Sens. Coons and Tillis, Rep. Lowenthal introduce resolution honoring Human Rights Day

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, and Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47) today introduced companion resolutions in the United States Senate and House of Representatives honoring Human Rights Day and the 69^th Anniversary of the 1948 ratification by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“On Human Rights Day, we celebrate the anniversary of the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and honor those around the world who work tirelessly to advance fundamental rights like freedom, justice, and equality,”  said Senator Coons.  “As co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I call for passage of this resolution and recommit myself to advocating for the freedom of all those who suffer from violence and persecution.”

“I am proud to introduce the Human Rights Day resolution that honors the adoption of the historic Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 affirming the rights of individuals and setting the standard for human rights protections,” said Senator Tillis. “As co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I will continue to fight on behalf of those who advocate for basic human rights and ensure that the United States continues to be the standard for promoting freedom across the world.” 

 “The promotion of respect for human rights as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a key component of the leadership role the United States plays around the world,” Congressman Lowenthal said. “The Congress, and the world, must recognize that those who are denied basic human rights, such as the freedoms of speech, religion, and political expression, are also denied basic human respect and dignity. It diminishes our shared humanity when people are denied these basic and universal rights. The world would be a safer place if human rights were universally protected.” ?

Joining Senators Coons and Tillis in introducing the resolution were Senators Blumenthal, Inhofe, Baldwin, Rubio, Brown, Young, Franken, McCain, Van Hollen, Murkowski, Menendez, Merkley, Casey, Wyden, and Klobuchar.  

Joining Congressman Lowenthal in introducing the resolution were Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, Raul Grijalva, Jerry McNerney, Jimmy Gomez, Suzanne Bonamici, Jackie Speier, Ro Khanna, Trent Franks, Gerry Connolly, Luis Gutierrez, Mark Pocan, David Cicilline, Bill Foster, Zoe Lofgren, Salud Carbajal, Jan Schakowsky, Barbara Lee, James McGovern, Katherine Clark, Betty McCollum, Michael Capuano, Dwight Evans, Lou Correa, Brian Higgins, Joseph Crowley, Scott Peters, Alcee L. Hastings, Darren Soto, Marcy Kaptur, Sheila Jackson Lee, Keith Ellison, Doris Matsui, Sander Levin, Grace Napolitano, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Norma Torres, Frank Pallone, Judy Chu, Gwen Moore, Jamie Raskin, Adam Schiff, John Yarmuth, Jared Huffman, Eric Swalwell, Seth Moulton, Randy Hultgren, Val Demings, Matt Cartwright, Anna Eshoo, Andre Carson, Linda Sanchez, Dina Titus, Joyce Beaty, Tom Garrett, Peter King, Brenda Lawrence, Debbie Dingell, and Susan Davis. 

The text of the resolution is available here.

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Sens. Coons, Isakson introduce bipartisan legislation to increase college access and graduation rates

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate to incentivize colleges to expand access for low-income students and increase graduation rates for all students. 

The Access, Success, and Persistence In Reshaping Education Act, or ASPIRE Act for short, will spur the nation’s institutions of higher education to enroll more low-income students and to ensure that these students actually graduate with a degree. The bill devotes resources to help boost completion rates at institutions that serve disproportionately high numbers of low-income students. 

“In today’s economy, access to higher education is one of the best ways to provide students from all backgrounds a ladder to success,”said Senator Coons. “That’s why the federal government invests significant resources into helping low-income and first-generation college students succeed in college. Yet despite this investment, our higher education system is failing to deliver results for the students who need it most. Our graduation rates are too low and too many resource-rich colleges have failed to expand access to qualified students who come from low-income backgrounds. Our bill will address both of these issues by holding selective colleges accountable on improving low-income student access, and by providing resources to increase graduation rates at colleges struggling to support their high numbers of low-income students.  We can and must do more to address resource disparities and ensure colleges help all students access and complete a high-quality education.”

“Georgia universities such as Georgia State University have seen success using innovative approaches in reaching more students and helping them graduate,” said Senator Isakson, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “This legislation will help incentivize other colleges and universities to follow suit to ensure quality education is accessible for all who chose to pursue it.”

Currently, the U.S. government spends roughly $180 billion each year in federal student aid and tax benefits to help low- and middle-income students. This aid includes little accountability or basic benchmarks to be met. In addition to basic benchmarks, the federal government does not do a good job targeting resources to where they are needed most.  Despite the significant federal investment in the higher education system, U.S. college graduation rates are currently among the lowest in the developed world. 

The Access, Success, and Persistence In Reshaping Education Act would help set benchmarks and priorities while also rewarding institutions that are already on the right track when it comes to access and completion. The bill would make additional competitive funding available for completion efforts, with priority for minority-serving institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Finally, it enables high-performing institutions on access and completion to apply for non-financial rewards, such as bonus points in federal competitive grants or a reduced regulatory burden.

Highlights of the Access, Success, and Persistence In Reshaping Education (ASPIRE) Act:

• Completely self-financing, requiring no new appropriations.
• The bottom 5 percent of institutions based on percentages of enrolled first-time, full-time Pell Grant recipients are given at least four years to improve access, or risk paying a penalty.  Penalties collected are then used to fund completion improvement efforts.
• The bottom 5 percent of institutions based on six-year graduation rates that choose to opt-in to the bill’s completion standards would receive significant funding and at least five years to develop and implement plans to improve completion, or risk paying back that funding plus a fine.
• Up to $200 million a year would be devoted to graduation efforts.
• Institutions would not prescribe improvement strategies—institutions must create their own plans.

Click here for the full bill text.

Click here for a one-pager on the bill.

Click here for a section-by-section summary of the bill.

Full list of supporting organizations:

• American Student Assistance
• Education Reform Now
• HBCU Collective
• Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)
• National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)
• National College Access Network
• National Education Association (NEA)
• Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
• The Education Trust
• Third Way
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
• Georgia State University
• Delaware Charter Schools Network
• Delaware State University
• Goldey-Beacom College
• Wesley College
• Widener University
• Wilmington University 
• University of California
• College Summit

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ASPIRE:

American Student Assistance Director of Consumer Advocacy, Kevin Fudge:

“To survive and thrive in the changing workplace of the 21st century, Americans need the skills gained from postsecondary education more than ever before. For the greater economic strength of both our citizens individually and our nation collectively, it is imperative that all students in the US, regardless of income, have the opportunity for access, success and persistence in education beyond high school.”

Education Reform Now Advocacy President, Shavar Jeffries:

“Senator Coons’ and Isakson’s ASPIRE higher education access and accountability plan is thoughtful and nuanced. The Coons-Isakson plan is thoughtful in using the federal investment in higher education to prod elite colleges to open their doors wider to talented students from low-income families. It’s thoughtful in providing additional financial help to under resourced colleges, particularly HBCUs, that currently serve a substantial number of students from low-income families. But the Senators are also tough and nuanced in demanding better performance from colleges, including for those who fail to improve requiring a return of funds. Higher education should not be an accountability-free zone. It’s heartening to see bipartisan agreement on the fundamental idea that in higher education, like in K-12 education, we need increased resources and reform in order to get markedly better results for students, families, and the country.” 

HBCU Collective Founder, Robert T. Stephens:

“The HBCU Collective applauds Sen. Coons and Sen. Isakson for introducing legislation that expands access to higher education for low-income students. Education continues to be one of the best pathways low-income students use to pull themselves out of poverty, increase opportunities, and achieve their dreams.”

Institute for Higher Education Policy President, Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D:

“Smart policy solutions that help more of today’s students access a college education and earn high-quality degrees can cultivate thriving communities. The ASPIRE Act will help to narrow the access and degree completion inequities that stubbornly persist within our higher education system and enable more hardworking students, regardless of economic status, to pursue a college education. We thank Senator Coons and Senator Isakson for their leadership and commitment to expanding college access and fostering degree completion.”

National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) President and CEO, Dr. Lezli Baskerville:

“The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, NAFEO, is appreciative to Senators Coons and Isakson for heeding NAFEO’s appeal for a bipartisan group of Members of Congress to explore ways of incentivizing a greater number of colleges and universities to educate the growing populations of this nation—low-income and racial and ethnic minority students, and rewarding those institutions graduating disproportionate percentages of the growing populations of the states. The ASPIRE legislation will move the nation toward acknowledging and rewarding institutions like HBCUs and MSIs graduating disproportionate percentages of low-income students, first generation students, and students of color.”

National College Access Network Executive Director, Kim Cook:

“NCAN supports the goal of the ASPIRE Act to encourage institutions to increase access for low-income students and to incent completion. Students who attend their best academic fit are most likely to succeed, and encouraging students to expand the number of seats available to low-income students will help more low-income students reach both college and graduation.”

Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) Executive Director, Quyen Dinh:

“SEARAC strongly supports the ASPIRE Act and its goals to increasing low-income students’ access to a post-secondary education and the graduation rates for all students. This proposal helps to address the compounded socio-economic and educational disparities that we know are persisting in Southeast Asian American communities who experience both poverty and lack-of higher education degrees at higher rates than the national average.  We applaud Sen. Coons for introducing a policy solution to stand up for vulnerable students such as Southeast Asian Americans from refugee, immigrant, and low-income communities”

The Education Trust Vice President of Higher Education Policy and Practice, Wil Del Pilar:

“The urgent question for higher education right now is “How can we dramatically increase high-quality degree completion while expanding – not limiting – access among low-income students and students of color?” The ASPIRE Act represents an attempt to answer that question in a cost-neutral way that puts students first and pushes institutions to focus on getting students to graduation.  It will spur wealthier institutions to increase access for low-income students, and it will provide additional resources to drive improvements in colleges and universities — including minority-serving institutions — that make commitments to significantly improving outcomes for their students. This kind of forward-thinking legislation is an important step toward making higher education more equitable and effective.”

Third Way Vice President for Social Policy & Politics, Lanae Erickson Hatalsky:

“We are grateful to Senator Coons and Senator Isakson for recognizing that a large number of our nation’s postsecondary institutions are failing to serve as true mobility machines for millions of low- and moderate-income students. Far too many students who enter college today do not graduate, and too many of our elite institutions aren’t doing enough to take in the Pell students who could benefit from their high graduation rates and solid post-graduation outcomes. While the ASPIRE Act may not be able to fix all of these problems overnight, it refocuses attention on both access and completion by incentivizing good schools to open their doors to more low-income students while holding accountable those schools that fail to better their students’ lives.”

Georgia State University President, Mark P. Becker, PhD:

“I congratulate Senators Isakson and Coons for their bipartisan efforts to craft legislation tackling the difficult task of increasing access for students who would otherwise not attend college.  Thousands of qualified students are not entering college, and thousands who do enter leave without a degree.  There is no more important challenge facing higher education today than leveling the playing field for all students.  I thank Senator Isakson for his continued support of Georgia State University and our success in increasing graduation rates by 22 percentage points in recent years.  I look forward to working with Senator Isakson and Senator Coons to make our nation once again the most educated and innovative nation in the world.”

DE Charter Schools Network Executive Director, Kendall Massett and Board President, Chuck Taylor:

“We have charter school leaders that spend 12 years preparing low-income students for college. The ASPIRE Act would help fulfill the promise we make to these students, and show that hard work, discipline and resilience have their rewards.” 

Delaware State University President, Dr. Harry L. Williams:

“At Delaware State University, we are committed to retaining and graduating first-generation college students. This commitment is further evidenced by our steady progression on these most-important metrics and our partnerships with private foundations to expand our innovative efforts to retain and graduate our students.  The Completion Bonus Program within the ASPIRE Act further incentivizes institutions to redouble their efforts to boost retention and graduation rates to help make the United States #1 in college completion.”

Goldey-Beacom College President Gary L. Wirt Letter of Support

University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis:

“The intent of the ASPIRE Act aligns with the University of Delaware’s commitment to provide an accessible and affordable world-class education to every student, especially those with the greatest financial need. Thousands of Delawareans benefit from UD’s financial aid and academic support, which contribute to above-average retention and graduation rates. We applaud the senators’ efforts to address this complex challenge.” 

Wesley College Provost, Dr. Jeffrey Gibson:

“The ASPIRE Act is key to promoting educational opportunity and access to the nation’s colleges and universities, and Wesley College is proud to support initiatives that increase the higher education options available to students.  Better still, the legislation introduced by Senators Coons and Isakson will further bolster efforts to enhance student success and increase graduation rates.  Each student who succeeds benefits our local communities and the country as a whole.” 

Widener University President Julie E. Wollman:

“As a university leader, I believe it is vital to increase degree completion rates by providing the comprehensive support necessary to achieve this goal.  Furthermore, we must continue our work to optimize access to higher education for all students.  Access and degree completion are essential to the quality of our society and the strength of our nation.” 

Wilmington University President, Dr. LaVerne Harmon:

“The ASPIRE Act is supported by Wilmington University because the intent of this bill is to increase access for low-income and marginalized students to close the completion gap in institutions of higher education. This is critically important to us, since approximately 46 percent of our first-time, full-time students are PELL Grant recipients, and the ASPIRE Act gives students the opportunity to experience a quality education they can afford. Wilmington University is a student-centered organization, and we work diligently to provide for our students sound financial counseling as well as rigorous academic programs that prepare them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and in the workforce. We are committed to offering education to all who seek it, and the ASPIRE Act aligns with our commitment to excellence in teaching, relevancy of curriculum, and individual attention to all students, regardless of their economic limitations.”

University of California President, Janet Napolitano:

“The University of California is proud of its successes in enrolling students from a broad range of family income levels, and of its record in making a difference for low-income students who earn UC degrees.  UC supports the ASPIRE Act’s targeted approach to providing incentives to colleges and universities to increase their enrollment of low-income students, and offering competitive funds to under-resourced institutions trying to improve their rates of student completion.  The University’s exemplary record and strong commitment to educational opportunity for all students are a result of UC’s continuous drive to uphold its mission as a public university, with regard to access, affordability, and educational quality.”

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[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on GOP tax bill: “While the gospel is good news to the poor, this tax bill surely is not”

WASHINGTON – Yesterday evening, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the Senate floor about the Senate Republicans’ tax bill that was passed late Friday night.

“It seems to me that while the Bible, the New Testament, and the Torah teach these things about God’s deep preference that we would be kind to one another, that we would care for one another, that we would support those in need around us, that doesn’t inevitably lead to one party’s position or another, it doesn’t inventively lead to one clear economic theory or policy than another, but it does say that before we take dramatic action that will reset the ground for a generation that I believe will inevitably lead to a loss of security and stability and opportunity for those in need in our country, we should have reflected,” said Senator Coons.

“In moving this bill forward, we have failed in our must fundamental call to hear each other, to work together, and to be mindful that we do not cause harm to those in our society who look to us to make the future brighter, to open the doors of opportunity wider, and to listen to some of the most ancient and profound voices in the traditions that laid the foundation of this free society: that we legislate worst when we legislate against the least of our brethren,” said Senator Coons.

Full audio and video available here. 

Senator Coons’ full speech, as delivered, is below:

Mr. President, when we were last here together, it was roughly 2:00AM Saturday morning.  As this Chamber took up and passed by a very narrow margin, I believe 41 to 49, one of the biggest, broadest, most comprehensive pieces of financial legislation likely in our lifetimes. 

The last time this Congress took up and passed comprehensive tax reform, I was 21 years old.  It has been a long time since a bill of this scope and reach and impact has been considered, debated, and passed in this chamber.  And I wanted to give some reflections this evening on what happened very early Saturday morning and what it means.  

First, it did not have to be this way.  That bill passed on a straight party-line vote.  Not one Democrat voted for it and all but one Republican Senator voted for it.  I joined more than a dozen of my colleagues in a press conference I think two weeks ago saying we wanted to work across the aisle and we were trying, yet getting no opportunity to do so.  

Weeks and weeks ago, a group of us put out a letter to our colleagues saying we wanted to work together on tax reform that would make our country more competitive, that would deal with some of the long unaddressed issues in our tax code, yet be fiscally responsible. 

And, right up until Saturday, I was working with a group of Republicans and Democrats to try and find a way to move forward on tax reform that would not blow up our deficit and debt, give real tax relief to middle-class Americans, and significantly reduce the corporate tax rate.  Yet, alas we came up short. 

I wanted to give just a few moments of reflection on how I see the tax bill that ultimately moved through this Chamber last week.  

First, on the process. The idea that you do your best work at something like 2:00AM in the morning, adopting a nearly 500 page piece of legislation without anyone having had the chance to really read it and understand it I think defies common sense. 

Second, the idea that the best legislating is done by one party only I think has been proven to be incorrect.  Whether it’s big pieces of legislation done only by Democrats or big pieces done only by Republicans, part of the point of this Chamber and the balance and the separation of powers that our Founders crafted into the Constitution was the idea that when we listen to each other and compromise, we produce better legislation, better laws, better justice. 

But last, I wanted to just talk for a moment about the values that underlie not just this process, but this outcome, this bill.  

Because, in speeches and comments, in debates here on the floor, and in materials put out over the last two weeks, there has been lots and lots of talk about financial matters, about percentages, about numbers, about the Joint Committee on Taxation or the Congressional Budget Office, there has been lots of jargon and lots of insider talk that has frankly left a cloud that has made it difficult for most Americans to understand what was at stake and what was at work in the steady progress towards that partisan passage of the tax bill so early on Saturday morning. 

Let’s talk for a moment if we could about the human values implicated by this bill.  Let’s talk less about fiscal jargon and financial details and more about where it will land. 

I’m sure, Mr. President, it comes of no surprise to you that ultimately I voted against the bill.  I was willing to do bipartisan tax reform that would allow President Trump to meet his expressed goal of delivering a Christmas gift to the American people, in particular to the American middle-class.  

Yet, I wasn’t willing to sign off on a bill that will add a trillion dollars to our national debt and lay the groundwork we are already hearing for calls to slash Medicare and Medicaid and where once this Christmas package is opened, the middle-class will realize its real impact is the steady increase of the tax burden on them and the steady decrease over years ahead of critical, vital federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid that have made such a difference to so many in need over so long. 

For reasons that elude me, most of this country was not actively engaged in this tax debate.  I got about 230 calls from Delaware last Friday, 200 opposed and 20 in favor, so 10 to 1 against.  But I didn’t hear from folks who might have understood and might have spoken up about the long-term grinding impact this tax bill would have on those in real need in our country.  And I wanted to take a moment here on the floor and reflect on something that happened late last week on the Budget Committee as they were marking up the bill. 

As several dozen clergymen, men and women of different faiths, gathered together outside in a moment of civil disobedience.  A few of them, friends of mine, were arrested, arrested in a cry they had hoped would be heard to express their concern about the impact of this tax bill on the poor and needy in our nation.  

I stand tonight as a Senator, I stand tonight as someone who represents Delaware, I stand tonight as someone who is elected not to serve one particular faith tradition, but who is deeply informed by my faith tradition.  And the gospel that I read and the gospel according to Luke: “Jesus said he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”  And I just wanted to stand here for a moment and say while the gospel is good news to the poor, this tax bill surely is not.  

Some of the best known simple passages in the New Testament of the Christian Bible say you cannot serve both God and wealth, and in Jesus’ call in Matthew 25: ” In is much as you did this to the least of these you did it unto me.”  

But, this preference for the poor, this focus on the least among us is not new to the so-called New Testament, it’s deeply rooted in Torah and in the Judeo-Christian values that underlies all of Christianity. 

In proverbs the Torah teaches: “Those who oppress the poor insult their maker.”  And in Deuteronomy Chapter 15, it teaches: “You should open your hand to the poor and needy, the neighbor in your land.” 

And last, it seems to me that while the Bible, the New Testament, and the Torah teach these things about God’s deep preference that we would be kind to one another, that we would care for one another, that we would support those in need around us, that doesn’t inevitably lead to one party’s position or another, it doesn’t inventively lead to one clear economic theory or policy than another, but it does say that before we take dramatic action that will reset the ground for a generation that I believe will inevitably lead to a loss of security and stability and opportunity for those in need in our country, we should have reflected.  

We should have listened to each other.  We should have respected the greatest traditions of this country that say that we are most America, we are most Americans, when we open the doors of opportunity to all, when we create chances for those who are struggling amongst us to have a brighter future and as I searched through what I understood of this 500 page bill thrust upon us late on a Friday night, marked up and voted early on a Saturday morning, I found none of that.  

I found an incredibly expensive bill that even some titans of industry have said will add little to the growth of this economy and much to the burden of debt of this country.  

I know people of good faith on both sides have differing views about the impact of this bill, but I for one felt called tonight to come to this floor and say I think we have made not just a mistake of fiscal policy, but I think in moving this bill forward we have failed in our must fundamental call to hear each other, to work together, and to be mindful that we do not cause harm to those in our society who look to us to make the future brighter, to open the doors of opportunity wider, and to listen to some of the most ancient and profound voices in the traditions that laid the foundation of this free society: that we legislate worst when we legislate against the least of our brethren.  

Thank you.  With that, Mr. President I yield the floor. 

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Senator Coons, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce to host 7th Annual Taste of Delaware

WILMINGTON, DE – United States Senator Chris Coons, member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship committee, will host the 7th Annual Taste of Delaware event on Wednesday, December 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Caucus Room in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to register as the guest list usually reaches capacity. To register, click HERE.

“I’m excited to be the honorary host for the 7th Annual Taste of Delaware, and to be working with the State Chamber to celebrate our state on Capitol Hill,” said Coons. “This event is a tremendous showcase of the talented and gifted restauranteurs, chefs, bakers, distillers and brewers who make Delaware a great place to live, visit and do business.”

Taste of Delaware made its first appearance in 2010, featuring Grotto Pizza, Capriotti’s, and Dogfish Head in a small conference room. The event has grown into an annual event among government officials, restauranteurs and food-fans alike, dubbed Delaware’s ‘party on the Hill.’

“This event has become one of the Chamber’s favorite events over the years,” said DSCC President Rich Heffron. “We enjoy the partnership with Senator Coons’ office and staff, and have fun giving the spotlight to Delaware’s wide variety of talent in the hospitality industry to the hundreds of people who attend.”

This year’s event will include some of Delaware’s best restaurants, breweries, distilleries, bakeries and representing all three counties. Scheduled to attend are: Bluecoast Rehoboth, Brick Works, Chic Treats, Civil Cider, De La Coeur Café, Delaware Technical Community College’s Culinary Arts Program, Delcastle Technical High School’s Culinary Program, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Grandpa (MAC), Home Grown Café, Johnnies Dog House, Maiale Deli and Salumeria, Mispillion River Brewing, Painted Stave Distilling, Po’ Boys Creole & Fresh Catch Restaurant, Sea Watch International, Ltd., The Starboard, Twin Lakes Brewing Company, UDairy Creamery, University & Whist Club, Waggies by Maggie & Friends, WiLDWiCH and William Penn High School’s Culinary Program.

Senators demand review of federal, state laws that discriminate against those with HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation aimed at helping end stigma, discrimination, and stereotypes that negatively impact Americans living with HIV/AIDS. The Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal (“REPEAL”) HIV Discrimination Act of 2017 would require an interagency review of federal and state laws that criminalize certain actions by people living with HIV. 

“It’s simply not fair that someone with a treatable medical condition should automatically be subjected to a different set of criminal laws,” said Senator Coons. “A disturbing number of state and local criminal laws pertaining to individuals with HIV/AIDS are rooted not in science, but in outdated fear. They run counter to effective public health strategies, discourage HIV testing, and perpetuate unfair stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS – people who are our friends, family members, and neighbors. Rather than recognizing that HIV/AIDS is a treatable medical condition, these laws perpetuate the idea that HIV is a deadly weapon and people with HIV/AIDS are dangerous criminals. Our laws need to catch up to our science and our morals, and this bill would take an important step in that direction.” 

“We should not have policies or laws on the books that discriminate, perpetuate stereotypes, or aren’t based in sound science,” said Senator Markey. “The REPEAL Act will help ensure that individuals with HIV/AIDS are not criminalized for having a treatable medical condition, and that all Americans are subject to the same set of laws.” 

“Unfortunately, too many individuals living with HIV and AIDS still face stigma and discrimination despite great advances in prevention, treatment and awareness,” said Senator Baldwin. “That is why I am proud to join Senators Coons and Markey in advancing this critical measure to ensure that federal and state criminal laws are grounded in sound medical science and do not place an undue burden on individuals with HIV and AIDS. To truly break down barriers and improve access to testing, support and treatment, we must continue to fight the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.”

“Too many state and federal laws target people living with HIV/AIDS and unfairly criminalize their actions. These laws have no basis in science and no place in our country,” said Senator Murphy. “This bill will force our nation to take a hard look at the stigmas and barriers we impose on people living with HIV/AIDS.”

“There are more than 45,000 individuals with HIV/AIDS in Pennsylvania, and I believe that we must make every effort to ensure that they are treated fairly,” said Senator Casey. “This means that laws and regulations must reflect the most up-to-date knowledge available. The REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act is a commonsense measure that will help states and communities throughout the Nation enact modern policies, that align with current knowledge. I am pleased to cosponsor this measure, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to see it advance. ” 

“Discriminating against Americans because of their HIV/AIDS status is simply wrong,” said Senator Merkley. “Our laws should never treat someone differently based on their private medical history. This bill is an important step to stop perpetuating damaging misperceptions about HIV/AIDS and to create a fairer, more just nation.”

Today, 33 states and 2 U.S. territories have criminal statutes based on outdated information about perceived exposure to HIV, rather than actual transmission.  These laws often do not take into account the medical advances and scientific discoveries in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  In the last decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have affirmed that condom use, antiretroviral drug regimens, and other prevention strategies can drastically reduce the rate of HIV transmission.  However, most of these laws do not treat condom or antiretroviral use as a mitigating factor.  These laws breed fear, discrimination, and distrust, and undermine our ability to fight the disease and provide care for those living with HIV.  Laws that single out people with HIV for severe punishment in the absence of intentional wrong-doing and treat a positive HIV test as evidence of a crime discriminate on the basis of outdated fear and misunderstanding.

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Sens. Carper, Coons join bipartisan bill to boost banking consumer protections, help local banks and credit unions

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) tonight announced their support for bipartisan legislation authored by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), to enhance consumer protections and reduce regulatory burdens on community banks and credit unions. 

The bill, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, which has 20 bipartisan co-sponsors, will be voted on in the Senate Banking Committee tomorrow.

“After the financial crisis, Congress passed much-needed reforms to strengthen the banking system and help protect consumers by reining in predatory and reckless behavior. Seven years later, we know that many of those reforms are working well, while others require adjustments to ensure community banks and credit unions continue to be a valuable source of affordable loans for families and small businesses,” said Senators Carper and Coons.  “After extensive discussions with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we have decided to join this bipartisan effort to further protect everyday American families and support community banks and credit unions.  Our support for this bill, however, only came once we were able to make important changes to it, including the addition of a provision that allows all active-duty service members to receive quality, free credit monitoring, an important service they deserve but don’t currently receive. When it comes to banking legislation, our first priority is to ensure strong consumer protections. This legislation will further protect American consumers and help local banks and credit unions successfully serve their communities.

“Finally, we don’t believe this bill is perfect, but we do believe that it is a step in the right direction for both consumers and community banks and credit unions.  We also believe this is the product of both bipartisan compromise and regular order, two things in far too short supply in the Senate today.”

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[VIDEO] Sen. Coons: Suggestion that President can’t obstruct justice “is a laughable proposition…No one is above the law”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to discuss recent news regarding Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort.

“There are recent reports that over the summer the president also reached out to a number of senior Republican senators, chair of the Intelligence Committee, majority leader and others to urge them to wrap up this investigation quickly,” said Senator Coons. “It suggests an ongoing deeply troubling pattern of personal intervention in an ongoing investigation by the president. And the suggestion today by the president’s lawyers that he can’t be charged with obstruction of justice, that he can’t commit obstruction of justice because he oversees the Department of Justice and the federal law enforcement infrastructure, I think is a laughable proposition. It would mean that the president would be above the law. And one of our core foundational constitutional principles in this country is that no one is above the law.” 

Full video and audio available here.

Excerpts from the interview: 

Senator Coons on Flynn: Well, that’s a legal conclusion for others to reach, but it certainly strongly suggests that the president was aware that in reaching out to Jim Comey, the former FBI director, and urging him to go easy on Flynn that he was engaging in an inappropriate intervention in an ongoing investigation. There are recent reports that over the summer the president also reached out to a number of senior Republican senators, chair of the Intelligence Committee, majority leader and others to urge them to wrap up this investigation quickly. It suggests an ongoing deeply troubling pattern of personal intervention in an ongoing investigation by the president. And the suggestion today by the president’s lawyers that he can’t be charged with obstruction of justice, that he can’t commit obstruction of justice because he oversees the Department of Justice and the federal law enforcement infrastructure, I think is a laughable proposition. It would mean that the president would be above the law. And one of our core foundational constitutional principles in this country is that no one is above the law. 

More on Flynn: I don’t buy that one bit, Wolf. I think it’s Nixonian to argue that somehow the president has carte blanche to do whatever he wants with regard to law enforcement and ongoing investigations; in particular, an investigation into his conduct. That would create a presidency that is completely above the law and unaccountable. I do think there is a debatable proposition about whether impeachment is the only means of removal of a president, but I don’t think it’s debatable whether the president has impunity to interfere with whatever investigations he chooses. 

Senator Coons on whether the president can pardon himself: That’s also something that’s never been tested before. But I think going back to the Federalist Papers, to the very founding of our country, there has often been asserted the principle that you cannot be both judge and jury in a case. And if the president were to pardon himself, he would literally be acting as both judge and jury in a case against himself. 

Senator Coons on Trump’s tweet: Well, first, I’ve been encouraging the president since his inauguration to stop tweeting so much. It is not good for him or for our country. Second, if his lawyer crafted that tweet, he might want to reconsider his representation because that certainly didn’t serve the president’s interests. I think Mr. Dowd has already conceded that it was certainly sloppy. Third, it suggests that the president or his lawyer representing him knew that there was reason for the president if he intervened with Jim Comey to try to get him to lighten up on Flynn. To be doing so in a way that was obstructing justice. It is a truly concerning tweet if this accurately reflects the president’s knowledge and state of mind. And if it doesn’t, I don’t know why his lawyer representing him would have — would have approved this tweet, put it in front of the president and had him sign off on it. 

Senator Coons on the credibility of the investigation: Wolf, what I think strengthens the credibility of Robert Mueller individually and the investigation he’s leading is that we know in an instance where there was some suggestion of bias by a critical agent, it was investigated, it was dealt with and he was dismissed. So this isn’t something that is hanging out there as an unresolved issue, it’s something that Robert Mueller when he became aware of it is reported to have acted decisively to remove any potential interference or bias in his ongoing investigation and I find that reassuring. 

Senator Coons on Manafort: Wolf, this is simply stunning news. The idea that Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, who’s facing federal criminal charges and had reached a plea agreement — excuse me, a bail agreement where he was free to move without an ankle bracelet to leave his home, but on the condition that he not engage in public statements. He was literally drafting an editorial with a Russian known to American intelligence. That is just stunning. A word I know is now overused, but that is deeply foolish. Clearly he’s not listening to his lawyers or he’s more afraid of the Russians than he is of federal prosecution in the United States. I mean, I have a really hard time squaring that news with the idea that Paul Manafort is rational. That’s an enormous risk for him to take and will almost certainly lead to the restoration of a different arrangement for his freedom in advance of his facing trial. 

More on Manafort: Just for those who may have forgotten about Paul Manafort, he was the director, the manager, the chairman of the Trump presidential campaign and had received millions of dollars from Ukraine’s former lead, Yanukovych, who is closely aligned with Vladimir Putin and with Russian interests. The idea that he would reinsert himself into that maelstrom of issues that compete with American national security interests at such a sensitive time is really striking. 

More on Manafort: If accurate, that reporting is deeply troubling. It suggests that Manafort’s ties to Russians connected to Russian intelligence services continues and continues unabated and he continues to work with them and cooperate with them, even while he faces federal criminal charges. That suggests a striking indifference to the legal situation he’s in and an unwillingness to take responsibility for the ways in which he deflected or impacted the Republican platform during their convention on issues of Russia and Ukraine. And impacted U.S. national security interests while he was the chairman of the Trump presidential campaign. This really is stunning breaking news. 

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Sen. Coons’ statement on GOP tax bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement regarding the Republican tax bill being voted on in the Senate tonight.

“Throughout the past months, I’ve urged my Republican colleagues to work across the aisle on a bipartisan tax reform bill that Senators from both parties could get behind. Last week, I joined more than a dozen Democratic Senators to ask our Republican colleagues to slow this process down and work together.

“Finally, over the last few days, I’ve been working with a handful of my Republican and Democratic colleagues to try to find a way – any way – to stop this backroom, partisan process and force both parties to work together on tax reform. We got close to an agreement, but ultimately didn’t succeed.

“The bill that appears likely to pass the Senate soon is a bad one. There’s no sugar coating it. This bill gives away tens of billions in corporate tax cuts with no strings attached, hurts the middle class over the long run, guts the Affordable Care Act, and adds more than $1 trillion to the national debt. It was written with no meaningful consultation between the two parties, and it is highly unpopular with the American public. 

“This process isn’t finished yet, as the Senate and House bills remain very different, but I am very concerned that we’re close to making our already-broken tax code even worse. As always, I remain willing to work across the aisle to pass a real, bipartisan tax reform bill for the middle class, but our opportunity to do that is quickly slipping away.”

Senator Coons’ statement on guilty plea from former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I.

“This morning’s guilty plea from President Trump’s former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, is a clear indication that Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team have found conclusive evidence of illegal activity and are actively proceeding with their investigation. 

“Robert Mueller is a highly respected and skilled law enforcement official, and when he was named Special Counsel, he had overwhelming support from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.  

“It’s now more important than ever that Special Counsel Mueller is able to continue his investigation without interference, and I am continuing to work on bipartisan legislation to protect the Special Counsel from being fired without cause.” 

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[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on tax bill: “I’m still struck by the difference between what Donald Trump campaigned on and what this bill is actually delivering”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) this morning joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the GOP tax bill. 

“As the Republicans barrel towards trying to deliver on President Trump’s Christmas promise of a big gift to the American people, I’m struck at the difference between what President Trump campaigned on, a real middle class tax cut, and what this tax bill seems to be, which is something that will add $1.5 trillion to our deficits and debt and that overwhelmingly favors the wealthiest Americans and the most profitable corporations.” 

“There have been no public hearings on this bill. It was introduced and rushed immediately to markup. There was a Finance Committee markup but there were no hearings. So, actually understanding what’s in this package is something that will only be known once it’s passed. When one party tries to ram through a big piece of legislation without including the other, without public hearings, the results don’t usually turn out as well, as hopeful or as expected. That’s going to be true here as well, I think.” 

Full audio and video available here.

Excerpts from the interview: 

Senator Coons on the future of the tax bill: Well, I hope not but that certainly seems more likely today, after it advanced through the Budget Committee. I’ll remind you and our viewers that there are still significant differences between the Senate version and the House version that will have to be worked out. As the Republicans barrel towards trying to deliver on President Trump’s Christmas promise of a big gift to the American people, I’m struck at the difference between what President Trump campaigned on, a real middle class tax cut, and what this tax bill seems to be, which is something that will add $1.5 trillion to our deficits and debt and that overwhelmingly favors the wealthiest Americans and the most profitable corporations. 

More on the tax bill: A number of real fiscal conservatives who continue to be concerned of deficits and debt like Senator Corker are trying to add into this bill some sort of trigger mechanism that would roll back some of the bigger tax cuts if the growth that’s promised doesn’t materialize and deficits soar. That might be too little, too late to fix the hole in our annual budget that would be caused by this bill but I at least commend Senator Corker for trying to slow down this hurdling train and look at it and try to fix it. I’m still struck by the difference between what Donald Trump campaigned on and what this bill is actually delivering, which will be significant cuts that will harm lots of middle class Americans by eliminating all sorts of things on which they rely and giving permanent tax cuts to America’s corporations. 

More on the tax bill: The last time tax reform happened under President Reagan more than 30 years ago, there were dozens of hearings. It was truly bipartisan and revenue-neutral. There have been no public hearings on this bill. It was introduced and rushed immediately to markup. There was a Finance Committee markup but there were no hearings. So, actually understanding what’s in this package is something that will only be known once it’s passed. When one party tries to ram through a big piece of legislation without including the other, without public hearings, the results don’t usually turn out as well, as hopeful or as expected. That’s going to be true here as well, I think. 

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