Senator Coons’ statement on House GOP health care plan

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement on the House Republicans’ proposed Affordable Care Act replacement bill:

“The House Republicans’ plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act is unacceptable. Their plan would leave millions of Americans without coverage and access to health care, increase out-of-pocket costs for consumers, cut Medicaid funding, put power back in the hands of insurance companies, and endanger women’s health. The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but this is a dangerous proposal that will take our country back to the days when consumers had few protections or financial assistance to access care. I’ve said all along that I’m willing to find ways to improve the Affordable Care Act, but this proposal does the opposite. I will fight to protect the health care of Delaware children, families, persons with disabilities, and seniors by pushing back against this bill.”

Senator Coons’ statement on revised travel ban

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s revised travel ban announced today:

“I am concerned that the President continues to try to deliver on a campaign promise to create a ‘Muslim ban,’ even though members of both parties have condemned it. The travel ban announced today still discriminates against six Muslim-majority countries from which travelers, including refugees, do not pose a significant terrorist threat to the United States, as the Trump administration’s own Department of Homeland Security made clear in a recent memo. There is an especially stringent vetting process for refugees already in place. This new travel ban still makes us less safe by giving extremist groups a propaganda and recruiting tool. It still makes us less respected in the world by refusing to help our allies shoulder the burden of the refugee crisis. We should see this executive order for what it is: a decision based in fear, not facts, to discriminate against people on the basis of their nationality and how they pray.”

[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on President Trump’s wiretap claims: “There is no evidence.”

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined CNN New Day to discuss President Trump’s recent wiretap allegations.

“I’ll remind you that the big issue here that I think President Trump is trying to distract us from is whether or not there was collusion between the Trump campaign and our last presidential election, and the larger issue that faces all of us is whether we’re going to defend our democracy against Russian aggression,” said Senator Coons.

“I need a more detailed briefing on exactly what the FBI Director has been saying, but my hunch is that what he is trying to get approval to do is have the Department of Justice publicly say there was no warrant. There is no evidence,” said Senator Coons. “Let’s remember the record here. Donald Trump dedicated years of his life to running around our country claiming that President Obama wasn’t born in the United States without a shred of evidence, and immediately after his election claimed millions of people voted illegally and demanded an investigation, which even in this investigation-prone Republican Congress they haven’t taken him up on it because there’s no evidence of that either.” 

Full video and audio available here.

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ICYMI: Sens. Coons, Rubio speak about importance of pushing back on Russia

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke yesterday on the Senate floor about the importance of pushing back on Russian aggression.

“It seems clear to all of us on the Foreign Relations Committee that have had the opportunity to travel to Eastern Europe to visit with our NATO allies that Vladimir Putin has a worldview and an agenda that is in sharp contrast with our own,” said Senator Coons.

“I believe what we stand for is the universal values on which we forged the transatlantic alliance more than 70 years ago,” said Senator Coons. “A transatlantic alliance that has been a force for stability and good in the world; a transatlantic alliance that has secured peace in Western Europe and North America ever since the close of the Second World War. But a transatlantic alliance that is rooted in values: values of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, rule of law, and democracy, and an opposition to authoritarianism.”

“Two bills that are currently gathering co-sponsors, which I hope our colleagues will review and consider joining us in co-sponsoring: one is S.341, the Russia Sanctions Review Act of 2017, which currently has 18 co-sponsors, and the other is S.94, the Counteracting Russian Hostilities Act of 2017, that has 20 co-sponsors—10 Republicans and 10 Democrats,” said Senator Coons. “In both cases, we are proud to have a very broad range of both Republicans and Democrats engaged in important legislation that ensures that Russia pays a price for breaking the rules, that starts by taking action to support the sanctions against the Russian government for its illegal annexation of Crimea, and for its egregious human rights violations in Syria, and for meddling in the U.S. election. It prevents the lifting of sanctions on Russia until the Russian government ceases the activities that caused the sanctions to be imposed in the first place. And it supports civil society, pro-democracy, anti-corruption activists in Russia and Europe to show that we—many of us—are determined, as members of the Foreign Relations Committee, as members of the Appropriations Committee, as Senators, not as partisans, that we intend to fund the tools that will enable the United States and our NATO allies to push back on Russian aggression.”

“We have no quarrel with the Russian people. We are here because there is nothing Vladimir Putin’s regime would love more than to see his actions divide us in this chamber and divide us in this country from our vital allies in Europe and divide the whole North Atlantic community that for seven decades has brought peace and stability to Europe, has brought prosperity to the United States, not as an act of charity, but as investment in the best interest of security,” said Senator Coons. “We are here to say with one voice that we will stand up to Russian aggression that undermines democracy and violates human rights.”

Full video and audio available here.

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Sens. Coons, Toomey honored by the Bipartisan Policy Center for their commitment to working across the aisle

WASHINGTON – Today, March 1, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) will receive the first-ever Bipartisan Policy Center’s Legislative Action Award along with Representatives Will Hurd (R-Tex.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.). The Bipartisan Policy Center will honor these members of Congress with this award because of their commitment to putting policy before partisanship.

“I’m honored to receive this award from the Bipartisan Policy Center that recognizes the importance of working across the aisle to enact real change,” said Senator Coons. “Delawareans sent me to the Senate to be their voice and ally in Washington while staying true to what we call the Delaware Way, which is defined by collaboration and kindness even in the face of disagreement. It is my hope that by letting these values guide what I do in the Senate I can look past partisan differences and do what is best for Delaware and for the United States.” 

“The people of Pennsylvania want policy makers in Washington to get things done,” said Senator Toomey. “In the Senate that usually means 60 votes and obtaining support from both parties. I am honored that the Bipartisan Policy Center is highlighting my work on behalf of Pennsylvania for the first Legislative Action Award. Our country faces many great challenges. Solutions will require careful thought, great ideas, and cooperation from Republicans and Democrats, the House and the Senate, and the executive and legislative branches of government. While none of us will agree all the time, the country needs lawmakers to resist the call of obstructionism and work together, where they can, to tackle the great fiscal, economic, and security challenges of our time. That’s why I continue to seek consensus and pursue headway on these matters on behalf of all Pennsylvanians.”

[VIDEO] Senator Coons: “Donald Trump has proven that he knows how to campaign, but it’s not yet clear if he knows how to govern”

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Wolf Blitzer on CNN today ahead of President Trump’s address this evening to a joint session of Congress.

“I think Donald Trump has proven that he knows how to campaign, but it’s not clear if he knows how to govern,” said Senator Coons. “If he lays out an optimistic bold speech tonight in which he’s willing to compromise on some key issues—immigration being one of them—I think we might begin to make progress here. But he would have to be willing to compromise on some of the very hard edge positions he took in the course of the campaign.”

“The proposals that I’m hearing are in the works to significantly cut funding to the State Department and to USAID are very ill-advised exactly at this time, because in order to defeat ISIS, we need to not just defeat them on the battlefield, we need to then be able to hold the territory formerly held by ISIS and strengthen governance,” said Senator Coons. “That requires diplomats and development professionals, and I think President Trump, if he proposes tonight as is rumored a significant cut to funding for the State Department and USAID, that proposal will be dead on arrival here in the Senate.”

Full audio and video available here.

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Senator Coons’ statement on President Trump’s proposed cuts to State Department and foreign assistance funding

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees, issued the following statement following reports that the Trump administration’s budget proposes deep cuts in funding to the State Department and U.S. foreign assistance:

“U.S. leadership in the world relies on many tools of American power. Our military must always remain the most capable, technologically advanced force in the world, but we can preserve military supremacy while also maintaining small but effective investments in diplomacy and development. Key voices in the Trump administration understand the value of funding for our nation’s diplomats and development experts. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has said, ‘If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.’ Secretary of State Rex Tillerson repeated Secretary Mattis’ wise words when I questioned him during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“Foreign assistance is not charity. The aid we provide to countries around the world directly advances U.S. national interests by fostering a safer and more stable world, opening markets to U.S. businesses, and promoting American values. It allows us to confront global challenges such as terrorism, pandemic disease, and drug trafficking. It would be both foolish and mathematically impossible for President Trump to offset other spending increases by slashing State Department and development budgets, which represent just one percent of all federal spending. Fortunately, members of Congress of both parties appreciate the value of foreign assistance to our foreign policy, and I’m confident Republicans and Democrats will work together to defend this small but vital sliver of federal spending.”

Senator Coons to host Delaware National Guard General Carol Timmons for joint session of Congress

WILMINGTON, DE. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) will host Maj. Gen. Carol Timmons as his guest to attend President Donald J. Trump’s speech at a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, February 28.

Prior to being selected as Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, she held the position of Assistant Adjutant General responsible for leading the Delaware Air National Guard, commanding an authorized force of 1,100 Airmen and ensuring that all Guard Airmen are trained, organized and equipped to support federal and state missions.

“I am very pleased Gen. Timmons will be my guest Tuesday evening to attend President Trump’s joint session of Congress,” said Sen. Coons. “Gen. Timmons has distinguished herself as a remarkable public servant for Delaware and our country, and I’m honored to welcome her to the Capitol tomorrow evening.”

“Senator Coons invite is just another example of the supportive relationship our leaders in Delaware have developed with our military,” said Gen. Timmons. “It is my honor to attend and represent the 2,700 Soldiers and Airmen of our Delaware National Guard.”

Gen. Timmons is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Joint Guard, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. In 2008, she earned a Bronze Star Medal for her service commanding a combat deployment to Afghanistan. She is Delaware’s first female Adjutant General, with responsibility for preparing the Delaware National Guard to support both federal and state missions.

Senator Coons’ statement on President Trump’s withdrawal of agency guidance on transgender student protections

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today released the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to revoke agency guidance on transgender student protections:

“President Trump’s withdrawal of federal guidance supporting protections for transgender students is arbitrary, misguided and cruel. This is not a states’ rights issue — it is a civil rights issue that affects students in every state across the country. It has long been settled that states must comply with federal civil rights laws, even when they disagree with particular applications of those laws. It is our obligation to protect the equal rights of American citizens, and President Trump’s withdrawal of guidance does not advance states’ rights – it legitimizes hate and discrimination. Fortunately, the Trump administration’s actions do not change our anti-discrimination laws under Title IX or the Constitution, which protect students of all gender identities. I am confident that these students’ rights will be vindicated in our courts, and I am proud to stand with them in this fight for justice.”

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Sen. Coons, Rep. Lofgren lead congressional amicus brief on Trump travel ban

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) led an amici curiae brief signed by Members of Congress in support of plaintiffs suing President Trump in the Eastern District of New York over the recent Executive Order banning travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. The 167 Members of Congress who are signatories to the brief have participated in the drafting of immigration and national security legislation and serve, or have served, on key committees with jurisdiction over these issues.

“President Trump’s unprecedented Executive Order banning refugees and individuals from seven majority Muslim countries has caused confusion and chaos across the country and around the world. Moreover, it does exactly the opposite of what it intends – it undermines, rather than enhances, our national security interests. The order threatens critical international relationships and alienates those whose cooperation is needed in the fight against violent extremism,” said Senator Coons and Representative Lofgren. “While the order was drafted to appear neutral with respect to religion, it is clear the intent is to target Muslims while giving preferential treatment to Christians – as President Trump and his advisors have repeatedly stated they intended to do. This is a brazen violation of the Constitution’s Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses and principles of equal protection, as well as the Immigration and Nationality Act’s categorical prohibition of nationality-based discrimination.  The role of an independent judiciary in enforcing these protections is core to our democracy. The best way to protect the security of the nation, to uphold foundational American values, and to safeguard our democracy is to respect the Constitution’s fundamental protections and the laws passed by Congress. By those measures, this order fails.”

As the brief states, the Members of Congress are “committed to ensuring that our immigration laws and policies both help protect the nation from foreign and domestic attacks and comport with fundamental constitutional principles, such as religious freedom and equal protection under the law.” 

The brief goes on, explaining that the Executive Order “is vastly overbroad—targeting both individuals and countries in a way that does nothing to further the Order’s stated purpose of ‘protect[ing] the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States.’”

When the Executive Order was issued on January 27, the plaintiffs were detained at JFK Airport upon arrival to the United States. The ACLU, the   Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at Yale Law School, the International Refugee Assistance Project, and the National Immigration Law Center are representing the plaintiffs in this class-action lawsuit challenging the President’s Executive Order. One plaintiff was immigrating to the United States after being granted a Special Immigrant Visa for his service as an interpreter to U.S. forces. The other plaintiff was immigrating through a Follow to Join Visa, intending to reunite with his wife and son, who were granted refugee status due to their family’s association with the United States military.

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