Senator Coons statement on vote against Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Sean Duffy to serve as the United States Secretary of Transportation: 

“Yesterday, I voted to proceed with Mr. Duffy’s confirmation because of his commitment that he would faithfully implement the infrastructure investments that bipartisan majorities in Congress have already funded, including critical projects up and down Delaware. However, in light of President Trump’s disastrous and illegal order last night to freeze all federal aid, including millions for those very transportation investments, I could not support Mr. Duffy’s nomination or any of President Trump’s nominees for the duration this directive is in place.

“President Trump has tried to defy Congress’s constitutional appropriations role. He cannot defy our advice and consent role.”

Senator Coons statement of support for Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement announcing that he would vote to confirm Scott Bessent as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury:

“I support Mr. Bessent’s nomination to lead the Department of the Treasury because of his decades of experience in the financial sector and his conviction that American strength is built on a stable, innovative, and growing economy. While I disagree with many of his policy positions, particularly his support for extending tax cuts for the wealthy and President Trump’s tariff threats, I hope that he will focus the Treasury Department on bringing down costs for middle-class Americans. I am particularly encouraged by his commitment to continue U.S. investment in international financial institutions, which are essential tools for advancing global prosperity and demonstrating U.S. leadership.”  

Senator Coons statement after meeting with FBI Director nominee Kash Patel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after meeting yesterday afternoon with Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI:

“I met with Mr. Patel yesterday to discuss his nomination to serve as FBI Director. I pressed Mr. Patel on President Trump’s release of hundreds of violent criminals this week, how Mr. Patel would respond to efforts by President Trump to use the FBI as a tool of political retribution, and Mr. Patel’s own disturbing statements calling for the weaponization of the federal government against President Trump’s political enemies. I left this meeting still concerned about Mr. Patel’s ability to put past grievances aside and focus the FBI on its core mission of keeping Americans safe.

“Mr. Patel’s nomination to lead the nation’s largest federal law enforcement agency remains alarming. I look forward to Mr. Patel’s committee hearing and the opportunity to gain greater clarity from him on his most extreme positions and previous actions.”

Senator Coons is Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senators Coons, Duckworth, colleagues introduce resolution recognizing the service of women in combat

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined a resolution led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) honoring the service of women in combat roles in the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution comes as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Pete Hegseth, continues to face scorching criticism for his long record of denigrating women service members who bravely serve our nation in combat roles.

“The women in our Armed Forces risk their lives every day to defend our nation, and their courage and ability to serve should never be questioned,” said Senator Coons. “We are indebted to the service and great sacrifice of women in uniform, and we will honor their resilience in the face of adversity, including baseless attacks.”

“Contrary to what Pete Hegseth has said repeatedly, women have always made our military stronger and are more qualified to serve in their roles than Pete Hegseth is to serve as Secretary of Defense,” said Senator Duckworth. “There is no U.S. military as we know it without the incredible women who have earned their places in their units by going through the same rigorous physical testing and training that men do. I’m proud to co-lead this resolution with Senator Murray to honor our women warriors and make clear that any nominee who doesn’t understand the essential value of female service members is not qualified to lead our military.”

In addition to Senators Coons and Duckworth, the letter is signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The senators’ resolution “recognizes the contribution, bravery, and sacrifices of women serving in combat roles in the Armed Forces; and encourages the continued celebration of the achievements of women in the Armed Forces to inspire future generations,” noting specifically that:

• Women have honorably served in the Armed Services with distinction since the Revolutionary War;

• The DOD announced the opening of all military occupations and specialties to women in December 2015;
• Women have received numerous commendations for their service in combat after September 2001, including Bronze Stars and Silver Stars;
• Since September 11, approximately 3,000 women have earned Combat Action Badges and Combat Action Ribbons; and
• Women in the military serve in special forces units, including as Army Rangers, Air Force Special Operators, and in the Marine Corps Special Operations Command.

The full text of the resolution can be read here.

Senator Coons, colleagues urge Senate GOP leader to pursue bipartisan solutions on border and immigration

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined 12 of his Senate colleagues in a letter to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), urging a bipartisan approach to addressing our broken immigration system and border security.

“We write regarding the pressing border security and immigration needs facing our country. As we have shown, Democrats and Republicans can work together on real bipartisan solutions,” the senators wrote. “We can solve big challenges when we work together, and there is much work to do to improve border security, protect Dreamers and farmworkers, and fix our immigration system to better reflect the needs of our country and our modern economy.”

In addition to Senator Coons, the letter is signed by Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).

A member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Coons has long supported comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform and supported the Lankford-Sinema-Murphy deal negotiated last Congress that would have been the toughest new immigration law in decades. However, the bill failed to advance under heavy opposition from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. As President Trump returns to Washington, the senators stress that bipartisan cooperation is necessary to craft and advance meaningful and long-lasting solutions.  

The senators continued, “We understand that Senate Republicans have discussed using the budget reconciliation process to advance border security budget measures without any Democratic input. While that’s your right, in working together on a bipartisan basis, we can achieve the best outcome for the American people. There are also limitations to what can be done under budget reconciliation, and as we’ve seen time and time again, no party has all the solutions on this or any issue.”  

At the conclusion of the letter, Senator Coons and his colleagues emphasize their willingness to work with their Republican counterparts on legislation that can pass the Senate.

“We remain ready to work with you in good faith to craft legislation that can achieve bipartisan support and 60 votes in the Senate. While there will be challenges, addressing the pressing needs of our nations’ borders and finding bipartisan solutions to our outdated immigration system are too important to ignore in the 119th Congress,” the senators wrote.  

You can read the full letter here.

Senator Coons statement on release of Ryan Corbett

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the release of American wrongful detainee Ryan Corbett by the Taliban:

“I am relieved to hear that Ryan Corbett is returning home to his family after more than two years in captivity alongside another American previously held by the Taliban. Far too many Americans are held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world, and I was proud that during the four years of the Biden administration, more than 75 wrongfully held Americans were returned home. I am also grateful for the efforts of the Qatari government, which were instrumental in securing Ryan’s release. However, I am disappointed to see that this deal did not include the release of Americans George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, who still suffer in Taliban captivity. I will continue to pray for their families and to fight for their swift release alongside the other wrongfully detained Americans held around the world.

“After more than two years in captivity, Ryan should not have to come home to a ruined credit score, depressed Social Security benefits, and fines and late fees from the IRS. Unfortunately, that is what awaits Ryan and all American hostages and wrongful detainees until Congress takes up and passes my bills designed to ease their reentry after gaining freedom. Ryan’s release underscores the importance of taking up and passing these bills without delay.”

Senator Coons is Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has worked tirelessly to advance legislation that addresses the financial burdens Americans face when returning home from wrongful detention, including:

• The Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act with Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), which would end the practice of the IRS charging fines and late fees on hostages and wrongful detainees for their non-payment of taxes while held abroad. The bill cleared the Senate unanimously last year.
• The Fair Credit for American Hostages Act with Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), which would empower former hostages and detainees to restore credit scores that may have been negatively impacted during their detention. The bill passed the Senate unanimously last year.
• The Retirement Security for American Hostages Act with Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), which would ensure that hostages and wrongful detainees are not penalized when calculating their Social Security benefits. 
• The Countering Wrongful Detention Act with Senator James Risch (R-Idaho), which will provide the government with new tools to deter state and non-state actors from wrongfully detaining Americans. Much of this bill was enacted as part of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act that President Biden signed in December, but several crucial components remain unpassed.

Senator Coons statement on President Trump’s release of January 6 criminals

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentence of every criminal convicted for their role in the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, as well as ordering the end of all pending U.S. Department of Justice cases against January 6 rioters:

“In one of his first acts, President Trump released hundreds of violent criminals back onto our streets, many of whom assaulted police officers. Few of these criminals have shown any remorse for their crimes. Several have expressed their intention to commit further acts of violence. Americans are at greater risk today because of President Trump’s shameless disregard for the safety of law enforcement and American lives.

“President Trump’s pardons send a clear message to criminals that any crime, even assault on a police officer, is acceptable as long as the president believes the criminals are on his side. I pray that this decision won’t lead to more politically motivated violence, assaults, and deaths over the coming years, but if it does, then Donald Trump will be to blame.”

Senator Coons is Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

ICYMI: Tariffs, mass deportations will wreck Trump’s promises of low inflation, Senator Coons warns in inauguration op-ed

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) published an op-ed yesterday in The Bulwark, warning President Donald Trump as he took office that his campaign promises to institute huge tariffs and mass deportations would send inflation skyrocketing and harm the strong economy he inherited.

Yesterday, President Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States and began to face an immediate choice: enact the extreme policies he campaigned on or deliver the strong economy he promised voters. Voters have consistently said that the economy was their No. 1 issue, and elected President Trump to address high prices for essentials like groceries, rent, and medications. However, many of President Trump’s campaign policies – deporting half of the nation’s farmworkers or slapping tariffs on Canadian lumber used to build new housing stock – would cause those prices to skyrocket.

President Trump can lower prices and address our broken immigration system with smart policies, and he may even find Democrats willing to help him do it, Senator Coons writes. Or, he can enact the policies he ran on. The choice is up to the president. 

The Bulwark: Dems Can Work with Trump – But Not on the Plans He’s Outlined

Welcome back to Washington, President Trump. You’ve got an important choice to make.

The American people elected you in November largely because they’re tired of the high inflation and high prices that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. They think groceries, medications, and rent are too expensive. It’s why poll after poll shows that the economy and inflation were top issues on voters’ minds last year.

…

The two policies you advocated most consistently on the campaign trail were your proposals for widespread tariffs and mass deportations. But these won’t help Americans deal with everyday costs – at all. They’ll actually raise prices.

…

Institute tariffs today, and American consumers – most of whom are still recovering from high post-pandemic prices – will face sticker shock tomorrow. It will be hard to lower the cost of groceries if you put tariffs on half the fruit we eat. Our country needs to build more affordable homes to lower the cost of housing, but nearly half of the lumber and wood products we import that we need for new home construction comes from Canada. The Peterson Institute estimates that your tariffs will cost the typical American household more than $2,600 a year.

Senator Coons statement on vote to confirm Secretary of State Marco Rubio

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after voting to confirm Senator Marco Rubio as the next Secretary of State: 

“I am glad to see Marco Rubio confirmed to lead the State Department unanimously. I have worked with Senator Rubio on multiple bills over the last 14 years of serving together on the Foreign Relations Committee. While we may not agree on everything, I know he is committed to securing American leadership, values, and interests around the world. Secretary Rubio is more than qualified to lead in this new role, and I hope he will trust in the experience and institutional knowledge of our foreign and civil service officers at the State Department and in embassies around the world as he crafts our nation’s foreign policy agenda.”  

Senator Coons statement on the Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after voting against final passage of the Laken Riley Act:

“The murder of Laken Riley was an unspeakable tragedy resulting from our broken immigration system. Unfortunately, the bill named in her memory puts Americans in greater danger. The bill stops trained, experienced law enforcement officers from making decisions that will keep the most dangerous offenders off our streets, forcing their attention away from assaulters and murderers and onto shoplifters. Tens of thousands of migrants who pose serious public safety threats may be released. That outcome is not acceptable to me, and I voted against this dangerous bill. Last week, I tried to address some of these public safety concerns through several commonsense amendments, only to find the new Senate majority wasn’t interested in improving it.

“Solving the problems at the Southern border and improving public safety begins with a more thoughtful approach to alleviate the pressure on overworked Border Patrol agents and immigration judges and addressing the many problems with our immigration system. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Trump administration to find lasting solutions to our migration problems this year.”