:

Sen. Coons on Rep. Trey Gowdy: I’m grateful that Congressman Trey Gowdy, Republican of South Carolina, stepped forward and made this important statement. He certainly demonstrated some partisan leanings in the past when he helped run the Benghazi hearings, he was an aggressive partisan against then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In this matter, he is stepping forward and putting to rest the baseless allegations by President Trump. I’ll remind you, unfortunately, our President has a long history of rolling out baseless accusations and conspiracy theories from his role before he was President in arguing that President Obama was not an American to his claim right after the campaign that “3 million illegals” had voted without any proof or evidence to his claim that President Obama had tapped his phone in Trump Tower without any evidence. Frankly, this undermines the United States around the world. It suggests we have a national leader who traffics in conspiracy theories. I’m frankly grateful to Congressman Gowdy that he has stepped forward and made such a clear and forceful statement. 

Sen. Coons on whether this will prevent the President from bringing this up again:No. Unfortunately, the President was right back at it claiming, without foundation, that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is going to meddle in the 2018 elections. He just made that accusation on Twitter recently. He continues to claim that the special counsel investigation is a quote, unquote ‘rigged witch hunt.’ So, I don’t think this will slow him down at all. Let me just remind you and your viewers that the Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, is a lifelong Republican, nominated to be FBI director by a Republican President, unanimously confirmed by the Senate and that the person supervising him, Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General, lifetime Republican, and FBI Director Chris Wray, Republican, are both Trump nominees. I don’t see how he can credibly claim corruption in the FBI and that he is being framed by federal law enforcement. President Trump ran as a pro law enforcement candidate. And I think his continued baseless attacks on law enforcement and the FBI are frankly very unhelpful. If the President is innocent, he should act like it and stop these attacks on the special counsel.

More on Mueller: Yes. It is long standing Department of Justice policy to not make major announcements around investigations in a way that might influence an election. There was widespread and bipartisan concern expressed about Director Comey’s timing of his announcements about reopening an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s e-mails just days before the 2016 general election. I’m confident Special Counsel Mueller will be very aware of and follow that longstanding Department of the Justice policy. 

Sen. Coons on Sen. Grassley’s response: I respect the Chairman. I appreciate that he recently gave a markup to my bipartisan bill with Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Tillis, and Senator Booker. We got a markup of a bill that would protect the special counsel from being abruptly fired. Chairman Grassley supported that bill, so I’m grateful for his bipartisanship on that. On this matter, I think in just reviewing these transcripts, which were publicly released by Chairman Grassley, there is obvious tension with a recent report by the New York Times that Donald Trump Jr. met with representatives of two gulf nations who were offering to assist his father win the general election in 2016. So, there might be an innocuous explanation. We won’t know if we don’t have him back in the committee to answer questions. 

###

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on Fox News Sunday: “I hope that we will see President Trump end up proving himself to be a deal maker and not a deal breaker.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Fox News Sunday to discuss Iran and North Korea.

“I hope that we will see President Trump end up proving himself to be a deal maker and not a deal breaker, but in this instance I heard from the ambassadors of our European allies that they are concerned that “America First” is turning into America alone and that whether it’s in the path towards this Singapore summit with North Korea, where our South Korean close ally was not consulted before the announcement was made or it’s in the path forward toward trying to restrain Iran’s behavior and Russia’s behavior that the close relationship we used to enjoy with Germany, France and the United Kingdom is fraying a bit,” said Senator Coons. 

Full audio and video are available here. 

Excerpts from the interview are below:

Sen. Coons on Iran: Well, I agree with Secretary Pompeo and Senator Blunt that a lot of Iran’s behavior outside the nuclear deal in recent years has been alarming and compels us to take action. What I had wished the President had done is to recognize the benefits we’ve gotten from the Iran Nuclear Deal in constraining their nuclear program and getting us searching inspections of Iran’s nuclear activities and work more closely with our European allies, with the Germans, the French, the British to reach a second deal, a bigger deal that would rein in ballistic missile program, their human rights violations and their support for terrorism. I completely agree that Iran is a bad regime that threatens our allies and conducts itself in ways that are unacceptable. I just disagree about whether causing greater distance with our European allies by sanctioning them and some of their biggest companies is the right path. 

More on Iran: I hope that we will see President Trump end up proving himself to be a deal maker and not a deal breaker, but in this instance I heard from the ambassadors of our European allies that they are concerned that “America First” is turning into America alone and that whether it’s in the path towards this Singapore summit with North Korea, where our South Korean close ally was not consulted before the announcement was made or it’s in the path forward toward trying to restrain Iran’s behavior and Russia’s behavior that the close relationship we used to enjoy with Germany, France and the United Kingdom is fraying a bit. 

More on North Korea: I think it’s possible to have a constructive and positive summit and I certainly prefer President Trump’s choice of diplomacy over threatening fire and fury and I commend him and Secretary Pompeo for gaining the release of three Americans held in North Korea and recently another American released from Venezuela. I hope that he’s successful. I would caution that if we go ahead without using every ounce of leverage we have over China, we are making a mistake. I was really struck that President Trump this past week was tweeting that he was going to work with Xi Jinping to release some of the pressure on ZTE. Let me explain how these two connect. North Korea critically relies on China. If we don’t have China putting maximum pressure on North Korea, I don’t think this summit will succeed. ZTE is one of China’s biggest telecom companies, they have repeatedly and intentionally violated our sanctions against North Korea and Iran. And the Department of Commerce just imposed powerful sanctions against ZTE blocking them from getting U.S. material for six years. This is a moment where President Trump has China’s attention and should use it to extract concessions both on North Korea and on China’s ongoing theft of our inventions and innovations. I hope Trump would show himself to do that.  

More on the Summit: That is correct. It is a significant concession to North Korea to offer a summit, they’ve never had an opportunity to meet with an American president, it’s something that they’ve long wanted to elevate them to an equal to the United States and it’s important that North Korea has given up a number of American prisoners as a confidence-building measure. But let’s be clear, twice before North Korea under Kim Jong un’s father committed to full denuclearization in six-party talks in 2005 and 2007 as Senator Blunt just referenced only to then change their tune. So, we are going to have to be very focused, very engaged. I’m hopeful that Secretary Pompeo will brief and engage Congress and I’m hopeful that we will work together to make sure that the summit is a success.  

Sen. Coons on the FBI: A critical role that the FBI provides is counterintelligence and when they began getting evidence that the Russians were engaged in a broad campaign to try and influence the 2016 election, I think it was appropriate for them to use a confidential informant to investigate what the Russians were up to. I’m struck that Rudy Giuliani continues to talk about 13 Democrats, 13 Democrats and a rigged investigation as he just did on the show. Let me remind you, Robert Mueller, Rod Rosenstein, Chris Wray, this is the Special Counsel, the FBI Director, Deputy Attorney General: all lifelong Republicans, Robert Mueller the Special Counsel a decorated marine combat veteran, someone who has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate for senior law enforcement positions under both Republican and Democratic positions, to continue to undermine the credibility of the FBI and the Department of Justice in this way does not serve interest for law enforcement and rule of law.  

Sen. Coons on Mueller: Because President Trump and his actions in the campaign are potentially the focus of an investigation into obstruction of justice and collusion, I don’t think it would have been appropriate for there to be the revelation of investigatory information to President Trump or his personal lawyers, particularly classified information about a human intelligence source in advance of there being any decision about whether to move forward with any final conclusion by the Mueller investigation. 

Sen. Coons on Donald Trump, Jr.: I’m concerned that in reviewing the transcript of Donald Trump, Jr.’s questioning by staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee that there’s clear tension with his firm answers that there were no efforts by foreign powers to provide assistance to the Trump campaign and recent reporting that there were meetings he participated in where representatives of gulf states were offering some assistance to the Trump campaign. I do think that’s worth our questioning, Donald Trump, Jr. again in front of Judiciary Committee and it’s my hope that on a bipartisan basis we will continue these investigations. As Senator Blunt just said, it is in everyone’s interest for these investigations to continue without interference. 

###