Coons, Blunt Rochester, McBride celebrate inclusion of three Delaware sites in Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and U.S. Representative Sarah McBride (all D-Del.) today celebrated the National Parks Service’s (NPS) announcement that it had formally included three historic Delaware locations in Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. The announcement is the result of legislation introduced by Senator Coons and Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) that was signed into law in 2022 by President Joe Biden.

The 2022 law expanded Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park to authorize the inclusion of additional schools as affiliate sites to the park. Three Delaware sites that played a pivotal role in the 1954 case striking down the doctrine of “separate but equal” were included:

• Howard High School in Wilmington, already a National Historic Landmark, was the first high school for African Americans in the state of Delaware and the school to which the plaintiffs in Belton v. Gebhart were forced to travel. Today, the school is known as Howard High School of Technology and is administered by the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District.
• Claymont Community Center, formerly Claymont High School denied admission to the plaintiffs in the Belton v. Gebhart case. Today, the former school is a community center.
• Hockessin School #107 was an all-Black school that one of the plaintiffs in Belton v. Gebhart was required to attend without being provided the same public transportation offered to white students attending other schools. It is now used as a community facility.

The Brown v. Board of Education National Park now consists of the three Delaware sites, Monroe Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas, as well as Summerton High School and Scott’s Branch High School in South Carolina.

While the effort was signed into law by President Biden in 2022, today’s signing of a Secretarial Decision by Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland means the three Delaware sites can officially celebrate their affiliation with the NPS, promote that affiliation, and are formally preserved through the protections offered therein. All three sites continued to offer educational services throughout the two-year implementation process.

“I was raised just a few hundred yards away from Hockessin Colored School, but I did not learn of its important role until I was in law school. It’s imperative we embrace our history and teach it well, so every student is aware of the past and carries its lessons with them while crafting a brighter future,” said Senator Coons. “Today’s National Park Service designation will make our students a little more aware of their past and help our nation come to know Delaware’s important role in America’s history of correcting injustice and segregation.”

“Black history is an essential part of our collective story,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “Preserving Black history—across our nation, but especially in Delaware – has never been more important. Thank you to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and the National Park Service for adding Howard High School, Claymont Community Center, and Hockessin Colored School #107 to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. I am proud that Delaware’s role in this landmark civil rights decision is getting the recognition it deserves, and I look forward to these three sites continuing to educate Delawareans for generations to come.”

“Time and time again, the story of America has been written by courageous Delawareans who have often put their lives on the line to build a more perfect union,” said Congresswoman McBride. “I am so glad that the Brown v. Board of Education National Park will now formally include three historic Delaware sites, sharing the important role of Delaware and Delawareans in striking down the scourge of segregation nationally. We must preserve Black history so that America’s future can learn from the pain and progress of our past—and I am so grateful for the leadership of Senator Coons, Representative Clyburn, and Secretary Holland to make this step a reality.”

“Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park is so grateful for this opportunity to share with visitors and school children the heroic stories of struggle, perseverance, and activism in each of the five communities that contributed lawsuits decided by the Supreme Court in 1954,” said James Williams, Superintendent of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. “We have established fruitful partnerships with the three affiliated areas in Delaware and are excited to nurture those in coming years.”

“The Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107C are ecstatic to be formally recognized as a National Park Service Historical Site under Brown v. Board of Education,” said David Wilk, of the Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107C. “To have 107C be honored and preserved ‘means the world to us former students’ (James “Sonny” Knott) and is ‘one of the highlights of our life to Walk through the Doors Again.’”

“This is really a great day,” said Gary Hutt, President of Howard High School Alumni Association. “We are especially appreciative of the great collaboration of Senator Coons and Congressman Clyburn to assure the preservation of this great chapter of American history through the National Park Service.”

“We are thrilled to be named an affiliate of the Brown v. Board site in Topeka, KS joining the other sites in Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia, and DC,” said Allison C. David, CEO of the Claymont Community Center. “This designation allows for the full telling of the story, and we understand the importance of sharing Claymont’s role. Knowing our past inspires us to work towards a more equitable society now and this legacy of inclusion is central to our work in the community.”

Statement from Senator Coons on the second inauguration of President Trump

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement ahead of the second inauguration of President Donald Trump:

“Today, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. I hope that President Trump will put the best interests of the country first and promote the common good in ways that will make our country freer, safer, and more prosperous. If President Trump acts in the best interests of the American people, I will work with him constructively; when he does not, I will oppose him. That is what Delawareans sent me to the Senate to do.

“Finally, as President Joe Biden departs Washington, I simply say: thank you. Thank you for fighting hard every day for the American people and leading with dignity and honor. We are a better country for your service as president. Delaware stands ready to welcome you home, proud of a job well done.”

Senator Coons celebrates President Biden’s executive order making it easier for AmeriCorps alumni to start careers with federal agencies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Co-Chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus, celebrated the inclusion of a key provision from his Promoting Service Through AmeriCorps (PSA) Act in President Biden’s latest round of executive orders. This action will make it easier for AmeriCorps alumni to use the skills they’ve learned during their service and find fulfilling careers with federal agencies.

“AmeriCorps members of every background and generation are driven to give back to their communities through service, and it’s no surprise that they’d continue to be drawn toward serving the public good when their terms end,” said Senator Coons. “President Biden’s recent executive order builds on my legislation and will allow AmeriCorps alumni to jump-start their federal careers. This is one of many commonsense improvements to national service I proposed with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in our bipartisan legislation to expand and reauthorize AmeriCorps. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to build on this momentum to deliver for the more than 200,000 Americans serving their communities through AmeriCorps each year.”

This week, the White House announced that President Biden had signed an executive order allowing agencies to more quickly hire individuals who have completed a full-time AmeriCorps program, a provision included in broader legislation that Senators Coons and Cassidy introduced in September 2024 that would reauthorize and strengthen AmeriCorps programs. Under the executive order, AmeriCorps members who complete 1,700 or more hours of AmeriCorps service will receive federal noncompetitive eligibility for one year after their service, allowing members to be hired by federal agencies through a more streamlined process.

Noncompetitive eligibility is already available to veterans and military spouses, Foreign Service spouses, select current and former federal employees, Peace Corps alumni, and alumni of AmeriCorps VISTA. President Biden’s executive order does not give AmeriCorps members priority status over other candidates, in contrast to the hiring preference that veterans and military spouses receive. 

The full text of the Promoting Service Through AmeriCorps (PSA) Act is available here.  

The executive order is available here.

Senators Coons, Warren lead over 130 colleagues urging Trump nominees to expand IRS Direct Free File Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) led over 130 members of Congress this week in writing to Treasury Secretary-Designate Scott Bessent and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner-Designate Billy Long, urging them to keep and expand the IRS Direct File program.

In 2024, in red and blue states, Direct File, a new tool for taxpayers to file their taxes online for free with the IRS, helped thousands of taxpayers file accurately and securely. The program received excellent reviews and is set to expand this month to 25 states and over 30 million eligible Americans. Direct File was created as part of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

“This program is efficient and effective, providing a vital service for millions of Americans, while also keeping their data safe from misuse,” the lawmakers wrote. “Congress does not need to pass legislation to continue this progress. If confirmed, we urge you to maintain and expand it.”

Direct File was created to save taxpayers time and money. Right now, on average, Americans spend $160 and eight hours to file their taxes, often losing a chunk of their refund to do so. Giving taxpayers the option to file for free through the Direct File program has saved filers approximately $5.6 million in federal tax preparation fees in just its pilot year and is projected to save filers $11 billion a year at scale.

The 2024 Direct File pilot proved to be a success. Used by more than 140,000 taxpayers, nearly 90% of surveyed filers said Direct File increased their trust in the IRS, and nearly 90% had “above average” or “excellent” experiences with the program. Indeed, the pilot was so successful that, when the IRS announced it would make Direct File a permanent program, 13 additional states elected to offer this option to their taxpayers.

“Taxpayers’ embrace of Direct File is indicative of their interest in a free, easy, private, and secure method of filing,” the lawmakers continued. “We disagree with our colleagues who are calling on the President to pull the plug, harming taxpayers and undermining the work that two dozen state governments in red and blue states have done to support taxpayers for the upcoming 2025 tax filing season.”

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the leaders of President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, have talked about developing a mobile app for Americans to file their taxes for free with the IRS. The lawmakers believe that Direct File is a current solution that aligns with their goal.

While Delaware is not part of the program yet, the IRS doubled the number of states using Direct File for 2025: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The letter is signed by 26 senators and 115 House members.

You can read the full letter here.

Senator Coons statement on unanimous Supreme Court decision upholding TikTok ban

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act:

“I welcome this decision to uphold a bipartisan national security bill passed by Congress last spring. TikTok is not just another social media platform; it is a means by which the Chinese Communist Party collects data on millions of Americans and directly influences their political views and conduct. We must take commonsense measures to protect our democracy and national security from those who wish to do us harm. That is precisely what Congress did here and what the Supreme Court has today unanimously endorsed.

“I understand that many Americans will be disappointed to lose access to TikTok. ByteDance – TikTok’s Chinese parent company – had nine months to divest TikTok and sell the social media platform to a company unaffiliated with a foreign adversary. That opportunity still exists. It is not too late for ByteDance to allow Americans to maintain access to the app by selling TikTok.”

Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senator Coons questions Secretary of State nominee Senator Marco Rubio about strengthening U.S. global leadership, maintaining multilateral engagement under Trump administration

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) questioned President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), at his confirmation hearing today before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he pushed Rubio on his plans to sustain U.S. global leadership, including multilateral engagement, and his approach to working with presidential Special Envoys. 

At today’s hearing, Senator Coons spoke positively about his tenure serving with Rubio in the Senate and asked questions regarding Rubio’s vision as Secretary of State. Senator Coons underscored the importance of Rubio continuing U.S. leadership in multilateral organizations as a pillar of global engagement and national security. He also expressed concerns related to the last Trump administration’s withdrawal from the U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Human Rights Council, and the World Health Organization, noting how such extreme moves provided opportunities for U.S. adversaries to advance their competing agendas in those forums. 

Senator Coons also questioned Rubio on President-elect Trump’s early appointment of multiple Special Envoys, who have been tasked with handling several diplomatic hotspots around the world. Specifically, Senator Coons asked Rubio how the administration plans to make the vetting and appointment of Special Envoys transparent and ensure they do not detract from the State Department’s traditional jurisdiction.

A video and partial transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.

WATCH HERE.

Senator Coons: President-elect Trump has appointed a series of Special Envoys focused on a wide range of areas, and some of these, I think, can genuinely complement – not undermine or distract from – State Department’s core efforts. The Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, for example – Adam Boehler – I look forward to working with. Senator [Dave] McCormick [R-Pa.] asked about – there’s a number of key issues around hostage-taking of Americans. There’s a bipartisan bill Senator [Jim] Risch [R-Idaho] and I have on this that we hope to work with you on. Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, I think will be central to achieving an outcome in Ukraine that is a lasting and secure peace and prevents further Russian aggression. But others,like Rick Grenell [as Special Envoy] for Special Missions and Massad Boulos [as Senior Advisor] for the Arab world, concern me in terms of the potential for mission conflict or conflict of interest. How will you work to ensure that State maintains its authority and encourage the administration to conduct a full vetting of any potential conflicts of interest and to ensure there’s clarity of alignment with Special Envoys?

Senator Rubio: Sure, and thank you for the question, because I think it’s a valid one. With the exception of Mr. Boulos, who I don’t know – may have met once, but don’t know – every one of the envoys that have been named so far [is] someone that I’ve worked with in the past and expect to work well with in the future. To me, the expression of a Special Envoy is critically important; where it’s most successful, it sits on a complex issue with a defined goal and an expression of presidential priorities. So, Sudan is an example of a Special Envoy, and Mr. [Tom] Perriello and the job he’s done there. And this is in addition to the fact that we have an Ambassador and we have other presence, diplomatic presence there, that can be very complimentary. So, the way this will work, and how I anticipate it will work is, these envoys work for the President in coordination with us. …

Senator Coons: [M]ultilateral organizations concern and frustrate many of us; some of their actions have been counter to American interests, but when we’ve withdrawn from multilateral organizations, and in particular, some U.N. entities, it’s also given an opening to our adversaries. The previous Trump administration withdrew from UNESCO, the Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, and I’m concerned that if we do so without thinking through the consequences, we may abandon our chance to implement our agenda around human rights, around 5G standards, around technical standards that matter for the 21st century. Do you support sustained U.S. participation in multilateral organizations, and how will you work to strengthen our leadership in those institutions in ways that prevent our adversaries from advancing their competing agendas?

Senator Rubio: Well, I want to point back to what I said at the opening, and that is, our engagement in any international agreement or any international arrangement or any international organization has to be driven by the answer to one of three questions: Will our involvement in this organization make us safer, make us more prosperous, make us more secure? It has to be justified by an American interest; it just does. I mean, we’re in an era where we need to really – it should have always been that way – but now more than ever, and so each of these will have different components to it. I think there’s a second component of funding, and that is, should the United States be funding organizations who, in many cases, are pursuing and or achieving outcomes that are contrary to the national interest of the United States? Each of these will require a serious examination as we work through and a justification to Congress about why we’re no longer funding it or we’re no longer participating. …

Senator Coons: In closing, I’ll just repeat something I’ve heard from several of my colleagues. I think that our global network of alliances and partners, rooted in our shared values – a commitment to democracy and human rights – is essential to our national security and how the war in Ukraine ends, and whether a peace agreement there lasts and secures Ukraine from ongoing Russian aggression, is critical to our credibility and security and to sustaining that network of allies and partners. I hope that’s something you strongly agree with.

Senator Coons introduces amendment to prevent wasteful lawsuits and improve public safety under the Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced an amendment to the Laken Riley Act that would strike a section that weakens the federal government’s authority over our immigration laws. 

Senator Coons’ amendment would have addressed concerns about our immigration system and public safety raised by both Democrats and Republicans regarding Section 3 of the Laken Riley Act. Section 3 would weaken long-established due processes and take oversight away from the federal government. It would also allow state attorneys general to sue the federal government over individual decisions made by agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

“I respect that colleagues on both sides of the aisle have expressed their intention to vote for the Laken Riley bill and to advance it,” said Senator Coons. “I have not yet made any such commitment out of concern about the unintended consequences of several provisions of this bill. … [W]e should not have the division and frankly, ultimately, the chaos, in the enforcement of our immigration laws that would likely result from having a raft of lawsuits brought by state attorneys general in courts all over the country, testing and challenging almost literally every detention decision. I believe it is possible for this act to be improved, for it to advance public safety, and for it to make a contribution to the country, and it is my hope that the amendments being offered will be taken up and passed.”

By a vote of 46-49, the Senate did not adopt Senator Coons’ amendment.

A video and partial transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.

WATCH HERE.

Senator Coons: Amidst real resource constraints, unpredictable migration patterns, and fluctuating diplomatic sensitivities, our federal law enforcement officers at ICE and CBP make thousands of complex decisions day-in and day-out about how to deal with interior enforcement, with border encounters, who to detain, and who to release. And it’s because these decisions involve so many complex factors that the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized [that] the federal government is and should be the ultimate authority on enforcement of our immigration laws. Section 3, however, would mark a sea change by inviting every state attorney general to sue whenever they disagree with even an individual-level federal decision regarding detention and removal. This could create uncertainty or even chaos by encouraging conflicting lawsuits brought in different states in different courts.

Senator Coons: I will remind my colleagues: This provision may have been drafted when the view was that Republican state attorneys general would sue a Democratic administration to move closer towards the enforcement vision that they prioritize. Roughly half of the state attorneys general belong to each political party. I hope that my colleagues who have reflected upon the consequences of this provision will conclude that we should not have the division and frankly, ultimately, the chaos, in the enforcement of our immigration laws that would likely result from having a raft of lawsuits brought by state attorneys general in courts all over the country, testing and challenging almost literally every detention decision. I believe it is possible for this act to be improved, for it to advance public safety, and for it to make a contribution to the country, and it is my hope that the amendments being offered will be taken up and passed.

Senator Coons statement on Israel-Hamas cease-fire, hostage deal

“I am overjoyed by reports that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for a cease-fire, the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas, and the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes across Gaza.
 
“This is the direct result of the tireless efforts by President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and the Biden national security team to bring a pause to hostilities in Gaza, secure the release of innocent civilians kidnapped by Hamas during the horrific October 7 terrorist attack, and increase the flow of desperately needed humanitarian assistance to civilians across Gaza. This cease-fire agreement is an important step toward restoring stability to the region, securing Israel’s safety, and ending Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. I commend President Biden for his resilience, determination, and faith in diplomacy to achieve peace.”
 
Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senator Coons presses Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi for reassurance that she will maintain Department of Justice’s independence during Judiciary confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) questioned President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, at her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation today, where he pressed her on whether she’d be able to stand up to President Trump and maintain the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) independence in the face of threats and politicization from the White House. Under questioning from Senator Coons, Bondi also confirmed that President-elect Trump would not be able to run for another term in 2028 unless the Constitution was amended to allow him to do so.

Senator Coons joined his colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee for Bondi’s confirmation hearing, where senators examined Bondi’s qualifications and experience in her bid to lead the nation’s highest law enforcement agency. He questioned Bondi about whether she would let her loyalty to Trump interfere with the DOJ’s core mission; Trump has repeatedly asked the department to investigate individuals he believes are his political opponents, and Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI – who would serve under Bondi – has a published “enemies list” of Democrats and “disloyal” Republicans whom he has made clear he plans to go after when confirmed.

A video and partial transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.

WATCH HERE.

Senator Coons: A simple question of constitutional interpretation: Is President-elect Trump eligible to run for another term as President in 2028?

Bondi: No, Senator – not unless they change the Constitution.

Senator Coons: Thank you. One of the concerns I’ve raised with you is safeguarding the Department of Justice’s independence in the face of some promises on the campaign trail by then-candidate Trump that he would use the department to target his political adversaries or that he might interfere with prosecution. What would you do if your career DOJ prosecutors came to you with a case to prosecute, grounded in the facts and law, but the White House directs you to drop the case?

Bondi: Senator, if I thought that would happen, I would not be sitting here today. That will not happen – will not happen. Every case will be prosecuted based on the facts and the law that is applied in good faith, period. Politics have got to be taken out of the system. This department has been weaponized for years and years and years, and it has to stop.

Senator Coons: Thank you. Let me, if I might … refer you back to Senator [Dick] Durbin’s [D-Ill.] opening comments about previous attorneys general – our former colleague Jeff Sessions, Bill Barr – I don’t think it’s credible to say that it may never happen that the president-elect would direct an unethical or illegal act. I think both of those attorneys general found themselves crosswise with the then-president by doing things he didn’t welcome or approve of. Just answer the question for me, if you would: I know you may not expect it; I know you wouldn’t have accepted this nomination if you thought it possible – but let’s imagine that once again, President-elect Trump issues a directive or order to you or to the FBI director that is outside the boundaries of ethics or law. What will you do?

Bondi: Senator, I will never speak on a hypothetical, especially one saying that the President would do something illegal. What I can tell you is my duty, if confirmed as the Attorney General, will be to the Constitution and the United States of America, and the most important oath, part of that oath, that I will take are the last four words: “So help me God.”

Senators Coons, Boozman reintroduce bipartisan Benjamin Franklin Statue Placement Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) yesterday reintroduced the Benjamin Franklin Statue Placement Act, a bipartisan effort to honor Benjamin Franklin’s contributions to the founding of the United States by placing a statue of him along the U.S. Capitol tour route. The bill calls for the installation of a statue of Franklin before 2026, which will be the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. The senators originally introduced the bill in December.

“Benjamin Franklin’s legacy as a statesman and politician, printer and publisher, philosopher and patriot, and inventor and scientist shaped the principles of American democracy and the ideals we continue to strive toward today,” said Senator Coons. “His work to unify the colonies and his contributions to our Constitution played a major role in Delaware declaring its independence and becoming the nation’s first state. As we approach America’s 250th birthday, it’s only fitting that this statue to his memory finally comes to reside in a place of prominence in our nation’s Capitol.”

“Benjamin Franklin’s unique role in our nation’s founding, including as our first diplomat to France, deserves special acknowledgement,” said Senator Boozman. “As a Co-Chair of the Senate French Caucus, I’m proud to help ensure visitors to the U.S. Capitol have an opportunity to celebrate that special connection and his many important contributions.”

“Benjamin Franklin is an integral part of the American story,” said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.). “As the only signer of all three documents separating us from the British, his contributions to American history are the foundation for our great nation. I am thrilled that Senators Coons and Boozman are joining Representative Fitzpatrick and me in our effort to honor Mr. Franklin and his legacy in our nation’s Capitol. With America’s 250th birthday approaching, it is imperative that we bestow this honor on Mr. Franklin quickly. Two-hundred-and-fifty years is a long time to wait, and I appreciate the bipartisan group of representatives and senators who have supported us in our endeavor.”

“As proud Pennsylvanians, Representative Houlahan and I are honored to lead this bipartisan effort to enshrine Benjamin Franklin’s legacy in the heart of our nation’s Capitol,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). “Franklin’s visionary leadership and unyielding commitment to liberty were instrumental in the birth of our republic, and as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, it is only fitting that we honor his lasting influence. This statue will stand not only as a tribute to Franklin’s monumental contributions but as a testament to Pennsylvania’s vital role in shaping the course of American history and securing the promise of freedom for future generations.”

One of the most noteworthy Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin strived to improve civic life in America. He played a key role in the Second Continental Congress, serving as a main editor of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Franklin was the only Founding Father to sign all three documents that led to America’s separation from Great Britain: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.

Despite his impactful role in shaping America, Franklin currently lacks significant representation within the U.S. Capitol. While there are references to Franklin throughout the Capitol – such as in paintings, carvings on the bases of other statues, and other small references – there is no statue of Franklin that is accessible to visitors. This bill would establish a statue of Franklin that is prominently displayed along the Capitol’s tour route, providing visitors with a tangible way to honor his enduring legacy.

In addition to Senators Coons and Boozman, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.). Representatives Houlahan and Fitzpatrick introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The full text of the bill is available here.